| The Great Controversy E. G. White 1884 (1911 ed.) | Night Scenes in the Bible Daniel March 1868–1870 |
| [631] Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have appeared clothed in garments that shone as the lightning; they have come as men in the garb of wayfarers. Angels have appeared in human form to men of God. They have rested, as if weary, under the oaks at noon. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes. They have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have, with their own hands, kindled the fires at the altar. They have opened prison doors and set free the servants of the Lord. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they came to roll away the stone from the Saviour’s tomb. In the form of men, angels are often in the assemblies of the righteous. ... | [453] These high and mighty ones ... have borne an active part both in the common and in the great events of this world... They have taken the form of men, and shown themselves to human eyes, and spoken aloud in the languages of earth... And these celestial visitants have come from their far distant homes to take part in the affairs of men... [454] They have rested under the shadow of oaks at noon as if weary... they have received hospitality in human homes at evening... they have guided and protected travelers on. their way... they have rolled away the stone from the tomb... they have kindled the fire of the altar... they have clothed themselves in garments that shone like the lightning, and they have appeared in so common a garb as to be taken for wayfaring men. |
| [632] In the council hall and the court of justice these heavenly messengers have shown an intimate acquaintance with human history; they have proved themselves better able to plead the cause of the oppressed than were their ablest and most eloquent defenders. They have defeated purposes and arrested evils that would have greatly retarded the work of God. | [452] There are more listeners in the public assembly than can be seen by the speaker’s eye... [453] They have shown themselves better acquainted with the hum an history and better able to do our work than we ourselves. They have defeated great armies. |
| | Walks and Homes of Jesus Daniel March 1856 |
| [651] With our finite comprehension we may consider most earnestly the shame and the glory, the life and the death, the justice and the mercy, that meet in the cross. | [318] We must consider more earnestly the shame and the glory, the life and the death, the justice and the mercy that so meet and harmonize in the cross. |
| [651 ] The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. | [323] This is the revelation of the cross ... the Maker of all worlds and the absolute Arbiter of all destinies, tinies. |
| [651] As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and be hold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance.... [651] As they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end... | [322] But when we see the glory of the eternal Father shining in the face of divine and со-eternal Son.... [319] This is he whose throne is from everlasting, and whose kingdom shall have no end. |
| [652] The mystery of the cross ex plains all other mysteries. | [326] This great mystery of the cross explains all other mysteries. |
| [652] The attributes of God which had filled us with fear and awe appear beautiful and attractive. | [324] The throne that was high and terrible to us in our unbelief, becomes beautiful and wondrously attractive. |
| [652] Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness justice, and power. | [324] When we study the divine character in the light of the cross, we see mercy, tenderness and forgive ness blending harmoniously with the awful attributes of holiness, justice and power. |
| [652] We see His character in its gracious manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, “Our Father.” | [327] We would see the character of God in its most complete and gracious manifestation; if we would find out the meaning of that great and precious name, Our Father. |
| [652] The compensation for this sacrifice is the joy of peopling the earth with ransomed beings, holy, happy, and immortal. The result of the Saviour’s conflict with the powers of darkness is joy to the redeemed, rebounding to the glory of God throughout eternity. And such is the value of the soul that the Father is satisfied with the price paid; and Christ Himself, beholding the fruits of His great sacrifice, is satisfied. | [328] We must look to the cross to learn the worth of the human soul, the true value and greatness of man. [329] This ... sacrifice ... could be offered only for the redemption of a soul that was infinitely precious. This great ransom could be paid only for deliverance. ... The Redeemer him self could not be satisfied with the travail of his soul in suffering for sinners, unless the fruits of his conflict... should be glory and joy forever and ever... Such is the value of one human soul, that the almighty Father is satisfied with the infinite price which he pays for our salvation in the death of his own Son.... And we may be sure that infinite love itself would not have submitted to such a sacrifice... had it not been... to fill the universe of holy beings with gratitude and praise. |
| The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4 Ellen G. White 1884 | The Sanctuary Uriah Smith 1877 |
| [265] On the day of atonement the high priest, having taken an offering from the congregation, went into the most holy place with the blood of this general offering, and sprinkled it upon the mercy-seat, directly over the law, to make satisfaction for its claims. Then, in his character of mediator, he took the sins upon himself, and bore them from the sanctuary. Placing his hands upon the head of the scape goat, he confessed over him all these sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and they were regarded as forever separated from the people. | [212] On the day of atonement, the priest, taking an offering from the people, appeared with the blood of this general offering for the people, and sprinkled it upon the mercy-seat directly over the law, to make full satisfaction for its claims... Then the high priest, if we may so express it, gathered the sins all upon himself and bore them from the sanctuary. Placing his hands upon the head of the scape-goat, he confessed over him all these sins, thus transferring them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and with him they perished. |
