The Key to Understanding 1844 - Part 2

[jorgfe]

The Key to Understanding 1844 - Part 2

[Editor’s note: All 15 Proofs as well as William Miller’s 1843 chart (that Ellen White said was just as God wanted it) are also available in my Library at DefendingTheGospel.com.]

In part 1 we identified that the foundation for Adventism is laid in Ellen White’s comprehensive endorsement of William Miller’s methods and message. If Miller was right, so was Ellen G. White. If Miller was wrong, so was EGW. In this post I will carefully examine what Ellen White said about William Miller.

Much of the material covered in this series is explained in much greater detail in Cultic Doctrine by Dale Ratzlaff. Dale has done a masterful job with the facts clearly laid out before the reader to evaluate. I consider this book to be invaluable in understanding how the 1844 Sanctuary doctrine and the 1857 Investigative Judgment doctrine came to be in the first place. No matter what your theological perspective, this book presents the historical backdrop in a gripping, easy-to-read, narrative. This is one of those books that you will be unable to put down until you complete it. If you don’t have it, you should order it today.

Dale Ratzlaff has kindly given me permission to print his summary of Ellen White’s endorsement of Miller listed in the 13 points on pages 47-49. First lets see what Ellen White has to say.

Ellen White said God chose William Miller, guided his mind, his methods of Bible study, his conclusions, his charts, his mission, and more.

To help the reader grasp the significance of EGW’s endorsement of Miller and be better able to summarize the impact, numbers will be placed in brackets within the quotes which will correspond to the numbered summary at the end of this chapter. These numbers identify different aspects of her endorsement. For example, [1] has reference to her frequent mention of angels coming to assist Miller.

I saw that God [1] sent his angel to move upon the heart of a farmer who had not believed the Bible, and led him to search the prophecies. [1] Angels of God repeatedly visited that [2] chosen one, and [3] guided his mind, and [4] opened his understanding to prophecies which had ever been dark to God’s people. The commencement of [5] 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 [5] a perfect chain of truth. That Word which he had regarded as uninspired, now opened before his vision with beauty and glory. [5] He saw that one portion of scripture explained another, and when one portion was closed to his understanding, he found in another portion of the Word that which explained it. - Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, p. 129
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God [2] called him to leave his farm, [6] as Elisha was called to leave his oxen and the field of his labor to follow Elijah. With trembling, William Miller began to unfold the [7] mysteries of the kingdom of God to the people. He gained strength with every effort. He carried the people down through the prophecies to the second advent of Christ. [6] As John the Baptist heralded the first advent of Jesus, and prepared the way for his coming, so also, Wm. Miller and those who joined him, proclaimed the second advent of the Son of God. - Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, p. 129
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God [3] led the mind of Wm. Miller into the prophecies, and gave him [4] great light upon the book of Revelation. - Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, p. 132
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God [5] moved upon his chosen servant, who with clearness and in the [8] power of the Holy Spirit, opened the prophecies, and [4] 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. - Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, p. 132
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Mr. Miller traced down the prophecies with an exactness that struck conviction to the hearts of his hearers. He dwelt upon the [9] prophetic periods, and brought many proofs to strengthen his position. - Testimonies for the Church Vol. 1, p. 14
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[1] Angels of God accompanied William Miller in his mission. He was firm and undaunted, fearlessly proclaiming the [4] message [2] 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 willingly to 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 [7] 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.” - Early Writings, p. 232
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I saw that [10] God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843. It was His design to arouse the people and bring them to a testing point, where they should decide for or against the truth. - Early Writings, p. 232
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Ministers who would not accept this [7] saving message themselves hindered those who would have received it. - Early Writings, p. 232
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[1] Angels of God were sent to protect him. - Early Writings, p. 232
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The opposition manifested by church members toward his message emboldened the baser classes to go to greater lengths; and enemies plotted to take his life as he should leave the place of meeting. But [1] holy angels were in the throng, and one of these, in the form of a man, took the arm of this servant of the Lord and led him in safety from the angry mob. His work was not yet done, and Satan and his emissaries were disappointed in their purpose. - The Great Controversy, p. 337
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[1] Angels were watching with the deepest interest the result of [7] the heavenly message, and when the churches turned from and rejected it, they in sadness consulted with Jesus. - Early Writings, p. 235
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William Miller possessed [11] strong mental powers, disciplined by thought and study; and he added to these [3] the wisdom of heaven by connecting himself with the Source of wisdom. - The Great Controversy, p. 335
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As God sent His servant to warn the world of the coming Flood, so He sent chosen messengers to make known the nearness of the final judgment. And as [6] Noah’s contemporar¬ies laughed to scorn the predictions of the preacher of righteousness, so in Miller’s day many, even of the professed people of God, scoffed at the words of warning. - The Great Controversy, p. 339
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William Miller had no sympathy with those influences that led to [12] fanaticism. - The Great Controversy, p. 397
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I have seen that [13] the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as He wanted them. - Early Writings, p. 74
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These are some incredibly bold statements. Now let’s summarize exactly what Ellen White says God showed her.

