9. Parallels Jewish Rejection of Messiah. Preliminary to the giving of this message on the firm, threefold platform, the lesson of the prototype at the first advent was stressed by Mrs. White. Note three cumulative points: Those who rejected the testimony of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist, were not in a position to see and accept Christ as the Messiah, who had come to die for the sins of the world, and finally rejected-and crucified Him. In so doing they placed themselves where they could not perceive and receive the blessing of the Day of Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly sanctuary and Christ's ministry there as heavenly priest.20
Because of their rejection of these three fundamental, progressive steps, they failed to see that the rending of the earthly temple veil voided all further earthly sacrifices and typical ordinances—that the great antitypical Sacrifice had been offered and accepted, and the Holy Spirit had signalized the entry of Christ in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary—leaving the earthly temple desolate and valueless. Thus they missed the light of the sanctuary truth and could not be benefited by Christ's ministry in the holy place of the antitypical sanctuary in heaven. Then comes Mrs. White's paralleling application to the advent people, following the October disappointment in 1844.
"Those who rejected the first .message could not be benefited by the second ; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which 'Was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place." 21
They declare the light on the sanctuary and Sabbath to be false, subversive, and heretical. They refuse to avail themselves of Christ's new and final relationship to man in the closing phase of the judgment.
10. Two opposing positions on Sanctuary Light. Following the sunset ending of the fateful tenth day of the seventh-month disappointment, the first night part of the new sunset-to-sunset day of October 23 was spent in intercessory prayer by Hiram Edson and his associates. And on the morning of this same October 23, on the way across a field to comfort some of the other brethren, Edson saw, as previously noted, that instead of our heavenly High Priest coming out of the holy of holies, He for the first time entered into the most holy place upon that day and had a work to perform there before coming to this earth.22
This subject of the two consecutive phases of Christ's priestly ministry at once became the object of prolonged and intensive group study in Edson's home. It was then published in various ways and places, and clearly endorsed by the Spirit of prophecy. Thus this culminating sanctuary truth of the second phase of Christ's ministry became one of the great foundation blocks of the third angel's message as it began to take on form and force. The majority of the Millerites, however, rejected this clarifying and expanding light on their disappointment, and with it the related truths that were involved.
This larger group of Millerites denied that the 2300 years had ended, and set time progressively forward for its terminus. They likewise rejected the Sabbath truth and repudiated the Spirit of prophecy provision. They declared that they had been mistaken in their message. They asserted that the second angel's message was a tragic mistake, and that they erred and ran off the track under the impulse of the seventh-month movement. They soon separated the seventy weeks from the 2300 years, and chaos came into their thinking and prophetic exposition.
Having repudiated the historical development of their own movement and the 2300 years, many began to repudiate the year-day principle for all time prophecy, and to question the symbol of the little horn as the Papacy, and the Turk as the fulfiller of the sixth-trumpet prophecy. They even denied that the seventh-month movement was in any sense a fulfillment of prophecy, or based upon sound exegesis. Attempts either to spiritualize or to carnalize it were constant.
Our own spiritual forefathers, following the disappointment, confined their efforts for about ten years to bringing the sanctuary, Sabbath, and Spirit of prophecy messages to those who had been in the seventh-month movement. But they met with a critical and often hostile reception. Little wonder, then, that in 1848, and again in 1858, Mrs. White was shown some who had stepped off the platform and had found fault with this basic threefold foundation, wishing improvements made and declaring it had been laid wrong. Such agitations were not without their influence. To all such Mrs. White convincingly declared that "God was the Master Builder" of this solid, immovable platform.23 The foundation blocks of these historical messages must not be altered, nor the binding pins tampered with. "We must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood the test." 24 Such is the clear intent of the warnings of the Lord's messenger in 1858.