| [265] Such was the service per formed “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” And what was done in type in the ministration of the earthly, is done in reality in the ministration of the heavenly. | [218] This was performed, says Paul, unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. From this service, we are therefore, to reason concerning the ministration and cleansing of the sanctuary in Heaven. |
| [260] God placed his Spirit upon the builders of the early sanctuary. The artistic skill displayed in its construction was a manifestation of di vine wisdom. The walls had the appearance of massive gold, reflecting in every direction the light of the seven lamps of the golden candle stick. The table of show-bread and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold. The gorgeous curtain, which formed the ceiling, inwrought with figures of angels in blue and purple and scarlet, added to the beauty of the scene. And beyond the second vail was the holy shekinah, the visible manifestation of God’s glory, before which none but the high priest could enter and live | [127] For the construction of all this wonderful work God called certain ones, and qualified them by putting his Spirit upon them. The sanctuary was not therefore merely the work of men; it was the inspiration of Heaven manifested in works of art.... There were its walls, having all the appearance of massive and solid gold, and reflecting in a thousand directions the light of the seven lamps of the golden candlestick; there were the table of show-bread and the altar of incense, glittering in its light like burnished gold; and there was the curtain that formed the gorgeous ceiling, with its mystic fig u re s of cherubim in blue, and purple, and scarlet, adding its beauty to the brilliant scene. While in, beyond the second vail, was the glorious shekinah, or visible manifestation of God’s glory, into the awful presence of which, except the high priest’s entrance once every year, no man could venture and live. |
| [263] To obtain a further knowledge of the cleansing to which the prophecy points, it was necessary to understand the ministration of the heavenly sanctuary. This could be learned only from the ministration of the earthly sanctuary; for Paul declares that the priests who officiated there served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” | [202] To learn this, we must acquire an understanding of the ministration of that heavenly sanctuary; but we can learn of this only from the ministration of the earthly sanctuary; for Paul says that the priests who here ministered, served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” |
| | Sketches of the Christian Life and Public Labors of William Miller James White 1875 |
| [204] He now publicly professed his faith in the religion which he had despised. But his infidel associates were not slow to bring forward all those arguments which he himself had often urged against the divine authority of the Scriptures.... He rea soned, that if the Bible is a revelation from God, it must be consistent with itself; and that as it was given for man’s instruction, it must be adapted to his understanding... | [13] His biographer says: – [44] “Mr. Miller immediately erected the family altar; publicly pro fessed his faith in that religion which had been food for his mirtn... [45] “They were not disposed to yield the ground without a struggle, and began their attack on him by using the weapons and assailing the points which characterized his own former attacks on Christianity... [46] “His Christian friends, also, turned his former taunts upon him self... [46] “He considered that if the Bible is a revelation of God, it must be consistent with itself; all its parts must harmonize, must have been given for man’s instruction, and, consequently, must be adapted to his understanding... |
| [204] Endeavoring to lay aside all preconceived opinions, and dispensing with commentaries, he compared scripture with scripture by the aid of the marginal references and the concordance. He pursued his study in a regular and methodical manner; be ginning with Genesis, and reading verse by verse, he proceeded no fast er than the meaning of the several passages so unfolded as to leave him free from all embarrassment. When he found anything obscure, it was his custom to compare it with every other text which seemed to have any reference to the matter under consideration. Every word was permitted to have its proper bearing upon the subject of the test, and if his view of it harmonized with every collateral passage, it ceased to be a difficulty. Thus whenever he met with a passage hard to be understood, he found an explanation in some other portion of the Scriptures. | [46] “He laid aside all commentaries, and used the marginal references and his concordance as his only helps... [47] He resolved to lay aside all preconceived opinions... [47] “I determined ... to thoroughly compare scripture with scripture, and to pursue its study in a regular and methodical manner. I commenced with Genesis, and read verse by verse, proceeding no faster than the meaning of the several passages should be so unfolded as to leave me free from embarrassment. ... Whenever I found anything obscure my practice was to compare it with all collateral passages.... Then ... if my view of it harmonized with every col lateral passage in the Bible, it ceased to be a difficulty... |
