Ellen White's "Shut
Door" Documents
by Robert
Olson
Note
by Ron: Some SDA leaders such as Dr. Arthur Patrick, are misinterpreting Mrs.
White’s statement that “it was just as impossible for them to get on the path
again and go to the City, as all the wicked world which God had rejected.”
Ellen White is speaking of the future and the final outcome of things. She
was not closing probation for the world in the above statement. She was
merely saying that it was just as impossible for those who rejected the
midnight cry to be saved, as it will be for all the finally impenitent world.
Proof of the context of her statement is her mention of the living, 144,000
saints! There were not that many SDA
saints in 1844! Also, if the bride,
the 144,000 had been made up in 1844, Jesus would have come. This is a
classic example of how SDA leaders have misrepresented Ellen White’s
statements. End note by Ron.
THE
"SHUT DOOR" DOCUMENTS
Statements
Relating to the "Shut Door,"
the Door of Mercy, and the Salvation of Souls
by Ellen G. White and Other Early Adventists
Arranged
in a Chronological Setting from 1844 to 1851
Compiled
with Occasional Commentary by
Robert
W. Olson
Ellen G. White Estate
Washington D. C.
April 11, 1982
[p. 2]
1. October 22, 1844--After the Great
Disappointment the Belief was Widespread That Probation had Closed on October
22, 1844.
In 1868 James White wrote:
And a general impression remained upon the minds
of believers for some time after the disappointment, that the seventh-month
movement was in the direct providence of God, and that those who had been
engaged in this work had done his will.
And according to the best light they then had, there
was a general agreement that the seventh-month movement was the last great
test, that the harvest of the earth was ripe for the sickle of the Son of
man, and that the door was shut. That the salvation of the soul, or
perdition, hung upon the manner in which those who heard treated that solemn
message, I doubt not. And this is especially clear in the case of the
disappointed believers after the time passed. In holding fast and believing,
there was salvation; in drawing back, the result would be perdition. The
view, however, that the harvest of the earth was ripe, and that the door was
shut, was soon abandoned. But although all, long since, gave up this position
as incorrect, I fail to see why they should be censured for taking it upon
the passing of the time. In fact, the conclusion seems very natural, and I
hardly see how they could have come to any other. I will here mention some of
the reasons why such conclusion was reasonable, if not unavoidable.
1. William Miller and others had taught that the
door would be shut, and that probation would close a short time before the second
advent. In a letter to Elder J. V. Himes, October 6, 1844, he said: "I
am strong in the opinion that the next will be the last Lord's day sinners
will ever have in probation. And within ten or fifteen days from thence, they
will see Him whom they have hated and despised, to their shame and
everlasting contempt."
2. And, certainly, that probation will close prior
to the second advent is plainly taught in the following emphatic testimony
from Rev. xxii, 11, 12: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and
he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let
him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And
behold I come quickly." I will only add, that the order of events here
given is, first, the final decision of all men living at the close of
probation, and, second, then follows the advent of Him who says, "And
behold I come quickly."
3. All true believers expected that probation
would close as soon as the tenth day of the seventh month. And as the time of
expectation drew near, their burdened spirits felt more and still more
heavily the weight and responsibility of doing every duty to others. But as
the point of expectation was finally reached, all this burden at once fell
off. This was as true of the isolated brother or sister, in some distant part
of the country, as with those in the crowded city mingling with hundreds of
like faith. It was true of all. All felt that their work in warning
sinners was done. No one can have a just idea of this great change, only
those who participated in the movement, and came up to the time of
expectation with the burden of the solemn work upon them. Jesus had not come
as they expected, and why this great change had come over all was a matter of
proper inquiry. And how natural the conclusion, to say the least, that
probation was ended.
4. The change that had suddenly come over the
ungodly seemed to strengthen the conviction that the door was shut. Although
the passing of the time, removing their fears, may now be regarded as a
sufficient cause for the change in them, yet at that time the fiend-like
conduct of many after the tenth day passed, who but a few hours or days
before had appeared penitent, gave the idea that the restraining influence of
the Spirit of God had forever left them.
In view of these things it should not be a matter
of surprise to any, that Adventists were agreed that the midnight cry was
the last great test, that the work for the world was finished, and that the
door was shut. (Emphasis supplied.) --Life Incidents (1868), pp.
184-186. See also E. G. White, Spirit of Prophecy, vol. IV, p. 268; The
Great Controversy, p. 429.
[p. 3]
2. November 18, 1844--William Miller Believed His
Work Was Done and the Door Was Shut.
We have done our work in warning sinners, and in
trying to awake a formal church. God, in his providence has shut the door; we
can only stir one another up to be patient; and be diligent to make our
calling and election sure. We are now living in the time specified by Malachi
3:18, also Daniel 12:10, Rev. 22:10-12. In this passage we cannot help but
see that a little while before Christ should come, there would be a
separation between the just and unjust, the righteous and wicked, between
those who love his appearing, and those who hate it.--William Miller Letter
of Nov. 18, 1844, quoted in The Advent Herald, Dec. 11, 1844, p. 142.
3. October 22-November, 1844--In Common With Most
of the Millerites, Ellen Harmon Also Believed for a
Time that the Door of Mercy was Shut on October 22, 1844.
For a time after the disappointment in 1844, I did
hold, in common with the advent body, that the door of mercy was then forever
closed to the world.--Ellen G. White Ms. 4, 1883; Selected Messages,
book 1, p. 63.
4. November-December, 1844--Ellen Harmon Gave Up
Her View That the Door Was Shut.
At the time I had the vision of the midnight cry I
had given it up in the past and thought it future, as also most of the band
had.--Ellen G. White Letter 3, 1847, written July 13, 1847 to Joseph Bates.
The "midnight cry" (Matt. 25:6) was the
powerful proclamation of Christ's imminent return made by the Millerites from August 12 to October 22, 1844. When
Christ did not return on October 22, as anticipated, the Millerites
at first thought that human probation had closed on that date. Christ's
glorious second advent was expected in a few weeks' time at the most.
However, when time continued into the month of
December, most of the advent "band" in Portland, Maine, where Ellen
Harmon lived, gave up their confidence in the Millerite interpretation of
Daniel 8:14, Matthew 25:6, and related texts. Apparently for several weeks
late in November and early in December, 1844, Ellen [p. 4] Harmon looked upon
the Millerite computations as one big mistake. She concluded that the door of
mercy had not been shut, after all, on October 22.
5. December, 1844--In Ellen Harmon's First Vision,
She Was Shown that the Door of Mercy Was Shut for (a) Those Millerites Who Denied That God Had Led Them in the 1844
"Midnight Cry" Movement, and (b) "All the Wicked World"
Which God Had Rejected. She Was Also Shown "The Living Saints, 144,000
in Number," Waiting for Christ's Return.
While praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost
fell on me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark
world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not
find them--when a voice said to me, "Look again, and look a little
higher." At this I raised my eyes and saw a straight and narrow path,
cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were travelling
to the City, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright
light set up behind them at the first end of the path, which an angel told me
was the Midnight Cry. This light shone all along the path, and gave light for
their feet so they might not stumble. And if they kept their eyes fixed on
Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the City, they were safe.
But soon some grew weary, and they said the City was a great way off, and
they expected to have entered it before. Then Jesus would encourage them by
raising his glorious right arm, and from his arm came a glorious light which
waved over the Advent band, and they shouted Hallelujah! Others rashly denied
the light behind them, and said that it was not God that had led them out so
far. The light behind them went out leaving their feet in perfect darkness,
and they stumbled and got their eyes off the mark and lost sight of Jesus,
and fell off the path down in the dark and wicked world below. It was just as
impossible for them to get on the path again and go to the
City, as all the wicked world which God had rejected. They fell all the way
along the path one after another, until we heard the voice of God like many
waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus' coming. The living saints,
144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it
was thunder and an earthquake. When God spake the time, he poured on us the
Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God
as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai.--Ellen G. White, A Word
to the Little Flock, p. 14.
Note by Ron: Some SDA leaders such as Dr. Arthur
Patrick, are misinterpreting Mrs. White’s statement that “it was just as
impossible for them to get on the path again and go to the City, as all the
wicked world which God had rejected.” Ellen White is speaking of the future
and the final outcome of things. She was not closing probation for the world
in the above statement. She is merely saying that it was just as impossible
for those who rejected the midnight cry to be saved, as it will be for all
the finally impenitent world. Proof of the context of her statement is her
mention of the living, 144,000 saints! There were not that many saints in
1844! If the bride, the 144,000 had been made up in 1844, Jesus would have
come. End note by Ron.
Ellen Harmon's first vision was published
initially by Enoch Jacobs in the Cincinnati Day-Star of January 24,
1846, then republished by James White on April 6, 1846, in the broadside, "To
the Little Remnant Scattered Abroad." On May 30, 1847, it was published
yet again by James White in the pamphlet, A Word to the Little Flock
(available in facsimile form at any Adventist Book Center).
6. December, 1844--Ellen Harmon's First Vision
Changed Her Mind About the Significance of the "7th Month
Experience."
Under date of May 30, 1847, James White wrote:
When she received her first vision, Dec. 1844, she
and all the band in Portland, Maine, (where her parents then resided) had
given up the midnight-cry, and shut door, as being in the past. It was then
that the Lord shew her in vision, the error into which she and the band in
Portland had fallen. She then related her vision to the band, and about sixty
confessed their error, and acknowledged their 7th month experience to be the
work of God.--James White, A Word to the Little Flock, p. 22.
[p. 5]
The "7th month experience," or
"midnight cry," was the proclamation that Christ would return on
the 10th day of the 7th Jewish month, which in 1844 fell on October 22. In
her first vision Ellen Harmon was shown that the seventh month movement was
"the work of God." In other words, the Millerite calculations based
on Daniel 8:14 were not to be discarded as an unfortunate blunder.
This vision substantiated the validity of the
October 22 date. However, since Christ had not returned on that date, the
prophecy of Daniel 8:14 must have been fulfilled by some other event. James
White indicates that, on the basis of what she was shown in her first vision,
Ellen Harmon reverted to her earlier view that the door was shut on October
22. She apparently now believed that the door of mercy was closed.
7. December, 1844--Ellen White Declared That Her
First Vision Led Her Away From the Position That the Door of Mercy Was Closed
for the Whole World.
In her 1883 memory statement Ellen White said:
For a time after the disappointment in 1844, I did
hold, in common with the advent body, that the door of mercy was then forever
closed to the world. This position was taken before my first vision was given
me. It was the light given me of God that corrected our error, and enabled us
to see the true position.--Selected Messages, book 1, p. 63.
Ellen White appears to be saying that she immediately
adopted "the true position" after receiving her first vision.
However, such an interpretation of her words does not seem to be in harmony
with other documents of the time, especially Otis Nichols' letter to William
Miller. (See entry No. 24.)
It seems more likely that Ellen's first vision
confirmed the validity of the 1844 experience and, with subsequent visions,
led her gradually to the realization that, while the door of mercy had
indeed closed for some on October 22, it had not closed for all. At first she
was struck with the fact that there was no more hope for the "wicked
world" or for those who denied God's leading in the Millerite movement.
As the years passed she was evidently more and more impressed by that part of
her vision which mentioned the 144,000 who were yet to be gathered out of the
world before the Lord's return. What was intended to underscore divine
leadership in the Millerite movement and to portray a large [p. 6]
ingathering of souls was at first misinterpreted to mean that her work for
the world was done.
That seventeen-year-old Ellen should misinterpret
one of her visions should elicit no surprise when one remembers that the
Bible prophets found it necessary to study their own writings in the endeavor
to find out what their prophecies meant (1 Peter 1:10,11). At one time the
apostle Peter mistakenly believed in a shut door. In fact, he thought that,
as far as the Gentiles were concerned, the door of mercy had never been open.
Somehow he misinterpreted Isaiah 56:6-8, as well as Christ's command recorded
in Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1:8. Eventually, in the vision at Cornelius' house
(Acts 10), Peter discovered "the true position."
Concerning her own experience, Ellen White wrote:
Often representations are given me which at first
I do not understand. But after a time they are made plain by a repeated
presentation of those things that I did not at first comprehend, in ways that
make their meaning clear and unmistakable.--Selected Messages, book 3,
p. 56.
