WHEN WILL THE 4 ANGELS RELEASE
THE 4 WINDS OF REVELATION 7:1-4?

The answer to the above question has to do with God's perfect timing because our Creator does everything on time. But at the present moment we are in a "holding pattern." In fact, in point of time, I believe we are in Dan. 8:7 right now, which describes a he goat who attacks and knocks down to the ground a ram, and then, without mercy, brutally stamps upon that ram which has no power to resist. I have already written about this in the Aug. Sept. Oct. GLC paper of 2001. If you have not read it yet, ask for a copy when you write in this time. Vs. 8 is still future but current events are moving rapidly toward its fulfillment: "Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven." KJV. Many Bible scholars believe the he goat represents the nations from the west, especially the USA, and that the breaking of the "great horn" signifies economic disaster. Let us pray for more time to get the message out to the people.

Another version reads: "I saw it (he goat) advance on the ram, working itself into a fury against it, then strike the ram and break its two horns; the ram had no strength to resist. The he goat flung it to the ground and trampled on it, and there was no one to save the ram." Notice the phrase "working itself into a fury." We have an expression in English: He/she just worked themselves into a dither over it. Of course, we know this means that they were irrational about a certain situation or event and could not be reasoned with. I find it amazing that this is exactly what seems to be happening today in our nation and will continue to happen more and more when economic hard times hit us and people are looking for a scapegoat. Beloved, we are living in very serious times.

In Dan. 8:20 Gabrielle identifies the Ram as "the kings of Media and Persia," which today is modern Iraq and Iran. Now notice what happens next, which is our immediate future: "Then the he-goat made a great display of its strength. Powerful as it was, its great horn snapped (was broken) and in its place there sprang out towards the four quarters of heaven four prominent horns." NEB. If this prophecy is for our day, in this end time, then our nation and entire world has been put on a holding pattern, by the intercession of our blessed Redeemer, as described by John the Revelator in Rev. 7. But before we go to those passages we need to understand the great power, wisdom and control of our wonderful God in relationship to all of the events of time, past, present and future.

For example, Jesus was born at the appointed time according to the Father's wisdom and foreknowledge, as we read in Gal. 4:4,5. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

The expression "fullness of time" simply means when the prophecies were ready to be fulfilled or completed. Jesus had studied the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah and knew when it was time for Him to begin His mission. He went down to the Jordan river and was baptized. At that time He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power to begin His ministry. From there He went into the wilderness. After 40 days of fasting He successfully endured three temptations of the devil, completely defeating Him. Coming out of the wilderness He returned to the Jordan river where John the Baptist was still preaching. John said "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29. At the Wedding Feast in Cana He told His mother, "Mine hour has not yet come." John 2:4. Later He told his brothers, "My time is not yet come:" John 7:6. So, we see from the life of Jesus, who is our example, that God's timing includes hours. "No man knows the hour or the day except my Father in heaven." Matt. 24:36. "Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord doth come." Matt. 24:42.

Now, we are ready for the text our headline is referring to: "After these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners (North, South, East & West or the whole earth) holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Rev. 7:1-4. Notice that verse 1 says, "After these things." What things? Well, if you go back to the last 5 verses of the previous chapter you will see that John is describing the coming of Jesus in vivid detail. V. 12 talks about the opening of the sixth seal and a great earthquake and the sun becoming black and the moon becoming as blood.. V. 13 says, "And the stars of heaven fell...and the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places." This sounds like the result of not only violent earthquakes but possibly meteorites passing close to our planet, some even striking the earth, causing violent earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis (giant tidal waves). It is so terrifying that all the great men of the earth are hiding out in the mountains, v. 15 and even praying for the mountains to fall on them so they won't have to see the face of Jesus sitting on His throne. V. 16. Jesus predicted the exact same events. Listen:

Now, let us read the answer Jesus gave to His disciple's question regarding when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. This was on the day of His ascension (Thursday), just before He was taken up. "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall received power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you:" Acts 1:6-8. Jesus was crucified in the Spring time at the time of the Passover. Talk about perfect timing. It happened exactly on time. "The time of the Palestinian barley harvest was the key to the Hebrew calendar, because every year the harvest season must be opened by offering a wave sheaf of new grain during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which followed the Passover in the middle of the first month, Abib (Ex 12:2, 6; 13:4-7; Lev 23:6-25). This was barley, which ripens a few weeks before wheat, for Pentecost, the 5th day from the wave sheaf ceremony, fell in wheat harvest (Ex 34:22; Lev 23:15-17; Deut 16:9). The calendar, therefore, had to be adjusted so that mid-Abib would always come at a time when some of the grain, at least, was ready for harvesting. Barley was the first grain to ripen in Palestine, and was ready for harvest generally about the first week in April."

And do you know that the first phase of His Second Coming will also happen on time. : "The mighty God, even the Lord, has spoken, (and we will be very wise to listen my friend) and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined. (referring to His people He has perfected at this time just as He perfected His only Son Jesus). Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people (make a decision in their favor, to deliver them, this is when Michael stands up, Dan. 12:1, 2). Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with (me) by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself. Selah." Psalm 50:1-6.

The verses following are also significant, even though they seem to be on a different topic, because it all ties in together. The Lord is gently and lovingly telling them that He does not want or need any animal sacrifices. This is going to become very important to understand in the near future when they start up the animal sacrifice system again over there in Jerusalem.. I have written quite a few articles on this topic, some of which are in my two books, "Into The Father's Heart," and "The Wonderful Truth About Our Heavenly Father." Both of these books need to be reprinted, so please keep this on your prayer list.

Paul tells us that "Christ is our Passover," I Cor. 5:7. So, Jesus is the only one at this time who had reached the point in his growth and maturity who was ready to be harvested. Enoch and Elijah were OT Types. Thus He Himself became a type of the Barley Harvest, the early grain, and the anti-type (fulfillment of the wave sheaf). And because He is also a type of the Barley that will be harvested in our day, He took a wave sheaf with him to heaven which were those saints who were raised with Him at the time of His resurrection. "Christ arose from the dead as the first fruits of those that slept. He was the antitype of the wave sheaf, and His resurrection took place the very day (First day of the week or day after the Passover) when the wave sheaf was to be presented before the Lord. For more than a thousand years this symbolic ceremony had been performed. From the harvest fields the first heads of ripened grain were gathered, and when the people went up to Jerusalem to the Passover, the sheaf of first fruits was waved as a thank offering before the Lord. Not until this was presented could the sickle be put to the grain, and it be gathered into sheaves. The sheaf dedicated to God represented the harvest. So Christ the first fruits represented the great spiritual harvest (Barley or first phase of the Second Coming of Christ in our day) to be gathered for the kingdom of God. His resurrection is the type and pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead." DA 786.

At the time Jesus rose from the grave there was a great earthquake. This earthquake split open the graves and tombs of many saints from the past. DA 786 describes these as co-laborers who had been killed or martyred, like Isaiah and even John the Baptist. "And behold the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many." Matt. 27:51-53. Now, let me deal with something that has never been discussed, let alone explained, as far as I know. This is critical because it is going to happen again in our day.

