The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 399
The fact that a few fanatics worked their way into the ranks of
Adventists is no more reason to decide that the movement was not of
God than was the presence of fanatics and deceivers in the church in
Paul’s or Luther’s day a sufficient excuse for condemning their work.
Let the people of God arouse out of sleep and begin in earnest the work
of repentance and reformation; let them search the Scriptures to learn
the truth as it is in Jesus; let them make an entire consecration to God,
and evidence will not be wanting that Satan is still active and vigilant.
With all possible deception he will manifest his power, calling to his aid
all the fallen angels of his realm.
It was not the proclamation of the second advent that caused
fanaticism and division. These appeared in the summer of 1844, when
Adventists were in a state of doubt and perplexity concerning their real
position. The preaching of the first angel’s message and of the “midnight
cry” tended directly to repress fanaticism and dissension. Those who
participated in these solemn movements were in harmony; their hearts
were filled with love for one another and for Jesus, whom they expected
soon to see. The one faith, the one blessed hope, lifted them above the
control of any human influence, and proved a shield against the assaults
of Satan.
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at
midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye
out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.”
Matthew 25:5-7. In the summer of 1844, midway between the time when
it had been first thought that the 2300 days would end, and the autumn
of the same year, to which it was afterward found that they extended, the
message was proclaimed in the very words of Scripture: “Behold, the
Bridegroom cometh!”
That which led to this movement was the discovery that the decree
of Artaxerxes for the restoration of Jerusalem, which formed the starting
point for the period of the 2300 days, went into effect in the autumn of
the year 457 B.C., and
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