For 60 years I have been in communication with
heavenly messengers, and I have been constantly learning in reference to
divine things.--Letter 86, 1906; This Day With God, p. 76.
8. December 1844, Vision--The Full Explanation and
More Correct Interpretation Came Later.
In 1891 Uriah Smith wrote:
In the midst of this evolution of new views, a few
weeks after the passing of the time, and while many were making shipwreck of
faith, Sister White had her first vision. In it she was shown that "the
midnight cry," which they had just passed through, was a great light set
up behind them, and was not to be rejected; that if kept in view, it would
shed light on the pathway clear through to the end; but if rashly denied,
darkness and ruin to such souls would follow. Now says the objector, "The
visions taught the shut door, because the shut-door view was connected with
that of the midnight cry; and the vision taught that the midnight cry was not
to be given up." The conclusion does not follow. It is a false charge.
The vision said nothing about the shut door. But the midnight cry was a vital
pillar of truth, and was not to be surrendered, though some errors had been
connected with it. To give up the midnight cry was to give up the whole work,
and make utter shipwreck of faith. And any candid reader can judge whether it
were better to give up that truth on account of an error which men had
attached to it, and so wholly apostatize, rather than hold fast to the truth,
and wait patiently till the Lord should remove the error which men had
connected with it. Everyone will say the latter. And this they did; and the
explanation and correction came in due time.--Review and Herald,
January 6, 1891, p. 8.
[p. 7]
9. December, 1844, Vision--Ellen White in 1883
Explained the Meaning of Her First Vision.
Ellen White's explanation of the true meaning of
her first vision ("the true position") is as follows:
For a time after the disappointment in 1844, I did
hold, in common with the advent body, that the door of mercy was then forever
closed to the world. This position was taken before my first vision was given
me. It was the light given me of God that corrected our error, and enabled us
to see the true position.
I am still a believer in the shut-door theory, but
not in the sense in which we at first employed the term or in which it is
employed by my opponents.
There was a shut door in Noah's day. There was at
that time a withdrawal of the Spirit of God from the sinful race that
perished in the waters of the Flood. God Himself gave the shut-door message
to Noah:
"My spirit shall not always strive with man,
for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty
years" (Gen. 6:3).
There was a shut door in the days of Abraham.
Mercy ceased to plead with the inhabitants of Sodom, and all but Lot, with
his wife and two daughters, were consumed by the fire sent down from heaven.
There was a shut door in Christ's day. The Son of
God declared to the unbelieving Jews of that generation, "Your house is
left unto you desolate" (Matt. 23:38).
Looking down the stream of time to the last days,
the same infinite power proclaimed through John:
"These things saith he that is holy, he that
is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth;
and shutteth, and no man openeth" (Rev. 3:7).
I was shown in vision, and I still believe, that
there was a shut door in 1844. All who saw the light of the first and second
angels' messages and rejected that light, were left in darkness. And those
who accepted it and received the Holy Spirit which attended the proclamation
of the message from heaven, and who afterward renounced their faith and
pronounced their experience a delusion, thereby rejected the Spirit of God,
and it no longer pleaded with them.
Those who did not see the light, had not the guilt
of its rejection. It was only the class who had despised the light from
heaven that the Spirit of God could not reach. And this class included, as I
have stated, both those who refused to accept the message when it was
presented to them, and also those who, having received it, afterward
renounced their faith. These might have a form of godliness, and profess to
be followers of Christ; but having no living connection with God, they would
be taken captive by the delusions of Satan. These two classes are brought to
view in the vision--those who declared the light which they had followed a
delusion, and the wicked of the world who, having rejected the light, had
been rejected of God. No reference is made to those who had not seen the
light, and therefore were not guilty of its rejection.--Ms. 4, 1883; Selected
Messages, book 1, pp. 63-64.
[p. 8]
10. January 8, 1845--James White Believed the Door
Was Shut.
In a letter to Enoch Jacobs dated January 8, 1845
(possibly this should read 1846), James White stated:
"Beloved when I gave all diligence to write
unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and
exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for THE faith which was once
delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares who
were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men turning the
grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our
Lord Jesus Christ." Jude 3-4. I conclude no intelligent believer in the
shut door doubts the direct application of Jude to us since the midnight cry
was finished. So the exhortation to contend for the faith delivered to the
saints, is to us alone.--The Day-Star, Jan. 24, 1846.
11. January 24, 1845--Most Adventists Held Shut
Door Views.
On January 24, 1845, Joseph Turner wrote in the Hope
of Israel:
In every place I visited I found a goodly number,
I think quite a majority, who were and are now believing that our work is all
done for this world.--Quoted by L. E. From, Prophetic Faith of Our
Fathers, vol. IV, p. 839.
12. January , 1845--Sylvester Bliss Expected the
Return of Christ at Any Moment.
Our Position is therefore the same as that
presented in the last number of the Shield, in the article under that
head. We regard this as a period of time in which we are emphatically to take
heed to ourselves lest at any time our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting
and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon us
unawares. Our position is one of continual and confident expectation. With no
time which must necessarily intervene between the present and the time of the
Lord's return--having run out all the prophetic periods, according to the chronologers we have followed respecting the date of the
events from which we have reckoned--being at the terminus of all historical
prophecy; and occupying that point of time, to which the primitive church and
the reformers looked, and which is designated by the signs of the times; we
may daily and hourly look for the coming of our King,--not knowing the day or
the hour, or when the definite time is, and yet knowing that it is at the
very door, that it cannot be long delayed, and may burst upon us at any
moment. Thus we will continue to wait and watch, praying for, and loving his
appearing, doing all we can for the preparation of our fellowmen for that
event, yet willing to tarry here God's time until Salem's golden spires shall
burst upon our vision, and we shall enter upon eternal realities. --Sylvester
Bliss, The Advent Shield and Review, January, 1845, p. 285.
[p. 9]
13. February, 1845--William Miller Still Believed
the Door Was Shut.
I did believe, and must honestly confess I do now,
that I have done my work in warning sinners, and that in the seventh
month.--William Miller Letter in The Advent Herald, Feb. 12, 1845, p.
3.
14. February, 1845--In Vision Ellen Harmon Saw the
Father and the Son in the Heavenly Sanctuary. The "Careless
Multitude" were in "Perfect Darkness."
In February, 1845, I had a vision of events
commencing with the Midnight Cry. I saw a throne and on it sat the Father and
the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and admired his lovely person. The
Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered
him. I asked Jesus if his Father had a form like himself. He said he had, but
I could not behold it, for said he if you should once behold the glory of his
person you would cease to exist. Before the throne I saw the Advent people,
the church, and the world. I saw a company, bowed down before the throne,
deeply interested, while the most of them stood up disinterested and
careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers
and look to Jesus; then he would look to his Father, and appeared to be
pleading with him. A light would come from the Father to the Son, and from
the son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come
from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before
the throne. But few would receive this great light; many came out from under
it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the
light, and it moved off from them; some cherished it, and went and bowed down
with the little praying company. This company all received the light, and
rejoiced in it, as their countenances shone with its glory. And I saw the
Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming Chariot go into the Holy of
Holies, within the veil, and did sit. There I saw thrones that I had never
seen before. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were
bowed down arose with Him; and I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus
to the careless multitude after he arose, and they were left in perfect
darkness.--Ellen Harmon, "To the Little Remnant Scattered Abroad,"
April 6, 1846. See also Early Writings, pp. 54-56.
15. February, 1845 Vision--This Vision Persuaded
Many to Believe in the Shut Door.
In her letter of July 13, 1847, to Joseph Bates,
Ellen White recounts the circumstances surrounding not only her first vision
(Dec., 1844), but also the vision of February, 1845. She stated:
Brother Bates, you write in a letter to James
something about the Bridegroom's coming, as stated in the first published
visions. By the letter you would like to know whether I had light on the
Bridegroom's coming before I saw it in vision. I can readily answer, No. The
Lord showed me [p. 10] the travail of the Advent band and midnight cry in
December [1844], but He did not show me the Bridegroom's coming until
February following.
Perhaps you would like to have me give a statement
in relation to both visions. At the time I had the vision of the midnight cry
I had given it up in the past and thought it future, as also most of the band
had. I know not what time J. Turner got out his paper. I knew he had one out
and one was in the house, but I knew not what was in it, for I did not read a
word in it. I had been, and still was very sick. I took no interest in
reading, for it injured my head and made me nervous.
After I had the vision and God gave me light, He bade me deliver it to the band, but I shrank from it. I
was young, and I thought they would not receive it from me. I disobeyed the
Lord, and instead of remaining at home, where the meeting was to be that
night, I got in a sleigh in the morning and rode three or four miles and
there I found Joseph Turner. He merely inquired how I was and if I was in the
way of my duty. I said nothing, for I knew I was not.
I passed up [to the] chamber and did not see him
again for two hours, when he came up, asked if I was to be at meeting that
night. I told him, no. He said he wanted to hear my vision and thought it
duty for me to go home. I told him I should not. He said no more, but went
away.
I thought, and told those around me, if I went I
should have to come out against his views, thinking he believed with the
rest. I had not told any of them what God had shown me, and I did not tell
them in what I should cut across his track.
All that day I suffered much in body and mind. It
seemed that God had forsaken me entirely. I prayed the Lord if He would give
me strength to ride home that night, the first opportunity I would deliver
the message He had given me. He did give me strength and I rode home that
night. Meeting had been done some time, and not a word was said by any of the
family about the meeting.
Very early next morning Joseph Turner called, said
he was in haste going out of the city in a short time, and wanted I should
tell him all that God had shown me in vision. It was with fear and trembling
I told him all. After I had got through he said he had told out the same last
evening. I rejoiced, for I expected he was coming out against me, for all the
while I had not heard anyone say what he believed. He said the Lord had sent
him to hear me talk the evening before, but as I would not, he meant his
children should have the light in some way, so he took him.
There were but few out when he talked, so the next
meeting I told my vision, and the band, believing my visions from God,
received what God bade me to deliver to them.
The view about the Bridegroom's coming I had about
the middle of February, 1845.
While in Exeter, Maine, in meeting with Israel Dammon, James, and many others, many of them did not
believe in a shut door. I suffered much at the commencement of the meeting.
Unbelief seemed to be on every hand.
There was one sister there that was called very
spiritual. She had traveled and been a powerful preacher the most of the time
for twenty years. She had been truly a mother in Israel. But a division had
risen in the band on the shut door. She had great sympathy, and could not
believe the door was shut. (I had known nothing of their difference.) Sister Durben got up to talk. I felt very, very sad.
[p. 11] At length my soul seemed to be in an
agony, and while she was talking I fell from my chair to the floor. It was
then I had a view of Jesus rising from His mediatorial throne and going to
the holiest as Bridegroom to receive His kingdom. They were all deeply
interested in the view. They all said it was entirely new to them. The Lord
worked in mighty power setting the truth home to their hearts.
Sister Durben knew what
the power of the Lord was, for she had felt it many times; and a short time
after I fell she was struck down, and fell to the floor, crying to God to
have mercy on her. When I came out of vision, my ears were saluted with
Sister Durben's singing and shouting with a loud
voice.
Most of them received the vision, and were settled
upon the shut door. Previous to this I had no light on the coming of the
Bridegroom, but had expected Him to this earth to deliver His people on the
tenth day of the seventh month. I did not hear a lecture or a word in any way
relating to the Bridegroom's going to the holiest.--Letter 3, 1847. (To
Joseph Bates, July 13, 1847)
16. February, 1845--In Her February, 1845, Vision
Ellen Harmon Saw Both an Open and a Shut Door As Christ Entered the Holy of
Holies.
Writing to J. N. Loughborough under date of August
24, 1874, Ellen White stated:
It was on my first journey east to relate my
visions that the precious light in regard to the heavenly sanctuary was
opened before me and I was shown the open and shut door. We believed that the
Lord was soon to come in the clouds of heaven. I was shown that there was a
great work to be done in the world for those who had not had the light and
rejected it. Our brethren could not understand this with our faith in the
immediate appearing of Christ. Some accused me of saying that my Lord
delayeth His coming, especially the fanatical ones. I saw that in '44 God had
opened a door and no man could shut it, and shut a door and no man could open
it. Those who rejected the light which was brought to the world by the
message of the second angel went into darkness, and how great was that
darkness.--Letter 2, 1874; Selected Messages, book 1, p. 74.