These saints who were raised on Sunday morning went to heaven with Jesus. None of the gospel writers say anything about it, but only that they were raised from the dead. In fact, Matthew is the only writer who even mentions that they rose from the dead and appeared to many in the city. So, how do you prove that they went to heaven with Jesus? And when did they go to heaven with Jesus? This is a mystery because there is no record of who they were or what they said. So, let us try and piece this together. Let us go back to an obscure passage in Isaiah. "Like as a woman with child, that draws near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and cries out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O Lord...Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust:" Isa. 26:18, 19.

If you compare this to Isa. 66:7 you will see the connection to the "Man Child" who is brought forth in Rev. 12 from the pregnant woman standing on the moon and clothed with the sun. Her "Man Child" is translated up to heaven the same as the Two Witnesses of Rev. 11:11, 12. The timing of these verses in Isaiah have a dual application because Isa. 26:20, 21 speak of the end of the world when God's people are told to "hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over past. For, behold the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." Ezek. 37:1-10 is also a parallel passage which applies here along with Dan. 12:2 which definitely applies to our day at the time Michael stands up for the "Children of thy people." The word "children" here means "descendants." So, these are the direct descendants of the God's faithful people in the OT known as Israel. God has not forsaken His people but has faithfully matched and mated the descendants of those original tribes down through the centuries until our day and the twelve tribes He is sealing in Revelation are the very ones He is talking about (wheat harvest) plus the Barley that goes before them (Watchmen on the walls of Zion) who are not asleep so the Lord can use them at the precise moment to wake up the Ten Virgins, five of whom become the 144,000 who are being sealed from the twelve tribes named in Rev. 7. Truly amazing!

So, what about the saints who arose on Sunday morning with Jesus. In the third paragraph of page 786 of "Desire of Ages," the author tells us that these saints "ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave." This was Jesus' "wave sheaf." Now, the very next paragraph on the same page states that "They went into the city, and appeared to many, declaring, Christ has risen from the dead, and we be risen with Him. Thus was immortalized the sacred truth of the resurrection. The risen saints bore witness to the truth of the words, 'Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise," which I just quoted.

Now, let us just use some plain old logic and common sense here on this event. Do you think that these risen saints had enough time to go all over Jerusalem appearing to people before they ascended or after they came back with Jesus in the PM? No, they did not. If Jesus did not appear to anyone but Mary, because He had not yet ascended to His Father (for His sacrifice to be accepted) and if they were the "wave sheaf" that He would present, then it stands to reason, logically speaking, that they went up together with Jesus, appeared before the Father and then came back down in the afternoon with Him and made their appearances. It is truly amazing that there is no record of who these saints are or to whom they appeared or what they said.

Later on we read in Matt. 28:9 that some women came and held him by the feet, and worshiped Him. DA 793 tells us: "After He had ascended to the Father, Jesus appeared to the other women, saying, 'All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him."

So, this happened after he had ascended. However, the Bible does not explain this but leaves it for us to figure out. We know that Jesus arose very early Sunday morning but the women did not find the tomb empty until probably between 7:30 to 8:30 A.M. during which time the angels spoke to the women and Jesus spoke to Mary telling her not to touch or detain Him. But He encouraged the disciples, in the late afternoon, to touch and handle him when He appeared to them after His walking Bible study with Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus.

So, we have at least a six hour period from early in the AM until the late afternoon, at least 3:00 to 4:00. DA 795 says it was "Late in the afternoon" when Jesus appeared to these disciples. Emmaus was 8 miles away from the city. So, even if you covered each mile in 15 minutes it would still take at least two hours to walk that distance. Personally, I see a pattern emerging here. Jesus was put on the cross at the 3rd hour or between 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 AM. Friday and died at the 9th hour or between 2:00 A.M. and 3:00 PM, a period of six hours, which fulfilled the O.T. morning and evening sacrificial types. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came at the 3rd hour, between 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. which once again fulfilled a type. So, the types of the wave sheaf would also fit the same pattern of six hours. They went up to heaven with Jesus about 9:00 AM and came back at the 9th hour or 3:00 PM. I think this topic deserves a lot more study for we are only scratching the surface because this will happen again with the Barley Group or Little Company again in our day when the final harvest begins. This should be of great interest to every person who is looking forward to the coming of Christ in our day.

In my research I often read many versions to get a grasp of all the possible meanings from the original Greek. And sometimes the old English obscures the meaning. For example we read in the KJV. "Then said Jesus unto them, 'Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me." Matt. 28:20. The KJV brethren should have translated it "tell my brethren they should go or are to go into Galilee." The NAS makes it more readable for us: "Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see me."

Now, let us take up the word "season" once again because Jesus clearly stated at the time of His ascension that the "times and seasons" were in the Father's hands. We know there are four seasons each year. So, what season will Christ return? Two texts come to mind. The first one is a continuation of what we have already read in Luke 21. "Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So, likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh (near) at hand."

Jeremiah predicted our day and what the lost will say at the end of the harvest. "Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people...The harvest is past, the SUMMER is ended, and we are not saved." Jer. 8:20. So, when will the final harvest begin in our day? I believe it will follow the types the same as in Christ's day. It will begin in April and end 50 days later.

About 1992 the Lord led me to begin researching and writing about the 144,000. Up to this time I had no real interest in the subject because I had been told that on this topic "Silence is golden." But then I read another statement which admonishes us to "Strive with all of our might to be among the 144,000." My first thought was how can we strive to be among a group we know nothing about? This made no sense to me. Then one day I received a call from a person who told me, Mike, you are not going to be among the 144,000. That was a pretty shocking statement. About two weeks later I received another call telling me the same thing. But this time they said, You are Barley, not wheat. So, I asked for an example of what they meant by "Barley." They said, Gideon and Ruth are both Barely. So, I went and studied the life of Gideon and that was how my journey began in studying the Jewish Harvest Cycle. I did not study Ruth until just recently.

In the book "Christ's Object Lessons," we read on page 34 about how Jesus taught the people through parables. After He had finished, the disciples asked Him why He was always speaking to the people in "parables." They no doubt wanted Him to explain how wonderful it would be when He had put down the Roman Armies and established the Jewish nation again to its former glory. They knew this was what the leaders of the nation wanted to hear. But Jesus only spoke what the Father told Him in His mind to say. He told His disciples that the mysteries of the kingdom would not be understood by the majority of the people but they had been chosen to understand. So, when they came to Him privately He interpreted the deeper meanings of His parables. Listen to this inspired comment:

"Christ's mission was not understood by the people of His time. The manner of His coming was not in accordance with their expectations." COL 34. Let us stop here for a moment. Did you catch the deep significance of that statement? "The manner of His coming," was not understood. Now, beloved, we better pay close attention to this statement because we are modern Israel and have already been told that we are "repeating the history of Israel step by step."

Let's just step back a minute and take a good long look at ourselves. If we want to know what the Jews in Christ's day were really like all we have to do is go home and look in the mirror. It is that simple. Amazing! Of course, most professed believers in the Third Angels' messages will not accept or believe that.

It is just too hard to accept. But let's look at our theology. It is basically the same as the Jew's theology in Christ's day. What did they teach? "That the Messiah will come and destroy the Romans and set us up as kings of the earth." What does our doctrine of the Second Coming teach?

