The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 312

The European Union in Prophecy
22. Prophecies Fulfilled
When the time passed at which the Lord's coming was first expected,--in the
spring of 1844,--those who had looked in faith for His appearing were for a season
involved in doubt and uncertainty. While the world regarded them as having been
utterly defeated and proved to have been cherishing a delusion, their source of
consolation was still the word of God. Many continued to search the Scriptures,
examining anew the evidences of their faith and carefully studying the prophecies to
obtain further light. The Bible testimony in support of their position seemed clear and
conclusive. Signs which could not be mistaken pointed to the coming of Christ as near.
The special blessing of the Lord, both in the conversion of sinners and the revival of
spiritual life among Christians, had testified that the message was of Heaven. And
though the believers could not explain their disappointment, they felt assured that
God had led them in their past experience.
Interwoven with prophecies which they had regarded as applying to the time of
the second advent was instruction specially adapted to their state of uncertainty and
suspense, and encouraging them to wait patiently in the faith that what was now dark
to their understanding would in due time be made plain. Among these prophecies
was that of Habakkuk 2:1-4: "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower,
and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am
reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain
upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed
time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it
will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in
him: but the just shall live by his faith."
As early as 1842 the direction given in this prophecy to "write the vision, and
make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it," had suggested to Charles
Fitch the preparation of a prophetic chart to illustrate the visions of Daniel and the
Revelation. The publication of this chart was regarded as a fulfillment of the command
given by Habakkuk. No one, however, then noticed than an apparent delay in the
accomplishment of the vision--a tarrying time--is presented in the same prophecy.
After the disappointment, this scripture appeared very significant: "The vision is yet
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