KNOWLEDGE INCREASED
In the paper called the Midnight Cry of June 15, 1842, we read, “It is truly interesting to find the various independent writers, who, since 1798, have seen what was entirely unperceived before,-that the seventy weeks was a key to the twenty-three hundred days.” LDT 45.2
The discovery that the seventy weeks were the first part of the twenty-three hundred days, unlocked the whole subject. Whereas, before, they failed to find where the twenty-three hundred days commenced, now, as the seventy weeks were the first part of the twenty-three hundred days, of course the two periods must begin at the same date.LDT 45.3
Previous to 1798, students of prophecy had light concerning the commencement of the seventy weeks-B. C. 457. Christ’s public ministry, death, etc., occurred in exact harmony with that date. This exact fulfilment of the Saviour’s mission in harmony with this reckoning, had given them a mighty proof that He was indeed the true Messiah, and that the date of the seventy weeks was unalterably fixed. Failing to discover that the seventy weeks were the first part of the twenty-three hundred days, left the matter sealed up until 1798, as predicted.LDT 46.1
Coming down this side of 1798, the other part of the prediction is as accurately fulfilled. Again we quote from the same number of the Midnight Cry: “Is it not a wonderful coincidence that so many writers, without any knowledge of one another, came to the same conclusion about the same time?” And why should it not be so? The Lord’s time had come when He said “many” would receive the light, and His Spirit would lead minds to the truth regardless of distance or countries, and without knowledge one of another.LDT 46.2
Before me is a list of twenty different localities where the light was discovered, not by communication one with another, but as the result of diligent searching of the Scriptures, led by the influence of the Spirit of God. Heading the list is William Miller, of the state of New York. Then follow A. J. Krupp, of Philadelphia; David McGregor, of Falmouth, Mass.; Edward Irving, of England; Archibald Mason, of Scotland; W. E. Davis, of South Carolina; Joseph Wolff, who labored in various parts of Asia; Alexander Campbell, in his debate with R. Dale Owen, 1829; Capt. A. Landers, of Liverpool, England; Leonard Heinrich Kelber, of Stuttgart, Germany; Laucunza, of Spain, in his book, “Ben Ezra;” Hentzepeter, of The Hague, Holland; Dr. Capadose, of Amsterdam, Holland; Rau, of Bavaria; priests of Tartary, in 1821; Bible students of Yemen, in the book called “Seera;” Hengstenberg, in another part of Germany; Russians on the Caspian Sea; Molokaners, on the shores of the Baltic, etc.LDT 46.3
Such a general discovery of light on the close of the twenty-three hundred days, and at the time when God predicted that the matter, so long sealed up, would be opened, is not so surprising. It is, however, interesting, after the lapse of years, to bring together the conclusions of the various students who, from the opening of the nineteenth century to 1840, reckoned out the period of twenty-three hundred days, and located the seventy weeks as the first part of that period, and then to find the whole period terminating in 1844.LDT 47.1
The question arises, Can we rest with certainty that 1844 is the true date for the close of the twenty-three hundred days?-Yes; for as surely as a false fulfilment of prophecy can not come in the right time for the true fulfilment, the conclusion must be correct that 1844 is the true date for the close of that period.LDT 47.2
God, who sealed up the knowledge of the time till 1798, and promised that then the true light would shine, by His unerring Spirit, guided those who earnestly sought Him, to a correct understanding of this time. His time had come for the “knowledge” on that subject to “be increased,” and He guided to the true light.LDT 48.1
We have now discovered the period of time, developed in the Lord’s order, when the judgment of the saints would come. With this time as a basis, the message could finally be given, “The hour of His judgment is come.” Mark, it does not say that immediately on the discovery of that period the message would be proclaimed, but that this light previously sealed would be made plain. In succeeding chapters it will be seen that the Lord just as definitely marks the time when the advent message would be proclaimed to the whole world.LDT 48.2