Those who accepted the advent doctrine were roused to the necessity of repentance and humiliation before God . Many had long been halting between Christ and the world ; now they felt that it was time to take a stand . " The things of eternity assumed to them an unwonted reality . Heaven was brought near , and they felt themselves guilty before God ." -- Bliss , page 146 . Christians were quickened to new spiritual life . They were made to feel that time was short , that what they had to do for their fellow men must be done quickly . Earth receded , eternity seemed to open before them , and the soul , with all that pertained to its immortal weal or woe , was felt to eclipse every temporal object . The Spirit of God rested upon them and gave power to their earnest appeals to their brethren , as well as to sinners , to prepare for the day of God . The silent testimony of their daily life was a constant rebuke to formal and unconsecrated church members . These did not wish to be disturbed in their pursuit of pleasure , their devotion to money-making , and their ambition for worldly honor . Hence the enmity and opposition excited against the advent faith and those who proclaimed it .
As the arguments from the prophetic periods were found to be impregnable , opposers endeavored to discourage investigation of the subject by teaching that the prophecies were sealed . Thus Protestants followed in the steps of Romanists . While the papal church withholds the Bible ( See Appendix ) from the people , Protestant churches claimed that an important part of the Sacred Word--and that the part which brings to view truths specially applicable to our time--could not be understood . Ministers and people declared that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation were incomprehensible mysteries . But Christ directed His disciples to the words of the prophet Daniel concerning events to take place in their time , and said : " Whoso readeth , let him understand ." Matthew 24:15 . And the assertion that the Revelation is a mystery , not to be understood , is contradicted by the very title of the book : " The Revelation of Jesus Christ , which God gave unto Him , to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass . . . . Blessed is he that readeth , and they that hear the words of this prophecy , and keep those things which are written therein : for the time is at hand ." Revelation 1:1-3 .
Says the prophet : " Blessed is he that readeth " --there are those who will not read ; the blessing is not for them . " And they that hear " --there are some , also , who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies ; the blessing is not for this class . " And keep those things which are written therein " -- many refuse to heed the warnings and instructions contained in the Revelation ; none of these can claim the blessing promised . All who ridicule the subjects of the prophecy and mock at the symbols here solemnly given , all who refuse to reform their lives and to prepare for the coming of the Son of man , will be unblessed .
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