{"id":2232,"date":"2023-03-28T15:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T14:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.godswordexplained.com\/?page_id=2232"},"modified":"2025-01-05T10:33:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T10:33:42","slug":"events-before-the-return-of-jesus-christ-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.godswordexplained.com\/?page_id=2232","title":{"rendered":"Events before the Return of Jesus Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Events before the Return of Jesus Christ <\/strong>[including 538 AD to eternity]. What must occur before Jesus comes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spirit of Prophecy Abbreviations used in this document are as follows: Quick Reader: Read 1. EVENT HEADINGS. LISBON EARTHQUAKE occurred: 1.11.1755<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n DARK DAY occurred: 19.5.1780<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [USA] RATIFIED THE BILL OF RIGHTS [the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of its citizens. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and the rights of peaceful assembly and petition]. Occurred: 15.12.1791. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rise to power of USA begins Revelation 13:11; GC 440:1-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n TIME OF THE END Start: 15.2.1798; End: Destruction of the wicked<\/strong> Daniel 12:4-10; GC 356-3 Pius VI in Exile. On February 20, 1798, Pope Pius VI (Braschi), who had been deposed as ruler of the Papal States (which had been organized into the Roman Republic by the French) was forced to leave the City of Rome. PAPACY WOUNDED occurred: 15.2.1798<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n DANIEL UNSEALED start: 15.2.1798. Daniel 12:4, 9-11; Revelation 10:2; GC 356:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n KNOWLEDGE INCREASES start: 15.2.1798.<\/strong> Daniel 12:4; GC 356<\/p>\n\n\n\n SECOND ADVENT PROCLAIMED start: after 1798.<\/strong> Daniel 7:25-27; GC 356:1<\/p>\n\n\n\n FALLING STARS occurred: 12\/13.11.1833<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n FIRST ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGE start: The first angel’s message occurred during the two decades prior to the spring of 1844; it intensified from 1840, but was mainly given in Summer of 1843; end: Spring 1844 [22.10.1844 ?].<\/strong> Revelation 14:6-7; GC 405:2, 611:1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was designed to separate the saints from the world – GC 379:1; 405:2<\/p>\n\n\n\n SECOND ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGE start: First preached in Summer 1844; end: 22.10.1844.<\/strong> Revelation 14:8; GC 603:2<\/p>\n\n\n\n the message of the second angel. Near its close the Midnight Cry was given<\/strong> {ST, March 30, 1876 par. 6}<\/p>\n\n\n\n Near the close of the second angel’s message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him!<\/strong> {1858 1SG 140.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n MIDNIGHT CRY start: Summer 1844; end: \u2018Seventh month\u2019 1844 = 22.10.1844.<\/strong> GC 398:3; 426:2; 427:8, <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Midnight Cry was united with the Second Angel\u2019s Message and gave power – EW 238:1, 2; GC 402:1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was to separated God\u2019s people from the fallen churches – EW 238:3; GC 402:1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also to prepare for the Third Angel\u2019s Message and the Sanctuary truth – EW 260:1 Note: The \u2018Seventh month\u2019 is in October 1844 [as per the Jewish Calendar] and not in July. Rosh Chodesh \u2013 the first day of Nisan: <\/strong>[21.3.1844] <\/p>\n\n\n\n The celebration of the first of Nisan as the beginning of the new year is rooted both in Biblical and Talmudic sources. Exodus 12:1-2 states that Nisan is the first month in the intercalation of the new year and the Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashanah 1:1 describes the First of Nisan as one of the four beginnings of the Jewish New Year: <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are four new years \/ year:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first