Table of Contents
Last Day Events Explained – Preparing For The End
(Based on the first 3 Chapters of LDE)
There is a book entitled “Last Day Events”, which is actually a compilation of quotations from other EGW sources. In this series of articles, I will do my best to explain the importance of the quotations that appear in the book “Last Day Events”, along with some context, and a more balanced view of the intended message of Ellen White on that subject. I’m not saying that there are any errors in the book “Last Day Events”. I’m just concerned that someone who reads through the book very quickly might also come to some unbalanced conclusions. It is my hope that this series of articles may help avoid any confusion regarding actual Last Day Events.
Chapter 1—Earth’s Last Crisis
Widespread Apprehension About the Future
The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the
world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.—Prophets and Kings, 537 (c. 1914).
The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.—Testimonies for the Church 9:11 (1909).
[12]
Troublous Times Soon to Come
The time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at hand. We have no time to lose. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecies of the eleventh of Daniel have almost reached their final fulfillment.—The Review and Herald, November 24, 1904.
The time of trouble—trouble such as was not since there was a nation [Daniel 12:1]—is right upon us, and we are like the sleeping virgins. We are to awake and ask the Lord Jesus to place underneath us His everlasting arms, and carry us through the time of trial before us.—Manuscript Releases 3:305 (1906).
The world is becoming more and more lawless. Soon great trouble will arise among the nations—trouble that will not cease until Jesus comes.—The Review and Herald, February 11, 1904.
Earth’s Last Crisis
We are on the very verge of the time of trouble, and perplexities that are scarcely dreamed of are before us.—Testimonies for the Church 9:43 (1909).
We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages. In quick succession the judgments of God will follow one another—fire, and flood, and earthquake, with war and bloodshed.—Prophets and Kings, 278 (c. 1914).
There are stormy times before us, but let us not utter one word of unbelief or discouragement.—Christian Service, 136 (1905).
God Has Always Warned of Coming Judgments
[13]
God has always given men warning of coming judgments. Those who had faith in His message for their time, and who acted out their faith in obedience to His commandments, escaped the judgments that fell upon the disobedient and unbelieving. The word came to Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me.” Noah obeyed and
was saved. The message came to Lot, “Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city” (Genesis 7:1; 19:14). Lot placed himself under the guardianship of the heavenly messengers and was saved. So Christ’s disciples were given warning of the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who watched for the sign of the coming ruin, and fled from the city, escaped the destruction. So now we are given warning of Christ’s second coming and of the destruction to fall upon the world. Those who heed the warning will be saved.—The Desire of Ages, 634 (1898).
God Has Told Us What to Expect in Our Day
Before His crucifixion the Saviour explained to His disciples that He was to be put to death and to rise again from the tomb, and angels were present to impress His words on minds and hearts. [See Mark 8:31, 32; 9:31; 10:32-34.] But the disciples were looking for temporal deliverance from the Roman yoke, and they could not tolerate the thought that He in whom all their hopes centered should suffer an ignominious death. The words which they needed [14]
to remember were banished from their minds, and when the time of trial came it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not forewarned them.
So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed.—The Great Controversy, 594 (1911).
Last Day Prophecies Demand Our Attention
I then saw the third angel [Revelation 14:9-11]. Said my accompanying angel, “Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the whole attention.”—Early Writings, 118 (1854).
We shall have to stand before magistrates to answer for our allegiance to the law of God, to make known the reasons of our faith. And the youth should understand these things. They should know the things that will come to pass before the closing up of the world’s history. These things concern our eternal welfare, and teachers and students should give more attention to
them.—Testimonies for the Church 6:128, 129 (1900).
We should study the great waymarks that point out the times in which we are living.—Manuscript Releases 4:163 (1895).
[15]
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.—Testimonies for the Church 7:14 (1902).
We are to see in history the fulfillment of prophecy, to study the workings of Providence in the great reformatory movements, and to understand the progress of events in the marshaling of the nations for the final conflict of the great controversy.—Testimonies for the Church 8:307 (1904).