This is the short version of it in a nutshell, and it is basically the exact same idea. I should know, because I taught that very doctrine for over 20 years. But when the Lord revealed His true character to me in July of 1976 my theology began to change as I understood what He is really like and the real truth about how He will judge the world. In fact, one of the more shocking truths I learned about this time is that God Himself is the one who is on trial before the universe. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT (TRIAL) is come:"

Let's take a look at how the Messiah came the first time. He was born as a little baby according to the O.T. prophecies, Isa 7:14; 9:6, 7; Micah 5:2. His forerunner, John the Baptist, was a miracle baby born six months before to an elderly woman and her elderly husband, a priest. This was a miracle like the birth of Isaac to Sara and Abraham, but no one seemed to pay any attention or be impressed. The angel Gabrielle announced both the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. The shepherds and wise men gave their testimonies each in their turn. There was no excuse for the leaders of the nation to be ignorant of the fact that the Messiah had been born. But in case that was not enough, when Jesus was 12 years of age he went into the temple and blew their minds with His precocious gifts of understanding and Bible exposition. But once again they closed their hearts and minds to the truth. Then 18 years later John the Baptist began preaching at the Jordan river and aroused the interest of the entire nation. John even told them who the Messiah was but again they refused to believe. Jesus then ministered to them for 3 ? years, reading their minds, performing miracle after miracle (even raising the dead) and teaching them the simple truths of the gospel that even a little child can understand. Yet, they still refused to believe. Finally, He permitted them to crucify Him on a cross, but He rose the third day.

Now, let's draw a parallel for our day. Isaiah 66:6-8 and Rev. 12:1-5 predict that a baby will be born. It is called a "Man-Child." But Isaiah categorically predicts that this "man-child" is actually a nation. Hosea 11:1 calls all of Israel a "son." So here is a precedent for referring to and/or symbolizing an entire nation as one person. There is also an abundance of evidence that the USA is modern Israel, descendants of the Tribes of Israel. So, this "sealing time" we read about in Rev. 7 is about the sealing of the Twelve Tribes of Israel whom Michael is going to stand up for at the critical moment a death decree is passed. "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children (descendants of ancient Israel) of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1. The most familiar title for this "Man Child" who comes on the scene of history at a very dangerous time, when the Dragon is standing before the woman to "devour" her child as soon as it is born, is "The Elect."

The Remnant is a different group who flee into the wilderness after the Man Child is born, (the Man Child) preaches for 3 ? years against the NWO and then is translated at the death decree. But the Remnant of Rev. 12:6, 14-17 are not translated at this time but flee into the "wilderness" (meaning obscurity & seclusion-GC 55) and hide out for 3 ? years. Another more familiar title for the Man Child is the "Wise" ones of Dan. 12:10, who are the only ones who really know what is going on. Below are a number of other titles which are not so well known or readily recognized as applying to this same group (Man Child) that the SOP identifies as the "Little Company." Early Writings 269-273.

• Kings of the East, Rev. 16:2.
• Those who have insight (margin says "Instructors") Dan. 11:33, 12:3.
• Tower of the Flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion. Micah 4:8.
• Stone that is cut out of the mountain without hands. Dan. 2:45.
• His holy Arm, The salvation of our God. Isa. 52:10.
• Manifestation of the Sons of God. Rom. 8:19.
• The Elect. Matt. 24:22.
• The Generation to come, the People yet to be created. Psalm 102:18.
• The Coming generation, The people who will be born. Psalm 22:30, 31.
• The perfection of beauty. Psalm 50:2.
• The People who know the joyful sound. Psalm 89:15.
• Thy Mighty Ones. Joel 3:11.
• The White horse of Rev. 19:11; Zech. 10:3.
• The Sharp Sickle. Rev. 14:14; Joel 13:13. Isa. 41:15; Jer. 51:20.
• The Branch 23:5, 6; Zech. 3:8, 9.
• A Barley Cake or Loaf. Judges 7:13-15; Ruth.
• Church of Philadelphia, Rev. 3:7-12.
• The Man-child, Isa. 66:7-9; Rev. 12:5.
• The Sons of Oil. Zech. 4:14.
• Jewels or Special Treasure, Mal. 3:16-18.
• The Rock cut out of the Mountain without hands. Dan. 2:34, 35.
• The Wise who understand. Dan. 12:10. 23. The Mighty Army of Joel 2.

The above titles do not apply to the 144,000 because they are still sleeping. All these designations are descriptions of the many aspects of the "Watchmen on the walls of Zion," who are not sleeping. The Ten Sleeping Virgins of Matt. 25 wake up at the midnight hour, when they hear the cry go forth, "The Bridegroom is coming." But only five have the extra oil to light their path to the Father's house.

In order to understand all that is involved here we need to go back in time and try to re-live what the pioneers of the Advent movement called the "MIDNIGHT CRY," which is based on the story of the Ten Sleeping Virgins of Matt. 25:1-13, of which v. 6 is about the Midnight Cry."And at Midnight there was a cry made, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh (or is coming); go ye out to meet Him." The slumbering and sleeping aspect of the parable you could say has a dual application the same as some of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.

The first application is the long delay from the time of Jesus to the middle of the 19th century. When Christ went back to heaven from the Mount of Olives, He promised that he would "come again." The 12 disciples, their thousands of converts, and later Paul, were all expecting Jesus to return in their day as we read in I Thess. 4:16, 17, written about 54 AD. But in his second epistle Paul tries to correct what he considered a "misinterpretation" of the promise of Christ's return in his first Epistle. Evidently the Lord gave him more information or some fanatics or false teachers were going around teaching that the "day of Christ" has already "arrived or come" as the RSV and ML reads. At any rate Paul tells them that they should not be "shaken in mind" (shook up) or "troubled" in their minds about such misinformation. He then explains that a "falling away" or apostasy will come first when the "man of sin" is revealed. Paul predicted that this false Christ would even be so bold and presumptions to go into the "Temple" itself and proclaim himself to be God. Paul clearly taught that the Second Coming of Christ would not take place until this "Man of Sin" was revealed.

Since the temple was still standing when Paul wrote this, many today believe he was referring to the temple in his day which was destroyed in AD 70. But that could not be true because the Papacy was still future so logic would tell us that the temple to which Paul is referring must still be future. Luther and the reformation writers identified the "man of sin" as being the Papacy who took the place of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary or temple in heaven by declaring Himself as "God on earth," and setting up the confessional where people would go and confess their sins to a man (a priest) instead of going by faith into the Presence of Jesus in the sanctuary above. But as far as the literal temple in Jerusalem is concerned, a new temple will have to be built before Paul's prophecy can be fulfilled literally. The only question is: "When and how?" Well, there are plans in the works because the Orthodox Jews believe that their Messiah will not return until the temple is built. This is a situation we will continue to monitor as the prophetic scroll is unrolled. Temple Mount Resources: click here and here

This brings us back to the sleeping virgins of Matt. 25 which we cannot understand without reviewing some historical facts and events which have occurred in the last two hundred years or more. It is very easy to think that some of these events have not affected and shaped our theology and the way we think today about everything. In the intellectual community the word "paradigm" has been used to explain a complex process. It is actually a composite of two Greek words. Thanks to the three years of Greek I took from Dr. Litke at Walla Walla College, I know that Paradigm is from the Greek word "paradeigma" which comes into English as "pattern or example." Dr. Litke taught us this word in our first year of Greek using the word "parable" which comes from two Greek words. "Para" and "Ballo." These two words together simply mean to "throw beside." And that is precisely what a parable is... a story that is thrown beside a great truth. "Paraballien". That is the reason why Jesus told so many parables. He was "throwing" stories beside or next to great truths so as to both illuminate and illustrate the deeper truths of the Kingdom of God. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit no one could ever understand these simple but beautiful parables.

