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New Light in the New World
191
things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”
Matthew 24:33
. Many
who witnessed the falling of the stars looked upon it as a herald of
the coming judgment.
In 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited
widespread interest. Two years before, Josiah Litch published an
exposition of
Revelation 9
, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire
“in A.D. 1840, sometime in the month of August.” Only a few days
previous to its accomplishment he wrote: “It will end on the 11th of
August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be
expected to be broken.
Prediction Fulfilled
At the very time specified, Turkey accepted the protection of the
allied powers of Europe and thus placed herself under the control
of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction.
Multitudes were convinced of the principles of prophetic
interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates. Men of learning
and position united with Miller in preaching and publishing his
views. From 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended.
William Miller possessed strong mental powers, and he added to
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these the wisdom of heaven by connecting himself with the Source
of wisdom. He commanded respect wherever integrity and moral
excellence were valued. With Christian humility, he was attentive
and affable to all, ready to listen to others and weigh their arguments.
He tested all theories by the Word of God, and his sound reasoning
and knowledge of Scripture enabled him to refute error.
Yet, as with earlier Reformers, the truths he presented were not
received by popular religious teachers. As these could not maintain
their position by Scripture, they resorted to the doctrines of men, the
traditions of the Fathers. But the Word of God was the only testimony
accepted by the preachers of the advent truth. Ridicule and scoffing
were employed on the part of opponents in maligning those who
looked with joy for the return of their Lord and were striving to
live holy lives and prepare others for His appearing. It was made
to appear a sin to study the prophecies of the coming of Christ and
the end of the world. Thus the popular ministry undermined faith
9
Josiah Litch, Signs of the Times, August 1, 1840.v