Earlier text: Mystery of Iniquity.The First Angel’s Message.
I saw that GOD was in the proclamation of the time in 1843. It was his design to arouse the people, and bring them to a testing point where they should decide. Ministers were convicted and convinced of the correctness of the positions taken on the prophetic periods, and they left their pride, their salaries, and their churches, to go forth from place to place and proclaim the message. But as the message from heaven could find a place in the hearts of but a very few of the professed ministers of CHRIST, the work was laid upon many who were not preachers. Some left their fields to sound the message, while others were called from their shops and their merchandise. And even some professional men were compelled to leave their professions to engage in the unpopular work of giving the first angel’s message. Ministers laid aside their sectarian views and feelings, and united in proclaiming the coming of JESUS. The people were moved everywhere the message reached them. Sinners repented, wept and prayed for forgiveness, and those whose lives had been marked with dishonesty, were anxious to make restitution. Parents felt the deepest solicitude for their children. Those who received the message,134 labored with their unconverted friends and relatives, and with their souls bowed with the weight of the solemn message, warned and entreated them to prepare for the coming of the Son of man. Those cases were the most hardened that would not yield to such a weight of evidence set home by heart-felt warnings. This soul-purifying work led the affections away from worldly things, to a consecration never before experienced. Thousands were led to embrace the truth preached by Wm. Miller, and servants of God were raised up in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the message. Those who preached this solemn message, like John the forerunner of JESUS, felt compelled to lay the axe at the root of the tree, and call upon men to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Their testimony was calculated to arouse and powerfully affect the churches, and manifest their real character. And as they raised the solemn warning to flee from the wrath to come, many who were united with the churches received the healing message; they saw their backslidings, and, with bitter tears of repentance, and deep agony of soul, humbled themselves before GOD. And as the Spirit of GOD rested upon them, they helped to sound the cry, Fear GOD, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. The preaching of definite time called forth great opposition from all classes, from the minister135 in the pulpit, down to the most reckless, heaven-daring sinner. No man knoweth the day and the hour, was heard from the hypocritical minister and the bold scoffer. Neither would be instructed and corrected on the use made of the text by those who were pointing to the year when they believed the prophetic periods would run out, and to the signs which showed CHRIST near, even at the doors. Many shepherds of the flock, who professed to love JESUS, said they had no opposition to the preaching of CHRIST’s coming; but they objected to the definite time. GOD’s all-seeing eye read their hearts. They did not love JESUS near. They knew that their unchristian lives would not stand the test; for they were not walking in the humble path laid out by him. These false shepherds stood in the way of the work of GOD. The truth spoken in its convincing power to the people aroused them, and like the jailer, they began to inquire, What must I do to be saved. But these shepherds stepped between the truth and the people, and preached smooth things to lead them from the truth. They united with Satan and his angels, and cried, Peace, peace, when there was no peace. I saw that angels of GOD had marked it all, and the garments of those unconsecrated shepherds were covered with the blood of souls. Those who loved their ease, and were content with136 their distance from GOD, would not be aroused from their carnal security. Many ministers would not accept this saving message themselves, and those who would receive it, they hindered. The blood of souls is upon them. Preachers and people joined to oppose this message from heaven. They persecuted Wm. Miller, and those who united with him in the work. Falsehoods were circulated to injure his influence, and at different times after he had plainly declared the counsel of God, applying cutting truths to the hearts of his hearers, great rage was kindled against him, and as he left the place of meeting, some waylaid him in order to take his life. But angels of God were sent to preserve his life, and they led him safely away from the angry mob. His work was not yet finished. The most devoted gladly received the message. They knew it was from GOD, and that it was delivered at the right time. Angels were watching with the deepest interest the result of the heavenly message, and when the churches turned from and rejected it, they in sadness consulted with JESUS. He turned his face from the churches, and bid his angels to faithfully watch over the precious ones who did not reject the testimony, for another light was yet to shine upon them. I saw that if professed Christians had loved137 their SAVIOUR’S appearing, if their affections were placed on him, if they felt that there was none upon earth to be compared with him, they would have hailed with joy the first intimation