It has ever been the design of Satan to draw the minds of the people from Jesus to man, and to destroy individual accountability. Satan failed in his design when he tempted the Son of God; but he succeeded better when he came to fallen man. Christianity became corrupted. Popes and priests presumed to take an exalted position, and taught the people to look to them to pardon their sins, instead of looking to Christ for themselves.
The people were wholly deceived. They were taught that the popes and priests were Christ’s representatives, when in fact they were the representatives of Satan, and those who bowed to them, worshiped Satan. The people called for the Bible; but the priests considered it dangerous to let them have it to read for themselves, lest they should become enlightened, and expose the sins of their leaders. The people were taught to receive every word from these deceivers as from the mouth of God. They held that179power over the mind which God alone should hold. If any dared to follow their own convictions, the same hate which Satan and the Jews exercised toward Jesus would be kindled against them, and those in authority would thirst for their blood.
I was shown a time when Satan especially triumphed. Multitudes of Christians were slain in a dreadful manner, because they would preserve the purity of their religion. The Bible was hated, and efforts were made to rid the earth of it. The people were forbidden to read it, on pain of death; and all the copies which could be found were burned. But I saw that God had a special care for his word. He protected it. At different periods there were but a very few copies of the Bible in existence, yet he would not suffer his word to be lost, for in the last days, copies of it were to be so multiplied that every family could possess it. I saw that when there were but few copies of the Bible, it was precious and comforting to the persecuted followers of Jesus. It was read in the most secret manner, and those who had this exalted privilege felt that they had had an interview with God, with his Son Jesus, and with his disciples. But this blessed privilege cost many of them their lives. If discovered, they were taken to the headsman’s block, to the stake, or to the dungeon to die of starvation.
Satan could not hinder the plan of salvation. Jesus was crucified, and rose again the third day. But Satan told his angels that he would make even the crucifixion and resurrection tell to his advantage. He was willing that those who professed faith in Jesus should believe that the laws regulating the Jewish sacrifices and offerings ceased at the death of Christ, if he could push them further, and make them believe that the law of ten commandments also died with Christ.
I saw that many readily yielded to this device of Satan. All Heaven was moved with indignation, as they saw the holy law of God trampled under180foot. Jesus and all the heavenly host were acquainted with the nature of God’s law; they knew that he would not change or abolish it. The hopeless condition of man after the fall caused the deepest sorrow in Heaven, and moved Jesus to offer to die for the transgressors of God’s holy law. But if that law could be abolished, man might have been saved without the death of Jesus. Consequently his death did not destroy the law of his Father, but magnified and honored it, and enforced obedience to all its holy precepts.
Had the church remained pure and steadfast, Satan could not have deceived them, and led them to trample on the law of God. In this bold plan, Satan strikes directly against the foundation of God’s government in Heaven and on earth. His rebellion caused him to be expelled from Heaven. After he rebelled, in order to save himself he wished God to change his law, but was told before the whole heavenly host that God’s law was unalterable. Satan knows that if he can cause others to violate God’s law he has gained them to his cause; for every transgressor of that law must die.
Satan decided to go still further. He told his angels that some would be so jealous of God’s law that they could not be caught in this snare; the ten commandments were so plain that many would believe that they were still binding, and therefore he must seek to corrupt only one of the commandments. He then led on his representatives to attempt to change the fourth, or Sabbath commandment, thus altering the only one of the ten which brings to view the true God, the maker of the heavens and the earth. Satan presented before them the glorious resurrection of Jesus, and told them that by his rising on the first day of the week, he changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week.
Thus Satan used the resurrection to serve his purpose. He and his angels rejoiced that the errors181they had prepared took so well with the professed friends of Christ. What one looked upon with religious horror, another would receive. Thus different errors were received and defended with zeal. The will of God, so plainly revealed in his word, was covered up with errors and traditions, which have been taught as the commandments of God. Although this Heaven-daring deception will be suffered to be carried on until the second appearing of Jesus, yet through all this time of error and deception, God has not been left without witnesses. Amid the darkness and persecution of the church there have always been true and faithful ones who kept all of God’s commandments.
