Great Religious Awakening
309
was no making of “ascension robes;” [
See Appendix, Note 4.
] but all
felt the need of internal evidence that they were prepared to meet the
Saviour; their white robes were purity of soul,—characters cleansed
from sin by the atoning blood of Christ. Would that there was still
with the professed people of God the same spirit of heart-searching,
the same earnest, determined faith. Had they continued thus to humble
themselves before the Lord, and press their petitions at the mercy-seat,
they would be in possession of a far richer experience than they now
have. There is too little prayer, too little real conviction of sin, and
the lack of living faith leaves many destitute of the grace so richly
provided by our Redeemer.
God designed to prove his people. His hand covered a mistake in
the reckoning of the prophetic periods. [
See Diagram Opposite p. 328;
also Appendix, Note 3.
] Adventists did not discover the error, nor was
it discovered by the most learned of their opponents. The latter said:
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“Your reckoning of the prophetic periods is correct. Some great event
is about to take place; but it is not what Mr. Miller predicts; it is the
conversion of the world, and not the second advent of Christ.” [
See
Appendix, Note 5.
]
The time of expectation passed, and Christ did not appear for the
deliverance of his people. Those who with sincere faith and love had
looked for their Saviour, experienced a bitter disappointment. Yet the
purposes of God were being accomplished: he was testing the hearts
of those who professed to be waiting for his appearing. There were
among them many who had been actuated by no higher motive than
fear. Their profession of faith had not affected their hearts or their
lives. When the expected event failed to take place, these persons
declared that they were not disappointed; they had never believed that
Christ would come. They were among the first to ridicule the sorrow
of the true believers.
But Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sympathy
upon the tried and faithful yet disappointed ones. Could the veil
separating the visible from the invisible world have been swept back,
angels would have been seen drawing near to these steadfast souls,
and shielding them from the shafts of Satan.
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