Advent and Sabbath Tracts. No. 5

THE history of the Advent movement as it stands in the past is well understood. Most are acquainted with the expectations of those who were looking for the Lord at the end of the 2300 days, and their grievous disappointment at the passing of that time in 1844. What was the cause of that disappointment? is the great question which has arisen in the minds of all those who were interested in the Advent faith. And there have been found multitudes, who, not willing to wait patiently the solution of the mystery, not content to rest till God should prove his “own interpreter,” and make all plain, have been ready to deny the hand of God in their past experience, and exclaim, “The days are prolonged and every vision faileth.” But there are others who have lived on, unwilling to deny the Divine Agency in the past movement, in whose minds this question may even yet remain unanswered; who see as yet no good reason why, at that time they did not realize their hope. Let us then examine, briefly, the reasons on which those hopes were based. 

It is well known that the main pillar on which rested the proclamation of time, was the 2300 days, of Daniel 8. In the vision of that chapter, four things were presented to the Prophet: the ram, the he goat, the little horn, and the period of 2300 days. Daniel sought for the meaning of the vision, and Gabriel was commanded to make him understand it. Verses 15, 16. He therefore proceeds to explain the symbols of the ram, he goat and little horn, in plain terms which none could fail to understand; yet, says Daniel, at the end of the chapter, I was astonished at the vision, and none understood it. There was only one point which the Angel had omitted to mention; and that was, Time; hence that was what troubled Daniel, and what none understood. But Gabriel must explain this also; for he had received his commission, “Make this man to understand the vision;” and he must fulfill it. Therefore he says in chap 9:22, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. … Understand the matter and consider the vision. He then commences his explanation upon the very point which he omitted in chap. 8; namely, Time. Seventy weeks, said the Angel, are determined, (literally, cut off – Hebraists all admit that the word rendered determined signifies cut off,) upon thy people and upon thy holy city, etc. Verses 25-27. Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, unto the Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks and three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks (from the seven weeks, allowed for the building of Jerusalem) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself. … And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifices and the oblation to cease, etc. 

The Sabbath was hallowed at the creation. As ordained for man, it had its origin when “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7. Peace brooded over the world; for earth was in harmony with heaven. “God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good;” and He rested in the joy of His completed work. Genesis 1:31.

Because He had rested upon the Sabbath, “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it,”—set it apart to a holy use. He gave it to Adam as a day of rest. It was a memorial of the work of creation, and thus a sign of God’s power and His love. The Scripture says, “He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered.” “The things that are made,” declare “the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world,” “even His everlasting power and divinity.” Genesis 2:3; Psalm 111:4; Romans 1:20, R. V.

All things were created by the Son of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3. And since the Sabbath is a memorial of the work of creation, it is a token of the love and power of Christ.

The Sabbath calls our thoughts to nature, and brings us into communion with the Creator. In the song of the bird, the sighing of the trees, and the music of the sea, we still may hear His voice who talked [282] with Adam in Eden in the cool of the day. And as we behold His power in nature we find comfort, for the word that created all things is that which speaks life to the soul. He “who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6. -Excerpt from Desire of Ages by Ellen G. Whyte.

In today’s Society we find out that a lot of person has a list of what they need or want,for some they want a big house, a nice car, a good paying job, a career, some even go as far to say that they need those things. But there is a problem with that, they are focusing on the minor things of life, though it is important, but one should ensure that his or her need should be Jesus. Having all the things that will make one comfortable in this life without Jesus is like having a car without engine.The question is how can I ensure that this need is been met, the answer to that is by daily communion with him that is by studying the word of God and by praying. We should ensure that we start the day off right by going into the word of God(The Bible) and end the day right by going into the word of God. Paul exhorts us in 2Timothy 3:15 to study to show thyself approved unto God,a workman needeth not ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul is here telling us friends that we ought to study to show ourselves approved-we should see ourselves as a workman that needs to have the word of God by his side. So I say unto you ensure that you start and end te day in the word of God.-Elder Micheal Stewart