Study the Books of Daniel and Revelation Especially
There is need of a much closer study of the Word of God; especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before…. The light that Daniel received from God was given especially for these last days.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 112, 113 (1896).
Let us read and study the twelfth chapter of Daniel. It is a warning that we shall all need to understand before the time of the end.—Manuscript Releases 15:228 (1903).
The last book of the New Testament scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 133 (1900).
The unfulfilled predictions of the book of Revelation are soon to be fulfilled. This prophecy is now to be studied with diligence by the people of God and should be clearly understood. It does not conceal the truth; it clearly forewarns, telling us what will be in the future.—Notebook Leaflets 1:96 (1903).
The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy the first place in the minds of God’s people.—Testimonies for the Church 8:302 (1904).
The Subject Should Be Kept Before the People
There are many who do not understand the prophecies relating to these days and they must be enlightened. It is the duty of both watchmen and laymen to give the trumpet a certain sound.—Evangelism, 194, 195 (1875).
Let the watchmen now lift up their voice and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let us show the people where we are in prophetic history.—Testimonies for the Church 5:716 (1889).
There is a day that God hath appointed for the close of this world’s history: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come.” Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of souls will be fixed forever….Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one’s interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 335, 336 (1895).
Keeping Future Events in Proper Perspective
We are not now able to describe with accuracy the scenes to be enacted in our world in the future, but this we do know, that this is a time when we must watch unto prayer, for the great day of the Lord is at hand.—Selected Messages 2:35 (1901).
The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll.—Testimonies for the Church 6:17 (1900).
Many will look away from present duties, present comfort and blessings, and be borrowing trouble in regard to the future crisis. This will be making a time of trouble beforehand, and we will receive no grace for any such anticipated troubles.—Selected Messages 3:383, 384 (1884).
There is a time of trouble coming to the people of God, but we are not to keep that constantly before the people and rein them up to have a time of trouble beforehand. There is to be a shaking among God’s people, but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches.—Selected Messages 1:180 (1890).
Chapter 2—Signs of Christ’s Soon Return
Our Lord’s Great Prophecy
Christ forewarned His disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem
and the signs to take place prior to the coming of the Son of man.
The whole of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew is a prophecy
concerning the events to precede this event, and the destruction of
Jerusalem is used to typify the last great destruction of the world by
fire.—Manuscript 77, 1899.
Christ upon the Mount of Olives rehearsed the fearful judgments
that were to precede His second coming: “Ye shall hear of wars and
rumors of wars: … Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sor-
rows” [Matthew 24:6-8]. While these prophecies received a partial
fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more di-
rect application in the last days.—Testimonies for the Church 5:753
(1899).
Signs in the Heavens
[19]
At the close of the great papal persecution, Christ declared, the
sun should be darkened, and the moon should not give her light.
Next, the stars should fall from heaven. And He says, “Learn a
parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth
forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye
shall see all these things, know that He is near, even at the doors”
(Matthew 24:32, 33, margin).
Christ has given signs of His coming. He declares that we may
know when He is near, even at the doors. He says of those who see
these signs, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be
fulfilled.” These signs have appeared. [See The Great Controversy,
306-308, 333, 334.] Now we know of a surety that the Lord’s coming
is at hand.—The Desire of Ages, 632 (1898).
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Last Day Events
Signs on the Earth
Jesus declares: “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,
and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations” (Luke 21:25;
Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-26; Revelation 6:12-17). Those who
behold these harbingers of His coming are to “know that it is near,
even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33).—The Great Controversy, 37,
38 (1911).
The nations are in unrest. Times of perplexity are upon us. Men’s
hearts are failing them for fear of the things that are coming upon
the earth. But those who believe in God will hear His voice amid
the storm, saying, “It is I; be not afraid.”—The Signs of the Times,
October 9, 1901.
[20]
Strange and eventful history is being recorded in the books of
heaven—events which it was declared should shortly precede the
great day of God. Everything in the world is in an unsettled state.—
Manuscript Releases 3:313 (1908).