So, the intellectuals in the various sciences use the word Paradigm to help them to illustrate various complex ideas or models or sets of data. A paradigm can also be an overall concept accepted by most people in a community. Now, let's combine the word paradigm with another word you may have not heard before and probably seldom or never used. It is PARADIGM SHIFT. Actually, this is very simple to understand once you get the idea of how it is being used and applied. Professors of Social Science use this phrase to illustrate how "things change" over a period of time. This is especially true of ideas and concepts, especially in relationship to the way we understand the world around us and ultimately ourselves.

In the past these Paradigm shifts did not take place very often because man's understanding of the world in which he lived and of himself was very constant and limited. For example, from the days of Adam until the invention of the steam ship and locomotive and later the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, (1903), the fastest way to get from one point in the compass to another was by a boat or horse. This was all prophesied by the God of heaven through Daniel. "But as for you, Daniel, conceal (hide) these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." Dan. 12:4. The Amplified Version says, "Then many shall run to fro and search anxiously (through the Book), and knowledge [of God's purposes as revealed by His prophets] shall be increased and become great. [Amos 8:12.]

Now, my friend, just think of the tremendous PARADIGM SHIFTS that have been taking place in the last 200 + years. I remember one book called "Culture Shock" and other types of books trying to explain why so many changes have been taking place so rapidly in such a short space of time and how all of this has been affecting the way people think and live. Historians now refer to these Paradigm Shifts as "revolutions" such as the "Sexual Revolution," or "Women's Rights Revolution" or "Music Revolution." Each of these are examples of what I am talking about so we can understand the Paradigm Shifts that have taken place in the religious world.

In the time of Luther (1483-1586) there was a really big Paradigm Shift in authority. Without realizing it Luther challenged the very authority of the Pope when he wrote his 95 thesis because it was by the authority of the Pope that the indulgences had any spiritual value. Luther taught that the Word of God is the final authority in spiritual matters and we are to look to the author of the Word, Jesus Christ, for our guidance and salvation, not to the Pope in Rome. Only Jesus, ministering for us in the heavenly sanctuary, can forgive our sins. This caused an incredible shift or change in the thinking of all European Catholics.

Now at the end of this age, nearly 500 years later, another Paradigm Shift in authority is going to take place. Listen: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; (Christos or anointed) and he shall reign for ever and ever." Rev. 11:15. This will be the translation of the Barley, the first of the first fruits. The word "Christos" here is not referring to just one person anymore than the word "Anti-Christ" refers to just one man. Luther taught that "the Roman church lacks the seal of the true church. This he proceeded to prove from Daniel and Paul, declaring that Antichrist is not a single person but the whole body of wicked men in the church, and the succession of their rulers." "Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers," Vol. 2, page 261.

In order for these events to take place one after another, generation after generation God has to prepare the way for other shifts in people's thinking. For example, in 1450 Gutenberg invented the printing press which prepared the way for the Bible to be printed. Only 42 years later in 1492 Columbus' discovery of America caused a big shift in people's thinking who had believed the world was flat just as the invention of the printing press caused another big shift because the people began to be able to read and study for themselves. This had to happen in order for the great revivals to take place in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. This brings us up to another big event and shift in people's thinking in the USA during the 1830s by just one single, humble New York farmer who began to read his bible diligently.

The man's name was William Miller. And his study of the prophecies caused a major Paradigm Shift in the thinking patterns of the people of the United States of America and the whole world. Most people know very little about this man except for the cruel jokes and degrading remarks made about him and his followers. Up until the late 70's and early 80's Miller was still respected as a sincere man who was used of the Lord even though his predictions and those of his followers did not come to pass. But here again a major Paradigm Shift has taken place within the SDA Church, not only in regard to how people think about William Miller but even about Ellen G. White, who wrote that Miller was God's chosen vessel. But this is all part of a greater plan and higher purpose the Lord has for those who are faithful to Him in these last days. For our study today I want to do a brief review of the Millerite era.

William Miller, a farmer in New York State (1782-1849) began studying his Bible and talking to friends and relatives about his discoveries. Miller was not a fiery orator or university graduate, but like Abe Lincoln, he had a keen mind and educated himself. He was a constable, justice of the peace, local sheriff and served as a captain of the infantry from 1812 to 1814. Forty seven men requested that he be their captain. This gives us a totally different picture of the man that has been portrayed in the media of his day and since who have mainly slandered and vilified him as a fanatic and lunatic.

Although his pious mother taught him to reverence the Bible as a revelation from God to man, he had his own mind, being the oldest of 16 children. Growing up in Low Hampton, New York in a literary community he read widely including the works of Voltaire, Volney, Hume, and Paine. Eventually he considered himself a deist, believing in a supreme being who had created the world according to natural law but then abandoned it to run itself. He only believed in that which could be proved on rational grounds not on Divine revelation. Although he did not believe in the Bible at this time he was honest, truthful and clean. An excellent penman, he was a kind of local scribe, and even at the age of 20 was already recognized on a parity with the best trained minds of the community.

He married Lucy Smith in 1803 in Poultney, Vermont, where a sizable public library became the object of his supreme interest where he met many of like literary interests including deists who greatly influenced his thinking. But thirteen years later, upon his father's death, he moved back to Hampton, New York, at age 31, to resume the occupation of farming and care for his widowed mother. He also built a comfortable two story home near a maple grove on a two hundred acre farm. In spite of his deism he believed in God and acts of Providence but not in divine revelation. This began to change when one day he caught himself taking God's Name in vain. His conscience convicted him this was wrong.

This led him to first begin contemplating how the violators of law and justice could be saved by a Supreme Being who operated the universe on justice. Not being able to find an answer that satisfied him on the basis of logic, nature or Providence he finally began attending church where his uncle was a Baptist minister. He enjoyed discussing religion with various itinerant preachers (circuit riders) who often passed through, stumping them with hard questions and what he saw as inconsistencies in the Scriptures. Still he had no peace in his heart. Later he wrote about this period of his life: "I was truly wretched, but did not understand the cause. I murmured and complained, but knew not of whom. I knew that there was a wrong, but knew not how or where to find the right. I mourned, but without hope."

God's perfect timing in Miller's life is fascinating. Being the intellectual he was and a good reader most of the sermons bored him so he did not attend church services regularly. He explained that the faulty way the sermon was read in his uncle's absence did not "edify" him. He even volunteered to read them himself which the church accepted. This was the beginning of his life as a public speaker although he was not the author of the sermons he read. Not long after a guest speaker preached a sermon which really got to Miller. "Made a sobering impression," was the way L. E. Froom put it in his "Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers," Vol IV, page 461. The very next Sunday William was asked to read the selected sermon from Proudfit's Practical Sermons, based on Isaiah 53. Here is an exact quote from Froom's book. Notice how the character of God had a part in Miller's conversion.

"In the midst of the presentation he was overwhelmed by the sense of God's goodness and His loving provision for lost sinners. The redemptive character of the Saviour as an atonement for sin was vividly impressed upon him. He could not go on. Overpowered with emotion he sat down weeping, having the deep sympathy of the congregation, who sensed what was happening and were weeping with him. He was soundly converted, and accepted Christ as His personal Saviour. His mind was now satisfied, and his heart found rest." Ibid, Page 461.

