64
Selected Messages Book 1
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.
I never have stated or written that the world was doomed or damned.
I never have under any circumstances used this language to any one,
however sinful. I have ever had messages of reproof for those who
used these harsh expressions.—
Letter 2, 1874
.
[75]
Statement on the Day and Hour of Christ’s Coming
Dear Sister,
You state that “some claim among other things that there is dishon-
esty in suppressing your former writings.” Will those who say these
things please give proof of their statements? I know that this has been
often repeated but not proved. “Claiming that in your original testi-
monies, volume 1, which they have preserved, you distinctly declare
that you were shown the day and hour of Christ’s second coming.
Their argument is that this statement of yours will not stand the Bible
test; as Christ Himself declares that no man knoweth the day or the
hour, no not even the angels of God.”
In my first book you will find the only statement in regard to the
day and hour of Christ’s coming that I have made since the passing of
the time in 1844. It is found in
Early Writings, 11, 27, 145, 146
[15,
34, and 285, present edition]. All refer to the announcement that will
be made just before the second coming of Christ.
By turning to page 145 [page 285, present edition] and reading
from the commencement of the chapter you will see that the statements
made refer to the deliverance of the saints from the time of trouble
by the voice of God. Please obtain this book if you do not have it,
and read the statements therein. They are just as printed from the first
article published. “The sky opened and shut, and was in commotion.”
“The mountains shook like a reed in the wind, and cast out ragged
rocks all around. The sea boiled like a pot, and cast out stones upon
the ground. And as God spoke the day and hour of Jesus’ coming,
and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one