[p. 12]
17. February, 1845--Ellen Harmon Did Not at First
Understand the Meaning of the "Open Door" in Her February, 1845,
Vision.
In 1866 J. N. Loughborough writes of a conversation
he listened to a year earlier when James White and H. E. Carver were
discussing the shut door doctrine. Loughborough states:
BRO. SMITH: Many brethren who have learned that I
was with Bro. White in Marion, Iowa, in July, 1865, have questioned me
concerning a certain conversation at the house of H. E. Carver. In response
to their inquiries I would say: I have read the statement of H. E. Carver
concerning a conversation between himself and Bro. White, in July, 1865,
concerning the shut door and the visions of Sister White, in which he says
Bro. White made the following statement: "'Brother Carver, I will make
an admission to you I would not make to a sharp opponent. Considering her
youthfulness at the time, and her faith in the shut-door doctrine, and
her association with those of the same faith, it should not be
considered singular if these things should give a coloring to the vision not
warranted by what she really saw.' I do not say these are the exact words,
but the substance of what he said."
And I hereby certify that I was present at the
same time, and listened with intense interest to the same conversation, and
think I recollect quite distinctly what was said on that point.
Words were said somewhat similar to what is
quoted, but what was said before and after those words, gives them quite a
different bearing from what he gives them.
The question came up, that evening, whether Sister
White believed in the doctrine of the shut door after the time passed in
1844. Said Bro. White, in response to this question, "Bro. Carver, I
will make an admission to you, which, of course, I would not make in public
to a sharp opponent. She did believe it. And so, as you know, did nearly all
the Advent people. In her visions, she had views of an open as well as a shut
door; and she did not at first distinctly understand what this open door
meant. Many brethren opposed her views, because she told them there was an
open door."
After speaking of the vision in which mention is
made of the shut door, given at Exeter, Maine, which vision, at this point,
was the topic of conversation, Bro. White said, "Considering her
youthfulness, and her belief in the shut door, and the views of the Advent
people, it would not have been considered very strange, if her vision had
received a coloring, in writing it out." I did not understand Bro.
White, for a moment, to convey the idea that her views colored
the vision, but that they did not; and that, for this reason: we had, in the
same vision, what she saw about the open door, notwithstanding her vision of
the open door was contrary to the faith of the Advent people at that time,
and contrary to her own faith, before she had this vision.
Still further, Bro. White went on to show that it
was the visions that led them out of the extreme view of the shut door.
Immediately after this vision, they labored for some who had made no
profession before 1844, which was directly contrary to the practice of those
who held the extreme view on the shut door. This vision was repeated again,
as he showed, at Oswego, N. Y., just before it was published in Saratoga; but
instead of leading them to cease to labor for the unconverted, it led them to
labor for those who are now Bro. and Sr. Patch of Minesota.
And I will here state, that, so far as I can learn
from those who were living where this vision was given, instead of its
leading them to the extreme shut-door view, it had the opposite effect, to
lead those who received it, out of it. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.--Review and Herald, Sept.
25, 1866, pp. 133-134.
[p. 13]
18. April 29-May 1, 1845--Most of the Millerite
Leaders Changed From Shut Door to Open Door.
At the Albany Conference, which convened April 29,
1845, Miller, Litch, Bliss, and other Millerite
leaders adopted a report of ten principles on which they could unite. One of
these was that preaching must continue to all men until the end. The Advent
Herald summarized a portion of William Miller's address to the conference
as follows:
After the seventh month, he felt for a time that
his work was done. But when he commenced his lectures at Albany, all his
darkness was gone. Therefore brethren, he said, where you find a door open,
enter upon that field of labor, and labor until the Master shall tell you to
stop. As yet he has given you no such command. Go, labor in the vineyard, and
you will still find souls willing to listen to the glad tidings.--The
Advent Herald, June 4, 1845, p. 132. (See also L. E. Froom, Prophetic
Faith of Our Fathers, vol. IV, pp. 834-836.)
19. August, 1845--Miller Firmly Rejects the
October 22, 1844, Date.
I have no confidence in any of the new theories
that have grown out of that seventh month movement, viz., that Christ then
came as the Bridegroom, that the door of mercy was closed, that there is no
salvation for sinners, that the seventh trumpet then sounded, or that it was
a fulfillment of prophecy in any sense.--William Miller, Apology and
Defence (August, 1845), p. 28.
In his Apology and Defence, Miller made a
distinction between his message preached from 1831 to 1844 and the
"midnight cry" of the summer of 1844. The latter no longer held any
significance for him. The lines were drawn clearly now between two groups of
Adventists. Most of the Millerite leaders rejected the October 22 date and
advocated an open door. These were the "open door" Adventists. A
smaller group held that prophecy was fulfilled on October 22, 1844, and
advocated a shut door. These were the "shut door" Adventists.
20. Summer, 1845--Marion Truesdail
Recalls Ellen White's Attitude in 1845 Toward Conversions.
[p. 14]
George I. Butler wrote in 1885:
We next present an extract from a statement
written by Marion C. Truesdail, and signed by
herself and five others: "During Miss Harmon's (now Mrs. White) visit to
Paris, Me., in the summer of 1845, I stated to her the particulars of a dear
friend of mine whose father had prevented her attending our meetings;
consequently she had not rejected light. She smilingly replied, 'God never
has shown me that there is no salvation for such persons. It is only those
who have had the light of truth presented to them and knowingly rejected it.'
Miss Harmon's reply coincided with my ideas of a shut door, and in justice no
other could be derived from it."--Review and Herald, April 7,
1885, p. 217.
21. September 27, 1845--James White Was Among
Those Who Believed That the "Midnight Cry" Was of God, and That the
Door Was Shut on October 22, 1844.
In a letter dated September 27, 1845, James White
wrote:
Bless God, dear Brother, there are many in Maine,
who stand firm on the truth, unmoved, fixed, that we have had the "True
Midnight Cry," and of course the Bridegroom has come, and the door is
shut; if not, a true Midnight Cry has told a lie. Our trials increase, but we
have a good number of Calebs and Joshuas, who are continually crying to the children,
"We are well able to go up."
But I tell you we need the shield of Faith now.
While the Spiritualizers are pouring in one side,
inducing some to "deny the only Lord God and our Savior Jesus
Christ," on the other hand, Brethren J. and C. H. Pearson, and E. C.
Clemons, have given up the shut door, and are doing all they can to drag
others to outer darkness. Of late, the "hope within the Veil," has
turned a short corner, and I am glad of it; for the Editor and the Publisher,
some weeks before the change of views, denied their faith, in being published
for marriage. We all look upon it as a wile of the Devil. The firm brethren
in Maine who are waiting for Christ to come have no fellowship with such a
move.
We are looking for redemption in the Morning.
Watch. Amen.--The Day-Star, October 11, 1845.
22. October, 1845--James White and Others Expected
Christ's Return.
In 1847 James White stated:
It is well known that many were expecting the Lord
to come at the 7th month, 1845. That Christ would then come we firmly
believed. A few days before the time passed, I was at Fairhaven, and
Dartmouth Mass., with a message on this point of time. At this time, Ellen
was with the band at Carver, Mass., where she saw in vision, that we should
be disappointed, and that the saints must pass through the "time of
Jacob's trouble," which was future. Her view of Jacob's trouble was
entirely new to us, as well as herself. --A Word to the Little Flock,
p. 22.
[p. 15]
23. December 6, 1845--The Shut Door Question
Divided the Adventists Into Two Groups.
I frequently hear from popular Adventists,
expressions of deep sorrow on account of the divisions which have severed the
Advent bands. And generally they express a strong desire that we should come back
and be united with them again, and revive the former state of feelings which
used to exist among us. I do not now doubt their sincerity on this point, for
there seem to be great rejoicings among them when one returns back unto them.
But can the advance party retreat except they turn traitors to King Jesus? (I
feel that I cannot.) Since the "shut door" question divided the
valiant 10,000, the 300 little ones have advanced even to doing our Lord's
least commandment. Have the nominals advanced one
inch since the 23d of Oct. '44?
Although Bro. Himes preaches an open door the same
as before the 10th of the 7th month '44, yet his works seemeth not to
harmonize with his preaching. Soon after the passing of the 10th of the 7th
month '44, I saw Bro. Himes at the office in Spruce St. He was overhauling
his old plates which had been used for the purpose of making the vision plain
upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Hab. 2:2.) I said to Bro. H.,
are you going to remove these to some other place? O no, said Bro. H., I am
going to sell them, they are worth 11 cents a pound for old metal. But, said
I, will you not want them again? O no, said Bro. H., I have no further use
for them.--Eli Curtis, The Day-Star, Dec. 6, 1845, p. 38.
24. April 20, 1846--For at Least Eight Months,
Ellen Harmon Had Been Preaching That "Our Work Was Done for the Nominal
Church and the World, and What Remained to be Done Was for the Household of
Faith."
On April 20, 1846, Otis Nichols wrote William
Miller and tried to persuade him that Ellen Harmon was a prophet. He briefly
summarized Ellen's activities, including her message as she visited the
advent bands. He insisted that he knew what he was talking about, because
Ellen had made his home her headquarters for the previous eight months.
The key portions of Nichols's unedited letter are
as follows:
Within is a part of the vision of E.G.H. of Portland. I fully believe them to be from
heaven. The manner and circumstances attending is unlike anything I have seen
or read of since the days of the Apostles. I would ask you to lay aside
prejudice and suspend judgment untill you have read
and compared them with the scripture and present truth. . . .
Her calling was most remarkable only 17 years of
age sick with a dropsical consumption and confined
to the house for most of the time for 5 years and been given over by
physicians to die. In this state God called her and told her to go out and
tell the flock what he had revealed to her--that she should have grace and
strength of God as she needed--that an angel should [p. 16] accompany her all
the time and sometimes two in time of need--that no wicked power on earth
should have dominion over her if she would obey the Lord.
At the time she first went out to deliver her
message (Jany 1845) she was scarcely able to walk
across the room and could not speak with an audible voice, but she had
perfect faith in God and was carried in this state a few miles to deliver her
message and when she came to speak her voice was nearly gone but God
fulfilled his word: gave her strength of body and a clear loud audible voice
to talk nearly two hours with tremendous power and effect on the people and
without fatigue of body, and from that time for many weeks she continued to
travel day and night talking almost every day untill
she had visited most of the advent bands in Maine and the easterly parts of Newhampshire.
Her message was always attended with the Holy
Ghost, and wherever it was received as from the Lord it broke down and melted
their hearts like little children, fed, comforted, strengthened the weak, and
encouraged them to hold on to the faith, and the 7th month movement; and that
our work was done for the nominal church and the world, and what remained to
be done was for the household of faith. Those that rejected her message very
soon fell into the world and a nominal faith, and those that did receive her
testimony as from the Lord and afterward denyed it,
calling it mesmerism or an unholy thing, are many of them like those that are
given over to strong delusion and working of satan--a
ship without a helm or anchor and driven by every wind, thus causing the way
of truth to be evil spoken of. . . .
What I have here written I have a knowledge of and
think I can judge correctly. Sister E has been a resident in my family much
of the time for about 8 months. I have never seen the least impropriety of
conduct in her since our first acquaintance. God has blesd
our family abundantly with spiritual things as well as temporal since we
received her into our family. The spirit of God is with her and has been in a
remarkable manner in healing the sick through the answer of her prayers; some
cases are as remarkable as any that are recorded in the New Testament. But
prejudiced and unbelieving persons find it just as convenient to call it
mesmerism and ascribe the power to the devil, as the unbelieving Pharisees
did Mat 10:25 12:24. Is not this a sin against the Holy Ghost? See Mark 3:22,
29, 30. That power which is manifested in her, as far exceeds the power of
mesmerism as Moses did the magicians of Egypt.--White Estate Document File 439b; Ministry, October, 1981, pp. 9-11.
25. 1846--In an 1886 Memory Statement Ellen White
Declared That for More Than Forty Years She Had Been Preaching Salvation to
Sinners.
In a sermon preached at Orebro, Sweden, on Sunday,
June 27, 1886, Ellen White declared:
I speak because I know what I am talking about.