Although William had found peace and rest for his heart and soul he had no inkling or realization of the fierce storm of controversy his subsequent research and studies would bring upon the theological world of his time. The year was 1816. During the next two years he laid aside all commentaries and religious books so he could concentrate solely on the Bible itself. Methodically he worked his way through the entire Bible making copious notes as he went. So intense was this period of study that he sometimes spent the whole night as well as entire days seeking the answers to his questions. By 1818 he had come to the conclusion that the world would come to an end in about 25 years, based on his understanding of the prophecies of Daniel & Revelation. To Miller, the prophecies were an integral part of the entire message of the gospel. He was so shocked at his own findings that he decided to go over them again to make sure he had not made a mistake. This required four more years of research, taking him to 1822.

Froom goes into voluminous and minute detail regarding Miller's studies and life's work. By 1831 William was now 50 years of age. Very few seemed interested in his findings even though he often talked to people about it. It was not time yet for the message to go as it did later as we shall see. God has His perfect timing for everything. They no doubt just wrote him off as being a fanatical visionary having an obsession, even though he was widely respected among those who had known him all those years. Some of his less refined neighbors referred to him as "Crazy Miller" or "Prophet Miller" or the "End of the World Man." Finally, the conviction continued to grow in his heart that if this is all true the world should know about it and someone should proclaim it publicly.

Froom explains in his book that it was 1831, Aug. 13, the second Saturday of the month when it happened. "Miller's deepening distress and inward struggle of conscience over his duty to tell his convictions to the world came to a climax one eventful summer's day in 1831." I only share that long sentence with you to show the poignancy of this moment that I am about to share with you when Miller was directly confronted with what he slowly had begun to realize was his sacred duty. He had just finished his breakfast and a little further checking on a particular point in his studies when he arose to go about some task. Suddenly, a strong conviction came to his mind with greater urgency than ever before, Go tell it to the world. To Miller it was the voice of God Himself. He sat back down in his well worn chair and began telling the Lord why he could not go. Like Moses of old he argued that he was "slow of speech," and didn't have the training, etc. He also felt that he was too old. But the voice in his mind would not let him continue on that day without some kind of conclusion. So, here is what happened. I can't go, Lord, he said. Why not? seemed to come the answering question. "His distress of soul became so great that he entered then and there into a solemn covenant with God, sealed with a prayer, that if God definitely opened the way he would go and perform his duty to the world. 'What do you mean by opening the way?" the voice seem to ask. "Why," he replied, "if I should have an invitation to speak publicly in any place, I will go and tell them what I have found." Pg. 483. Those of you who believe in the supernatural will not have a problem with this kind of exchange as you may have experienced it yourself. But those who haven't may be skeptical.

Well, it just so happened that at that same moment Miller finally made a commitment his 16 year old nephew was on horseback to his place with an invitation for him to speak the next day in a Baptist church at Dresden 16 miles away. Soon he was knocking on Miller's front door. "Uncle William," Irving Guildford, began, "our minister is away, and the folks want you to come and talk to the people on the second advent of Christ. We'll have the neighbors come to the our house, and you can have the whole church there." Ibid pg. 483. Well, William was "thunderstruck" and angry at himself for making the covenant or promise. He said later that he rebelled at once against the whole idea. He would not go. But being the honest person he was he decided he better pray about it and went to the maple grove to battle it out on his knees. First he prayed that God would release him from his promise. But the only answer he received was Go tell it to the world. In the silence of his soul Miller wrestled with His own conscience. He had been a Captain and knew what it was to be under orders to obey. Here he had received a call and had agreed to respond upon his own terms. Those terms had been met in less than half an hour. Now he was trying to go back on the very terms of the agreement he himself had suggested. Will you make a covenant with God and break it so soon? There on his knees he finally surrendered, saying, "I will go," and returned to the house with the peace of God in his heart.

After dinner they set out for Dresden with his Bible and hymn book for his very first public discourse. The next day the house was filled. Miller sat in the big armchair. He said that as soon as he began speaking all my diffidence and embarrassment were gone, and I felt impressed only with the greatness of the subject. He presented his findings about the prophecy of Dan 8 regarding the 2300 days and stressed the importance of preparing for the coming of the Lord. Well, that little group of people were deeply moved by his presentation. Strong men and gentle women wept together as he made his earnest appeal. That first lecture stirred up so much interest that they pleaded for Miller to stay all week and go into more detail about the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. The series was transferred to the Dresden Baptist Church where a revival followed among the 13 families comprising the congregation. All but two were converted.

More invitations began coming in as the news spread but his time was limited because he was still operating his farm and served as a Justice of the Peace. In the beginning he filled speaking appointments at his own expense never asking for help. He did not feel adequate to the task because of his age, 52, a lack of formal education, little experience as a public speaker and no ministerial credentials or papers..i.e. not ordained by any church. This changed in 1833 when the Low Hampton Baptist Church issued him a licensed to preach. There was also considerable prejudice against anyone who tried to understand, let alone explain the prophecies. He also traveled at his own expense and once the journeys became long and expensive he then permitted people to help him.

In spite of the opposition and scoffing, like John Wesley, he continued on, all the while supporting his own family. Miller's preaching converted thousands. At the height of the movement one estimate stated that over One Million had been converted to Miller's preaching and joined the movement to one degree of commitment or another. Among them were some well known and talented ministers of the day. James White became a preacher for the movement. Ellen Gould Harmon, later his wife, was also a believer. To have a million followers is amazing in light of the fact that there were only 17 Million people in the USA by 1840, almost totally in the eastern part, almost none west of the Mississippi River at that time. In one years time Miller traveled 4,560 miles from Oct. 1,1839 to Oct. 1,1840 by slow stage, steamer, train and horse and buggy. He preached over 4,000 sermons in nine years. Attendance at some of his outdoor audiences were 8,000 to 10,000 without any public address system or amplifiers. The opposition Miller received was unreal and the slander against him came mainly from ministers of the various denominations. But this only served as free publicity. Eventually prominent and talented ministers of various denominations joined their efforts with Miller and began to take the movement to a higher profile status.

The year 1939 marked Miller's entrance into Massachusetts to lecture at East Randolph, Lowell, Groton, and Lynn. By June 10, 1839 Miller had given eight hundred lectures since July 9, 1834. Do the math and you will see that comes out to 160 lectures in five years or over three a week and he was just getting started. It is a wonder his health held out as long as it did. Truly the Lord sustained him. His first series of lectures in Boston marked his entrance into the large cities and an altogether new era in the history of Adventism. This first series stirred up such a deep interest that the people demanded another series which molded the public mind. Another way of saying a theological Paradigm Shift was taking place in the city of Boston and the whole eastern part of the nation at that time. Charles Fitch was the pastor of the large Marlboro Chapel. Meanwhile a second edition of Miller's Lectures were printed up and circulated. Joshua V. Himes would become the genius behind the publishing and distribution of this message in the days ahead. It is interesting to note that most of his invitations initially came from rural sections of the country, mainly Baptist churches because Miller was a Baptist. But he never refused invitations from other faiths.

