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First Angel’s Message
281
emotion of their hearts as if upon their deathbeds and in a few hours
to close their eyes upon earthly scenes. There was no making of
“ascension robes,” 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. Adventists did not dis-
cover the error, nor was it discovered by the most learned of their
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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 had 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
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
veil 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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