False Prophets
As one of the signs of Jerusalem’s destruction, Christ had said,
“Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” [Matthew
24:11]. False prophets did rise, deceiving the people and leading
great numbers into the desert. Magicians and sorcerers, claiming
miraculous power, drew the people after them into the mountain
solitudes. But this prophecy was spoken also for the last days. This
sign is given as a sign of the second advent.—The Desire of Ages,
631 (1898).
We shall encounter false claims, false prophets will arise, there
will be false dreams and false visions, but preach the Word; be
not drawn away from the voice of God in His Word.—Selected
Messages 2:49 (1894).
I have been shown many who will claim to be especially taught
of God, and will attempt to lead others, and from mistaken ideas of
duty they will undertake a work that God has never laid upon them.
Confusion will be the result. Let everyone seek God most earnestly
for himself that he may individually understand His will.—Selected
Messages 2:72 (1893).Signs of Christ’s Soon Return
13
An Experience With a False Prophet
[21]
Last night a young man, a stranger to us all, but professing to
be a brother from Victoria [Australia], called upon us and asked to
see Sister White. It was evening and I declined seeing him. We
invited him to remain with us during the night, however, and to take
breakfast. After our usual morning worship, as we were about to
go to our various employments, this young man arose and with a
commanding gesture requested us to sit down. He said, “Have you
any hymnbooks? We will sing a hymn, then I have a message to
give you.” I said, “If you have a message, give it without delay, for
we are very much pressed to get off the American mail and have
no time to lose.” He then began to read something he had written,
which stated among other things that the judgment has now begun
upon the living….
I listened as he went on and finally said, “My brother, you are not
exactly in your right mind. State plainly how your message concerns
us. Please let us know at once. Your mind is overstrained, you
misapprehend your work. Much that you have said is in accordance
with the Bible, and we believe every word of that. But you are
overexcited. Please state what you have for us.”
Well, he said that we must pack up and move at once to Battle
Creek. I asked his reasons, and he responded, “To give this message
that the judgment has begun upon the living.” I answered him, “The
work which the Lord has given us to do is not yet finished. When
our work here is completed we are sure the Lord will let us know [22]
that it is time for us to move to Battle Creek, instead of teaching you
our duty”…. I left him for Brother Starr to talk with further while I
resumed my writing.
He told Brother Starr that when Sister White spoke to him so
kindly, and yet with such authority, he began to see that he had made
a mistake, that the impressions which had moved him so strongly
were not consistent or reasonable. Although our family is large,
consisting of ten members, besides three visitors, we decided to
have this young man stay with us for a time. We dare not have him
go with people who will treat him harshly and condemn him, neither
do we want him to repeat his “revelations.” We will have him remain14
Last Day Events
for a little time where we can associate with him and if possible lead
him in safe, sure paths.—Letter 66, 1894.
Gluttony and Intemperance
Gluttony and intemperance lie at the foundation of the great
moral depravity in our world. Satan is aware of this and he is
constantly tempting men and women to indulge the taste at the
expense of health and even life itself. Eating, drinking, and dressing
are made the aim of life with the world. Just such a state of things
existed before the Flood. And this state of dissipation is one of the
marked evidences of the soon close of this earth’s history.—Letter
34, 1875.
The picture which Inspiration has given of the antediluvian world
represents too truly the condition to which modern society is fast
hastening.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 102 (1890).
[23]
We know that the Lord is coming very soon. The world is fast
becoming as it was in the days of Noah. It is given over to selfish
indulgence. Eating and drinking are carried to excess. Men are
drinking the poisonous liquor that makes them mad.—Letter 308,
1907.
Deeds of Violence
In the days of Noah the overwhelming majority was opposed to
the truth, and enamored with a tissue of falsehoods. The land was
filled with violence. War, crime, murder, was the order of the day.
Just so will it be before Christ’s second coming.—The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary 1:1090 (1891).
