God sent His angel to move upon the heart of a farmer who had
not believed the Bible, to lead him to search the prophecies.
Angels of God repeatedly visited that chosen one, to guide his
mind and open to his understanding prophecies which had ever been
dark to God's people. The commencement of the chain of truth was
given to him, and he was led on to search for link after link,
until he looked with wonder and admiration upon the Word of God.
He saw there a perfect chain of truth. That Word which he had
regarded as uninspired now opened before his vision in its beauty
and glory. He saw that one portion of Scripture explains another,
and when one passage was closed to his understanding, he found
in another part of the Word that which explained it. He regarded
the sacred Word of God with joy and with the deepest respect and
awe.
As he followed down the prophecies, he saw that the inhabitants
of the earth were living in the closing scenes of this world's
history, yet they knew it not. He looked at the churches and saw
that they were corrupt; they had taken their affections from Jesus
and placed them on the world; they were seeking for worldly honor,
instead of that honor which cometh from above; grasping for worldly
riches, instead of laying up their treasure in heaven. He could
see hypocrisy, darkness, and death everywhere. His spirit was
stirred within him. God called him to leave his farm, as He called
Elisha to leave his oxen and the field of his labor to follow
Elijah. With trembling, William Miller began to unfold to the
people the mysteries of the kingdom of God, carrying his hearers
down through the prophecies to the second advent of Christ. With
every effort he gained strength. As John the Baptist heralded
the first advent of Jesus and prepared the way for His coming,
so William Miller and those who joined with him proclaimed the
second advent of the Son of God.
I was carried back to the days of the disciples and was shown
that God had a special work for the beloved John to accomplish.
Satan was determined to hinder this work, and he led on his servants
to destroy John. But God sent His angel and wonderfully preserved
him. All who witnessed the great power of God manifested in the
deliverance of John were astonished, and many were convinced that
God was with him, and that the testimony which he bore concerning
Jesus was correct. Those who sought to destroy him were afraid
to attempt again to take his life, and he was permitted to suffer
on for Jesus. He was falsely accused by his enemies and was shortly
banished to a lonely island, where the Lord sent His angel to
reveal to him events which were to take place upon the earth and
the state of the church down to the end --her backslidings and
the position which she should occupy if she would please God and
finally overcome.
The angel from heaven came to John in majesty, his countenance
beaming with the excellent glory of God. He revealed to John scenes
of deep and thrilling interest in the history of the church of
God and brought before him the perilous conflicts which Christ's
followers were to endure. John saw them passing through fiery
trials, made white and tried, and, finally, victorious overcomers,
gloriously saved in the kingdom of God. The countenance of the
angel grew radiant with joy and was exceeding glorious, as he
showed John the final triumph of the church of God. As the apostle
beheld the final deliverance of the church, he was carried away
with the glory of the scene and with deep reverence and awe fell
at the feet of the angel to worship him. The heavenly messenger
instantly raised him up and gently reproved him, saying, "See
thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that
have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." The angel then showed John
the heavenly city with all its splendor and dazzling glory, and
he, enraptured and overwhelmed, and forgetful of the former reproof
of the angel, again fell to worship at his feet. Again the gentle
reproof was given, "See thou do it not for I am thy fellow
servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep
the sayings of this book: worship God."
Preachers and people have looked upon the book of Revelation as
mysterious and of less importance than other portions of the Sacred
Scriptures. But I saw that this book is indeed a revelation given
for the especial benefit of those who should live in the last
days, to guide them in ascertaining their true position and their
duty. God directed the mind of William Miller to the prophecies
and gave him great light upon the book of Revelation.
If Daniel's visions had been understood, the people could better
have understood the visions of John. But at the right time, God
moved upon His chosen servant, who, with clearness and in the
power of the Holy Spirit, opened the prophecies and showed the
harmony of the visions of Daniel and John and other portions of
the Bible, and pressed home upon the hearts of the people the
sacred, fearful warnings of the Word to prepare for the coming
of the Son of man. Deep and solemn conviction rested upon the
minds of those who heard him, and ministers and people, sinners
and infidels, turned to the Lord and sought a preparation to stand
in the judgment.
Angels of God accompanied William Miller in his mission. He was
firm and undaunted, fearlessly proclaiming the message committed
to his trust. A world lying in wickedness and a cold, worldly
church were enough to call into action all his energies and lead
him willingly to endure toil, privation, and suffering. Although
opposed by professed Christians and the world, and buffeted by
Satan and his angels, he ceased not to preach the everlasting
gospel to crowds wherever he was invited, sounding far and near
the cry, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of
His judgment is come." -