of Nisan is the new year for kings and for festivals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first of Elul is the new year for the tithe of cattle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first of Tishrei is the new year for years, for release and jubilee years, for plantation and for [tithe of] vegetables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first of Shevat is the new year for trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1SG, 3SG, 4SG = Spiritual Gifts Volume 1, 3, 4; 1SP, 4SP = Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1, 4; 1T, 3T, 5T, 6T = Testimonies to the Church Volume 1, 3, 5, 6; 2SM = Selected Messages Volume 2; 7BC = S.D.A. Bible Commentary Volume 7; 8MR, 9 MR, 12MR, 14MR, 19MR = Manuscript Releases Volume 8,9, 12, 14, 19; COL = Christ\u2019s Object Lessons; CT = Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students; CW = Counsels to Writers and Editors; Ed = Education; EW = Early Writings; ExV = A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White; GC = 1911 Edition of The Great Controversy; GC88 = 1888 Edition of The Great Controversy; LDE = Last Day Events; LS = Life Sketches of Ellen G. White; Lt = Letter; Ms = Manuscript; PK = Prophets and Kings; PP = Patriarchs and Prophets; RH = The Review and Herald; ST = The Signs of the Times; WLF = A Word to the Little Flock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Detailed Reader: Read 149. SCRIPT – DESCRIPTION OF LAST DAY EVENTS.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n
END OF 1260 YEARS OF PAPAL RULE start: 12.3.538; end: 15.2.1798.<\/strong> Daniel 7:25: Revelation 13:3, 5; GC 356:1, 439:2
LISBON EARTHQUAKE occurred: 1.11.1755<\/strong>
DARK DAY occurred: 19.5.1780
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [USA] RATIFIED THE BILL OF RIGHTS [the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of its citizens. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and the rights of peaceful assembly and petition]. Occurred: 15.12.1791.<\/strong> Rise to power of USA begins Revelation 13:11; GC 440:1-2
TIME OF THE END Start: 15.2.1798; End: Destruction of the wicked<\/strong> Daniel 12:4-10; GC 356-3
PAPACY WOUNDED occurred: 15.2.1798
DANIEL UNSEALED start: 15.2.1798.<\/strong> Daniel 12:4, 9-11; Revelation 10:2; GC 356:2
KNOWLEDGE INCREASES start: 15.2.1798.<\/strong> Daniel 12:4; GC 356
SECOND ADVENT PROCLAIMED start: after 1798.<\/strong> Daniel 7:25-27; GC 356:1
FALLING STARS occurred: 12\/13.11.1833
FIRST ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGE start: The first angel’s message occurred during the two decades prior to the spring of 1844; it intensified from 1840, but was mainly given in Summer of 1843; end: Spring 1844 [22.10.1844 ?].<\/strong> Revelation 14:6-7; GC 405:2, 611:1. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SECOND ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGE start: First preached in Summer 1844; end: 22.10.1844. <\/strong>Revelation 14:8; GC 603:2
MIDNIGHT CRY start: Summer 1844; end: \u2018Seventh month\u2019 1844 = 22.10.1844.<\/strong> GC 398:3; 426:2; 427:8, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
JESUS OPENS DOOR TO THE MOST HOLY PLACE occurred: \u201cwhen the midnight cry was finished, at the \u2018seventh month\u2019 1844\u201d = 22.10.1844
JESUS MOVES FROM THE HOLY PLACE TO THE MOST HOLY PLACE event: 22.10.1844. <\/strong>Hebrews 8 & 9, Revelation 11:1-3, 18-19, 3:7-8; GC 424:1-3; EW 254:1
JUDGEMENT HOUR start: 22.10.1844; end: Close of Probation
INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT start: 22.10.1844; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Revelation 22:11; GC 428:2. Ecclesiastes 12:14; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 12:36-37. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
CLEANSING OF THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY start 22.10.1844; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Daniel 7:13; GC 400
ATONEMENT start: 22.10.1844; end: Close of Probation
SABBATH REVEALED occurred: from 22.10.1844
GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT occurred: 23.10.1844.<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SDA CHURCH start: 21.5.1863 at Battle Creek, Michigan, United States.