The labor unions are quickly stirred to violence if their demands
are not complied with. Plainer and plainer is it becoming that the
inhabitants of the world are not in harmony with God. No scientific
theory can explain the steady march of evil workers under the gen-
eralship of Satan. In every mob wicked angels are at work, rousing
men to commit deeds of violence….
The perversity and cruelty of men will reach such a height that
God will reveal Himself in His majesty. Very soon the wickedness
of the world will have reached its limit and, as in the days of Noah,
God will pour out His judgments.—The Upward Look, 334 (1903).Signs of Christ’s Soon Return
15
The terrible reports we hear of murders and robberies, of railway
accidents and deeds of violence, tell the story that the end of all
things is at hand. Now, just now, we need to be preparing for the
Lord’s second coming.—Letter 308, 1907.
Wars and Disasters
[24]
The tempest is coming and we must get ready for its fury by hav-
ing repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth. We shall see troubles
on all sides. Thousands of ships will be hurled into the depths of
the sea. Navies will go down, and human lives will be sacrificed by
millions. Fires will break out unexpectedly and no human effort will
be able to quench them. The palaces of earth will be swept away
in the fury of the flames. Disasters by rail will become more and
more frequent. Confusion, collision, and death without a moment’s
warning will occur on the great lines of travel. The end is near,
probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while He may be found,
call upon Him while He is near!—Messages to Young People, 89,
90 (1890).
In the last scenes of this earth’s history war will rage. There
will be pestilence, plague and famine. The waters of the deep will
overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire
and flood. We should be preparing for the mansions that Christ has
gone to prepare for them that love Him.—Maranatha, 174 (1897).
Great Balls of Fire
Last Friday morning, just before I awoke, a very impressive
scene was presented before me. I seemed to awake from sleep but
was not in my home. From the windows I could behold a terrible
conflagration. Great balls of fire were falling upon houses, and [25]
from these balls fiery arrows were flying in every direction. It was
impossible to check the fires that were kindled, and many places
were being destroyed. The terror of the people was indescribable.
After a time I awoke and found myself at home.—Evangelism, 29
(1906).
I saw an immense ball of fire fall among some beautiful man-
sions, causing their instant destruction. I heard someone say: “We16
Last Day Events
knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we
did not know that they would come so soon.” Others, with agonized
voices, said: “You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not
know.”—Testimonies for the Church 9:28 (1909).
Earthquakes and Floods
The enemy has worked, and he is working still. He is come
down in great power, and the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from
the earth. God has withdrawn His hand. We have only to look at
Johnstown [Pennsylvania]. He did not prevent the devil from wiping
that whole city out of existence. [On May 31, 1889, an estimated
2,200 people lost their lives in the Johnstown flood when a dam
broke after many days of heavy rains.] And these very things will
increase until the close of this earth’s history.—Sermons and Talks
1:109 (1889).
The earth’s crust will be rent by the outbursts of the elements
concealed in the bowels of the earth. These elements, once broken
loose, will sweep away the treasures of those who for years have been
[26] adding to their wealth by securing large possessions at starvation
prices from those in their employ. And the religious world, too, is to
be terribly shaken, for the end of all things is at hand.—Manuscript
Releases 3:208 (1891).
The time is now come when one moment we may be on solid
earth, the next the earth may be heaving beneath our feet. Earth-
quakes will take place when least expected.—Testimonies to Minis-
ters and Gospel Workers, 421 (1896).
In fires, in floods, in earthquakes, in the fury of the great deep,
in calamities by sea and by land, the warning is given that God’s
Spirit will not always strive with men.—Manuscript Releases 3:315
(1897).
Before the Son of man appears in the clouds of heaven everything
in nature will be convulsed. Lightning from heaven uniting with the
fire in the earth will cause the mountains to burn like a furnace and
pour out their floods of lava over villages and cities. Molten masses
of rock thrown into the water by the upheaval of things hidden in
the earth will cause the water to boil and send forth rocks and earth.Signs of Christ’s Soon Return
17
There will be mighty earthquakes and great destruction of human
life.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:946 (1907).