For more than forty years I have stood in the desk proclaiming salvation to
sinners, and my heart has yearned over them. God
has opened before me the glory of Heaven, and I have obtained a sight of the
majesty and glory of my Redeemer. I have obtained a sight of the angels in
glory. I was very young when the physicians said, "You must die, you
cannot live more than three months." It was [p. 17] then that God gave
me a sight of His glory, and said, "Go proclaim the message I give you,
to the people." I started out in my weakness. I could hardly stand. I
had not spoken aloud for weeks, but when I stood before the people, God's
power came upon me. Voice was given me and I talked from two to three hours
with clearness. But when I had finished, my voice again was gone. I traveled
for three months in this way and then the pain of the lungs ceased, and ever
since I have been doing the work which the Master has given me to do. I have
traveled and labored and God has given me strength to continue unto this
day.--Ms. 6a, 1886.
This statement by Ellen White does not place her
in the company of the open door Adventists. Her comment about
"proclaiming salvation to sinners" is in perfect harmony with the
Otis Nichols letter. He states that her message was to the "household of
faith" which was then, and is now, composed of sinful men and women. As
she visited the various advent bands in New England, she was preaching
"salvation to sinners."
26. April 7, 1847--Ellen White Predicted
Conversions to the Sabbath Truth.
In the autumn of 1846, shortly after their
marriage, James and Ellen White began to observe the Bible Sabbath. (Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 1, p. 75.) On April 7, 1847, Ellen had a vision of
the tables of the law in the heavenly temple, with a halo of glory about the
fourth commandment. Concerning the Sabbath she wrote:
I saw that God had children, who do not see and
keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the
commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we
went forth, and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church,
and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at
this time, God's chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came
out and endured the persecution with us. --A Vision, April 7, 1847;
Ellen G. White Letter 1, 1847, p. 2; A Word to the Little Flock, p.
19; see also Early Writings, pp. 32-35.
27. April 21, 1847--Ellen White Stated That
Adventists Who Fell Away Were Forever Lost and That Jesus Had Shut the Door
in 1844.
On April 21, 1847, Ellen White wrote Eli Curtis:
[p. 18]
You think, that those who worship before the
saints' feet (Rev. 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you;
for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen
away, and "crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to
an open shame." And in the "hour of temptation," which is yet
to come, to show out every one's true character, they will know that they are
forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the
saints' feet.
You also think, that Michael stood up, and the
time of trouble commenced, in the spring of 1844.
The Lord has shown me in vision, that Jesus rose
up, and shut the door, and entered the Holy of Holies, at the 7th month 1844;
but Michael's standing up (Dan. 12:1) to deliver his people, is in the
future.
This, will not take place, until Jesus has
finished his priestly office in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and lays off his
priestly attire, and puts on his most kingly robes, and crown, to ride forth
on the cloudy chariot, to "thresh the heathen in anger," and
deliver his people.--Ellen G. White Letter 2, 1847, p. 2; A Word to the
Little Flock, p. 12.
28. May 30, 1847--James White Also Asserted That
the Door Was Shut in 1844.
That Jesus rose up, and shut the door, and came to
the Ancient of days, to receive his kingdom, at the 7th month, 1844, I fully
believe. See Luke 13:25; Matt. 25:10; Dan. 7:13, 14. But the standing up of
Michael, Dan. 12:1, appears to be another event, for another purpose. His
rising up in 1844, was to shut the door, and come to his Father, to receive
his kingdom, and power to reign; but Michael's standing up, is to manifest
his kingly power, which he already has, in the destruction of the wicked, and
in the deliverance of his people.--James White, A Word to the Little
Flock, p. 8.
29. May 30, 1847--Joseph Bates Declared That Their
Work for the World Was Done.
It is now about two years since I first saw the
author, and heard her relate the substance of her visions as she has since
published them in Portland (April 6, 1846). Although I could see nothing in
them that militated against the word, yet I felt alarmed and tried
exceedingly, and for a long time unwilling to believe that it was any thing more than what was produced by a protracted
debilitated state of her body.
I therefore sought opportunities in presence of
others, when her mind seemed freed from excitement, (out of meeting) to
question, and cross question her, and her friends which accompanied her,
especially her elder sister, to get if possible at the truth. During the
number of visits she has made to New Bedford and Fairhaven since, while at
our meetings, I have seen her in vision a number of times, and also in
Topsham, Me., and those who were present during some of these exciting scenes
know well with what interest and intensity I listened to every word, and
watched every move to detect deception, or mesmeric influence. And I thank
God for the opportunity I have had with others to witness these things. I can
now confidently speak for myself. I believe the work is of God, and is given
to comfort and strengthen his "scattered," "torn," and
"pealed people," since the closing up of our work for the world in
October, 1844.--Joseph Bates, A Word to the Little Flock, p. 21.
[p. 19]
30. 1847--Joseph Bates Maintained That the Gospel
Message Ended in 1844.
Luke shows clearly that after the door is shut,
those that are outside will begin to knock, and when they are denied
admittance, they will tell of the wonders which they have wrought, and still
the reply will be "I know you not." Matthew is as clear. He says,
"afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
He answers, I know you not." After when was this knocking? Why, after
the door was shut. Now I ask if the door is not shut before the second
advent, unless this knocking afterwards can be proved to be after the change
to immortality. And that can be admitted only on the unscriptural ground that
the wicked will be also immortal. But according to Paul's order of the
resurrection, a gulf will be between them immediately, and those outside
cannot knock for admittance, but we are told that their cry will be for
"rocks and mountains to fall on them." Then the knocking will be in
this present state as it has been, and now is, clamoring
about the door, in favor of backsliders and sinners when they have hardly any
faith respecting their own true position--changing like a ship beating to
windward in a heavy head beat sea, losing ground on every tack. Some have
attempted to show in Luke xiii, that the 28th and 29th verses were a proof
that this knocking would be after the advent. I think it shows the reverse.
"Weeping and gnashing of teeth," certainly is not knocking for an
open door, but shows, as it is stated, that had already been done. What does
the apostle Paul call an open door? He says to the Cor. "For a great door
and effectual was open unto me;" xvi: 19. "How he (God) had opened
a door of faith unto the Gentiles;" Acts xiv: 27. "Praying
also for us that God would open us a door of utterance to speak the
mystery of Christ;" Col. iv: 3. "When I came to Troas to preach
Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord;" 2
Cor. ii: 12.
Paul's open door, then, was the preaching
the gospel with effect to the Gentiles. Now let this door be shut, and
the preaching of this gospel will have no effect. This is just what we say is
the fact. The gospel message ended at the appointed time with the closing of
the 2,300 days; and almost every honest believer that is watching the signs
of the times will admit it. I know it will be said "why you have, or
would close the door of mercy!" There is no such language in the Bible.
I have no desire nor wish in my soul to see my worst enemy lost. I think I
have made it manifest for the last twenty years, and am still willing to do
what I can to save those that will help themselves. But I am perfectly
sensible that it cannot be done only in God's appointed way; and all that
will walk under the shadow of his wing will rejoice at the fulfilment of his
word, although their hearts may be burdened and pained at seeing the opposite
in their friends.
I think I have fully proved this eighth way mark
and high heap in our pathway, that the Bridegroom has come, the marriage is
past, and the door is shut.
"Come, my people, enter thou into thy
chambers, and shut thy doors about thee for a little moment, until the
indignation be over past;" Isa. xxxi: 20.--Joseph Bates, Second
Advent Way Marks and High Heaps (1847), pp. 67-68.
[p. 20]
31. May 29, 1848--The Door of Salvation Was Still
Open for the Hastings Children.
Ellen White had a keen interest in the Hastings
family. In a number of her letters she appealed to the Hastings children to
give their hearts to the Lord. In a letter addressed to Brother and Sister
Hastings, Ellen White wrote:
I often awake myself crying to God's people to get
ready, get ready that the cloak of Almighty God may be thrown around them and
they be hid in the time of trouble. I shall be deprived of the privilege of
meeting with you in conference. I feel the privation, but the will of the
Lord be done. My heart and mind will be there, and my prayers shall be for
you that God would work among you.
How are the children? Do they feel their
acceptance with God? Dear children, do not rest a moment if you do not, God
loves to hear the prayers of the young. Call upon Him and make your peace
with Him that you may stand in the day of slaughter. I do love you, children,
and I want you to be saved in the kingdom and enjoy the beauty of the earth
made new. Get ready, get ready, love not this world, love not the wicked, but
God and those who have His image.--Ellen G. White Letter 1, 1848, p. 2 (May
29, 1848).
32. August 26, 1848--According to James White,
Christ Had Left His Mediatorial Throne, and the Shut Door and Sabbath Were
Present Truth.
Writing to Brother and Sister Hastings from Port
Gibson, New York, on August 26, 1848, James White states:
Friday p.m. the brethren came in to our meeting in
Volney. There were 30 or 40 who met with us.
Brother Bates preached the Sabbath to them with strong argument, much
boldness and power. My principal message was on Matthew 25:1-11. The brethren
are strong on the Sabbath and Shut Door. Most all confessed that they gained
much strength from the meeting. Ellen had two visions at the meeting. She
spoke to them with power to their comfort. It was thought best to have
another Conference at this place [Port Gibson], 60 miles from Volney, to hold August 27 and 28. We hope to have a good
time. On our way here we stopped at Brother Snow's in Hanable.
In that place are eight or ten precious souls. Brother Bates, Brother and
Sister Edson and Brother Simmons stopped all night
with them. In the morning Ellen was taken off in vision and while she was in
vision, all the brethren came in. It was a powerful time.
One of the number was not on the Sabbath, but was
humble and good. Ellen rose up in vision, took the large Bible, held it up
before the Lord, talked from it, then carried it to this humble brother who
was not on the Sabbath and put it in his arms. He took it while tears were
rolling down his bosom. Then Ellen came and sat down by me. She was in vision
one and [p. 21] one-half hours in which time she did not breathe at all. It
was an affecting time. All wept much for joy. We left Brother Bates with them
and came to this place with Brother Edson. This is
a dear family. God has blessed us here with them. Praise the Lord. . . . Here
are they who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Amen.
My Brother and Sister, here is the standard to
rally around. Jesus has left His mediatorial throne. He is now claiming His
new kingdom. Do you believe it? I hope you do. Well, this is the present
"faith of Jesus." So the shut door and the Sabbath are the present
truth. These truths will form and keep up the same mark of distinction
between us and unbelievers as God made in 1844.--White Estate Record Book No.
1, pp. 18-20.
33. October 2, 1848--James White Equated the Shut
Door With "The Work of God in Our Second Advent Experience."
From Brunswick, Maine, James White wrote Brother
and Sister Hastings on October 2, 1848, inviting them to attend the
forthcoming conference at Topsham. He states:
My chief object in writing to you now is to notify
you that the "Outcasts" in Maine are to have a general meeting at
the house of Brother S. Howland in Topsham, Maine. Our Conference is to
commence October 20 and hold over the Sabbath and Sunday. In behalf of the
brethren and sisters here I extend to you an invitation to come and meet with
us. Brothers Bates, Gurney and Nichols are expected from Mass. The principal
points on which we dwell as present truth are the seventh day Sabbath and
Shut Door. In this we wish to honor God's most holy institution and also
acknowledge the work of God in our Second Advent experience.
We do not wish to shut out any new truth, or
countenance any of the errors of this dark age. Our object is to do good. We
wish to hold up truth and expose error. We would be happy to see any who are
seeking for truth in sincerity and humility.
The cause in Maine seems feeble, but I know of no
case of apostasy. All seem firm in faith.--White Estate Record Book No. 1, p.
24.
James White appears to be making the following
points:
1. The "shut door" message emphasizes
the integrity of the Millerite movement of 1840-44 with its October 22, 1844
date.
2. New converts, regardless of their religious
background, would be welcome.
3. Since apostasy is possible, the general close
of probation for the whole world has not yet occurred.
4. Belief in the shut door does not exclude new
truth.
[p. 22]
34. November 17-18, 1848--Ellen White Saw a Great
Publishing Work Ahead.
Joseph Bates recorded some of Ellen White's
utterances made while she was in vision at the home of Otis Nichols in
Dorchester, Mass., in November, 1848. Bates published these Ellen G. White
comments two months later. He quotes Ellen White as saying:
When Michael stands up this trouble will be all
over the earth.
Why they are just ready to blow. There's a check
put on because the saints are not sealed.