LAODICEAN CHURCH start: 22.10.1844; end: start of the Sunday Law
THREE ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGES start: after the disappointment [23.10.1844 and onwards] [First and Second Angels\u2019 Messages repeated; end: Close of Probation.<\/strong> GC 613:2. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
HOUR OF TEMPTATION start: 22.10.1844; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH PROCLAIMED occurred: ?.10.1888
PAPAL WOUND HEALING start: 7.6.1929; end: when the union of the church with the world is fully accomplished, throughout Christendom
COUNTERFEIT REFORMATION AMONG THE FALSE CHURCHES start: about 23.8.1948 when the World Council of Churches (WCC) was established; end: start of Sunday Law. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
SHAKING TIME start: about 23.8.1948 when the World Council of Churches (WCC) was established; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Hebrews 12:27; EW 269-273. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
ALLIANCE BETWEEN CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS start: ongoing from about 23.8.1948 when the World Council of Churches (WCC) was established; end: Close of Probation
UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE start: about 23.8.1948 when the World Council of Churches (WCC) was established; end: Close of Probation
PAPACY HEALED – IMAGE TO BEAST FORMED start: start of [National] Sunday Law
SUNDAY LAW [NATIONAL] start: after \u201ccalamity by land and sea. Property and life are destroyed by fire and flood\u201d; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Revelation 13:14-17 (Compare Daniel 3). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
MARK OF THE BEAST = PAPAL SABBATH start: start of Sunday Law; end: at the Close of Probation. <\/strong>Revelation 13:16-17; 14:9-11. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
PERSECUTION OF SABBATH-KEEPERS start: after start of Sunday Law; end: at the Close of Probation
TIME TO LEAVE THE LARGE CITIES occurs: after start of Sunday Law. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
HOUR OF TEMPTATION start: 22.10.1844; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
TIME OF TROUBLE: LITTLE [SHORT] start: start of Sunday Law; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
LATTER RAIN start: start of Sunday Law; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 4:6, 10:1; Acts 2:17, 3:19. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
LOUD CRY start: start of Sunday Law; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 4:6, 10:1; Acts 2:17, 3:19. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
THE \u201cFOURTH\u201d ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGE – THE HARVEST MESSAGE – THE FINAL WARNING start: towards the end of the third angels\u2019 message; end: Close of Probation
THE WORKING OF SATAN start: after start of Sunday Law; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
SATAN COUNTERFEITS THE SECOND ADVENT [COMING OF CHRIST] start: after start of Sunday Law; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Matthew 24:23-27. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SEALING TIME \u2013 SEALING OF THE SAINTS start: after start of Sunday Law; end: Close of Probation. <\/strong>Ezekiel 9:3-6; Revelation 7:1-4. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SPIRIT OF GOD REMOVED end: Close of Probation
SAINTS READY FOR THE LAMB\u2019S MARRIAGE SUPPER occurs: by the Close of Probation
MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB <\/strong>Revelation 19:7-9 (Lamb = Christ: John 1:29). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
CLOSE OF PROBATION <\/strong>Zephaniah 2:1-3; Mark 13:33-37; Revelation 22:11 (2T 190-191). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
MICHAEL STANDS UP occurs: after Close of Probation
RIGHTEOUS LIVE WITHOUT AN INTERCESSOR start: Close of Probation; end: Second Coming of Jesus
TIME OF TROUBLE: GREAT start: Close of Probation; end: Second Coming of Jesus <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
SEVEN LAST PLAGUES [VIALS] <\/strong>Isaiah 28:21; 26:20-21; 59:16-18; Revelation 15 and 16. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 1:<\/strong> Grievous sores upon the worshippers of the beast
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 2:<\/strong> Sea turns to blood
DEATH DECREE<\/strong> Revelation 13:15 (Compare John 11:50; Daniel 3:5 10-11). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
FLEA TO THE MOUNTAINS start: Death Decree; end: Second Coming of Jesus.<\/strong> GC 626:1
TIME OF JACOB\u2019S TROUBLE start: Death Decree; end: Second Coming of Jesus.<\/strong> Jeremiah 30:7. GC 615-616; LS 117:1. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 3:<\/strong> Rivers and waters turn to blood
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 4:<\/strong> Scorching sun
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 5:<\/strong> Darkness upon seat of the beast
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 6:<\/strong> Euphrates dried up
BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, preliminary to and including the Battle of Armageddon, focuses upon humanity end and the Coming of Christ.<\/strong>
PLAGUE [VIAL] No. 7:<\/strong> Hail, Earthquake, Fire
TABLES OF THE LAW APPEAR IN THE SKY<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
DAY AND HOUR OF CHRIST\u2019S COMING ANNOUNCED<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SPECIAL RESURRECTION<\/strong> Daniel 12:2. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
RESURRECTION FOR THE RIGHTEOUS WHO DIED SINCE 1844 IN THE THIRD ANGELS\u2019 MESSAGES:<\/strong> GC 637:2.