"I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic periods; prophetic time closed in 1844, and Jesus entered the most holy place to cleanse the sanctuary at the ending of the days." 25
'Prophecy was fulfilled in the first and second angels' messages. They were given at the right time, and accomplished the work which God designed to accomplish by them." "
II. Crystallized at 1848 Sabbath Conferences. The platform of our pioneers was a Bible platform, confirmed, certified, strengthened, and aided by the Spirit of prophecy. But during the five Sabbath conferences of 1848, that brought the foundational pillars of our faith into co-ordinated position and oneness, and on into 185o and 1851, Mrs. White's mind was locked to the meaning of the very matters they were reviewing and discussing and reaffirming.27 At crucial moments, when the brethren were deadlocked or stalled, and could go no further, Mrs. White would transmit to them a clue, or suggestion, or lead given to her by a heavenly messenger, but one that she herself did not understand. Thus it was that—
"A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me." 28
In this way they were enabled to proceed. And knowing that her own mind was otherwise locked to an understanding of their discussions, they received these expressions given to Mrs. White by her accompanying angel, as light from heaven, which they were. Then they continued their search of the Scriptures. Thus it was that the great Bible-based and Spirit-of-prophecy-supported structural foundations and relationships came into being.
The sanctuary light had first been kindled at Canandaigua, New York, spreading from there.
Meantime, the Sabbath truth, first accepted purely as a doctrine, had begun to be observed around Washington, New Hampshire; New Bedford, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Canandaigua, New York; and at other points. The Spirit of prophecy was manifested in still a third locality, at Portland, Maine, and began slowly to be accepted in the East. Thus the Sabbath, Spirit of prophecy, and sanctuary truths, first coming independently to the forefront in different geographical sections, began to spread, blend, and unite, and to be promulgated together in certain of the Adventist papers. So the full-rounded, threefold platform message of Revelation 14 was under way. These are the foundation blocks of the advent platform that cannot be moved.
In the unifying Sabbath conferences of 1848, the basic prophetic positions of the "first message" on the judgment hour, and the "second message," of the great Day-of-Atonement and Babylon-Is-Fallen phases of the Millerite movement, were restudied and reaffirmed. Added light on the sanctuary and Sabbath was now fitted into the picture, and the new prophetic concept of the Lord's Sabbath as the distinguishing mark of loyalty to God, in contrast to the Sunday sabbath of the Papacy and Catholic-following Protestants, burst upon their minds. James White voices the clear conviction of the little group in a letter penned in the very midst of the series of Sabbath conferences:
"John, where did you see that little few who were always talking about the commandments and faith of Jesus? and who were so 'PECULIAR' as to keep God's holy Sabbath? 'Here' are they, etc. Well, I see them, for you have led us down in the fourteenth chapter of Revelation step by step so plainly that anyone whose lamp still burns can see them. First is the advent angel, or message of verses six and seven. This took place from 1840 to 1843. Second is another angel in the eighth verse, crying, 'Babylon is fallen.' This was in 1844 when we all rushed out of Babylon. Next, a third angel appears with a warning message for us not to go back and receive the marks we got rid of in 1844. Well, here, yes, right HERE is the little, despised company who embrace the seventh day Sabbath. Oh! how glad I atri that I know my whereabouts. Yes, never was there a people whose position was so plainly marked out in the Word as ours. We know where we stand." "
They now clearly recognized that they had their message for the world. God had kept His "little flock" hidden for this brief period following the disappointment, until they could get their own bearings, and until their new and true concept of the sanctuary and the Sabbath, rooted in prophecy, could be prepared for transmission to others. This they began to preach and to publish.
Thus it was that the message of the third angel "followed," joining with, but not superseding, the preceding two. It was built upon, and added to, the first and second messages in historical sequence. It was wrought out by individuals who had been in, and were a part of, the preceding first and second messages—such as Joseph Bates, James White, Ellen White, and Hiram Edson." Inseparably tied to these foundational first and second messages, it was superimposed upon them, and is incomplete, foundationless, and anomalous without them. It is the third step, platform, or tier that crowns the whole full-rounded, inseparable triple platform. In truth, there could be no third message without the antecedent, historical first and second messages.31 These we are to hold intact. "The waymarks which have made us what we are, are to be preserved, and they will be preserved, as God has signified through His Word and the testimony of His Spirit." 32
"The truths given us after the passing of the time in 1844 are just as certain and unchangeable as when the Lord gave them to us in answer to our earnest prayers. The visions that the Lord has given me are so remarkable that we know that what we have accepted is the truth. . . . Light, precious light from God, established the main pillars of our faith as we hold them today."