Yea, publish the things thou hast seen and heard,
and the blessing of God will attend. Look ye! that rising is in strength, and
grows brighter and brighter. That truth is the seal, that's why it comes
last. The shut door we have had. God has taught and taught, but that
experience is not the seal, and that commandment that has been trodden under
foot will be exalted. And when ye get that you will go through the time of
trouble.
Yea, all that thou art looking at, thou shalt not
see just now. Be careful, let not light be set aside which comes from another
way from which thou art looking for.
Bates then adds:
The above was copied word-for-word as she spake in
vision, therefore it is unadulterated; some sentences escaped us, and some
which we have not copied here.--A Seal of the Living God, January,
1849, pp. 25-26. See Francis D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics,
pp. 248-249.
Ellen White was shown a publishing ministry which
still lay ahead for the Sabbath-keeping Adventists. Belief in the shut door
obviously did not preclude a major missionary endeavor. The influx of large
numbers of new converts is comprehended in this vision. Such a concept is
hardly compatible with the idea that probation for the world had already
closed. Any notion of a closed door of mercy that the Sabbath-keeping
Adventists may still have had must have been fading fast.
35. November 17-18, 1848--Ellen White Saw Streams
of Light Going "Clear Round the World."
Several decades later Ellen White declared, as she
recalled the publishing vision:
At a meeting held in Dorchester, Mass., November,
1848, I had been given a view of the proclamation of the sealing message, and
of the duty of the brethren to publish the light that was shining upon our
pathway.
After coming out of vision, I said to my husband:
"I have a message for you. You must begin to print a little paper and
send it out to the people. Let it be small at first; but as the people read,
they will send you means [p. 23] with which to print, and it will be a
success from the first. From this small beginning it was shown to me to be
like streams of light that went clear round the world."--Life
Sketches, p. 125.
36. January 5, 1849--Ellen White Saw That Christ
Was Still Interceding and the Door of Mercy Was Not Yet Closed.
On January 17, 1849, Ellen White wrote:
At the commencement of the holy Sabbath (Jan. 5),
I was taken off in vision to the most holy place, where I saw Jesus still
interceding for Israel. On the bottom of His garment was a bell and a
pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Then I saw that Jesus would not leave
the most holy place until every case was decided, either for salvation or
destruction. I saw that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had
finished His work in the most holy place, laid off His priestly attire, and
clothed Himself with the garments of vengeance.--Ellen G. White Ms. 2, 1894,
p. 1. See also The Present Truth, vol. 1, no. 3 (August, 1849), p. 22;
Early Writings, p. 36.
37. March 23, 1849--Ellen White Expected Christ to
Return at Any Time.
My faith is strong in God. I am ready to go
anywhere He shall send me, knowing He will give me strength. Keep up good
courage, my dear brother and sister. God is your helper. A few more days here
in toil and then we shall be free. Time is short. Let us hold fast unto the
end.--Ellen G. White Letter 4, 1849 (to Brother and Sister Hastings from
Topsham, Maine, March 23, 1849).
[p. 24]
38. March 24, 1849--Ellen White Saw Both an Open
Door and a Shut Door.
Sabbath, March 24th, 1849, we had a sweet, and
very interesting meeting with the Brethren at Topsham, Me. The Holy Ghost was
poured out upon us, and I was taken off in the Spirit to the City of the
living God. There I was shown that the commandments of God, and the testimony
of Jesus Christ, relating to the shut door, could not be separated, and that
the time for the commandments of God to shine out, with all their importance,
and for God's people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was
opened in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary, where the Ark is,
containing the ten commandments. This door was not opened, until the
mediation of Jesus was finished in the Holy Place of the Sanctuary in 1844.
Then, Jesus rose up, and shut the door in the Holy Place, and opened the door
in the Most Holy, and passed within the second vail, where he now stands by
the Ark; and where the faith of Israel now reaches.
I saw that Jesus had shut the door in the Holy
Place, and no man can open it; and that he had opened the door in the Most
Holy, and no man can shut it: (See Rev. iii: 7, 8:) and that since Jesus has
opened the door in the Most Holy Place, which contains the Ark, the
commandments have been shining out to God's people, and they are being tested
on the Sabbath question.
I saw that the present test on the Sabbath could
not come, until the mediation of Jesus in the Holy Place was finished; and he
had passed within the second vail; therefore, Christians, who fell asleep
before the door was opened in the Most Holy, when the midnight cry was
finished, at the seventh month 1844; and had not kept the true Sabbath, now
rest in hope; for they had not the light, and the test on the Sabbath, which
we now have, since that door was opened. I saw that Satan was tempting some
of God's people on this point. Because so many good Christians have fallen
asleep in the triumphs of faith, and have not kept the true Sabbath, they
were doubting about it being a test for us now.
I saw that the enemies of the present truth have
been trying to open the door of the Holy Place, that Jesus has shut; and to
close the door of the Most Holy Place, which he opened in 1844, where the Ark
is containing the two tables of stone, on which are written the ten
commandments, by the finger of Jehovah.
I saw that Satan was working through agents, in a
number of ways. He was at work through ministers, who have rejected the
truth, and are given over to strong delusions to believe a lie that they
might be damned. While they were preaching, or praying some would fall
prostrate and helpless; not by the power of the Holy Ghost, no, no; but by
the power of Satan breathed upon these agents and through them to the people.
Some professed Adventists who had rejected the present truth, while preaching
praying or in conversation used Mesmerism to gain adherents, and the people
would rejoice in this influence, for they thought it was the Holy Ghost. And
even some that used it, were so far in the darkness and deception of the
Devil, that they thought it was the power of God, given them to exercise.
They had made God altogether such an one as themselves; and had valued his
power as a thing of naught. . . .
I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to
distract, deceive, and draw away God's people, just now in this sealing time.
I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were
trembling, and their feet were sliding; because they were not firmly planted
on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them
while they were thus trembling.
Satan was trying his every art to hold them where
they were, until the sealing was past, and the covering drawn over God's
people, and they left out, without a shelter from the burning wrath of God,
in the seven last plagues. . . .
I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders, and
false reformations would increase, and spread. The reformations that were
shown me, were not reformations from error to truth; but from bad to worse;
for those who professed a change of heart, had only wrapt about them a
religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some
appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God's people; but if
their hearts could be seen, they would appear as black as ever.
My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail
of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the
time for their salvation is past.--Ellen G. White, The Present Truth,
vol. 1, no. 3, (August, 1849), pp. 21-22. See also Early Writings, pp.
42-45.
[p. 25]
39. March 24, 1849, Vision--Ellen White Explained
the Last Sentence in the March 24 Vision.
The last sentence in Ellen White's description of
her March 24 vision apparently puzzled some of her readers, so she took
occasion five years later, in 1854, to explain what she meant by the last two
paragraphs of her article. She stated:
The "false reformations" here referred
to are yet to be more fully seen. The view relates more particularly to those
who are given over to strong delusions. Such will not have "the travail
of soul for sinners" as formerly. Having rejected the advent, and being
given over to the delusions of Satan, "the time for their salvation is
past." This does not, however, relate to those who have not heard and
rejected the doctrine of the second advent.--Early Writings, p. 45.
This explanation seems reasonable, especially in
light of what she had written three months earlier (see entry No. 36) and
what she would write six months later (see entry No. 41).
40. March 30, 1849--Ellen White Kept Brother Stowell in the Truth and Again Appealed to the Hastings
Children to Secure Their Souls' Salvation.
The first Sabbath we spent in Topsham [March 24]
was a sweet, interesting time. It seemed that Jesus Himself passed through
our midst and shed His light and glory upon us. We all had a rich draught
from the well of Bethlehem. The Spirit came upon me and I was taken off in
vision. I saw many important things, some of which I will write you before I
close this letter. I saw Brother Stowell of Paris
was wavering upon the shut door. I felt that I must visit them. Although it
was fifty miles off and very bad going, I believed God would strengthen me to
perform the journey. We went and found they needed strengthening. There had
not been a meeting in the place for above two years. We spent one week with
them. Our meetings were very interesting. They were hungry for present truth.
We had free, powerful meetings with them. God gave me two visions while
there, much to the comfort and strength of the brethren and sisters. Brother Stowell was established in the shut door and all the present
truth he had doubted. Strength was given me from on high so that my journey
wearied me not at all and my health has been better ever since. Thank God He
gives us strength as we need. . . .
I will now write you the vision God gave me on the
Sabbath, the 24th of March. We had a glorious meeting. I was taken off in
vision. . . .
Dear Brother and Sister, I have now written the
vision God gave me. I am tired sitting so long. Our position looks very
clear. We know we have the truth, the midnight cry is behind us, the door was
shut in 1844 and Jesus is soon to step out from between God and man. . . .
[p. 26]
Arabella, the
Lord is coming; are you all ready? Can you meet Him in peace and say, This is
our God, we have waited for Him? Oh, do take hold on the strength of God and
make peace with Him, that you may stand when the earth shall reel to and fro
like a drunkard. And the rest of the children--I cannot call them by
name--Love God with your whole hearts and pray much that you may be sealed.
It is of great importance that you secure your souls' salvation.--Ellen G.
White Letter 5, 1849, pp. 1-3, 5, 6. (To Brother and Sister Hastings, March
30, 1849.)
41. September, 1849--Ellen White: "Soon Every
Case Will be Decided."
Dear Brethren and Sisters--
In this time of trial, we need to be encouraged,
and comforted by each other. The temptations of Satan are greater now, than
ever before; for he knows that his time is short, and that very soon, every
case will be decided, either for Life, or for Death. It is no time to sink
down beneath discouragement, and trial now; but we must bear up under all our
afflictions, and trust wholly in the mighty God of Jacob. . . .
We have but a little space of time left to work
for God. Nothing should be too dear to sacrifice, for the salvation of the
scattered and torn flock of Jesus. Those who make a covenant with God by
sacrifice now, will soon be gathered home to share a rich reward, and possess
the new kingdom forever and ever. . . .
When Jesus leaves the Sanctuary, then he that is holy
and righteous, will be holy and righteous still; for all their sins will then
be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the seal of the living God. But
those that are unjust and filthy, will be unjust and filthy still; for then
there will be no Priest in the Sanctuary to offer their sacrifices, their
confessions, and their prayers before the Father's throne. Therefore, what is
done to rescue souls from the coming storm of wrath, must be done before
Jesus leaves the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary.
The Lord has shown me that precious souls are
starving, and dying for want of the present, sealing truth, the meat in due
season; and that the swift messengers should speed on their way, and feed the
flock with the present truth. I heard an Angel say, "speed the swift
messengers, speed the swift messengers; for the case of every soul will soon
be decided, either for Life, or for Death."--Ellen G. White, The
Present Truth, Sept., 1849, pp. 31-32.
Ellen White appears to be telling her readers
that:
1. Probation for the entire world has not yet
closed.
2. The object of her missionary endeavors was primarily, but not necessarily exclusively,
"the scattered and torn flock," a reference to those who had been
part of the Millerite movement.
[p. 27]
42. November 17-18, 1849--"Our Number Is
Constantly Increasing; Honest Souls Are Seeking for the Truth."
An unnamed author describes a three-day general
meeting at Centreport, Western New York:
Beloved Brethren, scattered abroad--
God is reviving his people, and building up his
cause in Western New York.--During the scattering time we have passed through
many heart-rending trials, while we have seen the precious flock scattered,
torn and driven; but, thank God, the time has come for the flock to be gathered
into the "unity of the faith." Divisions are being thoroughly
healed, and strong union, and fervent Christian love increase among us. The
"commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ" are to us
the present truth--the meat in due season. The little flock here in this
region are established on the Sabbath, and our past advent experience. Our
number is constantly increasing. Honest souls are seeking for the truth, and
are taking their stand with us. The brethren have seen the importance of leaving
their useless habits;--therefore they have put away snuff and tobacco, as
useless, filthy and unclean. Our general meetings have been rising in
interest and power for some time past; but very recently they have been
exceedingly interesting and powerful.
Our general meeting, holden
at the house of Bro. Harris, in Centreport, Nov. 17
and 18, was one of the best I ever attended.--Here we met some of our beloved
brethren from the east--Brethren Ralph and Belden from Connecticut, and
Brother and Sister White from Maine. They came to us "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ,"
strong in the present truth. It was a melting, confessing, refreshing
season.--The meeting was closed on first day, in the forenoon, and almost all
the brethren left.