of his coming. But the dislike they manifested, as they heard of their LORD’S coming, was a decided proof that they did not love him. Satan and his angels triumphed, and cast it in the face of JESUS CHRIST and his holy angels, that his professed people had so little love for JESUS that they did not desire his second appearing. I saw the people of GOD, joyful in expectation, looking for their LORD. But GOD designed to prove them. His hand covered a mistake in the reckoning of the prophetic periods. Those who were looking for their LORD did not discover it, and the most learned men who opposed the time also failed to see the mistake. GOD designed that his people should meet with a disappointment. The time passed, and those who had looked with joyful expectation for their SAVIOUR were sad and disheartened, while those who had not loved the appearing of JESUS, but embraced the message through fear, were pleased that he did not come at the time of expectation. Their profession had not affected their hearts, and purified their lives. The passing of the time was well calculated to reveal such hearts. They were the first to turn and ridicule the sorrowful, disappointed138 ones, who really loved the appearing of their SAVIOUR. I saw the wisdom of GOD in proving his people, and giving them a searching test to discover those who would shrink and turn back in the hour of trial. JESUS and all the heavenly host looked with sympathy and love upon those who had with sweet expectation longed to see him whom their souls loved. Angels were hovering around them, to sustain them in the hour of their trial. Those who had neglected to receive the heavenly message were left in darkness, and GOD’S anger was kindled against them, because they would not receive the light he had sent them from heaven. Those faithful, disappointed ones, who could not understand why their LORD did not come, were not left in darkness. Again they were led to their Bibles to search the prophetic periods. The hand of the LORD was removed from the figures, and the mistake was explained. They saw that the prophetic periods reached to 1844, and that the same evidence they had presented to show that the prophetic periods closed in 1843, proved that they would terminate in 1844. Light from the word of GOD shone upon their position, and they discovered a tarrying time.—If the vision tarry, wait for it.—In their love for JESUS’ immediate coming, they had overlooked the tarrying of the vision, which was calculated to manifest the true waiting ones. Again they had a point of time.139 Yet I saw that many of them could not rise above their severe disappointment, to possess that degree of zeal and energy which had marked their faith in 1843. Satan and his angels triumphed over them, and those who would not receive the message, congratulated themselves upon their far-seeing judgment and wisdom in not receiving the delusion, as they called it. They realized not that they were rejecting the counsel of God against themselves, and that they were working in union with Satan and his angels to perplex God’s people, who were living out the heaven-born message. The believers in this message were oppressed in the churches. Fear had held them for a time, so that they did not act out the sentiments of their heart, but the passing of the time revealed their true feelings. They wished to silence the testimony which the believers felt compelled to bear, that the prophetic periods extended to 1844. With clearness they explained their mistake, and gave their reasons why they expected their LORD in 1844. The opposers could not bring any arguments against the powerful reasons offered. The anger of the churches was kindled against them. They were determined not to listen to any evidence, and to shut their testimony out of the churches, so that others could not hear it. Those who dared not withhold from others the light GOD had140 given them, were shut out of the churches; but JESUS was with them, and they were joyful in the light of his countenance. They were prepared to receive the message of the second angel. The Second Angel’s Message.
The churches would not receive the light of the first angel’s message, and as they rejected the light from heaven they fell from the favor of GOD. They trusted in their own strength, and placed themselves by their opposition to the first message where they could not see the light of the second angel’s message. But the beloved of GOD, who were oppressed, answered to the message, Babylon is fallen, and left the fallen churches. Near the close of the second angel’s message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him! The midnight cry was given to give power to the second angel’s message. Angels were sent from heaven to wake up the discouraged saints, and prepare them for the great work before141 them. The most talented men were not the first to receive this message. Angels were sent to the humble, devoted ones, and constrained them to raise the cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Those entrusted with the cry made haste, and in the power of the Holy Spirit spread the cry, and aroused their discouraged brethren. This cry did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of GOD, and his saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. In every part of the land, light was given upon the second angel’s message, and the cry was melting down thousands. It went from city to city, and from village to village, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. Many would not permit this message to enter the churches, and a large company who had the living testimony within them left the fallen churches. A mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry. The message was heart-searching, and led the believers to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another. The saints anxiously waited for their LORD with fasting, watching and almost constant prayer.142 Even some sinners looked forward to the time with terror, while the great mass seemed to be stirred against this message, and manifested the spirit of Satan. They mocked and scoffed, and everywhere was heard, No man knoweth the day and the hour. Evil angels exulted around them, urging them on to harden their hearts, and to reject every ray of light from heaven, that they might fasten them in the snare. Many professed to be looking for their LORD, who had neither part nor lot in the matter. The glory of GOD they had witnessed, the humility and deep devotion of the waiting ones, and the overwhelming weight of evidence, caused them to profess to receive the truth. But they were not converted. They were not ready. A spirit of solemn and earnest prayer was everywhere felt by the saints. A holy solemnity was resting upon them. Angels with the deepest interest had watched the result, and were elevating those who received the heavenly message, and were drawing them from earthly things to obtain large supplies from salvation’s fountain. GOD’S people were then accepted with him. JESUS looked upon them with pleasure. His image was reflected in them. They had made a full sacrifice, an entire consecration, and expected to be changed to immortality. But they were destined to be again sadly disappointed. The time to which they looked, expecting deliverance, passed. They were still upon the earth,143 and the effects of the curse never seemed more visible. They had placed their affections on heaven, and in sweet anticipation, had tasted immortal deliverance; but their hopes were not realized. The fear that had rested upon many of the people did not at once disappear. They did not immediately triumph over the disappointed ones. But as no visible wrath of GOD was felt by them, they recovered from the fear they had felt, and commenced their ridicule, their mocking, and scoffing. The people of GOD were again proved, and tested. The world laughed, and mocked, and reproached them; and those who had believed without a doubt that JESUS would then come and raise the dead, and change the living saints, and take the kingdom, and possess it forever, felt like the disciples of CHRIST.—They have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. Advent Movement Illustrated.
I saw a number of companies who seemed to be bound together by cords. Many in these companies were in total darkness. Their eyes were directed downward to the earth, and there seemed to be no connection between them and JESUS. I saw individuals scattered through these different companies whose countenances looked light, and whose eyes were raised upward to heaven. Beams of light from JESUS, like rays of light from the sun, were imparted to them. An angel bid me look carefully, and I saw an angel watching over every one of those who had a ray of light, while evil angels surrounded those who were in darkness. I heard the voice of an angel cry, Fear GOD and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. A glorious light rested down upon these companies, to enlighten all who would receive it. Some of those who were in darkness received the light and rejoiced; while others resisted the light from heaven, and said that it was deception to lead them astray. The light passed away from them, and they were left in darkness. Those who had received the light from JESUS, joyfully cherished the increase of precious light which was shed upon them. Their faces lighted up,145 and beamed with holy joy, while their gaze was directed upward to JESUS with intense interest, and their voices were heard in harmony with the voice of the angel, Fear GOD and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. As they raised this cry, I saw those who were in darkness thrusting them with side and with shoulder. Then many of those who cherished the sacred light, broke the cords which confined them, and stood out separate from those companies. And as many were breaking the cords which bound them, men belonging to these different companies, who were revered by them, passed through the companies, and some with pleasing words, and others with wrathful looks and threatening gestures, fastened the cords which were weakening, and were constantly saying, GOD is with us. We stand in the light. We have the truth. I inquired who these men were. I was told that they were ministers, and leading men, who had rejected the light themselves, and were unwilling that others should receive it. I saw those who cherished the light looking with interest and ardent desire upward, expecting JESUS to come and take them to himself. Soon a cloud passed over those who rejoiced in the light, and their faces looked sorrowful. I inquired the cause of this cloud. I was shown that it was their disappointment. The time when they expected their SAVIOUR had passed, and JESUS had not146 come. Discouragement settled upon them, and those men I had before noticed, the ministers and leading men, rejoiced. Those who had rejected the light, triumphed