THE WAITING TIME

The year l843 passed and Jesus did not come. People who had looked in faith for Jesus were for a time left in doubt and confusion. These people were disappointed, but many of them continued to study the Bible. They studied again the evidences of their faith and carefully studied the prophecies for more knowledge. The Bible seemed to show clearly that they had figured the dates correctly. Signs that were mentioned in Scripture clearly showed Christ's coming was near. The believers could not explain why Jesus had not come, but they felt sure God was leading them.SRme 1.1612

These peoples' faith was greatly strengthened by Bible verses that spoke of a waiting time. Two years before, in 1842, the Holy Spirit had impressed Charles Fitch to make a prophetic chart. Adventists thought this chart was a fulfillment of the command given by the prophet Habakkuk. God said to "Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you." At that time no one noticed the waiting time that was in the same prophecy. After the disappointment, the full meaning of this scripture became clear. "Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it [what I tell you] can be read at a glance. Put it [what I tell you] in writing, because it is not yet time for it [what I tell you] to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It [what I tell you] may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it [what I tell you] will certainly take place [happen], and it will not be delayed" (Hab. 2:2, 3, TEV).SRme 1.1613

The waiting Adventists rejoiced that God had looked down through the years and had seen their disappointment. God knows the end from the beginning. God gave Adventists words of courage and hope through His prophet. The Adventists' faith did not fail in that time of trial. Their faith did not fail because Bible verses showed that God was leading them.SRme 1.1614

The experience of the Adventists is illustrated by a story in Matthew 25. The story tells about ten virgins in an eastern marriage. "Once there were ten girls who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.SRme 1.1615

. . . The bridegroom was late in coming, so the girls began to nod and fall asleep" (Matt 25:1, 5).SRme 1.1616

The widespread announcement of the first angel's message was represented by the ten girls going to meet the bridegroom. The disappointment and delay was represented by the girls waiting for the bridegroom. After the disappointment in 1843, the true Christians still believed that the end of all things was near. But soon many believers began losing their zeal and devotion. This was represented in the story by the girls going to sleep during the waiting time.SRme 1.1617

During this time, fanatics* began to appear. Some believers who saidSRme 1.1618

*Fanatic: a person who goes beyond what is reasonable.SRme 1.1619

they were enthusiastic in the message, rejected the Word of God as their perfect guide. These people said they were led by the Holy Spirit. They allowed their own feelings, ideas, and imaginations to control them. Other people were narrow-minded and self-confident. They criticized and condemned people who did not agree with their ideas and actions. These fanatics brought shame to the truth of God. Their fanatical ideas received no sympathy from most Adventists.SRme 1.1620

Preaching the first angel's message in l843, and another message called the midnight cry in l844, helped unite God's people and keep fanaticism from spreading. The people who accepted God's message were filled with love for one another and for Jesus whom they expected to see soon. God's people had one faith and one blessed hope. This faith and hope kept God's people from yielding to human influence. Faith and hope also proved a protection against Satan's attacks.SRme 1.1621