About ten days before the Centreport
Conference, I was deeply impressed with a sense of duty to make one more
effort to rescue our beloved Bro. Rhodes, whose case has laid with weight on
my mind for some time past. . . .
The next morning we had a season of prayer, and
the Spirit was richly poured out, and the Lord gave Sister White the
following vision, which was contrary to her former opinion and feeling
relating to our going after Bro. Rhodes, up to the time that the Spirit took
her off in vision.
"While in vision the Angel pointed to the
earth, where I saw Bro. Rhodes in thick darkness; but he still bore the image
of Jesus. . . .
I saw that Jesus was pleading his blood for Bro.
Rhodes, and that the Angel was ready to enroll his
name, as soon as he would come out of that dark place, and stand on all the
present truth. The Angel pointed me to the snare of Satan that bound him; and
I saw that he thought that there was no hope, no mercy for him; and it would
be of no use for him to try. I saw that Brn. Edson and Ralph should make him believe there was hope,
and mercy for him, and tear him away, then he would come among the flock; and
that Angels would attend them on their journey. I heard an Angel
say--"Can ye not see the worth of the soul! Pull him out of the fire."
I saw that in Bro. Rhodes' mouth there had been no guile in speaking against
the present truth, relating to the Sabbath, and Shut Door. I also saw that
the Lord had laid Bro. Rhodes' case heavily on Bro. Edson."
E. G. WHITE. --The
Present Truth, vol. 1, no. 5, (December, 1849), pp. 34-35.
43. December 16, 1849--David Arnold's Article On
the Shut Door: In 1844 Christ Shut the Door of the First Apartment and Opened
the Door of the Second.
[p. 28]
On January 3, 1850, James White, in Oswego, New
York, wrote to Brother and Sister Hastings:
Ellen saw that Brother Arnold and I must put our
lights together on the testimony of Jesus or shut door. This we have done and
maybe all is done. Therefore I think I shall wait until I get new light. O,
God have mercy on me, and teach me. Amen. Pray for me, do.--White Estate
Record Book, No. 1, pp. 49-50.
David Arnold's long article, written under date of
December 16, 1849, was published by James White in The Present Truth.
Since Ellen White apparently endorsed Brother Arnold's views, we give the
entire article here (emphasis in italics supplied):
[p. 29]
THE SHUT DOOR EXPLAINED
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage; and the
door was shut."--Matt. xxv., 10.
This text is the concluding part of one of the
most important parables ever given by the Messiah, while acting in the
capacity of a prophet. Its importance will be evident, when we consider the
circumstances under which it was given, and the time of the fulfilment of
those events it is designed to represent. The time of their fulfilment may be
clearly known by the events which precede, and those that immediately follow.
This parable is a part of that memorable and last
conversation that Christ had with his disciples, before the night of his
betrayal, in which he portrayed to them the destruction of Jerusalem, and the
signs and events which should immediately precede his coming, and the end of
the world. Let us, therefore, waive every other consideration of minor
importance, and candidly, and thoroughly investigate this all-important
subject.
The text, according to its natural division,
contains five parts:--
1. The buying of oil.
2. Coming of the bridegroom.
3. The going in with him.
4. The marriage.
5. The shut door.
1. The buying of oil is designed to represent a
fruitless effort, on the part of the foolish virgins, to obtain that which
would produce light upon the subject of the coming of the bridegroom. It also
appears that they had previously a stinted share of oil, which for a short
time produced a little light, barely enough to lead them to go forth at the
first cry to meet the bridegroom. But while they were in the tarrying time,
their light became darkness; and when the second cry was made at midnight,
"BEHOLD THE
BRIDEGROOM COMETH, GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM," they (excited more
by fear than love) made an effort to obtain light; but not being ready, could
not go in, and "THE
DOOR WAS SHUT."
2. Coming of the bridegroom.
The definition of bridegroom is one newly married,
or about to be united in marriage to a bride. Now if the term bridegroom, in
this parable, applies to Christ, (which all will admit,) then all the scenes
represented by this parable are to have their fulfilment in close connection
with the marriage, or the giving of the bride to Christ. Here, two questions
arise; first, what is represented by the bride, and second, where is she to
be given to Christ, or where is the marriage to be solemnized?
First, what does the bride represent? The angel
said to St. John, while in holy vision, "Come hither, I WILL SHEW THEE THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S WIFE."
Here John was shown "that Great City, the
Holy JERUSALEM."
See Rev. xxi, 9, 10. St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, says,
"But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us
all." Gal. iv, 26. From these quotations we learn that the Holy City,
the New Jerusalem, which John saw "coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared AS A BRIDE
ADORNED FOR HER HUSBAND," is what is represented as the bride; and in
being given to Christ is compared to a marriage. Second, where is the
marriage to take place? Said Jesus, "Let your loins be girded about, and
your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their
Lord, when he shall RETURN
FROM THE WEDDING."--Luke xii, 35, 36.
"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went
into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return."
Luke xix, 12. Daniel also, in the night visions, saw one like unto the Son
of man come to the Ancient of days, and he was brought "NEAR BEFORE HIM; and
there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom." See Dan. vii,
13, 14. From these passages, it is plain that the receiving of the kingdom
(which includes capital, territory and subjects) is what is compared to a
marriage, or receiving a bride; and that it takes place near before him, (the
Ancient of days,) a little previous to his "RETURN FROM THE WEDDING,"
in the "far country." If the above is the correct position in
reference to the bridegroom, the bride, and the marriage, then it follows of
necessity that the coming of the bridegroom is not to the earth; but
"near before" the Ancient of days, to receive the bride, or New
Jerusalem, the capital of the kingdom, in connection with the territory and subjects,
previous to his second advent; and also, that the coming of the bridegroom,
and Christ's second appearing, are two distinct and separate events.
3. The going in with him.
There is, evidently at this point in the parable,
a change in the position of the bridegroom, and also in the relation he
sustains to the church and world. Now, in order that we may arrive at a
correct understanding of this important CHANGE, let us examine what inspiration has taught us of
the priesthood of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, which plainly shows this
change. St. Paul, in his letter to the Hebrews, written A. D. 64, says,
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an
high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens; a minister of the SANCTUARY, and
of the TRUE TABERNACLE,
WHICH THE LORD PITCHED, and not man."--Heb. viii, 1, 2. By reading
the eighth and ninth chapters of Hebrews, you will readily discover that
Paul, in order to lead us to a correct understanding of all things pertaining
to Christ, while occupying the position and relation of priest, points us
back to the Aaronic priesthood, the worldly
sanctuary, with its apartments, furniture and services as figures, or true
representations of the heavenly priesthood, sanctuary, furniture and
services. O! how little is known of Christ and his work in the heavenly sanctury, through a neglect to compare type with
antitype, and shadow with substance; and how ready are such neglectors to brand any one with fanaticism, who presumes
to follow inspiration in this matter.
I would here state, that we have the best
authority for referring to Moses and the prophets. Christ, after his
resurrection, said to his disciples--"These are the words which I spake
unto you, while I was yet with you, that ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, and
in the prophets, [p. 30] and in the psalms, CONCERNING ME."--Luke
xxiv, 44. Also, Paul, while a prisoner at Rome, when they had appointed him a
day, and many came to him, into his lodging, expounded and testified to them
"the kingdom of God; persuading them CONCERNING JESUS, both out of the LAW OF MOSES, and
out of the prophets, from morning till evening."--See Acts xxviii, 23.
"Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day,
witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which
the prophets and Moses did say should come."--Acts xxvi, 22.
The prophet Malachi, while describing the burning
day, and addressing those to whom the prophet Elijah should be sent, before
the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, says, "Remember ye
the LAW OF MOSES my
servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel,"
&c.--See Mal. iv, 1-4. From these Scriptures we see that we are not only
directed to the law of Moses, but a positive injunction is laid upon us to
remember it. Not to keep it; for its ordinances were nailed to the cross; but
its types and shadows, as St. Paul has taught, were figures of the true. They
were a true representation of the "good things to come" connected
with the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore, they
are our positive, and only sure guide, contained in the oracles of truth, to
lead us to a correct understanding of the work of Christ in "THE TRUE TABERNACLE, WHICH THE LORD
PITCHED, and not man."
The Apostle Paul clearly shows that Christ, while
fulfilling his priesthood, occupies a sanctuary containing two apartments;
the Holy, or first tabernacle, and the Holiest of all, or second tabernacle,
within the second vail. In the Holy is the candlestick, the table of shew
bread, and the golden altar.--See Heb. ix, 2; Ex. xl, 24-26. In the Holiest
of all, is the ark of the covenant, the mercy-seat, and the two cherubims overshadowing the mercy-seat, above which is
seen the most excellent glory, or Ancient of days.--See Heb. ix, 3-5: Ex.
xxvi, 33, 34.
I am now prepared to explain the third division of
the text, viz. "they that were ready went in with him to the
marriage." In order to make the matter perfectly plain to your
understanding, let us go back, and see in what way they went in, under the
typical services.
Under the Mosaic economy, a cycle of one year
embraced all the ordinances, and services of the tabernacle, and typified all
the services of Christ, while acting in the capacity of a priest. Under the
type there was a daily ministration for the sins of the people, for three
hundred and sixty-four days, then that ministration ceased. Then on the last
day of this cycle of three hundred and sixty-five days, or the tenth day of
the seventh month, the high priest, having washed himself in pure water, puts
on the holy garments, made expressly for the services of this day. Thus
prepared, he passes from the Holy, into the Holiest of all, bearing on the
breast-plate of judgment the names of all the tribes of Israel. In this
manner, all the true Israel went in with him.
Thus Christ, in the antitype, in the true
tabernacle in heaven, closes the anti-typical daily ministration in the Holy
Place, clothes himself in the holy garments, having on the breast-plate of
judgment, on which is inscribed the names of the true Israel of God, who are
described by the following words in the text, "they that were
ready." Thus arrayed, he is prepared to perform all the services of the
antitypical tenth day, and passes into the Holiest of all before the
mercy-seat, and is brought near before the Ancient of days. Thus, they that
were ready went in with him to the marriage as he went in to receive his
bride, "and the DOOR WAS SHUT."
The cleansing of the sanctuary, blotting out the
sins of all Israel, and sending them away upon the head of the scape-goat, &c. in the type, were performed by the
high priest on the memorable tenth day of the seventh month, all of which
were shadows of the services of Christ in the heavenly tabernacle, after his
ministration in the Holy Place closes; some of which I may notice hereafter.
4. The marriage.
I think there are but three portions of Scripture
in the New Testament that speak of marriage, which refer to Christ. The
parable of the king's son, Matt. xxii, 2-14; the parable of the ten virgins,
Matt. xxv, 1-12, and Rev. xix, 7-9; in all these it is used as a figure, to
represent something that is not real marriage; but that which bears a close
resemblance to it. Therefore, the only reasonable conclusion that I can
arrive at is, that marriage, when used in reference to Christ, represents the
receiving into close connexion, and perpetual union, the Kingdom, or some
component part of the Kingdom.
When the prophet says, "thy land shall be
married,"--see Isa. lxii, 4--he means that the
territory or locality of the Kingdom is to be brought into close connection
with the KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS. When the New Jerusalem is adorned as a bride for
her husband, and is given to Christ, and the saints or virgins go in with
him, as guests to the marriage, then it is that he receives the capital of
his promised and long looked for Kingdom.
And when, as described to John in vision--see Rev.
xix, 1-9--God shall have judged her that did corrupt the earth with her
fornication, and shall have "avenged the blood of his servants at her
hand;" and when the voice as "of a great multitude," and
"as the voice of mighty thunderings" shall proclaim "Alleluia,
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, let us be
glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is
come, and his wife hath made herself ready;" and when to her is
"granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white," which "is the righteousness of saints," then the
subjects of the Kingdom become the bride; and in joint-heirship
with the bridegroom possess "the Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness
of the Kingdom under the whole heaven."