FIRST RESURRECTION: RIGHTEOUS DEAD<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
DELIVERANCE OF GOD\u2019S PEOPLE<\/strong> Psalm 27:5; Malachi 3:17. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
THE WICKED ARE SLAIN BY THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS COMING<\/strong> Isaiah 11:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; GC 656:2; 657:2.
JOURNEY TO HEAVEN AND THE SEA OF GLASS<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
HOLY CITY OF GOD<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
MILLENNIUM START<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
RIGHTEOUS REIGN IN HEAVEN start: Second Coming of Jesus; end: after 1,000 years [Millennium]<\/strong>
JUDGEMENT OF THE WICKED START: Second Coming of Jesus; end: after 1,000 years [Millennium]<\/strong>
SATAN AND HIS ANGELS ON A DESOLATE EARTH start: Second Coming of Jesus; end: after 1,000 years [Millennium]
DESCENT OF NEW JERUSALEM – THE HOLY CITY occurs: after 1,000 years [Millennium] <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
MILLENNIUM END<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
RESURRECTION OF THE WICKED DEAD occurs: after 1,000 years [Millennium]<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED – DESTROYED BY HELL FIRE occurs: after 1,000 years [Millennium]<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
THE TIME OF THE END start: 15.2.1798; end: Destruction of the wicked<\/strong> – Daniel 12:4-10; GC 356-3
NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH – EARTH PURIFIED AND RECREATED occurs: after 1,000 years [Millennium]<\/strong>
ETERNITY [FUTURE] start: after Earth is purified; end: never ends.<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
THE SAINTS INHERIT A NEW EARTH<\/strong> Psalm 37:9-11, 29; Isaiah 45:18; Revelation 21:7.
THE CONDITIONS OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH – the seas are no more<\/strong> Isaiah 35:1-10, 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-7.
SPACE TRAVEL TO THE OTHER WORLDS IS UNDERTAKEN BY THE SAINTS<\/strong> EW 40.
ONLY ONE REMINDER OF SIN REMAINS: THE SACRIFICIAL WOUNDS OF JESUS CHRIST<\/strong> Habakkuk 3:4; Zechariah 13:6; GC 674:2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
END OF 1260 YEARS OF PAPAL RULE start: 12.3.538; end: 15.2.1798. <\/strong>Daniel 7:25: Revelation 13:3, 5; GC 356:1, 439:2<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Since 538 AD the Roman Empire has been handed over to the church and the papal function.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The year 538 AD became the turning point in the history of the Roman Empire since so many aspects on political, administrative and economical levels were already switched off that when Justinian declared himself to be a theologian from this year and no longer a soldier, he crossed the barrier of his mandate between what is purely civil obligation and what is religious obligation, similarly to Constantine before, and entered in competition with the papal function and this role is evidence of Justinian\u2019s ongoing caesaro-papism.
