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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
of the several passages so unfolded as to leave him free from all em-
barrassment. When he found anything obscure, it was his custom to
compare it with every other text which seemed to have any reference
to the matter under consideration. Every word was permitted to have
its proper bearing upon the subject of the text, and if his view of it
harmonized with every collateral passage, it ceased to be a difficulty.
Thus whenever he met with a passage hard to be understood, he
found an explanation in some other portion of the Scriptures. As
he studied with earnest prayer for divine enlightenment, that which
had before appeared dark to his understanding was made clear. He
experienced the truth of the psalmist’s words, “The entrance of thy
words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” [
Psalm
119:130
.]
After two years of careful investigation, he was fully satisfied,
that the Bible is its own interpreter; that it is a system of revealed
truths so clearly and simply given that the wayfaring man, though a
fool, need not err therein; that “all Scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness;” [
2 Timothy 3:16
.] that “prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;” [
2 Peter 1:21
.] that it was
written “for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of
the Scriptures might have hope.” [
Romans 15:4
.]
With intense interest he studied the books of Daniel and the
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Revelation, employing the same principles of interpretation as in
the other scriptures, and found, to his great joy, that the prophetic
symbols could be understood. Angels of Heaven were guiding his
mind, and opening to his understanding prophecies which had ever
been dark to God’s people. Link after link of the chain of truth
rewarded his efforts; step by step he traced down the great lines of
prophecy, until he reached the solemn conclusion that in a few years
the Son of God would come the second time, in power and glory, and
that the events connected with that coming and the close of human
probation would take place about the year 1843. [
For a statement
of Wm. Miller’s position and an explanation of his disappointment,
see appendix, note 1.
]
Deeply impressed by these momentous truths, he felt that it
was his duty to give the warning to the world. He expected to