Summary of EGW’s Endorsement of Miller

1. Angels of God were actively involved with William Miller. God initiated Miller’s interest in the prophecies by sending his angel to assist him while he was still an unbeliever. Angels of God repeatedly visited William Miller and accompanied him on his mission. They protected Miller from harm, and on one occasion an angel took the form of a man and led Miller out of a hostile crowd. Angels watched with deepest interest those who accepted and rejected Miller’s message.

2. God chose Miller for this work. Miller is called “that chosen one.” God called Miller to leave his farm and begin preaching, and committed to Miller’s trust a special message.

3. God guided Miller’s mind and led him in his study of the prophecies and connected him to the wisdom of heaven.

4. God guided Miller’s conclusions. God opened to Miller’s understanding prophecies which had ever been dark to God’s people. Miller was given “great light upon the book of Revelation.” The Holy Spirit showed Miller the harmony of the visions of Daniel and John.

5. God showed Miller the correct interpretation of prophecy. A perfect chain of biblical truth was given him. He saw that one portion of Scripture explained another. If he could not understand a given text in its own context, he explained it by another portion of Scripture. God moved upon His servant, William Miller, with clearness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. Miller is associated with the greats of Bible history. His call by God can be compared to that of Elisha. The importance of Miller’s message is similar to the importance of the message of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Christ’s first coming. The way people scoffed at Miller’s message was similar to the way the antediluvians scoffed at Noah.

7. Miller’s message is called “the mysteries of the kingdom of God,” “the everlasting gospel,” and “the heavenly message.”

8. Miller was moved upon by the power of the Holy Spirit as he studied the prophecies.

9. Miller was correct in having multiple prophecies pointing to 1843. God caused him to understand prophetic periods (plural). Miller brought many proofs to strengthen his position.

10. God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843.

11. Miller possessed strong mental powers. He was disciplined in his thought and study.

12. William Miller was not a fanatic.

13. William Miller’s 1843 chart, which listed a number of prophetic periods that ended in 1843, was directed by the hand of the Lord. It should never be changed. It was just as God wanted it.

We can see that Ellen White’s endorsement of William Miller is comprehensive. It is of great importance to our study to realize that she unequivocally states that Miller was guided by God in his methods, his conclusions, and his message.
With this glowing, prophetic endorsement of Miller, we look forward with anticipation to the next chapter where Miller’s methods and conclusions will be examined.
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Absolutely incredible. Dale has done his research, and includes many more supporting details in his excellent book, Cultic Doctrine. There is no doubt about what Ellen White says God has shown her.

Next time we will begin examining William Miller’s “perfect chain” of biblical truth.

Gilbert Jorgensen

It has been 164 Years, 1 Months, and 22 Days since October 22, 1844​

 

[BobRyan]

Since Part-1 is nothing more than a 1 post subject thread on the same exact topic - same day as the thread "Part-2"... I have to assume Gilbert is providing the group with a free demonstration of how trolling can be combined with spamming.

 

[jorgfe]

Since Part-1 is nothing more than a 1 post subject thread on the same exact topic - same day as the thread "Part-2"... I have to assume Gilbert is providing the group with a free demonstration of how trolling can be combined with spamming.

No. This is the lead-up to a detailed look at William Miller's 15 Proofs -- each deserving their own dialog. As you can see, Ellen White gave this "perfect chain of truth" a glowing endorsement. Proof #7 is the one that Adventists specifically use to butress their understanding of Daniel 8:14.

Come along for the ride. Obviously you are not familiar with how Adventism started.

Gilbert Jorgensen

It has been 164 Years, 1 Months, and 28 Days since October 22, 1844​

 

[BobRyan]

It is more interesting to have a point made that holds water and then respond to the questions raised. Spamming out 1/2 dozen threads "to make a single point" is the long way around the barn.

in Christ,

Bob