Crime, Famines, Pestilence
Satan is working in the atmosphere; he is poisoning the atmo-
sphere, and here we are dependent upon God for our lives—our
present and eternal lives. And being in the position that we are, we
need to be wide awake, wholly devoted, wholly converted, wholly
consecrated to God. But we seem to sit as though we were paralyzed. [27]
God of heaven, wake us up!—Selected Messages 2:52 (1890).
God has not restrained the powers of darkness from carrying
forward their deadly work of vitiating the air, one of the sources of
life and nutrition, with a deadly miasma. Not only is vegetable life
affected but man suffers from pestilence…. These things are the re-
sult of drops from the vials of God’s wrath [God takes responsibility
for that which he allows or does not prevent. See Exodus 7:3; 8:32;
1 Chronicles 10:4, 13, 14.] being sprinkled on the earth, and are but
faint representations of what will be in the near future.—Selected
Messages 3:391 (1891).
Famines will increase. Pestilences will sweep away thousands.
Dangers are all around us from the powers without and satanic
workings within, but the restraining power of God is now being
exercised.—Manuscript Releases 19:382 (1897).
I have been shown that the Spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn
from the earth. God’s keeping power will soon be refused to all who
continue to disregard His commandments. The reports of fraudulent
transactions, murders, and crimes of every kind are coming to us
daily. Iniquity is becoming so common a thing that it no longer
shocks the senses as it once did.—Letter 258, 1907.
God’s Purpose in Calamities
What mean the awful calamities by sea—vessels hurled into
eternity without a moment’s warning? What mean the accidents by [28]
land—fire consuming the riches that men have hoarded, much of
which has been accumulated by oppression of the poor? The Lord
will not interfere to protect the property of those who transgress His18
Last Day Events
law, break His covenant, and trample upon His Sabbath, accepting
in its place a spurious rest day.
The plagues of God are already falling upon the earth, sweeping
away the most costly structures as if by a breath of fire from heaven.
Will not these judgments bring professing Christians to their senses?
God permits them to come that the world may take heed, that sinners
may be afraid and tremble before Him.—Manuscript Releases 3:311
(1902).
God has a purpose in permitting these calamities to occur. They
are one of His means of calling men and women to their senses.
By unusual workings through nature God will express to doubt-
ing human agencies that which He clearly reveals in His Word.—
Manuscript Releases 19:279 (1902).
How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of de-
struction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property!
Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorga-
nized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of
man, but in them all God’s purpose may be read. They are among
the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense
of their danger.—Prophets and Kings, 277 (c. 1914).
[29]
Coming Events Are in the Hands of the Lord
The world is not without a ruler. The program of coming events
is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of
nations as well as the concerns of His church in His own charge.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:753 (1889).
These symbolical representations [the fiery serpents in the
wilderness] serve a double purpose. From them God’s people learn
not only that the physical forces of the earth are under the control of
the Creator, but also that under His control are the religious move-
ments of the nations. Especially is this true with reference to the
enforcement of Sunday observance.—Manuscript Releases 19:281
(1902).
In the great closing work we shall meet with perplexities that
we know not how to deal with, but let us not forget that the three
great Powers of heaven are working, that a divine hand is on theSigns of Christ’s Soon Return
19
wheel, and that God will bring His purposes to pass.—Evangelism,
65 (1902).
As the wheel-like complications were under the guidance of
the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the complicated
play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and
tumult of nations, He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides
the affairs of the earth. [See Ezekiel 1:4, 26; 10:8; Daniel 4:17, 25,
32.]—Education, 178 (1903).
In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise
and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of [30]
man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined
by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the Word of God the
curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all
the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions,
the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out
the counsels of His own will.—Prophets and Kings, 499, 500 (c.
1914).
Heaven’s Regard for Earth’s Affairs
In sparing the life of the first murderer, God presented before
the whole universe a lesson bearing upon the great controversy….
It was His purpose, not merely to put down the rebellion, but to
demonstrate to all the universe the nature of rebellion….The holy
inhabitants of other worlds were watching with the deepest interest
the events taking place on the earth….