greatly, while Satan and his evil angels also exulted around them. Then I heard the voice of another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen! is fallen! A light shone upon those desponding ones, and with ardent desires for his appearing, they again fixed their eyes upon JESUS. Then I saw a number of angels conversing with the second angel, who had cried, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and these angels raised their voices with the second angel, and cried, Behold the Bridegroom cometh! go ye out to meet him! The musical voices of these angels seemed to reach every where. An exceeding bright and glorious light shone around those who had cherished the light which had been imparted to them. Their faces shone with excellent glory, and they united with the angels in the cry, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! And as they harmoniously raised the cry among these different companies, those who rejected the light, pushed them, and with angry looks, scorned and derided them. But the angels of GOD wafted their wings over the persecuted ones, while Satan and his angels were seeking to press their darkness around them, to lead them to reject the light from heaven. Then I heard a voice saying to those who had been pushed and derided, Come out from among them,147 and touch not the unclean. A large number broke the cords which bound them, and they obeyed the voice, and left those who were in darkness, and united with those who had previously broken the cords, and they joyfully united their voices with them. I heard the voice of earnest, agonizing prayer from a few who still remained with the companies who were in darkness. The ministers and leading men were passing around in these different companies, fastening the cords stronger; but still I heard this voice of earnest prayer. Then I saw those who had been praying reach out their hands for help towards that united company who were free, rejoicing in GOD. The answer from them, as they earnestly looked to heaven, and pointed upward, was, Come out from among them, and be separate. I saw individuals struggling for freedom, and at last they broke the cords that bound them. They resisted the efforts which were made to fasten the cords tighter, and would not heed the repeated assertions, GOD is with us, We have the truth with us. Individuals continued to leave the companies who were in darkness, and joined the free company, who appeared to be in an open field raised above the earth. Their gaze was upward, and the glory of GOD rested upon them, and they shouted the praises of GOD. They were united, and seemed to be wrapt in the light of heaven. Around this company were some who came under148 the influence of the light, but who were not particularly united to the company. All who cherished the light shed upon them were gazing upward with intense interest. JESUS looked upon them with sweet approbation. They expected JESUS to come. They longed for his appearing. They did not cast one lingering look to earth. Again I saw a cloud settle upon the waiting ones. I saw them turn their weary eyes downward. I inquired the cause of this change. Said my accompanying angel, They are again disappointed in their expectations. JESUS cannot yet come to earth. They must yet suffer for JESUS and endure greater trials. They must give up errors and traditions received from men, and turn wholly to GOD and his word. They must be purified, made white and tried. And those who endure that bitter trial will obtain an eternal victory. JESUS did not come to earth as the waiting, joyful company expected, to cleanse the Sanctuary, by purifying the earth by fire. I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic periods. Prophetic time closed in 1844. Their mistake consisted in not understanding what the Sanctuary was, and the nature of its cleansing. JESUS did enter the Most Holy place to cleanse the Sanctuary at the ending of the days. I looked again at the waiting, disappointed company. They looked sad. They carefully examined the evidences of their faith,149 and followed down through the reckoning of the prophetic periods, and could discover no mistake. Time was fulfilled, but where was their SAVIOUR? They had lost him. I was then shown the disappointment of the disciples as they came to the sepulchre and found not the body of JESUS. Said Mary, They have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. Angels told the sorrowing disciples that their LORD had risen, and would go before them into Galilee. I saw that as JESUS looked upon the disappointed ones with the deepest compassion, he sent his angels to direct their minds that they might find him, and follow him where he was; that they might understand that the earth is not the Sanctuary; that he must needs enter the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary to cleanse it; to make a special atonement for Israel, and to receive the kingdom of his FATHER, and then return to earth and take them to dwell with him forever. The disappointment of the disciples well represents the disappointment of those who expected their LORD in 1844. I was carried back to the time when CHRIST triumphantly rode into Jerusalem. The joyful disciples believed that he was then to take the kingdom, and reign a temporal prince. They followed their King with high hopes. They cut down the beautiful palm branches, and took off their outer garments, and150 with enthusiastic zeal spread