The Pastors begged and importuned (to urge or insist persistently) him to come and preach to their congregations about the second advent. Why? First of all there was less prejudiced in the rural communities and secondly revivals and reformation followed with a gratifying ingathering of souls, i.e. more baptisms and members for their congregations. He had more invitations then he could ever fill. Not wanting to neglect anyone who wanted to hear the message he prepared a series of articles, sending them anonymously to the Baptist weekly at Brandon, the Vermont Telegraph. This practice begun in 1832 continued until a 64 page pamphlet was published under the title, "Evidences From the Scripture & History of the Second Coming of Christ About the year A.D. 1843, and of His personal Reign of 1,000 Years." There had been no unfavorable reaction from the readers so a second edition of 1500 was printed. There had been numerous revivals in the newly formed states but nothing to compare with this one that seemed to gather more and more steam from one meeting to the next. Miller's basic rules of interpretation for understanding Daniel and Revelation pioneered the way for all SDA evangelists who have followed up to our present day. The symbols of beasts representing kingdoms and seas, waters, rivers, lakes representing groups and masses of peoples of various sizes are today standard pioneered by this one simple farmer who took time to diligently study his bible. He was neither proud or arrogant nor dogmatic.

In fact, he requested for people to set him straight if he was wrong on any point. "If I have erred, I hope others may see where, and shun the danger. I have no desire to mislead any, but my principal aim is to excite others more able than myself to investigate the subject. The time is at hand that will try my views on this point." Ibid 513. He was always candid but never heady. He even declared that if time should prove his prediction of the specific time to be in err that he would acknowledge it, which he later did. The meteoric shower of Nov. 11th, 1833 and other signs of the times gave impetus to his predictions.

But by 1839 his efforts were joined by others, more educated and prominent. Among them were Josiah Litch, a Methodist minister in Massachusetts who began writing and publishing the same predictions. Charles Fitch of Boston also joined along with Joshua V. Himes, another prominent Boston cleric. These additions began a new distinctly new era of expansion and acceleration of the infant movement. Josiah Litch made a prediction in 1838 regarding the loss of the Ottoman supremacy in Aug. 1840 aroused widespread interest encouraging diligent study of the prophecy. Even infidels were converted. The movement was growing up and gaining speed. Think of the times in which all this happened. The nation was barely 60 years old. New York City only had a population of 391,000 and Boston 93,000. The message was expanding in all directions. Some entire churches embraced the message. All of this interest inspired a newspaper "THE MIDNIGHT CRY," published by the talented able J.V. Himes with a daily circulation of 10,000 copies. Other second advent papers and presses were established pouring forth books, pamphlets, tracts and broadsides. Millions of pages convicted hearts leading to thousands of decisions for Christ. Yet, there was no church to join.

This was the Church of Philadelphia of Rev. 3:8-11, many believed. The church of Laodicea were those who refused to accept the message. Repeated requests for a time when he believed Jesus would return led Miller to an important and fateful decision. He had always said the end would come "about the year 1843." Well the year 1843 had come and time was running out. "Pressed to be more specific, he finally said, probably sometime between the spring equinoxes of March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844." Ibid 525. Why did he select those months? Because the Jewish year ran from spring to spring. So, the time had been narrowed down to a year. Sometime this year Jesus will come and the world will end.

It is important for our study that we understand Miller's belief about the sanctuary. He and others believed at that time that the "Cleansing of the Sanctuary" meant that the fiery coming of Christ to translate His chosen people (bride) would also cleanse the earth with fire. He did not teach that Christ was coming to set up an earthly kingdom but to destroy (cleanse the earth) and take His chosen bride with Him back to heaven. Talk about a Paradigm Shift. The Great Advent Movement caused one of the greatest shifts in people's thinking that had ever happened up to that time.

It is important to note the collateral results of this movement which most people do not realize was a great victory for the Word of God and triumph of the gospel in the years to come. "Wherever Millerite writings were circulated they stimulated the sale and study of the Bible. It was known pre-eminently as a Bible movement, and Litch asserts that 'a course of lectures in a village, would open a door for the sale of more Bibles in a week than would have been sold before for years....' it was (also) fundamentally Protestant in tone--the Bible, and the Bible only, as the rule of faith and practice."

In chapter 32 of his book Froom writes about the sustaining popularity and power of William Miller, whom the people affectionately referred to as "Father Miller." Although there were at least a score of able ministers who were the acknowledged leaders of this great movement, with an additional 500 associated public lecturers, as the movement neared the zero hour Miller remained the number one drawing card in the camp meetings and other public meetings. His thorough understanding of Scripture and his power in public address commanded the highest respect, admiration, and love of his supporters. Froom says that Miller was a "genius in the pulpit." And the secret of his power was because of his utter sincerity and conscientiousness and his total faith in what he believed and preached to the people. An eye witness testimony from the state of main tells how "Father Miller," as he was affectionately called was always "courteous and sympathetic. When every seat in the house was full, and the platform and places about the pulpit seemed crowded, I have seen him leave the desk and walk down the aisle, and take some feeble old man or woman by the hand and find a seat for hem, then return and resume his discourse...he..was affectionate in his manner, of a genial disposition and tender heart." T1 21, 22.

"There was none who had greater power in attracting and holding giant audiences than did Miller year after year. He was the chief speaker at their greatest gatherings. Miller received tremendous publicity, and was constantly in the spotlight of the public press. The President himself, investigators observed, did not occupy a more prominent place in the news of the day. Millerism even divided front-page space with the hot political campaign between Henry Clay and James K. Polk." Yet, through it all he remained humble and teachable as well as kind to his many critics and detractors. In addition to that he was frail in health and afflicted with palsy. In spite of these handicaps he was always on the road speaking. In one eight-week trip through New York State he preached eighty-five times all the while making important decisions regarding the ongoing work of the movement for all looked to him for guidance and leadership.

Because of all of this some of the greatest revivals many eastern cities had ever experienced up to that time took place under Miller's preaching and church memberships grew accordingly. So, no matter how you look at this time period, Miller's influence upon the people in this era was profoundly spiritual and a very great movement resulted. Those who wish to criticize Miller or the movement were not there and do not know what they are talking about.

Let me share with you a few statements from one who was alive at the time and actually experienced all that went on.

Now, notice the comparisons that are made to what we might call a tremendous Spiritual Paradigm Shift during the 1840's and what is just ahead of us for our nation and the world.

"As the third angel's message swells into a loud cry, great power and glory will attend its proclamation. The faces of God's people will shine with the light of heaven." 7T 17. This may be a reference to the Barley Company after they are translated but may also apply to a short time before they are translated. See EW 271-273. This history is important because the servant of the Lord predicted this same pattern would be repeated in the final message.

For those who have studied the lives of George Whitfield and John Wesley, English preachers of the 1700s, Wesley in England and Whitfield both in England and America, are aware of the power that attended their preaching to large crowds. They were both trained scholars and theologians with a rich back ground and experience in church work. Wesley's father was a minister himself. Both of them preached to crowds up to ten and twenty thousand with no microphone or amplifier. Writers of the day compared William Miller to Whitfield, who was probably the most colorful and popular preacher of his time, especially in America. The editor of Zion's Herald likened his heart-searching appeal to Whitefield's sermons...combining solemnity, ardor and earnestness. Few speakers of the time had such power to hold a crowd as he did. They would hang spellbound on his words for an hour and a half to two hours at a time. Thousands were turned away from the largest available auditoriums for lack of room.

I found one quote from one of Miller's talks to be quite interesting. Notice how he applies the parable of the Ten Virgins to a much longer period of time than we have thought of in the past: "The world, for a number of years, have been trimming their lamps, and the wise and foolish have been engaged in translating the word of God into almost every language known to us upon the earth." Ibid 694.