I saw that the angelic host were filled with amazement as they beheld the sufferings and death of the King of glory. But I saw that it was no marvel to them that the Lord of life and glory, he who filled all Heaven with joy and splendor, should break the bands of death, and walk forth from his prison-house, a triumphant conqueror. Therefore, if either of these events should be commemorated by a day of rest, it is the crucifixion. But I saw that neither of these events was designed to alter or abolish God’s law; on the contrary, they give the strongest proof of its immutability.
Both of these important events have their memorials. By partaking of the Lord’s supper, the broken bread and the fruit of the vine, we show forth the Lord’s death until he comes. The scenes of his sufferings and death are thus brought fresh to our minds. The resurrection of Christ is commemorated by our being buried with him by baptism, and raised out of the watery grave, in likeness of his resurrection, to live in newness of life.
I was shown that the law of God would stand fast forever, and exist in the new earth to all eternity. At the creation, when the foundations of the earth were laid, the sons of God looked with admiration upon the work of the Creator, and all the heavenly182host shouted for joy. It was then that the foundation of the Sabbath was laid. At the close of the six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made; and he blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because that in it he had rested from all his work. The Sabbath was instituted in Eden before the fall, and was observed by Adam and Eve, and all the heavenly host. God rested on the seventh day, and blessed and hallowed it. I saw that the Sabbath never will be done away; but that the redeemed saints, and all the angelic host, will observe it in honor of the great Creator to all eternity.
DEATH NOT ETERNAL LIFE IN MISERY.
Satan commenced his deception in Eden. He said to Eve, “Thou shalt not surely die.” This was Satan’s first lesson upon the immortality of the soul; and he has carried on this deception from that time to the present, and will carry it on until the captivity of God’s children shall be turned. I was pointed to Adam and Eve in Eden. They partook of the forbidden tree, and then the flaming sword was placed around the tree of life, and they were driven from the garden, lest they should partake of the tree of life, and be immortal sinners. The fruit of this tree was to perpetuate immortality. I heard an angel ask, Who of the family of Adam have passed that flaming sword, and have partaken of the tree of life? I heard another angel answer, Not one of the family of Adam have passed that flaming sword, and partaken of that tree; therefore there is not an immortal sinner. The soul that sinneth, it shall die an everlasting death,—a death from which there will be no hope of a resurrection; and then the wrath of God will be appeased.
It was a marvel to me that Satan could succeed so183well in making men believe that the words of God, “The soul that sinneth it shall die,” mean that the soul that sinneth it shall not die, but live eternally in misery. Said the angel, Life is life, whether it is in pain or happiness. Death is without pain, without joy, without hatred.
Satan told his angels to make a special effort to spread the deception and lie first repeated to Eve in Eden, “Thou shalt not surely die.” And as the error was received by the people, and they were led to believe that man was immortal, Satan led them on to believe that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Then the way was prepared for Satan to work through his representatives, and hold up God before the people as a revengeful tyrant,—one who plunges all those into hell who do not please him, and causes them ever to feel his wrath; and while they suffer unutterable anguish, and writhe in the eternal flames, he is represented as looking down upon them with satisfaction. Satan knew that if this error should be received, God would be hated by many, instead of being loved and admired; and that many would be led to believe that the threatenings of God’s word would not be literally fulfilled, for it would be against his character of benevolence and love, to plunge into eternal torments the beings whom he had created.
Another extreme which Satan has led the people to adopt is to entirely overlook the justice of God, and the threatenings in his word, and to represent him as being all mercy, so that not one will perish, but that all, both saint and sinner, will at last be saved in his kingdom.
In consequence of the popular errors of the immortality of the soul, and endless misery, Satan takes advantage of another class, and leads them to regard the Bible as an uninspired book. They think it teaches many good things; but they cannot rely upon it and love it, because they have been taught that it declares the doctrine of eternal misery.
Another class Satan leads on still further, even to184deny the existence of God. They can see no consistency in the character of the God of the Bible, if he will torment with horrible tortures a portion of the human family to all eternity. Therefore they deny the Bible and its Author, and regard death as an eternal sleep.