| [205] After two years of careful investigation, he was fully satisfied, that the Bible is its own interpreter; that it is a system of revealed truths so clearly and simply given that the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. | [48] ‘“In this way I pursued the study... in my first perusal of it, for about two years.... I was thus satisfied that the Bible is a system of revealed truths, so clearly and simply given that the “wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.” |
| [206] Deeply impressed by these momentous truths, ne felt that it was his duty to give the warning to the world. He expected to encounter op position from the ungodly, but was confident that all Christians would rejoice in the hope of meeting the Saviour whom they professed to love. His only fear was, that in their great joy at the prospect of glorious deliverance, so soon to be consummated, many would receive the doc trine without sufficiently examining the Scriptures. | [65] ‘“With the solemn conviction ... the question came home to me with mighty power regarding my duty to the world.... I supposed that it would call forth the opposition of the un godly; but it never came into my mind that any Christian would oppose it. I supposed that all such would be so rejoiced, in view of the glorious prospect. ... My great fear was that in their joy at the hope of a glorious inheritance so soon to be revealed they would receive the doctrine without sufficiently examining the Scriptures in demonstration of its truth... |
| [207] He began to present his views in private as he had opportunity, praying that some minister might feel their force and devote himself to their promulgation. But he could not banish the conviction that he had a personal duty to perform in giving the warning. The words were ever recurring to his mind, “Go and tell it to the world; their blood will I require at thy hand.” For nine years he waited, the burden still pressing upon his soul, until in 1831 he for the first time publicly gave the reasons of his faith. | [68] “‘I then began to speak more clearly my opinions to my neighbors, to ministers, and others... I was, therefore, disappointed in finding any who would declare this doctrine.” [72] “‘When I was about my business, it was continually ringing in my ears, Go and tell the world of their danger. This text was constantly occurring to me; “... but his blood will I require at thy hand.” ... “I prayed that some minister might see the truth, and devote him self to its promulgation; but still it was impressed upon me, Go....”’ [79] “The public labors of Mr. Miller … date from the autumn of 1831.” |
| [75] Some of them were sent to complete their education in the great cities, where they could have a wider range for thought and observation than in their secluded homes. | History of the Waldenses James Aitken Wylie [20] It was not uncommon for the Waldensian youth... to proceed to the seminaries in the great cities... There they saw other customs... and had a wider horizon around them than in the seclusion of their native valleys. |
| [76] It was a law among them that all who entered the ministry should, before taking charge of a church at home, serve three years in the missionary field. ... The missionaries began their labors in the plains and valleys at the foot of their own mountains, going forth two and two. [76] To make known the nature of their mission would have insured its defeat; therefore, they concealed their real character under the guise of some secular profession, most com- m only that of merchants and peddlers. They offered for sale silks, jewelry, and other valuable articles, and were received as merchants where they would have been repulsed as missionaries... | [20] It was an old law among them that all who took orders in their church should, before being eligible to a home charge, serve three years in the mission field... [22] Their mission field was the realms that lay outspread at the foot of their own mountains. They went forth two and two, concealing their real character under the guise of a secular profession, most commonly that of merchants or peddlers. They carried silks, jewelry, and other articles ... not easily purchasable ... and they were welcomed as merchants where they would have been spurned as missionaries... |
| [76] They carried about with them portions of the Holy Scriptures concealed in their clothing or merchandise, and whenever they could do so with safety, they called the attention of the inmates of the dwelling to these manuscripts. When they saw that an interest was awakened, they left some portion with them as a gift... | [22] They took care to carry with them, concealed among their wares or about their persons, portions of the Word of God ... and to this they would draw the attention of the in mates. When they saw a desire to possess it, they would freely make a gift of it... |
| [77] With naked feet and in coarse garments, these missionaries passed through great cities, and traversed provinces far removed from their native valleys... Veiled and silent, the word of God was making its way through Christendom. | [23] Their naked feet and coarse woolen garments made them some what marked figures in the streets of a city... Thus did the Bible in those ages, veiling its majesty and its mission, travel silently through Christendom. |
| [82] Again and again were their fertile lands laid waste, their dwellings and chapels swept away, so that where once were flourishing fields and the homes of an innocent, industrious people, there remained only a desert... Many of these witnesses for a pure faith were pursued across the mountains, and hunted down in the valleys where they were hidden, shut in by mighty forests, and pinnacles of rock. | [26] Soon the fertility and the beauty of the region were swept away ... and the plains ... were converted into a desert.... [It was resolved] to pursue these confessors ... across the mountains, and attack them in those grand valleys... where they lay intrenched, as it were, amid dense chestnut forests and mighty pinnacles of rock. |