God carries with Him the sympathy and approval of the whole
universe as step by step His great plan advances to its complete
fulfillment.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 78, 79 (1890).
The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not
only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it
would justify God and His son in their dealing with the rebellion of
Satan.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 68, 69 (1890).
The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the
closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil.—
Prophets and Kings, 148 (c. 1914).
Our little world is the lesson book of the universe.—The Desire [31]
of Ages, 19 (1898). [Ellen White states that the unfallen worlds20
Last Day Events
and the heavenly angels watched Christ’s struggle in Gethsemane
“with intense interest” (The Desire of Ages, 693). In discussing
Christ’s four-thousand-year battle with Satan and his ultimate vic-
tory on the cross she uses such phrases as “the heavenly universe
beheld,” “all heaven and the unfallen worlds had been witnesses,”
“they heard,” “they saw,” “heaven viewed,” “what a sight for the
heavenly universe!” See The Desire of Ages, 693, 759, 760.]Chapter 3—“When Shall These Things Be?”
[32]
The Disciples Ask Christ About His Return
Christ’s words [Matthew 24:2] had been spoken in the hearing
of a large number of people, but when He was alone, Peter, John,
James, and Andrew came to Him as He sat upon the Mount of Olives.
“Tell us,” they said, “when shall these things be? and what shall be
the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the de-
struction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled
the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples
future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to
endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the
two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for
themselves.—The Desire of Ages, 628 (1898).
Time of Christ’s Return Not Known
Many who have called themselves Adventists have been time-
setters. Time after time has been set for Christ to come, but repeated [33]
failures have been the result. The definite time of our Lord’s coming
is declared to be beyond the ken of mortals. Even the angels, who
minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation, know not the day
nor the hour. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels of heaven, but My Father only.”—Testimonies for the Church
4:307 (1879).
We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ…. Why has not God
given us this knowledge?—Because we would not make a right
use of it if He did. A condition of things would result from this
knowledge among our people that would greatly retard the work of
God in preparing a people to stand in the great day that is to come.
We are not to live upon time excitement….
You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five
years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may
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not be for ten or twenty years.—The Review and Herald, March 22,
1892.
We are nearing the great day of God. The signs are fulfilling.
And yet we have no message to tell us of the day and hour of Christ’s
appearing. The Lord has wisely concealed this from us that we may
always be in a state of expectancy and preparation for the second
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven.—Letter
28, 1897.
The exact time of the second coming of the Son of man is God’s
mystery.—The Desire of Ages, 633 (1898).
[34]
Ours Is Not a Time-setting Message
We are not of that class who define the exact period of time
that shall elapse before the coming of Jesus the second time with
power and great glory. Some have set a time, and when that has
passed, their presumptuous spirits have not accepted rebuke, but
they have set another and another time. But many successive failures
have stamped them as false prophets.—Fundamentals of Christian
Education, 335 (1895).
God gives no man a message that it will be five years or ten years
or twenty years before this earth’s history shall close. He would not
give any living being an excuse for delaying the preparation for His
appearing. He would have no one say, as did the unfaithful servant,
“My lord delayeth his coming,” for this leads to reckless neglect of
the opportunities and privileges given to prepare us for that great
day.—The Review and Herald, November 27, 1900.
Time-setting Leads to Unbelief
Because the times repeatedly set have passed, the world is in
a more decided state of unbelief than before in regard to the near
advent of Christ. They look upon the failures of the time-setters with
disgust, and because men have been so deceived, they turn from the
truth substantiated by the Word of God that the end of all things is
at hand.—Testimonies for the Church 4:307 (1879).
I understand that Brother [E. P.] Daniels has, as it were, set time,
[35] stating that the Lord will come within five years. Now I hope the
impression will not go abroad that we are time-setters. Let no such“When Shall These Things Be?”
23
remarks be made. They do no good. Seek not to obtain a revival
upon any such grounds, but let due caution be used in every word
uttered, that fanatical ones will not seize anything they can get to
create an excitement and the Spirit of the Lord be grieved.