"We must let the great principles of the third angel's message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them." "
12. Added Light Illuminates established pathway. Our pioneer forefathers were ardently seeking for light and truth, and followed every ray that came within range of their eager eyes. So earnest was this quest that they would cast aside a dozen errors or misconceptions for one clear truth. They had no traditions to defend, no declared positions to preserve, no pride of background to sustain. They had driven in no established credal stakes that must be protected or defended at all costs. They were seekers for light, and their attitude was that of the open, expectant, willing mind. There was no thought of anything but advance—to gather, receive, co-ordinate, and preserve these precious truths. Thus James White said, in 1847:
"As we travel onward toward the Holy City, our burning lamps discover new objects: but we cannot see all at once. If we reject a little light, because we cannot see the whole clearly at once, it will displease our heavenly Leader; and we shall be left in the dark. But if we cherish the light, as fast as it is our Lord's will to open it to us, He will increase the light; and our souls will feast upon the opening truths of the blessed Bible."'
Our situation today presents a vastly different problem. The foundation blocks have already been quarried out and put into proper place. The connecting pins have been inserted to keep them from slipping. Moreover, these blocks and pins of foundational truth, in right relationship, have been certified by the Spirit of prophecy. The basic truths have been enumerated, and we have been solemnly admonished scores of times, to allow nothing to move us off that sound, threefold platform. Moreover, we have been warned to permit nothing to move or slip those primary positions out of their appointed places.
This has been taken by some as virtually freezing our faith into rigidity, with nothing to be improved, adjusted, or added—and no more advances beyond. Further study, they imply, is virtually unnecessary and potentially dangerous. To such, new light connotes a perilous change of position, and that involves apostasy, heresy, disloyalty, and repudiation of the heavenly counsels. But those same counsels of the Spirit of prophecy are just as explicit and just as numerous in declaring that more light is to shine on all the grand foundation truths of the message. And supplemental light that we have not yet seen is to be added.
We are repeatedly told that holding to the integrity of the old landmarks does not preclude the necessity of the study and the acceptance of truly new light. Ours is to be an ever-advancing truth. New beams of light and gleams of truth are to shine upon our pathway—but it is ever upon the same basic pathway. It does not lead us onto a tangent or bypath. It simply makes it brighter, clearer, safer for us to tread the clearly marked pathway. Unless we are growing and advancing, we are settling back into a stagnant complacency. Proper discussion is a sign of life, and if conducted in the right spirit, is wholesome, helpful, and needed. Note these counsels appearing in the separate "Supplementary Statements" column.
Such light does not unsettle; it creates confidence. It does not lead us off the pathway, but, illuminating the path, it helps us to keep our footing more firmly on the highway to the city of God. Increased light may disclose little holes, humps, or rocks, or crevices that may need to be watched for and adjusted, but it only makes the pathway safer and more solid, and brings out beauties and details not discerned before—like the rich configurations of the onyx and the marble.
Nothing can rightly change the basic truth of the heavenly sanctuary, for example, with its ministering Priest, the two phases of His ministry, and the time of the 1844 entry upon the second phase. Added light will but strengthen and enforce those positions. It will not overthrow nor set them aside. Like a strong magnifying glass, it will bring out scores, perhaps hundreds, of details not seen before. And these will harmonize with, strengthen, and illuminate the great foundation truths that stand fast, anchored to the eternal bedrock of the prophetic word.
There is no conflict between the two aspects, no repudiation involved. The superstructure will rise upon, and in harmony with, the basic foundation. Adjustment of some minor point out of alignment may have to be made. We may have to discard an unworthy piece of evidence, or a faulty argument. But further light sustains, strengthens, and clarifies. It adds to and enlarges ; it does not subtract from, alter, or disannul. Added light but illuminates the established pathway.