5. THE SHUT DOOR.
A door supposes a change of scenery, or a change
from one apartment to another. There are several things to which the term
door is applied, such as "door of utterance," and "door of
faith." "I am the door," said Jesus. But the door mentioned in
the text represents not only a change in the position of the bridegroom,
(Christ,) but it also shows a change in his relation to the world, from that
which he previously held. Here, again, let us examine the services of the
typical priesthood, that we may understand the services of Christ in the
antitype. After the priests had performed the daily services, ordained
especially for the Holy Place, or first apartment, and the memorable tenth
day of the seventh month had arrived, then there was an entire change in the
services of the sanctuary to be performed on that day.
By reading the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus, you
will find that the high priest here washes his flesh in water, puts on the
holy garments, and enters upon an [p. 31] entire new work. The offering up of
the daily sin-offerings has ceased, and the high priest, on this day, atones
for or blots out the sins of Israel, and removes them from the altar, where
they have been imputed or laid during the year, through the blood of the
victims daily offered. On this day of atonement, or of cleansing the
sanctuary, the high priest (as above stated) passes into the Most Holy Place,
bearing on the breast-plate of judgment the names of all such as, through
obedience to the typical ordinances, have applied for a remission of sins, through
the blood of their victims there offered; and THE DOOR of
the first apartment IS
SHUT. "And there shall be NO MAN in
the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in
the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for
his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.--Lev. xvi, 17. On
this day of atonement, he is a high priest for those only whose names are
inscribed on the breast-plate of judgment. Now just so sure as the Aaronic priesthood was a type of the priesthood of
Christ, then the sanctuary, with its apartments and appendages, were figures
of the true sanctuary in heaven; and the services and ordinances of the
earthly tabernacle were shadows of Christ's ministration, which is the substance.
With this view of the subject, it is plain that a time in Christ's
ministration must come, (before he puts on the kingly robes, and girds his
sword upon his thigh, and comes to execute judgment,) that he will cease to
be a priest in the first apartment of the true tabernacle for the sins of the
whole world, and put on the holy garments, and, with the true Israel of God
inscribed on HIS
breast-plate of judgment, go in with them before the mercy-seat, where John
saw one having a golden censer offering the prayers of all saints (wise
virgins) before the throne; and be a merciful high priest over the household
of faith, cleanse the sunctuary
and place all the sins of the true Israel upon the scape-goat,
which is the devil. Then, he will lay off the priestly garments, and clothe
himself with the garments of wrath, and come to gather his elect from the
four winds, under heaven, and destroy the wicked, and burn up their city.
Having thus explained the text, I will now examine
some ideas suggested in the foregoing exposition. And first, the time of the
fulfilment of the events, contained in the text, may be known by those which
precede, and those that follow. Christ, after giving the signs of his coming,
and a description of what should take place at his coming, proceeds to give a
history of some of the scenes which should be transacted previous to that
event. It appears that just before his coming, his wise and faithful
servants, seeing the signs fulfilling, and some of the events which were to
precede his coming actually transpiring, would raise the soul-thrilling
cry--"THE LORD IS
COMING," and thus wake up others to an examination
of this all-important subject by this "meat in due season." Then
this cry would excite those professed servants, who were unfaithful in their
Master's cause, and who loved the things of this present world, to raise an
opposite cry--"My Lord delayeth his coming." While these opposite
cries are being given, THEN
commences the fulfilment of the parable of the ten virgins. Here some, by
examining the arguments of the faithful servants, and seeing good evidence
that the signs were fulfilling, were led thereby to go forth to meet the
bridegroom. We here plainly see that the cry of the faithful servants is the
cause of their going forth, and that their going forth is the effect produced
by this cause; therefore, the fulfilment of the parable could never commence
without the cry, "The Lord is coming," being first raised by the
faithful servants.
Having shown how this important parable must
commence, let us examine the different steps of its progression. First, the
virgins go forth to meet the bridegroom; second, they meet with a
disappointment; third, they wait or tarry, still believing that his coming is
near, yet, by waiting, they become drowsy, and slumber and sleep; fourth, a
cry is heard, "BEHOLD
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH, GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM;"
fifth, a trimming of lamps, and an effort, on the part of the foolish virgins,
to procure oil; and sixth, the scenes described in the text take place. Now
has there been a succession of events, within our second advent experience,
which bears an exact resemblance to the above named events in the parable? If
there has, then we have, at least, some good reasons for believing that the
door is shut.
When Bro. Miller, and those who became acquainted
with him, and adhered to his expositions of the prophecies, went forth
faithfully showing to the world that [p. 32] according to the best light they
could obtain from the prophecies, the prophetic periods and the signs, that
Christ would come by the end of the Jewish year 1843, then the faithful
servants gave "meat in due season." And while giving this cry, the
hireling priest, the infidel, and the drunkard, united in raising the cry,
"My Lord delayeth his coming"--"These are fanatics who say he
is coming;" and thus they smote their fellow-servants. Here were two
events, perfectly fulfilling in all their features, the acts of the faithful
and wise servants, giving "meat in due season," and the evil
servants, uniting with the drunkard, in opposing the truth, who will reap
their reward with hypocrites in bitter weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
While these two cries were going throughout the
width and breadth of the land, the specified time came, and the virgins, with
the word of God, (their lamps,) went forth fully expecting to meet the
bridegroom at that point of time. Now for a disappointment, and tarrying
time. Were these the next events that actually transpired in our experience
after we went forth in the spring of 1844 to meet the bridegroom? Thousands,
thousands can answer this question in the affirmative; and the evil servants
have not yet forgotten to reproach and taunt us with this disappointment.
Next in this series of events is a cry at midnight, or about the middle of
the slumbering and sleeping time, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye
out to meet him." This also, was fulfilled in exact order as to time and
event. It was calculated that the Jewish year, 1843, would end the
twenty-first of March, 1844; and this was the time of the first going forth.
The second going forth was on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844. The
tarrying time, or time of slumbering and sleeping, was the space between
these two points; and at the centre point, or midnight, the second cry began
to be heard, which increased in power and effect as it went throughout the
land, waxing louder and louder, until the virgins were fully awake.
Thus we had in our experience, previous to the
tenth day of the seventh month, 1844, a perfect fulfilment of all the events
in the parable, as stepping stones to the SHUT DOOR; and since that time, the event, (knocking at the
shut door,) that was to take place after the shutting of the door, has not
failed to fill up the concluding scene in the drama. We are thus brought to a
clear and perfect fulfilment of every feature of this important parable, and
also to a clear fulfilment of those Scriptures connected with, and relating
to the shut door; such as the parable of the great supper, Luke xiv, 16-24;
the proclamation of the "mighty angel," "that there should be TIME NO LONGER,"
Rev. x, 1-8; the flying angel, proclaiming the hour of judgment come, Rev.
xiv, 6, 7; and the cleansing of the sanctuary, &c. Therefore, we are
brought, by the force of circumstances, and the fulfilment of events, to the
irresistible conclusion that, on the tenth day of the seventh month,
(Jewish time,) in the autumn of 1844, Christ did close his daily, or continual
ministration or mediation in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary,
and SHUT THE DOOR, which
no man can open; and opened a door, in the second apartment, or Holiest of
all, which no man can shut, (see Rev. iii, 7, 8,) and passed within the second
vail, bearing before the Father, on the breast-plate of judgment, all for
whom he is now acting as intersessor. If this is
the position that Christ now occupies, then there is no intercessor in the
first apartment; and in vain do misguided souls knock at that door, saying
"Lord, Lord, open unto us." The words of the prophet
apply to the fulfilment of this point in the parable.
"They shall go with their flocks and with
their herds to seek the Lord; but THEY SHALL NOT FIND HIM--HE HATH WITHDRAWN HIMSELF FROM THEM.
"They have dealt treacherously against the
Lord, for they have begotten STRANGE CHILDREN; now shall a month devour them with their
portion."--Hosea v, 6, 7.
But, says the objector, does not this leave the
present generation, who have passed the line of accountability, since that
time without an intercessor or mediator, and leave them destitute of the
means of salvation? In reply to this objection, I would remark, that as they
were then in a state of INNOCENCY, they were entitled to a
record upon the breast-plate of judgment as much as those who had sinned and
received pardon: and are therefore subjects of the present intercession of
our great high priest.
The professed conversions, through the
instrumentality of the different sects, are also urged as positive proof that
the door is not shut. I cannot give up the clear fulfilment of prophecy, in
our experience, which shows the shut door in the past, for the opinions,
fancies and feelings of men, based upon human sympathy and a superstitious
reverence for early imbibed views. God's word is true, though it prove all men
liars. As a stream is of the same character as the fountain that sends it
forth, (see James iii, 11,) and does not rise higher than the fountain, so
these professed converts will not rise to a better state than the low
standard of the fallen sects; therefore, they are converted to the religion
of the various sects, but not to God, and the high and holy standard of the
Bible. The Prophet Hosea saw this time; and for "our learning" and
guide has written--"They have dealt treacherously against the Lord; for
they have begotten strange children."
DAVID
ARNOLD.
Fulton, N. Y. Dec. 16, 1849.
--The Present Truth, vol. 1, no. 6, Dec.,
1849, pp. 41-46.
[p. 33]
44. December, 1849--James White: "We Still
Believe . . . That the Door Is Shut."
WHO HAS LEFT THE SURE WORD?
We are often charged with following our
experience, instead of the unerring word of God; but such a charge is unjust
and untrue. It is true that we "hold fast" our holy advent
experience in the past, which has so perfectly fulfilled prophecy; but in
doing so, we do not neglect nor depart from the sure word. The Bible is our
chart--our guide. It is our only rule of faith and practice, to which we
would closely adhere.
In order to show the fulfilment of Prophecy, we
have to refer to history. To show the fulfilment of prophecy relating to the
four universal kingdoms of the second and seventh chapters of Daniel, we have
to refer to the history of those kingdoms. Deny the history, and the prophecy
is of no use. Just so with the prophecies relating to the second advent
movement.
If we deny our holy experience in the great
leading movements, in the past, such as the proclamation of the time in 1843
and 1844, then we cannot show a fulfilment of those prophecies relating to
those movements. Therefore, those who deny their past experience, while
following God and his holy word, deny or misapply a portion of the sure word.
It is cruel and unjust to represent us as having
abandoned the PRECIOUS
BOOK OF BOOKS--the Bible--to follow impressions, fancies,
&c. when we have done no such thing, and when these very men that charge
us thus leave or misapply a portion of the sure word. Once, the whole advent
host believed that the parable of the ten virgins applied exclusively to the
advent movement; and that the first going forth, in the parable, was
fulfilled in us, as we came up to the first specified time; and that the cry
in the parable, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet
him," and the trimming of lamps, &c. were also fulfilled by us, as
we gave the seventh month cry. We still believe what the whole host once
believed; and with holy confidence and energy published and preached to the
world. And strange to tell, many of those who have abandoned the fulfilment
of prophecy in our past experience, are ready to brand us with fanaticism,
and rank us with Shakers, &c. for believing what they once believed, and
for carrying out and showing a consistent fulfilment of the parable, in all
its parts, which shows that the door is shut. These men should be the last to
oppose our views, and complain of a lack of charity on our part, when they,
in such an unsparing manner, rank us with apostates for holding fast and
carrying out what they once believed and boldly proclaimed. When we in 1843
sang, "My Bible leads to glory," we sang a true sentiment. It did
not stop in 1844, and "lead" us back around another way, no, no;
but it led onward by the shut door, through the WAITING TIME, and
keeping of "the commandments of God," into the kingdom. Glory to
God, "My Bible leads to glory." Amen.
The truth, in answer to the question, "Who
has left the sure word," is that we closely adhere to the sure word of
God, which plainly marks out our holy experience, and acknowledge the mighty
work of God in calling out the advent people from the world and fallen
church; while those who deny this work of God and their own experience have
"left" those portions of the "sure word" which relate to
the advent movement. While standing on the sure word, and acknowledging our
holy experience, wrought in us by the living word of God, set home to our
hearts by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, and while keeping the
commandments of God, we are safe--yes, we are safe.--James White, The
Present Truth, vol. vol. 1, no. 6 (Dec. 1849), p. 46.
[p. 34]
45. January 9, 1850--Ellen White: Without the
Church Paper Some Might Lose Their Souls.
