TIME OF THE END!

BY JEFF PIPPENGER  

Part 2- NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

In the last presentation we identified two themes which run through Daniel and Revelation. In the book of Daniel these themes are associated with the rivers Ulai and Hiddekel. One identi­fies the message of the everlasting gos­pel in connection with the work of Christ in the Most Holy Place, while the second identifies the enemy who opposes this work at the end of time. These two themes are also located within the three angels' messages of Revelation 14.

We reviewed some of the counsel which identifies the books of Daniel and Revelation as an important part of the catalyst for the final revival which will come to God's people at the end of time.

We also noted that it was through an increase of knowledge that a people are to be prepared to stand in the latter days. We defined this knowledge as an understanding of the Papacy, its mark of authority, and its Sabbath implications. As we continue this study of Daniel 11:40-45, we will now look at another factor which identifies Daniel and Revelation as the books designed to bring about the revival of God's people:

"As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures.

Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that a special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. 'The wise shall under­stand' (Daniel 12: 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be un­sealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His ser­vant John for the guidance of God's people all through the centuries, the prom­ise is, 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophe­cy, and keep those things which are written therein.' Revelation 1:3." Proph­ets and Kings, 547-548.

Here both Daniel and Revelation are identified as containing messages which the wise will understand. Perhaps the most important aspect for us to recog­nize, as we attempt to understand these prophecies, is the counsel given to us to understand sacred history.

Great and Solemn Events

"All that God has in prophetic histo­ry specified to be fulfilled in the past has been, and all that is yet to come in its order will be. Daniel, God's prophet, stands in his place. John stands in his place. In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the stu­dents of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment." Selected Messages, book 2, 109. (All emphasis supplied un­less otherwise noted.)

"We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. Every element of pow­er is about to be set to work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God's people on every side. Intensity is taking hold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth. . .

"Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated. . . .

"As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament Scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revela­tion their study?' Testimonies to Minis­ters, 116-117.

To stand on "the threshold" of great and solemn events means that they are still in front of us. We have been commanded to know these events. In order to recog­nize them, we are directed to the history of God's people as a point of reference:

"The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days. . . . There the whole accumulated truths are present­ed in force to us that we may profit by their teachings." Selected Messages, book 3, 339.

It is through studying the histo­ry of the church that the Holy Spirit sup­plies the knowledge and discernment necessary to recog­nize the solemn events which are ahead of us. It is in knowing the history of the relationship of God with His people that we find our as­surance: '

"In' reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confi­dence in Christ' as leader. We have noth­ing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us." Testimonies to Ministers, 31.

A Revival of the Past

Recognizing that our greatest need is for a revival, and that a revival will come in connection with an understanding of the books of Daniel and Revelation, it is not hard to look back into the history of our church and discover a time when an understanding of these books brought about a revival. This very scenario was evidenced at the beginning of the Miller­ite movement.

This movement began with an in­creased understanding of the book of Daniel, particularly concerning the vi­sion by the banks of the Ulai, as record­ed in the eighth chapter of Daniel. Though the Millerite movement was based upon an understanding of the 2300 days of Daniel 8: 14, it was not until well into the movement that, as a result of an "increase of knowledge" upon that very subject of the 2300 days, a powerful revival took place.

" 'While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bride­groom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.' Matthew 25:5-7. In the sum­mer of 1844, midway between the time when it had been first thought that the 2300 days would end, and the autumn of the same year, to which it was afterward found that they extended, the message was proclaimed in the very words of Scrip­ture: 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh!'

"That which led to this movement was the discovery that the decree of Artaxerxes for the restoration of Jerusa­lem, which formed the starting point for the period of the 2300 days, went into effect in the autumn of the year 457 B.c., and not at the beginning of the year, as had been formerly believed. Reckoning from the autumn of 457, the 2300 years terminate in the autumn of 1844." The Great Controversy, 398-390.

Could this experience of increased light be the history which will be repeat­ed at the end of time? Is there additional light to be revealed concerning these very prophecies which we have pro­claimed were unsealed in 1844? Some­thing of this sort might be expected, for, as we mentioned in the first article, it will be through an increase of knowledge from the prophecies of Daniel and Reve­lation that a people will be prepared to stand:

"The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days. . . .

"In the first angel's message men are called upon to worship God, our Creator, who made the world and all things that are therein. They have paid homage to an institution of the Papacy, making of no effect the Law of Jehovah, but there is to be an increase of knowledge on this subject." Selected Messages, book 2,105-106.

The First Ten Virgins

When new light came identifying the correct starting point for the 2300 days, the people began to proclaim the mes­sage, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!" This was the beginning of the great reviv­al of their day, and was the fulfillment of the parable of the ten virgins. It added momentum to the second message, call­ing people out of Babylon.

In the Eastern culture the bridegroom comes at both the beginning and at the end of the marriage procession. First, he comes to the bride's home, then he comes back to his own home. The bridegroom comes twice. Could this be part of the parable, part of the history which is to be repeated?

Pioneer Experience Repeated

"I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time." Re­view and Herald, August 19, 1890.

Sister White clearly states that there will be a repetition of the parable of the ten virgins, which, when first fulfilled in the summer of 1844, was the catalyst of the early rain experience during the pio­neer movement.