20 E. G. White, Early Writings, pp. 259, 260.
21 E. G. White, Spiritual Gifts (x858), Vol. I, p. 171;
22 Early Writings, pp. 260, 261.
23 "Hiram Edson MS., p. to (Advent Source Collection) ;
24 Review and Herald, June 23, 1921, p. 5.
25 B. G. White, Early Writings, p. 259.
26 E. G. White Letter 277, 1904.
27 E. G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I, p. 148; Early Writings, p. 243.
28 Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I, p. 150; Early Writings, p. 245.
29 E. G. White MS. 135, 1903; MS. 46, 1904; Review and Herald, May 16, 1935.
30 Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, pp. 56, 57.
31 James White Letter to Bro. and Sr. Hastings, Aug. 26, 1848. Record Book I, p. so in E. G. White Publications Vault.
323E. G. White MS. 129, 1905; Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, p. 57.
33 E. G. White MS. 32, 1896.
34 E. G. White, Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, P' g.
35E. G. White MS. 32, 1896.
36 E. G. White Letter 207, 1899.
37 A Word to the "Little Flock" (Brunswick, Maine, 1847), P. 6-
Supplementary Statements
Pillars will Hold Weight.—We must let the great principles of the third angel's message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them.—E. G. WHITE Letter 207, 1899.
Stood Test Since 1844.—The time has come when we must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 5844 has stood the test.—E. G. WHITE Letter 277, 5904.
No replaced Timbers Required.—The Word of the Lord has guided our steps since the passing of the time in 1844. We have searched the Scriptures; we have built solidly; and we have not had to tear up our foundations and put in new timbers. —E. G. WHITE Letter 24, 1907.
Substituting Pillars of Human Devising.—Those who have a hold of the truth theoretically, with their finger tips as it were, who have not brought its principles into the inner sanctuary of the soul, but have kept the vital truth in the outer court, will see nothing sacred in the past history of this people which has made them what they are, and has established them as earnest, determined, missionary workers in the world.
The truth for this time is precious, but those whose hearts have not been broken by falling on the rock Christ Jesus, will not see and understand what is truth. They will accept that which pleases their ideas, and will begin to manufacture another foundation than that which is laid. They will flatter their own vanity and esteem, thinking that they are capable of removing the pillars of our faith, and replacing them with pillars they have devised.—E. G. WHITE MS. 106, 1898, Quoted in Notebook Leaflet "The Church," No. 4.
Every Pillar to Be Strengthened.—The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work. Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. . . . There is need now to rehearse the experience of the men who acted a part in the establishment of our work at the beginning.—E. G. WHITE MS. 129, 1905.
Proclaim with Unfaltering Faith.—The old truths, given us at the beginning, are to be heralded far and near. The lapse of time has not lessened their value. It is the constant effort of the enemy to remove these truths from their, setting, and to put in their place spurious theories. But the Lord will raise up men of keen perception, who with clear vision will discern the intrigues of Satan, and will give these truths their proper place in the plan of God. . . .
At this time there is need of men of sharp spiritual eyesight, who can discern truth from error. The first, second, and third angels' messages are to be proclaimed with no faltering hesitancy, but with power from on high. We know in whom we have believed. We know that as we obey His word to us, He will give to our words power that will convict and Convert souls.—Mrs. E. G. White in Review and Herald, Aug. 20, 1903.
Attack on Sanctuary coming.—Let the truths that are the foundation of our faith be kept before the people. Some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. They talk science, and the enemy comes in and gives them an abundance of science; but it is not the science of salvation. It is not the science of humility, or consecration, or of the sanctification of the Spirit. We are now to understand what the pillars of our faith are,—the truths that have made. us as a people what we are, leading us on step by step. . . .
In the future,,deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years?—Mits. E. G. WHITE in Review and Herald, May 25, 1905.