There is still another class who are fearful and timid. Thus Satan tempts to commit sin, and after they have sinned, he holds up before them that the wages of sin is—not death, but—life in horrible torments, to be endured through the endless ages of eternity. By thus magnifying before their feeble minds the horrors of an endless hell, he takes possession of their minds, and they lose their reason. Then Satan and his angels exult, and the infidel and atheist join in casting reproach upon Christianity. They claim that these evils are the natural results of believing in the Bible and its Author, whereas they are the results of the reception of popular heresy.
I saw that the heavenly host were filled with indignation at this bold work of Satan. I inquired why all these delusions should be suffered to take effect upon the minds of men, when the angels of God were powerful, and if commissioned, could easily break the enemy’s power. Then I saw that God knew that Satan would try every art to destroy man; therefore he had caused his word to be written out, and had made his purposes in regard to the human race so plain that the weakest need not err. After having given his word to man, he had carefully preserved it from destruction by Satan or his angels, or by any of his agents or representatives. While other books might be destroyed, this was to be immortal. And down near the close of time, when the delusions of Satan should increase, it was to be so multiplied that all who desired might have a copy, and, if they would, might arm themselves against the deceptions and lying wonders of Satan.
I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible, yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in185some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the word of God plain and simple in declaring the way to life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.
I saw that the angels of God are never to control the will. God sets before man life and death. He can have his choice. Many desire life, but still continue to walk in the broad road. They choose to rebel against God’s government, notwithstanding his great mercy and compassion in giving his Son to die for them. Those who do not choose to accept of the salvation so dearly purchased, must be punished. But I saw that God would not shut them up in hell to endure endless misery, neither will he take them to Heaven; for to bring them into the company of the pure and holy would make them exceedingly miserable. But he will destroy them utterly, and cause them to be as though they had not been; then his justice will be satisfied. He formed man out of the dust of the earth, and the disobedient and unholy will be consumed by fire, and return to dust again. I saw that the benevolence and compassion of God in this matter, should lead all to admire his character and to adore his holy name. After the wicked are destroyed from off the earth, all the heavenly host will say, Amen!
Satan looks with great satisfaction upon those who profess the name of Christ, yet closely adhere to the delusions which he himself has formed. His work is still to form new delusions, and his power and art in this direction continually increase. He led his representatives, the popes and the priests, to exalt themselves, and to stir up the people to bitterly persecute186and destroy those who were not willing to yield to his delusions. Oh, the sufferings and agony which the precious followers of Christ were made to endure! Angels have kept a faithful record of it all. Satan and his evil angels exultingly told the angels who ministered to these suffering saints, that they were all to be killed, so that there would not be left a true Christian upon the earth. I saw that the church of God was then pure. There was no danger of men with corrupt hearts coming into it; for the true Christian, who dared to declare his faith, was in danger of the rack, the stake, and every torture which Satan and his evil angels could invent, or inspire in the mind of man.
THE REFORMATION.
NOTWITHSTANDING all the persecution of the saints, living witnesses for God’s truth were raised up on every hand. Angels of the Lord were doing the work committed to their trust. They were searching in the darkest places, and selecting out of the darkness men who were honest at heart. These were all buried up in error, yet God called them, as he did Saul, to be chosen vessels to bear his truth and raise their voices against the sins of his professed people. Angels of God moved upon the hearts of Martin Luther, Melancthon, and others in different places, and caused them to thirst for the living testimony of the word of God. The enemy had come in like a flood, and the standard must be raised against him. Luther was the one chosen to breast the storm, stand up against the ire of a fallen church, and strengthen the few who were faithful to their holy profession. He was ever fearful of offending God. He tried through works to obtain his favor, but was not satisfied until a gleam of light from Heaven drove the darkness from his mind, and led him to trust, not in187works, but in the merits of the blood of Christ. He could then come to God for himself, not through popes nor confessors, but through Jesus Christ alone
Oh, how precious to Luther was this new and glorious light which had dawned upon his dark understanding, and driven away his superstition! He prized it higher than the richest earthly treasure. The word of God was new. Everything was changed. The book he had dreaded because he could not see beauty in it, was now life, eternal life, to him. It was his joy, his consolation, his blessed teacher. Nothing could induce him to leave its study. He had feared death; but as he read the word of God, all his terrors disappeared, and he admired the character of God, and loved him. He searched the Bible for himself, and feasted upon the rich treasures it contained; then he searched it for the church. He was disgusted with the sins of those in whom he had trusted for salvation, and as he saw many others enshrouded in the same darkness which had covered him, he anxiously sought an opportunity to point them to the Lamb of God, who alone taketh away the sin of the world.