She also addresses the parallel be­tween the second and fourth angels' messages:

"I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel com­missioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrat­ed everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habita­tion of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.' Revelation 18:2. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly pro­claim the third angel's message.

"Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound every­where, 'Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her in­iquities.' Verses 4-5. This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the Midnight Cry joined the second an­gel's message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God's people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom." Early Writings, 277-278.

The counsel for us to prepare for the future through an understanding of the history of the past in connection with the "parable of the ten virgins," and the repeated "call out of Babylon," emphasizes that the revival which our church awaits will parallel the experience of the pioneer movement. When we recognize these facts, the significance of Daniel 11:40-45 is greatly increased, for it is in this vision that the Papacy, as symbolized by the king of the north, brings the whole world under the dominion of Rome-for the final time. Sister White tells us our greatest, most urgent need is for a revival.

The new information on the starting point for the 2300 days added momen­tum to the pioneer movement, but also an advanced understanding of historical events powered the movement.

"Historical events, showing the direct fulfillment of prophecy, were set be­fore the people, and the prophecy was seen to be a figurative delineation of events leading down to the close of this earth's history. The scenes connected with the working of the man of sin are the last features plainly revealed in this earth's history:' Selected Messages, book 2, 102.

As the pioneers presented fulfilled prophecy, they pointed to the historical events which demonstrated the fulfill­ment of the prophecy as "waymarks," and which described the steady tread of events which lead down to the end of the world. They also recognized that these waymarks carried figurative infor­mation beyond their simple placement in history. By recognizing events in history as fulfillments of prophecy they devel­oped faith in the Word of God which prepared them to stand during the tests and disappointments which would later confront them.

The Catalyst of Prophecy

This recognition of fulfilled prophecy also brought increased zeal in their proclamation of the prophecies to those around them. Perhaps the clearest exam­ple of the power associated with the fulfillment of prophecy by a current event is the story of Josiah Litch:

"In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited wide­spread interest. Two years before; Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preach­ing the Second Advent, published' an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown 'in A.D. 1840, sometime in the month of August;' and only a few days previous to its accomplishment he wrote: 'Allowing the first period, 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled before Deacozes ascended the throne by permission of the Turks, and that the 391 years, fifteen days, commenced at the close of the first period, it will end on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case. '

"At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were con­vinced of the correctness of the princi­ples of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a won­derful impetus was given to the Advent movement. Men of learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended." The Great Controversy, 334-335.

Two items are identified with the ful­fillment of Litch's prediction. Not only was a wonderful impetus given to the movement, but also the prophetic rules of interpretation used by William Miller were verified as the correct rules of study. When we, like the pioneers, follow prophetic interpretations which agree with the rules used by Miller and his associates, we will then have reliable tools with which to understand prophe­cy. If Adventism today would strictly adhere to these rules, and none other, possibly half of the heresies confronting our church today would disappear like morning fog on a summer day.

But more solemn is the age old ques­tion-What if? What if we had recog­nized and proclaimed-prior to 1989 ­that there would be a secret alliance formed between the Vatican and the Unit­ed States which would bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union? Would we have been scoffed at, as were those who proclaimed Litch's prediction? What would have happened when it finally came to pass? Litch's prediction of the fall of the Ottoman Empire brought a great power into the early Advent move­ment. God designed into the prophecy of Daniel 11 :40 the same potential for a "wonderful impetus" as was brought by Litch's prediction. God would have had His people recognize and proclaim this truth in advance of it becoming past history.

"Those who place themselves under God's control, to be led and guided by Him, will catch the steady tread of the events ordained by Him to take place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who gave His life for the life of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go forth to the warfare, willing to do and dare for God, knowing that His omnipotence will supply their need." Testimonies, vol. 7, 14.

The final movements are now under way. Yet, unlike the impetus provided to the message by Litch's prediction in ad­vance of the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the fall of the Soviet Union in our day created little more than a sigh from God's people.

The experience of the pioneer move­ment was designed to be repeated in our day, but we in Laodicea have slept on. Certainly it is high time for us to awaken! 'The days in which we live are eventful and full of peril. The signs of the corning of the end are thickening around us, and events are to come to pass that will be of a more terrible character than any the world has yet wit­nessed. 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.' But to those who have the light of truth, it has been written, 'Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.' 1 Thessalonians 5:3-6. 'And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.' Romans 13: 11-12. 'Watch ye there­fore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest corning suddenly he find you sleeping.' Mark 13:35­36." Review and Herald, November 22,1892.

We must have a knowledge of the great and solemn events which are on the very threshold of fulfillment. We will be able to recognize these events by understanding the history of the past, which the future events will parallel. We have identified an important experi­ence in the beginning of this movement which will be repeated as it completes its work for the Master.

In the next article we will study a history which has been identified by the Spirit of Prophecy as one which will be repeated as Daniel 11 comes to its close. This past history and the future repetition of this history reveals not the experience of God's people, but the steps which the ene­my of God's people takes as his deadly wound is healed. It would be well for the reader to consider the following quotation before studying next month's article:

"We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that 'shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy cov­enant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacri­fice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of under­standing shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.' Daniel 11:30-36.

"Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of: 'And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children 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, everyone that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.' Daniel 12:1-4." Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 394. 

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