334
The Great Controversy
“the first fruits of them that slept,” a sample of all the resurrected just,
whose “vile body” shall be changed, and “fashioned like unto His
glorious body.”
Verse 20
;
Philippians 3:21
.
In like manner the types which relate to the second advent must
be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service. Under
[400]
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 preparation to meet
[401]
the Lord was the burden of agonizing spirits. There was persevering
prayer and unreserved consecration to God.