William Miller and his fifteen proofs
By Robert K. Sanders
Note: Predicted that Christ would come between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. He did not set the October 22, 1844 date but accepted it. After the 1843 and 1844 failure he renounced all of his date setting as false and that the 1844 movement had nothing to do with prophecy in any sense. See Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Vol. 10, p. 889-891.
"We expected the personal coming of Christ at that time; and now to contend that we were not mistaken, is dishonest. We should never be ashamed frankly to confess our errors. I have no confidence in any of the new theories that grew out of that movement, namely, that Christ then came as the Bridegroom, that the door of mercy was closed, that there is no salvation for sinners, that the seventh trumpet then sounded, or that it was a fulfillment of prophecy in any sense." History of the Advent Message, p. 410, 412.
Miller's honesty vs. Ellen G. White's honesty
Miller confessed his errors and would not hold to non-biblical teachings that grew out of the Advent Movement. He renounced that Christ came as the Bridegroom, the door of mercy was closed to the world, and there were no salvation for sinners, while Ellen White and her husband James White, and Joseph Bates continued to teach these false doctrines after 1844.
Below is a facsimile of the chart used by Millerite preachers to show Miller's calculations for the Second Coming of Christ in 1843 and the end of the world. Ellen G. White put her prophetic stamp of approval on this chart and blamed God for the failure of their cultic calculations.
EGW: I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that the figures were as he wanted then; that his hand was over the figures and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it until His hand was removed. Early Writings, p. 74.
Miller was wrong fifteen times. He twisted Old and New Testament Scripture dealing with time to arrive at the date 1843. Many noted educated pastors of his day tried to show him his errors, but he would not listen to them. Try not to be to hard on Mr. Miller after reading his "Fifteen Different Ways" as he was not educated in theology but he was honest and sincere.
As for 1843 and 1844 you already know it was a non-event! Not only was William Miller mistaken about the identity of the 2,300 evenings and mornings (the earth, in his opinion), but he was pervasively mistaken in all his chronological schemes (his fifteen "proofs"). Later SDA claims that he was merely mistaken because he didn't understand that Daniel 8:14 was speaking of a supposedly heavenly sanctuary, though his chronology was sound only adds insult to injury. The SDA claim that the sanctuary in Dan. 8:14 is heavenly is just as bad as Miller's original identification, and the chronology can't be salvaged in any way. The whole thing is bogus.
Time proved in fifteen different ways
By William Miller (1782-1849)
Proof I. I prove it by the time given by Moses, in the 26th chapter of Leviticus, that the people of God are to be in bondage to the kingdom's of this world; or in Babylon, literal and mystical; which seven times cannot be understood less than seven times 360 revolutions of earth in its orbit, making 2520 years. I believe this began according to Jeremiah xv. 4, "And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem," and Isa. vii. 8, "For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Resin: and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people,"— when Manasseh was carried captive to Babylon, and Israel was no more a nation, —see chronology, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 9, "So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel,"—the 677th year B. C. Then take 677 out of 2520, leaves A. D. 1843, when the punishment of the people of God will end. (See Miller's Lectures, p. 251.)
Proof II. It is proved typically by the year of release. See Deut. xv. 1, 2: "At the end of every seventh years thou shalt make a release; and this is the manner of the release; every creditor that lendeth aught unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact of his neighbour or of his brother, because it is called the Lords release." Also Jer. xxiv. 14: "At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother a Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee, and "when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee; but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear." We are, by this type, taught that the People of God will be delivered from their servitude and bondage, when they have served their 7 prophetic years. 7 times 360 years is 2520. Beginning with the captivity of Israel and the king of Judah, Manasseh, 677 B. C., must end in A. D. 1843, when the children of God will be released from all bondage and slavery. (See Second Advent. Library, No. 14.)
Proof III. It is also proved by the seven years' war of Zion with her enemies, given to us in Ezekiel xxxix. 9, 10: "And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire; and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them saith the Lord God." The children of God will be contending with their enemies, spoiling those that spoiled them, and robbing those that robbed them, 7 years, prophetic, which is 2520 common years. Beginning as before, when Babylon began to spoil and rob them, and when they by the fire of the truth began to burn up the weapons of their enemies, in this moral warfare; this will end in 1843. (See Miller's Life and Views, p. 69.)