them in the way; and some went before, and others followed crying, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! The excitement disturbed the Pharisees, and they wished JESUS to rebuke his disciples. But he said unto them, If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. The prophecy of Zech. ix, 9, must be fulfilled, yet, I saw, the disciples were doomed to a bitter disappointment. In a few days they followed JESUS to Calvary, and beheld him bleeding and mangled upon the cruel cross. They witnessed his agonizing death, and laid him in the tomb. Their hearts sunk with grief. Their expectations were not realized in a single particular. Their hopes died with JESUS. But as he arose from the dead, and appeared to his sorrowing disciples, their hopes revived. They had lost their SAVIOUR; but again they had found him. I saw that the disappointment of those who believed in the coming of the LORD in 1844, was not equal to the disappointment of the disciples. Prophecy was fulfilled in the first and second angels’ messages. They were given at the right time, and accomplished the work GOD designed they should. I was shown the interest which all heaven had taken in the work which had been going on upon the earth. JESUS commissioned a strong and mighty angel to descend and warn the inhabitants of earth to get ready for his second appearing. I saw the mighty angel leave the presence of JESUS in heaven. Before him went an exceedingly bright and glorious light. I was told that his mission was to lighten the earth with his glory, and warn man of the coming wrath of GOD. Multitudes received the light. Some seemed to be very solemn, while others were joyful and enraptured. The light was shed upon all, but some merely came under the influence of the light, and did not heartily receive it. But all who received it, turned their faces upward to heaven, and glorified GOD. Many were filled with great wrath. Ministers and people united with the vile, and stoutly resisted the light shed by the mighty angel. But all who received it withdrew from the world, and were closely united together. Satan and his angels were busily engaged in seeking to attract the minds of all they could from the light. The company who rejected it were left in darkness. I saw the angel watching with the deepest interest the professed people152 of GOD, to record the character they developed, as the message of heavenly origin was introduced to them. And as very many who professed love for JESUS turned from the heavenly message with scorn, derision and hatred, an angel with a parchment in his hand, made the shameful record. All heaven was filled with indignation, because JESUS was slighted by his professed followers. I saw the disappointment of the trusting ones. They did not see their LORD at the expected time. It was GOD’s purpose to conceal the future, and bring his people to a point of decision. Without this point of time the work designed of GOD would not have been accomplished. Satan was leading the minds of very many far ahead in the future. A period of time proclaimed for CHRIST’s appearing must bring the mind to earnestly seek for a present preparation. As the time passed, those who had not fully received the light of the angel, united with those who had despised the heavenly message, and they turned upon the disappointed ones in ridicule. I saw the angels in heaven consulting with JESUS. They had marked the situation of CHRIST’s professed followers. The passing of the definite time had tested and proved them, and very many were weighed in the balance and found wanting. They all loudly professed to be christians, yet failed in following CHRIST in almost every particular. Satan exulted at153 the state of the professed followers of CHRIST. He had them in his snare. He had led the majority to leave the straight path, and they were attempting to climb up to heaven some other way. Angels saw the pure, the clean, and holy, all mixed up with sinners in Zion, and the world-loving hypocrite. They had watched over the true lovers of JESUS; but the corrupt were affecting the holy. Those whose hearts burned with a longing, intense desire to see JESUS, were forbidden by their professed brethren to speak of his coming. Angels viewed the whole scene, and sympathized with the remnant, who loved the appearing of JESUS. Another mighty angel was commissioned to descend to earth. JESUS placed in his hand a writing, and as he came to earth, he cried, Babylon is fallen! is fallen! Then I saw the disappointed ones again look cheerful, and raise their eyes to heaven, looking with faith and hope for their LORD’s appearing. But many seemed to remain in a stupid state, as if asleep; yet I could see the trace of deep sorrow upon their countenances. The disappointed ones saw from the Bible that they were in the tarrying time, and that they must patiently wait the fulfillment of the vision. The same evidence which led them to look for their LORD in 1843, led them to expect him in 1844. I saw that the majority did not possess that energy which marked their faith in 1843. Their154 disappointment had dampened their faith. But as the disappointed ones united in the cry of the second angel, the heavenly host looked with the deepest interest, and marked the effect of the message. They saw those who bore the name of christians turn with derision and scorn upon those who had been disappointed. As the words fell from the mocker’s lips, You have not gone up yet! an