Raising his voice against the errors and sins of the Papal church, he earnestly endeavored to break the chain of darkness which was confining thousands, and causing them to trust in works for salvation. He longed to be enabled to open to their minds the true riches of the grace of God, and the excellence of salvation obtained through Jesus Christ. In the power of the Holy Spirit he cried out against the existing sins of the leaders of the church; and as he met the storm of opposition from the priests, his courage failed not, for he firmly relied upon the strong arm of God, and confidently trusted in him for victory. As he pushed the battle closer and closer, the rage of the priests was kindled still hotter against him. They did not wish to be reformed. They chose to be left in ease, in wanton pleasure, in188wickedness; and they desired the church also to be kept in darkness.
I saw that Luther was ardent and zealous, fearless and bold, in reproving sin and advocating the truth. He cared not for wicked men or devils; he knew that he had One with him mightier than they all. Luther possessed zeal, courage, and boldness, and at times was in danger of going to extremes. But God raised up Melancthon, who was just the opposite in character, to aid Luther in carrying on the work of reformation. Melancthon was timid, fearful, cautious, and possessed great patience. He was greatly beloved of God. His knowledge of the Scriptures was great, and his judgment and wisdom excellent. His love for the cause of God was equal to Luther’s. The hearts of these men the Lord knit together; they were inseparable friends. Luther was a great help to Melancthon when in danger of being fearful and slow, and Melancthon in turn was a great help to Luther when in danger of moving too fast. Melancthon’s far-seeing caution often averted trouble which would have come upon the cause, had the work been left alone to Luther; and ofttimes the work would not have been pushed forward, had it been left to Melancthon alone. I was shown the wisdom of God in choosing these two men to carry on the work of reformation.
I was then carried back to the days of the apostles, and saw that God chose as companions an ardent, zealous Peter, and a mild, patient John. Sometimes Peter was impetuous, and often when this was the case the beloved disciple would check him. This, however, did not reform him. But after he had denied his Lord, repented, and been converted, all he needed to check his ardor and zeal was a mild caution from John. The cause of Christ would often have suffered had it been left to John alone. Peter’s zeal was needed. His boldness and energy often delivered them from difficulty, and silenced their enemies. John was winning. He gained many to189the cause of Christ by his patient forbearance and deep devotedness.
God raised up men to cry against the existing sins of the Papal church, and carry forward the Reformation. Satan sought to destroy these living witnesses; but the Lord made a hedge about them. Some, for the glory of his name, were permitted to seal with their blood the testimony they had borne; but there were other powerful men, like Luther and Melancthon, who could best glorify God by living and exposing the sins of priests, popes, and kings. These trembled before the voice of Luther and his fellow-laborers. Through those chosen men, rays of light began to scatter the darkness, and very many joyfully received the light and walked in it. And when one witness was slain, two or more were raised up to fill his place.
But Satan was not satisfied. He could only have power over the body. He could not make believers yield their faith and hope. And even in death they triumphed with a bright hope of immortality at the resurrection of the just. They had more than mortal energy. They dared not sleep for a moment, but kept the Christian armor girded about them, prepared for a conflict, not merely with spiritual foes, but with Satan in the form of men whose constant cry was, Give up your faith, or die. These few Christians were strong in God, and more precious in his sight than half a world who bear the name of Christ, and yet are cowards in his cause. While the church was persecuted, its members were united and loving; they were strong in God. Sinners were not permitted to unite with the church. Those only who were willing to forsake all for Christ could be his disciples. These loved to be poor, humble, and Christ-like.
THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD UNITED.
After this I saw Satan consulting with his angels, and considering what they had gained. True, they had, through fear of death, kept some timid souls from embracing the truth; but many, even of the most timid, had received the truth, and thereupon their fears and timidity immediately left them. As these witnessed the death of their brethren, and beheld their firmness and patience, they knew that God and angels assisted them to endure such sufferings, and they grew bold and fearless. And when called to yield their own lives, they maintained their faith with such patience and firmness as caused even their murderers to tremble. Satan and his angels decided that there was a more successful way to destroy souls, one that would be more certain in the end. Although Christians were made to suffer, their steadfastness, and the bright hope that cheered them, caused the weakest to grow strong, and enabled them to approach the rack and the flames undaunted. They imitated the noble bearing of Christ when before his murderers, and by their constancy and the glory of God which rested upon them, they convinced many others of the truth.
Satan therefore decided that he must come in a milder form. He had already corrupted the doctrines of the Bible, and traditions which were to ruin millions were taking deep root. Restraining his hate, he decided not to urge on his subjects to such bitter persecution, but lead the church to contend for various traditions, instead of for the faith once delivered to the saints. As he prevailed on the church to receive favors and honors from the world, under the pretense of receiving benefits, she began to lose favor with God. Shunning to declare the straight truths which shut out the lovers of pleasure and friends of the world, she gradually lost her power.
The church is not now the separate and peculiar191people she was when the fires of persecution were kindled against her. How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! I saw that if the church had always retained her holy and peculiar character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty, and a terror to her enemies.
I saw a very large company professing the name of Christ, but God did not recognize them as his. He had no pleasure in them. Satan seemed to assume a religious character, and was very willing that the people should think they were Christians. He was even anxious that they should believe in Jesus, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. Satan and his angels fully believe all this themselves, and tremble. But if this faith does not provoke to good works, and lead those who profess it to imitate the self-denying life of Christ, Satan is not disturbed; for they merely assume the Christian name, while their hearts are still carnal, and he can use them in his service even better than if they made no profession. Hiding their deformity under the name of Christian, they pass along with their unsanctified natures, and their evil passions unsubdued. This gives occasion for the unbeliever to reproach Christ with their imperfections, and causes those who do possess pure and undefiled religion to be brought into disrepute.
The ministers preach smooth things to suit carnal professors. They dare not preach Jesus and the cutting truths of the Bible; for if they should, these carnal professors would not remain in the church. But as many of them are wealthy, they must be retained, although they are no more fit to be there than Satan and his angels. This is just as Satan would have it. The religion of Jesus is made to appear popular and honorable in the eyes of the world. The people are told that those who profess religion will be more honored by the world. Such teachings differ192very widely from the teachings of Christ. His doctrine and the world could not be at peace. Those who followed him had to renounce the world. These smooth things originated with Satan and his angels. They formed the plan, and nominal professors have carried it out. Pleasing fables are taught, and readily received, and hypocrites and sinners unite with the church. If the truth should be preached in its purity, it would soon shut out this class. But there is no difference now between the professed followers of Christ and the world. I saw that if the false covering could be torn off from the members of the churches, there would be revealed such iniquity, vileness, and corruption, that the most diffident child of God would have no hesitancy in calling these professed Christians by their right name, children of their father, the devil; for his works they do.
Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with disgust upon the scene; yet God had a message for the church that was sacred and important. If received, it would make a thorough reformation in the church, revive the living testimony that would purge out hypocrites and sinners, and bring the church again into favor with God.
WILLIAM MILLER.
God sent his angel to move upon the heart of a farmer who had not believed the Bible, to lead him to search the prophecies. Angels of God repeatedly visited that chosen one, to guide his mind, and open to his understanding prophecies which had ever been dark to God’s people. The commencement of the chain of truth was given him, and he was led on to search for link after link, until he looked with wonder and admiration upon the word of God. He saw there a perfect chain of truth. That word which he had regarded as uninspired, now opened before his vision in its beauty and glory. He saw that one193portion of Scripture explains another, and when one passage was closed to his understanding, he found in another part of the word that which explained it. He regarded the sacred word of God with joy, and with the deepest respect and awe.
