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.