angel wrote them. Said the angel, They mock GOD. I was pointed back to the translation of Elijah. His mantle fell on Elisha, and wicked children (or young people) followed him, mocking, crying, Go up thou bald head! Go up thou bald head! They mocked God, and met their punishment there. They had learned it of their parents. And those who have scoffed and mocked at the idea of the saints’ going up, will be visited with the plagues of God, and will realize that it is not a small thing to trifle with him. JESUS commissioned other angels to fly quickly to revive and strengthen the drooping faith of his people, and prepare them to understand the message of the second angel, and of the important move which was soon to be made in heaven. I saw these angels receive great power and light from JESUS, and fly quickly to earth to fulfill their commission to aid the second angel in his work. A great light shone upon the people of GOD as the angels cried.155 Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Then I saw those disappointed ones rise, and in harmony with the second angel, proclaim, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. The light from the angels penetrated the darkness every where. Satan and his angels sought to hinder this light from spreading, and having its designed effect. They contended with the angels of GOD, and told them that GOD had deceived the people, and that with all their light and power, they could not make the people believe that JESUS was coming. The angels of GOD continued their work, although Satan strove to hedge up the way, and draw the minds of the people from the light. Those who received it looked very happy. They fixed their eyes up to heaven, and longed for the appearing of JESUS. Some were in great distress, weeping and praying. Their eyes seemed to be fixed upon themselves, and they dared not look upward. A precious light from heaven parted the darkness from them, and their eyes, which had been fixed in despair upon themselves, were turned upward, while gratitude and holy joy were expressed upon every feature. JESUS and all the angelic host looked with approbation upon the faithful, waiting ones. Those who rejected and opposed the light of the first angel’s message, lost the light of the second, and could not be benefited by the156 power and glory which attended the message, Behold the Bridegroom cometh. JESUS turned from them with a frown. They had slighted and rejected him. Those who received the message were wrapt in a cloud of glory. They waited and watched and prayed to know the will of GOD. They greatly feared to offend him. I saw Satan and his angels seeking to shut this divine light from the people of GOD; but as long as the waiting ones cherished the light, and kept their eyes raised from earth to JESUS, Satan could have no power to deprive them of this precious light. The message given from heaven enraged Satan and his angels, and those who professed to love JESUS, but despised his coming, scorned and derided the faithful, trusting ones. But an angel marked every insult, every slight, every abuse they received from their professed brethren. Very many raised their voices to cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, and left their brethren who did not love the appearing of JESUS, and who would not suffer them to dwell upon his second coming. I saw JESUS turn his face from those who rejected and despised his coming, and then he bade angels lead his people out from among the unclean, lest they should be defiled. Those obedient to the messages stood out free and united. A holy and excellent light shone upon them. They renounced the world, tore their affections from it, and sacrificed their earthly157 interests. They gave up their earthly treasure, and their anxious gaze was directed to heaven, expecting to see their loved Deliverer. A sacred, holy joy beamed upon their countenances, and told of the peace and joy which reigned within. JESUS bade his angels go and strengthen them, for the hour of their trial drew on. I saw that these waiting ones were not yet tried as they must be. They were not free from errors. And I saw the mercy and goodness of GOD in sending a warning to the people of earth, and repeated messages to bring them up to a point of time, to lead them to a diligent search of themselves, that they might divest themselves of errors which have been handed down from the heathen and papists. Through these messages GOD has been bringing out his people where he can work for them in greater power, and where they can keep all his commandments. I was then shown the grievous disappointment of the people of GOD. They did not see JESUS at the expected time. They knew not why their SAVIOUR did not come. They could see no evidence why prophetic time had not ended. Said an angel, Has GOD’s word failed?158 Has GOD failed to fulfill his promises? No: he has fulfilled all he promised. JESUS has risen up, and has shut the door of the Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary, and has opened a door into the Most Holy place, and has entered in to cleanse the Sanctuary. Said the angel, All who wait patiently shall understand the mystery. Man has erred; but there has been no failure on the part of God. All was accomplished that GOD promised; but man erroneously looked to the earth, believing it to be the Sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the prophetic periods. Man’s expectations have failed; but GOD’s