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Chapter 22—Prophecies Fulfilled
When the time passed at which the Lord’s coming was first
expected—the spring of 1844—those who had looked for His ap-
pearing were in doubt and uncertainty. Many continued to search
the Scriptures, examining anew the evidence of their faith. The
prophecies, clear and conclusive, pointed to the coming of Christ
as near. The blessing of the Lord in conversion and revival among
Christians had testified that the message was of Heaven. Interwoven
with prophecies which they had regarded as applying to the time of
the second advent was instruction encouraging them to wait patiently
in the faith that what was now dark to their understanding would
be made plain. Among these prophecies was
Habakkuk 2:1-4
. No
one, however, noticed that an apparent delay—a tarrying time—is
in the prophecy. After the disappointment, this scripture appeared
very significant: “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the
end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it
will surely come, it will not tarry. ... The just shall live by his faith.”
Ezekiel’s prophecy also was a comfort to believers: “Thus saith
the Lord God, ... The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
... I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it
shall be no more prolonged.” “The word which I have spoken shall
be done.”
Ezekiel 12:23-25, 28
.
The waiting ones rejoiced. He who knows the end from the
beginning had given them hope. Had it not been for such portions
of Scripture, their faith would have failed.
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The parable of the ten virgins of
Matthew 25
also illustrates
the experience of the Adventist people. Here is brought to view
the church in the last days. Their experience is illustrated by the
incidents of an Eastern marriage:
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,
which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And
five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish
took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in
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