I saw the paper and that it was needed. That souls
were hungry for the truth that must be written in the paper. I saw that if
the paper stopped for want of means, and those hungry sheep died for want of
the paper, it would not be James' fault, but it would be the fault of those
to whom God had lent His money to be faithful stewards over, and they let it
lie idle; and the blood of souls would be upon their garments. I saw that the
paper should go, and if they let it die, they would weep in anguish soon. I
saw that God did not want James to stop yet, but he must write, write, write,
write, and speed the message and let it go. I saw that it would go where
God's servants cannot go.--Ellen G. White Ms. 2, 1850 (written at Oswego, New
York).
46. January, 1850--Ellen White: The Truth Must Be
Published.
I saw that a paper was needed, and all should be
interested in it. I saw that the burden of the paper was laid upon James, and
that it was as important to publish the truth as to preach it. I saw that
James should not be discouraged if all did not feel the interest in the paper
that he did. I saw that Brother Bates had not the interest in the paper that
he should have, and that his lack of interest has discouraged James. I saw
that James should set his face as a flint and go forward. I saw the flock
looking for the paper, and were ready like hungry children to eat the truth
published in it.--Ellen G. White Ms. 12, 1850.
47. January 11, 1850--Ellen White: Our Message Is
to the Honest Who Have Been Deceived.
Oh my brother and sister, I wish all of God's
people could get a sight of it as God has shown it me. The work of the Lord
is going on. Souls are coming into the truth and soon the work will be all
done. Keep up good courage, hope in God, let nothing weigh thee down. We have
the truth. We know it. Praise the Lord. I saw yesterday our work was not to
the shepherds who have rejected the former messages, but to the honest
deceived who are led astray. I saw the false shepherds would soon be fed with
judgment. Let the truth come out everywhere we go, the seventh day is the
Sabbath of the Lord our God. Cheer up. There are better days coming.--Ellen
G. White Letter 18, 1850 (identical to Letter 24, 1850).
[p. 35]
48. January 26, 1850--Ellen White: It Is Not Yet
Too Late to Be Saved.
Last Sabbath evening the Lord gave me a view of
many things, which I will now try to relate. I saw the people of God--some
were dormant and stupid, they were but half awake, and did not realize the
time we were living in. I saw that the man with the "dirt brush"
had entered, and some were in danger of being swept away. I begged of Jesus
to save them--to spare them a little longer, and to lift them up so that they
could get a sight of their situation, before it should be forever too late.
The angel said destruction is coming like a mighty whirlwind. I begged of the
angel to pity to save those who were attached to their possessions, and were
not willing to cut loose from them, and distribute them to speed the
messengers on their way to feed the hungry sheep, who were dying for the want
of spiritual food.
I could hardly bear the sight of the sheep dying
for the want of saving, present truth, while some who professed to believe
the present truth, were holding on to their property, and were letting them
die, by withholding the necessary means to carry forward the work of God. As
it was held up before me the sight was too painful, and I begged of the angel
to take it away, and remove the painful sight from me. . . .
Then again was held up before me those who were
not willing to sell their possessions, to save one fainting, starving soul;
while Jesus stands before the Father pleading His blood, His sufferings and
His death, for those souls, and while God's servants were waiting, ready to
carry them the saving truth that they might be sealed with the seal of the
living God, and yet it was hard for some who profess to believe the present
truth to even do so little as to hand the messengers God's own money, that He
had lent them to be stewards over. . . .
While viewing these things, the burden seemed too
heavy to be borne. I felt that I could have given my life, if it could be the
means of helping any to see their awful situation. . . . I saw that there
would be no chance to get ready after Jesus leaves the most holy place, thefore we must get right now, while there is a chance.
Very soon it will be too late.--Ellen G. White Ms. 4, 1850, pp. 1-3 (written
at Oswego, NY). See The Present Truth, vol. 1, no. 9 (April, 1850),
pp. 71-72.
49. February 10, 1850--New Converts Include Those
Who Had Not Been Part of the Millerite Movement.
In a letter written to Brother and Sister Collins
from Oswego, New York, on February 10, 1850, Ellen White states:
We were very glad to hear from you that you were
striving to be overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your
testimony. Be bold in the cause of God. Do not falter. God loves bold
soldiers and they will get the victory. Oh how good is the Lord to us! Can we
doubt His goodness for a moment? No, no. His watchful care has been over us
or we should have fallen out by the way. . . .
Do not let the suggestions of Satan hold you down.
Be of good cheer. The Lord is coming to reward His faithful children. Be
diligent to make your calling and election sure.
Let us not rest unless we have the abiding witness
that our ways please God. Souls are coming out upon the truth all around
here. They are those who have not heard the Advent doctrine and some of them
are those who went
[p. 36]
forth to meet the Bridegroom in 1844, but since
that time have been deceived by false shepherds until they did not know where
they were or what they believed.--Ellen G. White Letter 4, 1850, pp. 1, 2.
50. March 18, 1850--Ellen White: "Children, .
. . Get Ready to Meet Jesus."
I warn Arabella and the
rest of the children to prepare to meet Jesus, and then they will meet their
mother again never more to be parted. Oh children, will you heed her faithful
warning that she gave you while she was with you? Let not all her prayers
that she has offered up to God for you, be as water spilt upon the ground.
Get ready to meet Jesus and all will be well. Give your hearts to God and do
not rest a day unless you know that you love Jesus.--Ellen G. White Letter
10, 1850, p. 3 (To the Hastings family, March 18, 1850, from Oswego, NY).
This appeal was written by Ellen White to the
Hastings children a few days after their mother's death on February 28, 1850.
Concerning the effect Sister Hastings' death had on her family, Ellen White
wrote later:
God works in a mysterious way His wonders to
perform. Her death was indeed to save her children. Her earnest prayers had gone
up to God, to save them in any way that He should choose. The mother was
snatched away, and then her faithful admonitions, her earnest prayers and
many tears were regarded, and had an influence upon the smitten flock. We
visited the place after the mother's death, in June, 1850, and found the
father bereaved and lonely, but living for God, and bearing well his double
burden. He was comforted in his great grief by seeing his children turning
unto the Lord, and earnestly seeking a preparation to meet their dear mother
when the Life-giver shall break the fetters of the tomb, release the captive,
and bring her forth immortal. My husband baptized the four eldest children.--Life
Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1888), pp. 257-258.
51. March, 1850--Ellen White: Honest Souls May
Still Accept the Truth.
My Dear Brethren and Sisters: This is a very
important hour with us. Satan has come down with great power, and we must
strive hard, and press our way to the kingdom. We have a mighty foe to
contend with; but an Almighty Friend to protect and strengthen us in the
conflict. If we are firmly fixed upon the present truth, and have our hope,
like an anchor of the soul, cast within the second vail, the various winds of
false doctrine and error cannot move us. The excitements and false
reformations of this day do not move us, for we know that the Master of the
house rose up in 1844, and shut the door of the first apartment of the
heavenly tabernacle; and now we certainly expect that they will "go with
their flocks," "to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he
hath withdrawn himself (within the second vail) from them." The Lord has
shown me that the power which is with them is a mere human influence, and not
the power of God.
[p. 37]
Those who have published the "Watchman"
have removed the landmarks. I saw, two months ago, that their time would pass
by; and then some honest souls, who have been deceived by this time, will
have a chance to receive the truth. I saw that most of those who preach this
new time do not believe it themselves. I saw that our message was not to the
shepherds who have led the flock astray, but to the poor hungry, scattered
sheep.--The Present Truth, vol. 1, no. 8 (March, 1850), p. 64).
52. April, 1850--The Door of Salvation Was Still Open
for the Children of the "Remnant."
James White reports the efforts made in behalf of
the believers' children at Oswego, New York:
A very interesting work is now going on among the
children of the "remnant" in this city. Their salvation has been
the principal subject in our meetings for the last two Sabbaths, and God has
wonderfully blest us. The truth has had a good effect on us, as well as the
children. In the evening following the last first-day, we had a meeting for
their special benefit, and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out in our
midst. The children all bowed before the Lord, and seemed to feel the
importance of keeping the commandments, especially the fifth, and of seeking
salvation through Jesus Christ. This was one of the most interesting meetings
that I ever witnessed. --The Present Truth, vol. 1, no. 9 (April,
1850), p. 72.
[p. 38]
53. May, 1850--James White: The Shut Door Is Not
the Same Thing As the Door of Mercy.
Jesus caused the "sacrifice and oblation to
cease" in the "midst" [middle] of the seventieth week by
"nailing it to his cross" in the spring of A.D. 31. To this add
three years and a half, the last half of the seventieth week, and it brings
us to the autumn of A.D. 34 for the termination of the seventy weeks [490
years]. Then add 1810 years, the last part of the 2300, which reach to the
cleansing of the Sanctuary, and it brings us to the Autumn of 1844. Amen.
At that point of time the Midnight Cry was given,
the work for the world was closed up, and Jesus passed into the Most Holy
Place to receive the kingdom, and to cleanse the Sanctuary. . . .
That there is to be a shut door prior to the
second advent, many will admit; yet but few seem willing to have it where it
actually took place. Let us take a brief view of our past history, as marked
out by the parable of the ten virgins [Matt. xxv, 1-11] and I think we shall
clearly see that there can be no other place for the shut door but at the
Autumn of 1844. . . .
Now we may see that the only place for the shut
door was in 1844. Amen.
But says the objector--"The door of mercy
will not be closed until Jesus comes." We do not read of such a door as
"the door of mercy" in the Bible; neither do we teach that such a
door was shut in 1844. God's "mercy endureth
for ever." See Ps. cxxxvi: cvi,
1; cxviii, 1. He is still merciful to his saints,
and ever will be; and Jesus is still their advocate and priest. But the
sinner, to whom Jesus had stretched out his arms all the day long, and who
had rejected the offers of salvation, was left without an advocate, when
Jesus passed from the Holy Place, and shut that door in 1844. The professed
church, who rejected the truth, was also rejected, and smitten with
blindness, and now, "with their flocks and with their herds" they
go "to seek the Lord" as still an advocate for sinners; but, says
the prophet, [Hosea v, 6, 7,] "they shall not find him; he hath
WITHDRAWN HIMSELF from them. They have dealt treacherously against the Lord;
for they have begotten strange children."
The reason why they do not find the Lord is simply
this, they seek him where he is not; "he hath withdrawn himself" to
the Most Holy Place. The prophet of God calls their man-made converts, "STRANGE CHILDREN;"
"now shall a month devour them, and their portions."
Says the objector--"I believe that Jesus is
still on the mercy-seat." In answer to this oft repeated assertion, let
me say; Jesus never was on the mercy-seat, and never will be. The mercy seat
is the Most Holy Place, where Jesus entered at the end of the 2300 days. Its
position is upon the ark of the ten commandments; and over it are the cherubims of glory. Before the mercy-seat stands our
Great High Priest pleading his blood for Israel.
If the door (represented by the door in the
parable) is not to be shut until Jesus descends from heaven in flames of
fire, then where will be the knocking, and saying "Lord, Lord, open unto
us"? It is evident that the door is shut prior to the second advent, and
that unbelievers are ignorant of the fact of its being shut; therefore they
knock at the shut door, and say, "Lord, Lord, open unto us." When
the great day of God's wrath is come, and unbelievers are apprised of their
lost situation, they will not knock, with a hope of being admitted, no, no;
but they will flee to rocks and mountains for shelter. See Isa. ii. 19-21;
Rev. vi, 15-17. Now their prayer is, "Lord, Lord, OPEN UNTO US;"
but then their prayer will be to "rocks and mountains," "FALL
ON US, and HIDE us FROM the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from
the wrath of the Lamb."
It is impossible to harmonize such portions of the
Word as Isa. ii, 19-21; Rev. vi, 15-17, with the idea of the shut-door, and
knocking being at, and after the advent. The 2300 days and cleansing the
Sanctuary of Dan. viii, 13, 14, the parable of the ten virgins, and other
parallel portions of Scripture clearly fix the shut door in 1844. This view
establishes our holy advent experience in the past, gives certainty to the
"blessed hope" of very soon seeing Jesus, and causes our path to
shine "more and more unto the perfect day." Amen.--The Present
Truth, May, 1850, pp. 78-79.
[p. 39]
54. May, 1850--James White's Burden Was for
"Honest Souls."
We have recently visited the precious band in
Camden, who have lately embraced the Sabbath, etc. They have been scattered
and torn by spiritualism, and other errors; but God is uniting and healing
them, and making them valiant for his truth.
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