p. 196 | A Prediction by R. F. C.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1865

A Prediction.

By R. F. C.

The following prediction is found in the History of the Reformation, vol. ii, pp. 189, 190. It was doubtless made upon the strength of Bible testimony, the writer himself possessing a good degree of that Spirit which anciently spoke through the prophets. The prediction is being accomplished in the closing messages of the gospel. But we give the extract:

"The [Roman] church, apparently full of vigor, supported by treasures, governments, and armies, but in reality exhausted and feeble, having no love for God, no Christian life, no enthusiasm for the truth, found itself face to face with men who were simple but courageous, and who, knowing that God is with those who contend in behalf of his word, had no doubt of victory. In every age it has been seen how great is the strength of an idea to penetrate the masses, to stir up nations, and to hurry them, if required, by thousands to the battle-field and to death. But if so great be the strength of a human idea, what power must not a Heaven-descended idea possess, when God opens to it the gates of the heart. The world has not often seen so much power at work; it was seen, however, in the early days of Christianity, and in the time of the Reformation; and it will be seen in future ages."

The writer refers us to two great epochs of the Christian age, its commencement, and the beginning of the Reformation—and the third, though the writer did not probably see it so clearly as we now do, can refer to no other work than that which, in God's providence, is destined to consummate the Reformation and close the proclamation of the gospel. In other words, nothing can fulfill the prediction but the angel messages of Rev. xiv, 6–12, especially the third and last, which bears unmistakable evidence of being expressly designed to close both the Reformation and the Christian age; bringing the Reformation to a final test, calling upon all to choose between obedience to the authority of the beast, or the great Roman apostasy, whose corruptions and departures from the truth made the Reformation necessary, and obedience to the word of God, especially to those portions of the commandments and the faith which have been changed and trodden

under foot by the Roman church, and preparing the remnant of the Church for the advent of Him who is seen, as the next event, seated upon the “great white cloud.”

As it was in the primitive days of Christianity and of the Reformation, so it is now; the popular church has “no enthusiasm for the truth,” while “those who contend in behalf of God’s word,” have “no doubt of victory.” It is not a human, but a “Heaven-descended idea” that is leading them, pointed out by the spirit of prophecy 1800 years ago; and the full assurance that God is always with those who venture out upon and defend his word, gives them a courage to which others are strangers.

R. F. C.