As he followed down the prophecies, he saw that the inhabitants of earth were living in the closing scenes of this world’s history, yet they knew it not. He looked at the churches, and saw that they were corrupt; they had taken their affections from Jesus, and placed them on the world; they were seeking for worldly honor, instead of that honor which cometh from above; grasping for worldly riches, instead of laying up their treasure in Heaven. He could see hypocrisy, darkness, and death everywhere. His spirit was stirred within him. God called him to leave his farm, as he called Elisha to leave his oxen and the field of his labor to follow Elijah. With trembling, William Miller began to unfold to the people the mysteries of the kingdom of God, carrying his hearers down through the prophecies to the second advent of Christ. With every effort he gained strength. As John the Baptist heralded the first advent of Jesus, and prepared the way for his coming, so Wm. Miller and those who joined with him, proclaimed the second advent of the Son of God.
I was carried back to the days of the disciples, and was shown that God had a special work for the beloved John to accomplish. Satan was determined to hinder this work, and he led on his servants to destroy John. But God sent his angel and wonderfully preserved him. All who witnessed the great power of God manifested in the deliverance of John, were astonished, and many were convinced that God was with him, and that the testimony which he bore concerning Jesus was correct. Those who sought to destroy him were afraid to again attempt to take his life, and he was permitted to suffer on for Jesus. He was falsely accused by his enemies, and was shortly banished to a lonely island, where the Lord sent his194angel to reveal to him events which were to take place upon the earth, and the state of the church down to the end,—her backslidings, and the position which she should occupy if she would please God, and finally overcome.
The angel from Heaven came to John in majesty, his countenance beaming with the excellent glory of God. He revealed to John scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the history of the church of God, and brought before him the perilous conflicts which they were to endure. John saw them passing through fiery trials, made white and tried, and, finally, victorious overcomers, gloriously saved in the kingdom of God. The countenance of the angel grew radiant with joy, and was exceeding glorious, as he showed John the final triumph of the church of God. As the apostle beheld the final deliverance of the church, he was carried away with the glory of the scene, and with deep reverence and awe fell at the feet of the angel to worship him. The heavenly messenger instantly raised him up, and gently reproved him, saying, “See thou do it not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The angel then showed John the heavenly city with all its splendor and dazzling glory, and he, enraptured and overwhelmed, and forgetful of the former reproof of the angel, again fell to worship at his feet. Again the gentle reproof was given, “See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them that keep the sayings of this book. Worship God.”
Preachers and people have looked upon the book of Revelation as mysterious, and of less importance than other portions of the Sacred Scriptures. But I saw that this book is indeed a revelation given for the especial benefit of those who should live in the last days, to guide them in ascertaining their true position and their duty. God directed the mind of Wm.195Miller to the prophecies, and gave him great light upon the book of Revelation.
If Daniel’s visions had been understood, the people could better have understood the visions of John. But at the right time, God moved upon his chosen servant, who with clearness and in the power of the Holy Spirit, opened the prophecies, and showed the harmony of the visions of Daniel and John, and other portions of the Bible, and pressed home upon the hearts of the people the sacred, fearful warnings of the word to prepare for the coming of the Son of man. Deep and solemn conviction rested upon the minds of those who heard him, and ministers and people, sinners and infidels, turned to the Lord, and sought a preparation to stand in the Judgment.
Angels of God accompanied Wm. Miller in his mission. He was firm and undaunted, fearlessly proclaiming the message committed to his trust. A world lying in wickedness, and a cold, worldly church, were enough to call into action all his energies, and lead him to willingly endure toil, privation, and suffering. Although opposed by professed Christians and the world, and buffeted by Satan and his angels, he ceased not to preach the everlasting gospel to crowds wherever he was invited, sounding far and near the cry, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.”