Proof IV. It is proved, also, by the sign of the Sabbath. Exod. xxxi. 13‑17: " Speak thou also unto the children Of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations: that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore: for it is holy unto you. Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done, but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath-day he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh he rested, and was refreshed." Heb. iv. 4, 9‑11: For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise: And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God; For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."
As God was six days creating the old heavens and earth, and rested on the seventh: so it is a sign that Christ will also labour six days in creating the new heavens and earth, and rest on the seventh. How long is a day with the Lord? Peter tells us in his 2 Epistle 8: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. If, then, a thousand years is a day with the Lord; how long has Christ been to work creating the new? I answer, if will allow the Bible to make a chronology, we shall find this year, 1843, the date—years from Adam's fall will be finished. Then the antitypical Sabbath of a 1000 years will commence. Rev. xx. 6: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and Christ shall reign with him one thousand years." (See Life and Views, p, 157.)
Proof V. Again we can prove it by the typical jubilee. Levit. xxv. 8-18: "And thou shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto thee, forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound, on the tenth day of the seventh month, on the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall all be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every, man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. A jubilee that fiftieth year be unto you; ye shall not sow, neither reap which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. For it is the jubilee; it shall be holy unto you, ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field. In the year, of this jubilee, ye shall return every man unto his possession." Now, if we can show any rule whereby we can find the antitype, we can tell when the people of God will come into the inheritance of the purchased possession, and the redemption of their bodies, and the trump of jubilee will proclaim liberty, a glorious one, through all the land. In order to do this we must take notice of the order of the Sabbaths. "Seven Sabbaths shall be complete." There are seven kinds of Sabbaths, which all have seven for a given number.
The Jews kept but six Sabbaths; if they had kept the seventh they would have been made perfect without us; but they broke the seventh. Therefore there remains a keeping of the Sabbath to the people of God. The Jewish Sabbaths were:
1. The 7th day. Exod. xxxi. 15.
2. The 50th day. Levit. xxiii. 15, 16.
3. The 7th week. Dcut. xvi. 9.
4. The 7th month. Levit. xxiii. 24, 25.
5. The 7th year. Levit. xxv. 3, 4.
6. The 7 times 7 years and 50th Jubilee.
7. The 7 times 7 Jubilee and 50th Jubilee will bring us to a complete or perfect Sabbath, —the great Jubilee of Jubilees. Thus 7 times 7, 50 years is 49 times 50 — 2150 years.
It is very evident no year of release or Jubilee was ever kept after the reign of Josiah, the last king of Jerusalem that obeyed the commandments of the Lord, or kept his statutes. This king's reign ended B. C. 607. See 2 Kings 23d chapter, 2 Chron. 35 and 36 chapters, and Jeremiah 22d chapter. After which the Jews never kept, neither could they keep, a year of release, or Jubilee; for neither their kings, their nobles, their people, or their lands could have been redeemed after this. Jer. xliv. 20‑23. Here ended the Jewish Jubilee, they had not kept more than 21 Jubilees, lacking 28 of coming to the great Jubilee.
And now the land was to lay desolate, while the people of God were in their enemies' land. Levit. xxvi. 34. How long is a Jubilees of Jubilees? Ans. 49 times 50 years = 2450 years. When did these years begin? When the Jews ceased keeping of the Sabbaths and Jubilees, at the close of Josiah's reign, B. C. 607. Take 607 from 2450, it leaves A. D. 1843; when the Jubilee of Jubilees will come. (See Sec. Adv. Lib., No. 14.)
Proof VI. I prove it by Hosea vi. 1‑3: "Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord; his going forth is prepared as, the morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." This prophecy is the two days of the Roman kingdom, in its Imperial, Kingly, and Papal form, with its great iron teeth, tearing and persecuting the people of God: the third day is the same as Rev. xx. 6: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years;" when the people of God will live in his sight, "live and reign with him a thousand years." If, then, the third day is a thousand years, then the two days are of equal length. When did the two days begin? Ans. When the Jews made a league with the Romans, See Hosea v. 13: "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrians and sent king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you your wound." Dan. xi. 23: "And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully; for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people." I Macabecs, 8th and ninth chapters. This league was confirmed and ratified, and the Greacian kingdom to rule over god's people B. C. 158 years. Then add 158 to 1842, and we have 2000 years, or two days; as Peter says, 2 Pet iii. 8; "But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." The world has stood still since the fall of man 2000 years under the Patriarchs; 2000 years under the Assyrian. Babylonians, Medo-Persian, and Grecian; and 2000 years under Rome Pagan, Papal and Kingly. (See Sec. Adv. Lib. No. 3, p. 45.)