We should not miss the significance of this comment because we see that the waking up of the virgins has been taking place over a long period of time and is progressive. So, here again we have "progressive revelation."

The final phase of the Millerite movement was under the inspiration of basically two ministers. Samuel S. Snow (1806-1870) who was the first one who urged the revised dating of October 22, which became known as the "SEVENTH-MONTH MOVEMENT." The other preacher was George Storrs (1796-1879). He was an anti-slave preacher who was once arrested and put in jail. He also was the first to present the concept of the Non-immortality of the soul, later to be called "The Soul Sleep" theory which teaches that the dead do not go to heaven or hell at death, a controversial doctrine which was eventually accepted by the early pioneers of the SDA Church. Storrs joined with Snow in advocating the cry to "Go Forth to meet the Bridegroom," whom he said would return on October 22nd, 1844. Although this new teaching was not advocated by the leaders of the movement it was eventually accepted by nearly everyone and spread through the ranks like a fire in the stubble. Nothing could stop it once it was ignited. Many critics have had a hey day ridiculing the people for being so gullible, etc. But according to the testimonies of those who went through this final "tarrying time" they truly believed the Lord was leading them. Obviously God allowed them to believe this and to be disappointed for reasons we may never fully understand or know. It can best be compared to the disappointment the disciples experienced when Jesus was crucified. They were devastated. Their best hopes and dreams were lost and dashed to the ground. Many had not even planted their crops for the following year while others closed their businesses which they would no longer need for they would be in heaven the next day. But as the dawn of Oct. 23 came and Jesus did not come down through the skies with a flash of light, destroy the wicked and whisk them off in a cloud to heaven, men and women wept together unashamedly. At first their hearts were so numbed with disappointment they could not even think or pray. Of course, the world at large had a field day laughing at them. And they have been the laughing stock ever since for those who are aware of their history. In fact, last night I checked on the internet and found a book in which was listed the number of people who went to mental hospitals or asylums during this period up to and after the disappointment. Below is a excerpt or critique of the book entitled, "Millerite Insanity."

--

Millerite Insanity

(From "Millerism and Madness: A Study of 'Religious Insanity' in Nineteenth-Century American" by Ronald L. Numbers, Ph.D., and Janet Numbers, Ph.D., published in The Disappointed, pp. 97-101, (Knoxville, 1993))

In the early 1840's, as Millerite enthusiasm approached its zenith, asylum superintendents in the Northeast began reacting with alarm to the influx of patients seemingly deranged by "the Miller excitement." Samuel B. Woodward, superintendent of the Worcester State Lunatic Hospital and soon to become the first president of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane (the present-day American Psychiatric Association), noted in his annual report for 1843 that nearly 7 percent of all admissions during the previous year--and over half of all cases resulting from religious causes (15 of 28)--could be charged to Millerism. He believed that in the other asylums of New England Millerites constituted an even larger percentage of the patient population. Although he regarded it as unusual for a popular religious error to have produced so much excitement in the community and rendered so many insane, he professed to understand why so many minds were unsettled by Millerism: the subject is momentous, the time fixed for the final consummation of all things so near at hand, and the truth of all sustained by unerring mathematics. At Worcester the Millerite cases fell into two categories: the true believers so "full of ecstacy" [sic] that some refused even to eat and drink, and the unconverted who feared that Miller's prophecy might be correct, who have distracted their minds by puzzling over it, thinking about it, and dreading its approach, who have sunk into deep and hapless melancholy. 23

--

Predictably there was an outburst of indignation against the leaders of the movement who had "misled" so many thousands down a path to terrible disappointment and deception. There was even the threat of mob violence in some towns. There was an especial virulent attack against publisher Joshua Himes who was accused of using the whole affair for personal gain. By intimidation and direct charge the press worked up a strong feeling against him, maintaining that his seeming belief in the imminent advent was professional and mercenary, and that he was in the Lord's business for personal profit.

Himes was able to clear his name and reputation with a successful rebuttal the Boston Post printed on its front page. In this article he called for his accusers to produce witnesses who had allegedly been injured in any way by Adventism and its message. He answered specific charges by presenting correspondence with the parties involved, in which each one named cleared him. Other papers soon gave him complete vindication, and then various conferences of his supposedly defrauded brethren exonerated him. So the reaction passed. But what of William Miller himself? Well, his personal faith in the bible was unshaken by the bitterness of the disappointment. Throughout the rest of his life until his death in 1849 his faith held firm. He wrote soon after the passing of the time, "Brethren, hold fast; let no man take your crown. I have fixed my mind upon another time, and here I mean to stand, until God give me more light.--And that is To-day, To-Day, and TODAY, until He comes, and I see HIM for whom my soul yearns." "Prophetic Faith of our Fathers," pg 858.

On page 447 Froom lists "Eight Progressive Epochs in Millerite Developments." The last 419 pages of this volume are devoted to the prophetic gift of Ellen G. White and the emergence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the aftermath of the great disappointment and the dissolution of the Great Advent Movement, 1295 pages in all.

Froom's treatment of the Millerite period of history is extensive covering 447 pages (429-876) in Vol IV of his monumental work, "The Prophetic Faith of our Fathers," more than anyone else has ever written I am sure. This is the last book in the series of four and was copyrighted in 1954 by Review & Herald. Vol 1 came out in 1946, Vol 2 in 1948 and Vol. III in 1950.

My purpose in covering this history was mainly to show the paradigm shift the Lord orchestrated through the preaching of William Miller and his associates. Up until Aug. 14, 1831, there was virtually no preaching on the topic of the Second Coming of Christ. Just as the disciples of Christ had erroneous ideas about the true mission of the Messiah's first coming so Miller and his associates had immature, premature and erroneous ideas of His Second Coming. But this did not prevent the shifting of the people's minds to preparedness for the Second Advent.

We must also realize that Paradigm shifts don't happen overnight. If you look at the shifts that were necessary in order to prepare the English speaking people to receive the Bible in their own language you are talking about 136 years from the time of John Wycliffe (1330-1384) to Martin Luther which means at least three generations (45 years to a generation) before the shift was completed. But to the KJV of 1611 it was 227 years although there were some versions before 1611 due to the translation work of William Tyndale, 1336 - 1494, who was burned at the stake simply because of his work as a translator which caused him to be labeled as a heretic.

Look at the shifts that have occurred over time regarding the rights of women and the rights of African Americans. How many generations has it taken since the Emancipation Proclamation written in 1864? Several generations. But as we come closer to the end of the age the shifts are becoming shorter and more frequent which is causing incredible stress throughout the entire planet. "And upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:26-28.

So, if the preaching of William Miller was called and ordained of God as EGW clearly says it was, then why did the Lord allow them to continue on in their ignorance and errors and have such a terrible disappointment and embarrassment?

We will probably never know all the reasons because some of the purposes of God are beyond our ability to fully comprehend. However, in the case of Jesus and His disciples we know that Christ told them over and over again that He was going to be crucified. But they did not want to believe it so they brought their own sorrow and disappointment upon themselves. Maybe there were some sincere souls who tried to warn the brethren that they were in error and headed for a terrible disappointment. I don't know.

If we factor in the concept of Free Will it may help us to realize that God has to work within the framework of man's limited understanding and his stubborn will. Yet, he uses all of this to accomplish His ultimate purposes and goals. And in the process the pride of man is adjusted and only the true in heart go back to their Bibles for more understanding and light. That is what the pioneers of this message did and the Lord blessed them with increased light.