The Code of Justinian was a persecuting instrument. Justinian upheld the supremacy of the papacy. He permitted through the Council of Orleans actions to be done on Sunday that Constantine prohibited like travel and preparation of food and cleaning the house. In Novellae CXLIV [144]<\/em> 1<\/sup> Justinian instituted a Seventh-day Sabbath persecution.<\/strong> He changed the times and laws ad hoc as his Novellae XLVI [44]<\/em> and coins of 538 AD (XII year) indicate. Private gatherings were persecuted. He had church-manual laws. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
The desire of Emperor Justinian to restore the full extent of the Roman Empire led to a struggle for control of Italy between his Byzantine army, led by Belisarius, and the kingdom of the Ostrogoths. Belisarius liberated Rome from the Goths, but then had a hard fight to hold the city.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The First Siege of Rome during the Gothic War lasted for a year and nine days, from 2 March 537 to 12 March 538. The city was besieged by the Ostrogothic army under their king Vitiges; the defending East Romans were commanded by Belisarius, one of the most famous and successful Roman generals. The siege was the first major encounter between the forces of the two opponents, and played a decisive role in the subsequent development of the war.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The periods here mentioned\u2014\u201cforty and two months,\u201d<\/strong> and \u201ca thousand two hundred and threescore days\u201d\u2014are the same, alike representing the time in which the church of Christ was to suffer oppression from Rome. The 1260 years of papal supremacy began with the establishment of the papacy in A. D. 538, and would therefore terminate in 1798. At that time a French army entered Rome, and made the pope a prisoner, and he died in exile. <\/strong>Though a new pope was soon afterward elected, the papal hierarchy has never since been able to wield the power which it before possessed. {1888 GC88 266.2}<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The persecution of the church did not continue throughout the entire period of the 1260 years.<\/strong> God in mercy to his people cut short the time of their fiery trial. In foretelling the \u201cgreat tribulation\u201d to befall the church, the Saviour said, \u201cExcept those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.\u201d [Matthew 24:22.] Through the influence of the Reformation, the persecution was brought to an end prior to 1798.<\/strong> {1888 GC88 266.3}<\/li>\n\n\n\n
In fulfilment of this {Mark 13:24-26, Luke 21:25, Revelation 6:12}<\/em> prophecy there occurred, in the year 1755, the most terrible earthquake that has ever been recorded. Though commonly known as the earthquake of Lisbon, it extended to the greater part of Europe, Africa, and America. It was felt in Greenland, in the West Indies, in the island of Madeira, in Norway and Sweden, Great Britain and Ireland.<\/strong> It pervaded an extent of not less than four million square miles. In Africa the shock was almost as severe as in Europe.<\/strong> A great part of Algiers was destroyed; and a short distance from Morocco, a village containing eight or ten thousand inhabitants was swallowed up. A vast wave swept over the coast of Spain and Africa<\/strong>, engulfing cities, and causing great destruction. {1888 GC88 304.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was in Spain and Portugal that the shock manifested its extreme violence.<\/strong> At Cadiz the inflowing wave was said to be sixty feet high. Mountains\u2014some of the largest in Portugal\u2014\u201cwere impetuously shaken, as it were from the very foundation; and some of them opened at their summits, which were split and rent in a wonderful manner, huge masses of them being thrown down into the subjacent valleys. Flames are related to have issued from these mountains.\u201d {1888 GC88 304.3}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Lisbon \u201ca sound of thunder was heard underground, and immediately afterward a violent shock threw down the greater part of that city. In the course of about six minutes sixty thousand persons perished.<\/strong> The sea first retired, and laid the bar dry, it then rolled in, rising fifty feet above its ordinary level.\u201d \u201cThe most extraordinary circumstance which occurred at Lisbon<\/strong> during the catastrophe, was the subsidence of the new quay, built entirely of marble<\/strong>, at an immense expense. A great concourse of people had collected there for safety, as a spot where they might be beyond the reach of falling ruins; but suddenly the quay sunk down with all the people on it, and not one of the dead bodies ever floated to the surface.<\/strong>\u201d {1888 GC88 305.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shock of the earthquake \u201cwas instantly followed by the fall of every church and convent, almost all the large and public buildings, and one-fourth of the houses. In about two hours afterward, fires broke out<\/strong> in different quarters, and raged with such violence for the space of nearly three days<\/strong> that the city was completely desolated. The earthquake happened on a holy day<\/strong>, when the churches and convents were full of people, very few of whom escaped.\u201d \u201cThe terror of the people was beyond description. Nobody wept; it was beyond tears. They ran hither and thither, delirious with horror and astonishment, beating their faces and breasts, crying, ‘Misericordia! the world’s at an end!’ Mothers forgot their children, and ran loaded with crucifixed images. Unfortunately, many ran to the churches for protection; but in vain was the sacrament exposed; in vain did the poor creatures embrace the altars; images, priests, and people were buried in one common ruin.\u201d \u201cNinety thousand persons are supposed to have been lost on that fatal day.