The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 401

service. Under the Mosaic system the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the
great Day of Atonement, occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish
month (Leviticus 16:29-34), when the high priest, having made an
atonement for all Israel, and thus removed their sins from the sanctuary,
came forth and blessed the people. So it was believed that Christ, our
great High Priest, would appear to purify the earth by the destruction
of sin and sinners, and to bless His waiting people with immortality.
The tenth day of the seventh month, the great Day of Atonement, the
time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, which in the year 1844 fell upon
the twenty-second of October, was regarded as the time of the Lord’s
coming. This was in harmony with the proofs already presented that the
2300 days would terminate in the autumn, and the conclusion seemed
irresistible.
In the parable of Matthew 25 the time of waiting and slumber is
followed by the coming of the bridegroom. This was in accordance with
the arguments just presented, both from prophecy and from the types.
They carried strong conviction of their truthfulness; and the “midnight
cry” was heralded by thousands of believers.
Like a tidal wave the movement swept over the land. From city to
city, from village to village, and into remote country places it went, until
the waiting people of God were fully aroused. Fanaticism disappeared
before this proclamation like early frost before the rising sun. Believers
saw their doubt and perplexity removed, and hope and courage animated
their hearts. The work was free from those extremes which are ever
manifested when there is human excitement without the controlling
influence of the word and Spirit of God. It was similar in character to
those seasons of humiliation and returning unto the Lord which among
ancient Israel followed messages of reproof from His servants. It bore
the characteristics that mark the work of God in every age. There was
little ecstatic joy, but rather deep searching of heart, confession of sin,
and forsaking of the world. A

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