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Chapter 50—The First Angel’s Message
The prophecy of the first angel’s message, brought to view in
Revelation 14
, found its fulfillment in the advent movement of 1840-
44. In both Europe and America, men of faith and prayer were
deeply moved as their attention was called to the prophecies, and,
tracing down the Inspired Record, they saw convincing evidence
that the end of all things was at hand. The Spirit of God urged His
servants to give the warning. Far and wide spread the message of
the everlasting gospel, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the
hour of His judgment is come.”
Revelation 14:7
.
Wherever missionaries had penetrated, were sent the glad tidings
of Christ’s speedy return. In different lands were found isolated
bodies of Christians, who, solely by the study of the Scriptures, had
arrived at the belief that the Saviour’s advent was near. In some
portions of Europe, where the laws were so oppressive as to forbid
the preaching of the advent doctrine, little children were impelled to
declare it, and many listened to the solemn warning.
To William Miller and his co-laborers it was given to preach the
message in America, and the light kindled by their labors shone out
to distant lands. God sent His angel to move upon the heart of a
farmer who had not believed the Bible, to lead him to search the
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prophecies. Angels of God repeatedly visited that chosen one, to
guide his mind and open to his understanding prophecies which had
ever been dark to God’s people. The commencement of the chain
of truth was given to him, and he was led on to search for link after
link, until he looked with wonder and admiration upon the Word of
God. He saw there a perfect chain of truth. That Word, which he had
regarded as uninspired, now opened before his vision in its beauty
and glory. He saw that one portion of Scripture explains another,
and when one passage was closed to his understanding, he found in
another part of the Word that which explained it. He regarded the
sacred Word of God with joy, and with the deepest respect and awe.
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