promise not at all. JESUS sent his angels to direct the disappointed ones, to lead their minds into the Most Holy place where he had gone to cleanse the Sanctuary, and make a special atonement for Israel. JESUS told the angels that all who found him would understand the work which he was to perform. I saw that while JESUS was in the Most Holy place he would be married to the New Jerusalem, and after his work should be accomplished in the Holiest, he would descend to earth in kingly power and take the precious ones to himself who had patiently waited his return. I was then shown what did take place in heaven as the prophetic periods ended in 1844. I saw that as the ministration of JESUS in the Holy place ended, and he closed the door of that apartment, a great darkness settled upon159 those who had heard, and had rejected the messages of CHRIST’S coming, and they lost sight of him. JESUS then clothed himself with precious garments. Around the bottom of his robe was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. He had suspended from his shoulders a breastplate of curious work. And as he moved, it glittered like diamonds, magnifying letters which looked like names written, or engraven upon the breastplate. After he was fully attired, with something upon his head which looked like a crown, angels surrounded him, and in a flaming chariot he passed within the second vail. I was then bid to take notice of the two apartments of the heavenly Sanctuary. The curtain, or door, was opened, and I was permitted to enter. In the first apartment I saw the candlestick with seven lamps, which looked rich and glorious; also the table on which was the shew-bread, and the altar of incense, and the censer. All the furniture of this apartment looked like purest gold, and reflected the image of the one who entered that place. The curtain which separated these two apartments looked glorious. It was of different colors and material, with a beautiful border, with figures of gold wrought upon it, representing angels. The vail was lifted, and I looked into the second apartment. I saw there an ark which had the appearance of being of the finest gold. As a border around the top of the ark, was most beautiful160 beautiful work representing crowns. It was of fine gold. In the ark were the tables of stone containing the ten commandments. On each end of the ark was a lovely cherub with their wings spread out over it. Their wings were raised on high, and touched each other above the head of JESUS, as he stood by the ark. Their faces were turned towards each other, and they looked downwards to the ark, representing all the angelic host looking with interest at the law of GOD. Between the cherubim was a golden censer. And as the prayers of the saints in faith came up to JESUS, and he offered them to his FATHER, a sweet fragrance arose from the incense. It looked like smoke of most beautiful colors. Above the place where JESUS stood, before the ark, I saw an exceeding bright glory that I could not look upon. It appeared like a throne where GOD dwelt. As the incense ascended up to the FATHER, the excellent glory came from the FATHER’S throne to JESUS, and from JESUS it was shed upon those whose prayers had come up like sweet incense. Light and glory poured upon JESUS in rich abundance, and overshadowed the mercy-seat, and the train of the glory filled the temple. I could not long look upon the glory. No language can describe it. I was overwhelmed, and turned from the majesty and glory of the scene. I was shown a Sanctuary upon earth containing two apartments. It resembled the one in161 heaven. I was told that it was the earthly Sanctuary, a figure of the heavenly. The furniture of the first apartment of the earthly Sanctuary was like that in the first apartment of the heavenly. The vail was lifted, and I looked into the Holy of Holies, and saw that the furniture was the same as in the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. The priests ministered in both apartments of the earthly. In the first apartment he ministered every day in the year, and entered the Most Holy but once in a year, to cleanse it from the sins which had been conveyed there. I saw that JESUS ministered in both apartments of the heavenly Sanctuary. He entered into the heavenly Sanctuary by the offering of his own blood. The earthly priests were removed by death, therefore they could not continue long; but JESUS, I saw, was a priest forever. Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the earthly Sanctuary, the children of Israel were to lay hold of the merits of a SAVIOUR to come. And in the wisdom of GOD the particulars of this work were given us that we might look back to them, and understand the work of JESUS in the heavenly Sanctuary. At the crucifixion, as JESUS died on Calvary, he cried, It is finished, and the vail of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. This was to show that the services of the earthly Sanctuary were forever finished,162 and that GOD would no more meet with them in their earthly temple, to accept their sacrifices. The blood of JESUS was then shed, which was to be ministered by himself in the heavenly Sanctuary. As the priests in the earthly Sanctuary entered the Most Holy once a year to cleanse the Sanctuary, JESUS entered the Most Holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Dan. viii, in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by his mediation, and to cleanse the Sanctuary.