In the case of Jesus, He prayed that the cup might pass from Him but there was no other way. And so, in the counsels of the Throne room of the Most High perhaps there was no other way for the Paradigm Shift to take place except for the Great Disappointment to take place. We could make the same application for the rejection and disappoint of 1888. Each generation gathers more information to pass onto the next generation until the final generation arrives on the scene and the Creator declares that the time for the harvest to begin has finally arrived at last.

What we must do is look at the larger picture of the tremendous Paradigm shift that was accomplished by this movement. The ways of God are not the ways of man. Most of my readers are familiar with the rise of a new movement that arose out of the ashes of the Great Disappointment and was organized into a denomination in 1863 known today as the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I believe this event following Oct. 22, 1844, was a fulfillment of prophecy as well. It will only be through the final movement in this age that God will have a small group of people the Bible calls the Elect who will hear God's voice with a perfect heart and respond with the perfect obedience He has been waiting for since Jesus went back to heaven to plead our case in the sanctuary above. The reason this will be achieved is because they have fully entered into His great heart of love and understood His true character.

To answer the question as to when the four winds will be released...they will be released when the "Servants of our God are sealed in their foreheads." Who are these "servants?" They are the 144,000 which is proved by reading the rest of Rev. 7 where it describes the sealing of the 144,000. Where are they now? They are the wheat or five wise virgins who are now sleeping in Laodicea among the tares who are the five foolish virgins. How can you prove that they are the wheat? I prove it from Rev. 14:4. "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. (this is a direct reference to Matt. 25 and the Ten Virgins) These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes (ref. to Rev. 19 and the saints on white horses following Jesus to make war) These were redeemed from among men (means they did not die but were translated) being the first fruits (wheat harvest) unto God and to the Lamb."

When will they wake up? They will wake up at "Midnight," which is the time of the death decree against them which is explained in Rev. 13 in connection with the Mark of the Beast. Again Jesus is a type for His people (Barley Company) for He was also arrested at Midnight. Then in Rev. 14 it clearly says that all who receive the Mark of the Beast will die, so the 144,000 and one third of the human race (Grape Harvest) will be saved because they received the Seal of God in Rev. 7 and are translated to heaven during the Wheat Harvest of 40 days and then they wait for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the 50th day the same as the 120 in the Upper Room. The grape harvest then takes place as the 144,000 ride on white horses with Jesus to reap the Grapes or the Gentiles. One third of the human race will be saved during this time. You prove this from Zech. 13:8, 9 where it says that 1/3 are saved and 2/3rds die. Then Rev. 9:18 says that one third of the earth is killed or slain. Many Bible students believe this "slain" means being "crucified with Christ," or converted. Why do they believe that? Because Rev. 9:20, 21 says that the rest of the men (people) which were not killed - 2/3rds of the earth's population did not repent - which means the 1/3 did repent and by definition of the word "repent" were "slain" or "crucified with Christ or saved.

So, who brought them to repentance and salvation? They are brought to repentance by the saints riding on the white horses with Jesus who are the 144,000 who were sealed in Rev. 7. In Rev. 9:14 we read that the four angels are "loosed." Which means the sealing of the 144,000 has been completed and 50 days have passed which is the same period of time that elapsed from the time Jesus rose from the grave and the Early Rain came via the Tongues of Fire on the day of Pentecost. That is the type and the 144,000 will be the anti-type. Persecution of Christ's followers was held back until after the day of Pentecost and the out pouring of the Holy Ghost.

What is their message? Rev. 14 says that the 144,000 learn a new song which means that they did not know it before but are learning it. The song represents a beautiful message they will be giving to the world about God's love. "The final message to go to the world is a revelation of His character of love." COL 414, 415. Remember on the night Jesus was born the angels sang their message to the Shepherd, "Peace on earth, good will toward men."

On page 262 and 263 of Early Writings we read about the "Little Company," who are traveling up a narrow pathway. They were going in the opposite direction of the rest of the world who were on a one way train to perdition with Satan as the conductor whom they all admired and worshiped. On page 266 we read that Satan tells his angels to "lay snares" for those who are looking for the Second Coming of Christ and keeping all the commandments of God. On page 269 is a section titled "The Shaking." So, this is the same thing Gideon went through in selecting the 300 who finally defeated the NWO of his day. A sifting and shaking experience. Now, listen to what the message of this Little Company is: "Soon I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled my whole being." EW 270, 271. Then on page 271 we read that this Little Company had twice as many guardian angels around them as before and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. EW 271.

When we think about the Great Advent Movement that ended in such disappointment on the morning after Oct. 22nd 1844, one has to wonder why they were not teaching people about the 144,000 or the Mark of the Beast or the death decree or Sunday worship or the Sabbath, etc. Their minds were not able to grasp such details at that time. Why? Because it was not time. But they were permitted to have an incredible experience which "woke up the virgins," a Remnant who continued walking in the light and developed these concepts further I just mentioned. Later in a future October in the year 1888 there was another disappointment when the leading brethren of the SDA Church at that time rejected what has been since recognized as the "Final Message" to go to the world, which is "A revelation of His character of love." COL 414, 415.

"The understanding of the people of God has been blinded, for Satan has misrepresented the character of God. Our good and gracious Lord has been presented before the people clothed in the attributes of Satan, and men and women who have been seeking for truth have so long regarded God in a false light that it is difficult to dispel the cloud that obscures His glory (character) from their view." Selected Messages, page 355.

As we each continue walking in the Advancing Light the Lord is showing us we will see the Day Star Arise in our hearts as His coming draws near in our day. On page 353 of Vol 1 of the Test of the church I have made special note of this quotation. "I saw that God will in a wonderful manner preserve His people through the time of trouble." This is at the bottom of the page. The paragraph before this is entitled "THE FUTURE."

"At the transfiguration, Jesus was glorified by His Father. We hear Him say, 'Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.' Thus before His betrayal and crucifixion He was strengthened for His last dreadful sufferings. As the members of the body of Christ approach the period of their last conflict, 'the time of Jacob's trouble,' they will grow up into Christ, and will partake largely of His spirit. As the third message swells to a loud cry, and as great power and glory attend the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble. their faces will shine with the glory of that light which attends the third angel. I saw that God will in a wonderful manner preserve His people through the time of trouble. As Jesus poured out His soul in agony in the garden, they will earnestly cry and agonize day and night for deliverance. The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives; this is the death decree which comes at the close of the first three and half years, (1260 days of preaching by the 'Two Witnesses' or Barley Group or Little Company).

So, just as the wicked are about to pounce on them God reveals Himself and delivers them by His voice from heaven. "The heavens have gathered blackness, and are only illuminated by the blazing light and terrible glory from heaven, as God utters His voice from His holy habitation... The captivity of the righteous is turned, and with sweet and solemn whisperings they say to one another: 'We are delivered. It is the voice of God...The wicked hear, but understand not the words of the voice of God...They behold the faces of the righteous lighted up and reflecting the image of Jesus. Those who were so eager to destroy the saints cannot endure the glory resting upon the delivered ones, and they fall like dead men to the earth. Satan and evil angels flee from the presence of the saints glorified. Their power to annoy them is gone forever." T1 354.

May the Lord bless each of you as you continue to study and pray on these important themes of His Second Coming in our day. mfc