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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
for a few weeks. Believers carefully examined every thought and
emotion of their hearts as if upon their death-beds and in a few hours
to close their eyes upon earthly scenes. There was no making of
“ascension robes;” [
See appendix, note 3.
] 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.
God designed to prove his people. His hand covered a mistake
in the reckoning of the prophetic periods. [
See appendix, note 1.
]
Adventists did not discover the error, nor was it discovered by the
most learned of their opponents. The latter said, “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.”
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 Lord had accomplished his purpose: he had tested 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
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sorrow of the true believers.
But Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sym-
pathy upon the tried and faithful yet disappointed ones. Could the
vail 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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