Proof VIII. I can prove it by the length of the vision which Daniel had, (viii. 1-14,) of the ram, he‑goat, and little horn, which Daniel was informed was 2300 days long. Dan. viii. 13,14; "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." And from which the 70 weeks were cut off, and fulfilled, the year of Christ's death. Dan. ix. 20—27. Then 70 weeks be, years cut off from 2300 days, makes these days years; and 490 years fulfillled in A, D. 33, leaves 1810 years to the fulfillment of the vision, which added to 33 makes 1843, when the sanctuary will be cleansed and the people of God justified. (See Miller's Lectures, p. 73.)
Proof VIII. It can be proved by Daniel xii. 6, 7: "And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished." The question is asked, How long to the end of these wonders? These wonders are to the resurrection. See 2d and 3d verses: "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; they that turn any to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." The answer given by the angel, who informs Daniel it shall be for a time, times, and a half, and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all be will be finished. Eze. xii. 10:15: " Say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them. Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity. And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes. My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there. And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries." Jer. xv. 4: "And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem." This scattering begun, when Israel was scattered by Esarhaddon, and when the king of Judah, Manasseh, was carried to Babylon, B. C. 677. Thus they continued to be a people scattered, by the kings of the earth, until they fled into the wilderness in A. D. 538, which makes 1215 years. There they remained in the wilderness a time, times, and a half—which began A. D. 538, and continued until A. D. 1798. The kings of the earth then had power, and the time, times, and a half of the scattering of the holy people is filled up by 45 years, being the remainder of the 1215, making in all 1260 years, under the nations or kings, and ending in the year 1843,— which is the fulness of times. Eph. i. 7,10: " Having, made known unto us the' mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness, of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:" —when the people of God, both among Jews and Gentiles, will no more be scattered, but gathered in one body in Christ. (See Sec. Adv. Lib. No. 6, p. 45.)
Proof IX. It can also be proved by Daniel xii. 11-13: " And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."
The number 1335 days, from the taking away of Rome Pagan. A. D. 508, to setup Rome Papal, and the reign of Papacy, is 1290 days, which was exactly fulfilled in 1290 years, being fulfilled in 1798. This proves the 1335 days to be years, and that Daniel will stand in his lot in A. D. 1843. For proof texts, see Dan. xi. 31: "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." 2Thess. ii. 6-8: "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:" Job xix. 25: For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." (See Millers Lectures, p. 100.)
Proof X. It can also be proved by the words of Christ, Luke xiii.32: "And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." These two days, in which Christ casts out devils and does cures, are the same as Hosea's two days, at the end of which, the devil will be chained, and cast out of the earth into the pit, and shut up. This will take 2000 years of the roman power. Rev. xii. 9: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." And then the people of God will be perfected. Rev. xx. 6: " Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
This time began with the "great dragon," Rev. xii. 3,4: "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."
This government will draw after him one third part of the time, which wicked men have power in the earth, viz., 6000 years; and the 7000th, the Christ will take possession and reign with his saints, in perfect bless.
This dragon power began its power over the saints when the league was made with him, B. C. 158,—and will end in 1842. Then the third day will begin 1843. (See Sec. Ad. Lib. No. 3, page 61,)
Proof XI. The trumpets are also a revelation of time. See Rev. ix. 5: "And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man." These five months began when the Turks made incursions into the Greek territories, according to Gibbon, in the year 1299, on the 27th day of July. 5 months is 150 years, 5x30 = 150. This trumpet ended 1449. And the sixth trumpet began to sound, and was to sound 391 years and 15 days, as in Rev. ix. 15: "And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men." and ended 1840, on the 11th of August. Then the seventh trumpet begins, and ends with the fulness of time. Rev. x. 5,7: "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." And synchronize with Daniel xii. 7. See section 7, where it is shown to end in the year 1843. (See Miller's Lectures, p. 190.)