\u201d<\/strong> {1888 GC88 305.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twenty-five years later {after 1755 = 1780}<\/em> appeared the next sign mentioned in the prophecy,\u2014the darkening of the sun and moon<\/strong>. What rendered this more striking was the fact that the time of its fulfilment had been definitely pointed out. In the Saviour’s conversation with his disciples upon Olivet, after describing the long period of trial for the church\u2014the 1260 years of papal persecution, concerning which he had promised that the tribulation should be shortened\u2014he thus mentioned certain events to precede his coming, and fixed the time when the first of these should be witnessed: \u201cIn those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.\u201d <\/strong>[Mark 13:24.] The 1260 days, or years, terminated in 1798. A quarter of a century earlier, persecution had almost wholly ceased. Between these two dates, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled.<\/strong> {1888 GC88 305.3}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlmost if not altogether alone as the most mysterious and as yet unexplained phenomenon of its kind, . . . stands the dark day of May 19, 1780,\u2014a most unaccountable darkening of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England.\u201d<\/strong> That the darkness was not due to an eclipse is evident from the fact that the moon was then nearly full. It was not caused by clouds, or the thickness of the atmosphere, for in some localities where the darkness extended, the sky was so clear that the stars could be seen.<\/strong> Concerning the inability of science to assign a satisfactory cause for this manifestation, Herschel the astronomer declares: \u201cThe dark day in North America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which philosophy is at a loss to explain<\/strong>.\u201d {1888 GC88 306.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe extent of the darkness<\/strong> was also very remarkable. It was observed at the most easterly regions of New England; westward, to the farthest part of Connecticut, and at Albany, N. Y.; to the southward, it was observed all along the sea coast; and to the north, as far as the American settlements extended.<\/strong> It probably far exceeded those boundaries, but the exact limits were never positively known. With regard to its duration, it continued in the neighborhood of Boston for at least fourteen or fifteen hours.<\/strong>\u201d {1888 GC88 306.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe morning<\/strong> was clear and pleasant, but about eight o’clock there was observed an uncommon appearance in the sun. There were no clouds, but the air was thick, having a smoky appearance, and the sun shone with a pale, yellowish hue, but kept growing darker and darker, until it was hid from sight.<\/strong>\u201d There was \u201cmidnight darkness at noonday<\/strong>.\u201d {1888 GC88 307.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe occurrence brought intense alarm and distress<\/strong> to multitudes of minds, as well as dismay to the whole brute creation<\/strong>, the fowls fleeing bewildered to their roosts, and the birds to their nests, and the cattle returning to their stalls.\u201d Frogs and night hawks began their notes. The cocks crew as at daybreak. Farmers were forced to leave their work in the fields. Business was generally suspended, and candles were lighted in the dwellings.<\/strong> \u201cThe Legislature of Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to transact business adjourned. Everything bore the appearance and gloom of night.\u201d {1888 GC88 307.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The intense darkness of the day was succeeded, an hour or two before evening, by a partially clear sky, and the sun appeared, though it was still obscured by the black, heavy mist. But \u201cthis interval was followed by a return of the obscuration with greater density, that rendered the first half of the night hideously dark beyond all former experience<\/strong> of the probable million of people who saw it. From soon after sunset until midnight, no ray of light from moon or star penetrated the vault above. It was pronounced \u2018the blackness of darkness!\u2019\u201d Said an eye-witness of the scene: \u201cI could not help conceiving, at the time, that if every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable darkness, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete.\u201d Though the moon that night rose to the full, \u201cit had not the least effect to dispel the death-like shadows.\u201d After midnight the darkness disappeared, and the moon, when first visible, had the appearance of blood.<\/strong> {1888 GC88 307.3}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May 19, 1780, stands in history as \u201cThe Dark Day.\u201d Since the time of Moses, no period of darkness of equal density, extent, and duration has ever been recorded. <\/strong>The description of this event, as given by the poet and the historian, is but an echo of the words of the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel, twenty-five hundred years previous to their fulfilment<\/strong>: \u201cThe sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.\u201d [Joel 2:31.] {1888 GC88 308.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In 1796, French Republican troops under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Italy and defeated the papal troops. The French occupied Ancona and Loreto. Pius VI sued for peace which was granted at Tolentino on 19 February 1797; but on 28 December 1797, in a riot blamed by papal forces on some Italian and French revolutionists, the popular brigadier-general Mathurin-L\u00e9onard Duphot, who had gone to Rome with Joseph Bonaparte as part of the French embassy, was killed and a new pretext was furnished for invasion.