We want not to move the people’s passions to get up a stir, where
feelings are moved and principle does not control. I feel that we
need to be guarded on every side, because Satan is at work to do his
uttermost to insinuate his arts and devices that shall be a power to
do harm. Anything that will make a stir, create an excitement on a
wrong basis, is to be dreaded, for the reaction will surely come.—
Letter 34, 1887.
There will always be false and fanatical movements made by
persons in the church who claim to be led of God—those who will
run before they are sent and will give day and date for the occurrence
of unfulfilled prophecy. The enemy is pleased to have them do
this, for their successive failures and leading into false lines cause
confusion and unbelief.—Selected Messages 2:84 (1897).
No Time Prophecy Beyond 1844
I plainly stated at the Jackson camp meeting to these fanatical
parties that they were doing the work of the adversary of souls; they
were in darkness. They claimed to have great light that probation
would close in October, 1884. I there stated in public that the Lord
had been pleased to show me that there would be no definite time [36]
in the message given of God since 1844.—Selected Messages 2:73
(1885).
Our position has been one of waiting and watching, with no
time-proclamation to intervene between the close of the prophetic
periods in 1844 and the time of our Lord’s coming.—Manuscript
Releases 10:270 (1888).
The people will not have another message upon definite time.
After this period of time [Revelation 10:4-6], reaching from 1842
to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The
longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.—The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary 7:971 (1900).24
Last Day Events
Ellen White Expected Christ’s Return in Her Day
I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the
angel: “Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last
plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated
at the coming of Jesus.”—Testimonies For The Church 1:131, 132
(1856).
Because time is short, we should work with diligence and double
energy. Our children may never enter college.—Testimonies for the
Church 3:159 (1872).
It is really not wise to have children now. Time is short, the
perils of the last days are upon us, and the little children will be
largely swept off before this.—Letter 48, 1876.
[37]
In this age of the world, as the scenes of earth’s history are soon
to close and we are about to enter upon the time of trouble such as
never was, the fewer the marriages contracted the better for all, both
men and women.—Testimonies for the Church 5:366 (1885).
The hour will come; it is not far distant, and some of us who
now believe will be alive upon the earth, and shall see the prediction
verified, and hear the voice of the archangel and the trump of God
echo from mountain and plain and sea to the uttermost parts of the
earth.—The Review and Herald, July 31, 1888.
The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel
has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ,
the sin-pardoning Redeemer.—Selected Messages 1:363 (1892).
The Delay Explained
The long night of gloom is trying, but the morning is deferred in
mercy, because if the Master should come so many would be found
unready.—Testimonies for the Church 2:194 (1868).
Had Adventists after the great disappointment in 1844 held fast
their faith and followed on unitedly in the opening providence of
God, receiving the message of the third angel and in the power of
the Holy Spirit proclaiming it to the world, they would have seen
the salvation of God, the Lord would have wrought mightily with
[38] their efforts, the work would have been completed, and Christ would
have come ere this to receive His people to their reward…. It was not
the will of God that the coming of Christ should be thus delayed….“When Shall These Things Be?”
25
For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out
ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed
the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In nei-
ther case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the
worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord’s professed
people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many
years.—Evangelism, 695, 696 (1883).
Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord
ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned and
the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and great
glory.—The Desire of Ages, 633, 634 (1898).
God’s Promises Are Conditional
The angels of God in their messages to men represent time as
very short. [See Romans 13:11, 12; 1 Corinthians 7:29; 1 Thessalo-
nians 4:15, 17; Hebrews 10:25; James 5:8, 9; 1 Peter 4:7; Revelation
22:6, 7.] Thus it has always been presented to me. It is true that
time has continued longer than we expected in the early days of this
message. Our Saviour did not appear as soon as we hoped. But has
the Word of the Lord failed? Never! It should be remembered that
the promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional. [See
Jeremiah 18:7-10; Jonah 3:4-10.]…
We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordi- [39]
nation many more years, as did the children of Israel, but for Christ’s
sake His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the
consequence of their own wrong course of action.—Evangelism,
695, 696 (1901).
