Matthew 25:5-7 KJV, “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.”
EG White, SOP Vol 4, 1884, pp. 248-249, “In the summer of 1844, Adventists discovered the mistake in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods, and settled upon the correct position. The 2300 days of Dan. 8 : 14, which all believed to extend to the second coming of Christ, had been thought to end in the spring of 1844; but it was now seen that this period extended to the autumn of the same year, and the minds of Adventists were fixed upon this point as the time for the Lord’s appearing. The proclamation of this time message was another step in the fulfillment of the parable of the marriage, whose application to the experience of Adventists had already been clearly seen. As in the parable the cry was raised at midnight announcing the approach of the bridegroom, so in the fulfillment, midway between the spring of 1844, when it was first supposed that the 2300 days would close, and the autumn of 1844, at which time it was afterward found that they were really to close, such a cry was raised, in the very words of Scripture: ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’
Like a tidal wave the movement swept over the land. From city to city, from village to village, and into remote country places it went, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. Before this proclamation, fanaticism disappeared, like early frost before the rising sun. Believers once more found their position, and hope and courage animated their hearts. The work was free from those extremes which are ever manifested when there is human excitement without the controlling influence of the word and Spirit of God. It was similar in character to those seasons of humiliation and returning unto the Lord which among ancient Israel followed messages of reproof from his servants. It bore the characteristics which mark the work of God in every age. There was little ecstatic joy, but rather deep searching of heart, confession of sin, and forsaking of the world. A preparation to meet the Lord was the burden of agonizing spirits. There was persevering prayer, and unreserved consecration to God.
Said Wm. Miller, in describing that work: ‘There is no great expression of joy; that is, as it were, suppressed for a future occasion, when all Heaven and earth will rejoice together with joy unspeakable and full of glory. There is no shouting; that, too, is reserved for the shout from Heaven. The singers are silent; they are waiting to join the angelic hosts, the choir from Heaven. No arguments are used or needed; all seem convinced that they have the truth. There is no clashing of sentiments; all are of one heart and of one mind.’
The work of the Spirit of God in cooperation with the sinner:
1 Little Ecstatic Joy
2 Deep Searching of heart
3 Confession of Sin
4 Forsaking of the World
5 Preparation to Meet the Lord
6 Perserving Prayer
7 Unreserved Consecration to God
EG White and the SDA pioneers were non-trinitarians. They published this truth in their Fundamental Principles of 1872 and 1889. Their only creed is the Scriptures alone. EG White did not return to her Methodist trinitarian upbringing despite the suggestions of the present SDA church.
We will hear a testimony and will continue our study of Revelation 6:6 via Zoom at 11am US Eastern Daylight Saving Time today.
Have a Blessed Sabbath Day.
Appreciate your prayers and support for this Ministry. Thank you so much.
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.