General Berthier marched to Rome, entered it unopposed on 10 February 1798, and, proclaiming a Roman Republic, demanded of the pope the renunciation of his temporal authority.
Upon his refusal, Pius was taken prisoner, and on 20 February was escorted from the Vatican to Siena, and thence to the Certosa near Florence. The French declaration of war against Tuscany led to his removal (he was escorted by the Spaniard Pedro G\u00f3mez Labrador, Marquis of Labrador) by way of Parma, Piacenza, Turin and Grenoble to the citadel of Valence, the chief town of Drome where he died six weeks after his arrival, on 29 August 1799, having then reigned longer than any pope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the words of the prophet {Moses}<\/em>, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of Satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land<\/strong> where the testimony of God’s two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh, and the licentiousness of Sodom.<\/strong> {1888 GC88 269.3}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfilment in the history of France. During the Revolution of 1793<\/strong>, \u201cthe world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of the Deity.\u201d \u201cFrance is the only nation in the world concerning which the authentic record survives, that as a nation she lifted her hand in open rebellion against the Author of the universe. Plenty of blasphemers, plenty of infidels, there have been, and still continue to be, in England, Germany, Spain, and elsewhere; but France stands apart in the world’s history as the single State which, by the decree of her legislative assembly, pronounced that there was no God<\/strong>, and of which the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, danced and sang with joy in accepting the announcement.\u201d {1888 GC88 269.4}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
France presented also the characteristic which especially distinguished Sodom. During the Revolution there was manifest a state of moral debasement and corruption similar to that which brought destruction upon the cities of the plain.<\/strong> {1888 GC88 270.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The apostle Paul warned the church not to look for the coming of Christ in his day. \u201cThat day shall not come,\u201d he says, \u201cexcept there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.\u201d [2 Thessalonians 2:3.] Not till after the great apostasy, and the long period of the reign of the \u201cman of sin,\u201d can we look for the advent of our Lord. The \u201cman of sin,\u201d which is also styled the \u201cmystery of iniquity,\u201d the \u201cson of perdition,\u201d and \u201cthat wicked,\u201d represents the papacy, which, as foretold in prophecy, was to maintain its supremacy for 1260 years. This period ended in 1798. The coming of Christ could not take place before that time.<\/strong> Paul covers with his caution the whole of the Christian dispensation down to the year 1798. It is this side of that time that the message of Christ’s second coming is to be proclaimed. {1888 GC88 356.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No such message has ever been given in past ages. Paul, as we have seen, did not preach it; he pointed his brethren into the then far-distant future for the coming of the Lord. The reformers did not proclaim it. Martin Luther placed the Judgment about three hundred years in the future from his day. But since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed, knowledge of the prophecies has increased<\/strong>, and many have proclaimed the solemn message of the Judgment near. {1888 GC88 356.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 10, 1798 French army led by Louis Alexandre Berthier captures Rome.