What Christ Is Waiting For
Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of
Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be per-
fectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as
His own.
It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to
hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all who profess His
name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would
be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest26
Last Day Events
would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious
grain.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 69 (1900).
By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our
Lord’s return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming
of the day of God (2 Peter 3:12, margin).—The Desire of Ages, 633
(1898).
He has put it in our power, through cooperation with Him, to
bring this scene of misery to an end.—Education, 264 (1903).
A Limit to God’s Forbearance
With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps an account
[40] with all nations. While His mercy is tendered with calls to repen-
tance this account will remain open, but when the figures reach a
certain amount, which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath
commences.—Testimonies for the Church 5:208 (1882).
God keeps a record with the nations. The figures are swelling
against them in the books of heaven, and when it shall have become
a law that the transgression of the first day of the week shall be met
with punishment, then their cup will be full.—The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary 7:910 (1886).
God keeps a reckoning with the nations…. When the time fully
comes that iniquity shall have reached the stated boundary of God’s
mercy, His forbearance will cease. When the accumulated figures in
heaven’s record books shall mark the sum of transgression complete,
wrath will come.—Testimonies for the Church 5:524 (1889).
While God’s mercy bears long with the transgressor, there is a
limit beyond which men may not go on in sin. When that limit is
reached, then the offers of mercy are withdrawn, and the ministration
of judgment begins.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 162, 165 (1890).
The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will
reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass and they will
learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah.—Testimonies
for the Church 9:13 (1909).
There is a limit beyond which the judgments of Jehovah can no
longer be delayed.—Prophets and Kings, 417 (c. 1914).“When Shall These Things Be?”
27
Transgression Has Almost Reached Its Limit
[41]
Time will last a little longer until the inhabitants of the earth
have filled up the cup of their iniquity, and then the wrath of God,
which has so long slumbered, will awake, and this land of light
will drink the cup of His unmingled wrath.—Testimonies For The
Church 1:363 (1863).
The cup of iniquity is nearly filled, and the retributive justice
of God is about to descend upon the guilty.—Testimonies for the
Church 4:489 (1880).
The wickedness of the inhabitants of the world has almost filled
up the measure of their iniquity. This earth has almost reached the
place where God will permit the destroyer to work his will upon
it.—Testimonies for the Church 7:141 (1902).
Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the
world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The
end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for
what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:28 (1904).
We Should Keep the Great Day of God Before Our Minds
We must educate ourselves to be thinking and dwelling upon the
great scenes of the judgment just before us and then, as we keep the
scenes of the great day of God before us when everything will be
revealed, it will have an effect upon our character. One brother said
to me, “Sister White, do you think the Lord will come in ten years?” [42]
“What difference does it make to you whether He shall come in two,
four, or ten years?” “Why,” said he, “I think I would do differently
in some things than I now do if I knew the Lord was to come in ten
years.”
“What would you do?” said I.
“Why,” said he, “I would sell my property and begin to search
the Word of God and try to warn the people and get them to prepare
for His coming, and I would plead with God that I might be ready to
meet Him.”
Then said I, “If you knew that the Lord was not coming for
twenty years, you would live differently?”
Said he, “I think I would.”…28
Last Day Events
How selfish was the expression that he would live a different
life if he knew his Lord was to come in ten years! Why, Enoch
walked with God 300 years. This is a lesson for us that we shall
walk with God every day, and we are not safe unless we are waiting
and watching.—Manuscript 10, 1886.
The Shortness of Time
May the Lord give no rest, day nor night, to those who are now
careless and indolent in the cause and work of God. The end is near.
This is that which Jesus would have us keep ever before us—the
shortness of time.—Letter 97, 1886.
When we shall stand with the redeemed upon the sea of glass
with harps of gold and crowns of glory and before us the unmeasured
eternity, we shall then see how short was the waiting period of
probation.—Manuscript Releases 10:266 (1886).