Proof XII. It can be proved by the two witness being clothed in sackcloth 1260 years. See Rev. xi. 3: "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth." This time began with Papacy, 536, and ended in 1798, during which time the Bible was suppressed from the laity, in all the countries where Papacy had power, until the laws of the Papal hierarchy were abolished and free toleration was granted to the Papal States in 1798. Then the remainder harmonizes with the trumpets: see Rev. xi. 14, 15: "The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 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; and he shall reign for ever and ever." And terminates with A. D. 1843. (See Miller's Lectures, p. 190.)
Proof XXIII. It can be proved by Rev. xii. 6, 14: "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent." It is evident that the Church is not now in the wilderness for if so, she must have been there in the Apostles' days, for she enjoys more liberty now among the nations, than in any previous time since the gospel was preached; and it is very evident, for ages past, the true Church has been an outlaw among the kingdoms which arose out of the Roman Empire. The Church was driven into the wilderness, where they were given into the power of Pope.—Daniel vii. 25: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." —in the year A. D. 538; and was in the wilderness 1260 years until 1798, when free toleration was granted in the kingdoms in the Papal territory. This also harmonizes with the witnesses and the trumpet. Compare Rev. xi. 15, "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; and he shall reign for ever and ever," with Rev. xii. 10 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (See Miller's Lectures, p. 20.)
Proof XIV. It is proved by Rev. xiii. 5: "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." This time began at the same time as the preceding, when power was given to Pope by Justinian, A. D. 538, and lasted until the Pope was carried into captivity, and his power abolished, in the year 1798. See 10th verse: "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." This beast is the lame as the little horn in Daniel 7th, and synchronizes with Daniel's "abomination that maketh desolate," or "that astonisheth," (see marginal reading). Compare Daniel xi. 31, and xii. ii, with Rev. xiii. 3-8; and of course his power is abolished with the end of his "settings up," and the 1290 years. Then Daniel xii. 12,—Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days," carries us to the year 1843. (See Miller's Lectures, p. 77.)
XV. It can be proved by the numbers in Rev. xiii. 18: "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six," connected with Daniel xii. 12, as before quoted. This text shows the number of years that Rome would exist under the blasphemous head of Paganism, after it was connected with the people of God by league; beginning B. C. 158, add 666 years, will bring us to A. D. 508, when the daily sacrifice was done away. Then add, Daniel xii. 12, the 1335 to 508, makes the year 1843. When the beast and his image will be tormented in the presence of the holy angels, and the Lamb. See Rev. xiv. 9-12: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (See Miller's Lectures p. 76.)
These several ways of prophetic chronology prove the end in 1843. Now what is there in all this reckoning of time, that should entitle one to such vile abuse and slander, as I have received from the pulpit and press, from editors and priests, from the infidel and blasphemer, from the drunkard and gambler? These have all made friends with each other, for the sole purpose of vilifying and saving hard things against me for presenting my honest conviction of these things. If men are satisfied that these things are not true, why are they so violent and denunciatory against me? What can I do? I can neither make it true nor false. Why do professed ministers show such anger malice? Why call me a prophet, in such sneering terms, from Dr. Brownlee down to John Dowling, A. M. pastor, &c. &c. &c.? I have only shown to the world my opinion on those passages: they have done the same. I have shown my faith by my works: they can do likewise if they please. Let every one be fully persuaded in his own mind, and so let them speak.
But these men not only show much anger, but misrepresent my words and views. Is truth of such a texture, as to need lies to support it? If they have no better foundation for their religion, that they have manifested in their debates on this subject, I should think they might be sentimentally opposed to the coming or Christ, and the very same principle as the infidel or drunkard would oppose,—Not ready.
I would advise all to cease their revilings, take this little tract, read and compare scripture with scripture, prophecy with history, and see if there is not a strong probability that I am correct; and if there is even one to ten, that is so, then it is all-important we attend to the interest of our souls and eternity. You ought to spurn from you those who say there is no danger; you ought in justice to your own soul, turn a deaf ear to the men who are flattering you with "peace and safety."
Who will this day overtake as a thief ? Surely not those who are looking for it. I Thess. v. 4; Heb. ix. 28. Who will be destroyed when it comes? Those who are overtaken as a thief. I Thess. v. 3; Matt. xxiv. 50; Rev. xvi. 15, You ask, will all who do not look for him, perish in the day of his coming? I answer, it would seem so, by many texts of scripture. Yet I am not their judge. God only knows what will become of them. They that were ready went in with him, and the door was shut.