February 15, 1798 Louis Alexandre Berthier proclaim a Roman Republic after conquering Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1833, two years after Miller began to present in public the evidences of Christ’s soon coming, the last of the signs appeared which were promised by the Saviour as tokens of his second advent.<\/strong> Said Jesus, \u201cThe stars shall fall from heaven.\u201d [Matthew 24:29.] And John in the Revelation declared, as he beheld in vision the scenes that herald the day of God: \u201cThe stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.\u201d [Revelation 6:13.] This prophecy received a striking and impressive fulfilment in the great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833. That was the most extensive and wonderful display of falling stars which has ever been recorded<\/strong>; \u201cthe whole firmament, over all the United States, being then, for hours, in fiery commotion. No celestial phenomenon has ever occurred in this country, since its first settlement, which was viewed with such intense admiration by one class in the community, or such dread and alarm by another.\u201d \u201cIts sublimity and awful beauty still linger in many minds. . . . Never did rain fall much thicker than the meteors fell toward the earth; east, west, north, and south, it was the same. In a word, the whole heavens seemed in motion.<\/strong> . . . The display, as described in Professor Silliman’s journal, was seen all over North America. . . . From two o’clock until broad daylight, the sky being perfectly serene and cloudless, an incessant play of dazzlingly brilliant luminosities was kept up in the whole heavens.\u201d {1888 GC88 332.4}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo language indeed can come up to the splendor of that magnificent display; no one who did not witness it can form an adequate conception of its glory. It seemed as if the whole starry heavens had congregated at one point near the zenith, and were simultaneously shooting forth, with the velocity of lightning, to every part of the horizon<\/strong>; and yet they were not exhausted\u2014thousands swiftly followed in the track of thousands, as if created for the occasion.\u201d \u201cA more correct picture of a fig-tree casting its figs when blown by a mighty wind, it is not possible to behold.\u201d {1888 GC88 333.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I saw that God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843. It was his design to arouse the people, and bring them to a testing point where they should decide. Ministers were convicted and convinced of the correctness of the positions taken on the prophetic periods, and they left their pride, their salaries, and their churches, to go forth from place to place and proclaim the message. But as the message from heaven could find a place in the hearts of but a very few of the professed ministers of Christ, the work was laid upon many who were not preachers.<\/strong> Some left their fields to sound the message, while others were called from their shops and their merchandise. And even some professional men were compelled to leave their professions to engage in the unpopular work of giving the first angel’s message. <\/strong>Ministers laid aside their sectarian views and feelings, and united in proclaiming the coming of Jesus. The people were moved everywhere the message reached them.<\/strong> Sinners repented, wept and prayed for forgiveness, and those whose lives had been marked with dishonesty, were anxious to make restitution. {1858 1SG 133.1}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not the proclamation of the Advent message that created fanaticism and division. These appeared in the summer of 1844, when Adventists were in a state of doubt and perplexity concerning their real position. The preaching of the first message in 1843, and of the midnight cry in 1844, tended directly to repress fanaticism and dissension.<\/strong> {1884 4SP 247.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our hopes now centred on the coming of the Lord in 1844. This was also the time for the message of the second angel, who, flying through the midst of heaven, cried: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city.” That message was first proclaimed by the servants of God in the summer of 1844.<\/strong> As a result, many left the fallen churches. In connection with this message the midnight cry [See Matthew 25:1-13.] was given: “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.”<\/strong> In every part of the land, light was given concerning this message, and the cry aroused thousands. It went from city to city, from village to village, and into the remote country regions. It reached the learned and talented, as well as the obscure and humble. {1855-1868 1T 53.3}<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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While praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell on me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them–when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.” At this I raised my eyes and saw a straight and narrow path, [Matthew 7:14.] cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were travelling to the City, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the first end of the path, which an angel told me was the Midnight Cry. [Matthew 25:6.] This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet so they might not stumble. And if they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the City, they were safe.<\/strong> {1847 WLF 14.2}<\/p>\n\n\n\n