| [83] When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated sect, a bull was issued by the pope condemning them as heretics, and delivering them to slaughter. They were not accused as idlers, or dishonest, or disorderly; but it was declared that they had an appearance of piety and sanctity that seduced “the sheep of the true fold.” Therefore the pope ordered “that the malicious and abominable sect of malignants,” if they refuse to abjure, “be crushed like venomous snakes.” | [32] The first step of the Pope was to issue a bull, denouncing as heretical those whom he delivered over to slaughter. ... It brings no charge against these men as lawless, idle, dis honest, or disorderly; their fault was ... they practiced a “simulated sanctity,” which had the effect of seducing the sheep of the true fold, therefore, he orders “that malicious and abominable sect of malignants,” if they “re fuse to abjure, to be crushed like venomous snakes.” |
| [83] This bull invited all Catholics to take up the cross against the here tics. In order to stimulate them in this cruel work, it absolved them from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they might have taken; it legalized their title to any property which they might have illegally acquired, and promised re mission or all their sins to such as should kill any heretic. | [32] The bull invited all Catholics to take up the cross against the heretics; and to stimulate them in this pious work it “absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, general and particular; it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they might have taken; it legitimatized their title to any property they might have illegally acquired; and promised remission of all their sins to such as should kill any heretic.” |
| [144] Luther’s mysterious disappearance excited consternation throughout all Germany... Even his enemies were more agitated by his absence than they could have been by his presence. The wildest rumors were circulated. ... Many bound themselves by a solemn oath to avenge his death... [144] Though at first exultant at the supposed death of Luther, they now desired to hide from the wrath of the people. Those who were enraged against him when he was at large, were filled with fear now that he was in captivity. | History of the Reformation, Vol.3, Bk.9 J. H. Merle d’Aubigne 1841 [24] Germ any was m oved at Luther’s captivity. The most contradictory rumours circulated... The reformer’s absence excited men’s minds more than his presence could have done... [25] Luther’s friends... swore to avenge his death ... The priests and monks, who at first had not been able to conceal their exultation ... would now have fled far from the threatening anger of the people. These men, who, while Luther was free, had given the reins to their fury, trembled now that he was a captive... |
| [145] As there were false christs in the first century of the Christian church, so there arose false prophets in the sixteeth century. | [68] [There were] many false messiahs in the time of Christ. ... The Reformation of the sixteenth century could not be accomplished without... a similar phenomenon... |
| [145] A few men, deeply affected by the excitement in the religious world, imagined themselves to have received special revelations from Heaven, and claimed to have been divinely commissioned to carry for ward to its completion the Reformation… | [68] There lived a few men... [who] aspired at direct revelations... They were called to complete the Reformation. |
| [145] They rejected the fundamental principle of the Reformation, – the word of God as the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice; and ... substituted the changeable, uncertain standard of their own feelings and impressions. | [68] “What is the use,” said they, “of clinging so closely to the Bible? – It is by the Spirit alone that we can be enlightened. God himself speaks to us.” |
| [146] One of these prophets claimed to have been instructed by the angel Gabriel. A student who united with him ab a n d o n e d his studies, declaring that he had received from God himself the ability to explain the Scriptures. Others who were naturally inclined to fanaticism united with them. | [69] A simple clothier ... announced that the angel Gabriel had appeared to him during the night... A former student of Wittemberg ... forsook his studies... he had received direct from God ... the gift of inter preting the holy scriptures... a man of fanatical character. |
| [146] The leaders of the movement repaired to Wittemberg, and urged their claims upon Melancthon and his co-laborers. Said they: “We are sent by God to teach the people.” | [70] Thomas, and Stubnerre paired to Wittemberg... “We are sent oy God to instruct the people,” said they. |
| [146] The fruit of the new teaching soon became apparent. The minds of the people were diverted from the word of God, or decidedly prejudiced against it. The schools were thrown into confusion. Students spurning all restraint, abandoned their studies. | [74] The results of these strange discourses soon showned themselves. Men’s minds were prejudiced, agitated, diverted from the gospel; the university became disorganized; the demoralized students broke the bonds of discipline, and dispersed. |
| [147] From the professed friends of the Reformation had risen its worst enemies... | [75] It is from the very midst of the Reformation that its enemies have gone forth... |
| [149] He knew them to be men of hasty and violent temper, who, while claiming to be especially illuminated from Heaven, would not endure the slightest contradiction, or even the kindest admonition. Arrogating to themselves supreme authority, they required every one, without a question, to acknowledge their claims. | [95] Luther... knew them to be of violent, impatient, and haughty dis position, who could not endure even kind admonition, and who required that everyone should submit at the first word as to a supreme authority. |
| [149] Thomas Munzer, the most active of the fanatics, was a man of considerable ability, which, rightly directed, would have enabled him to do good; but he had not learned the first principles of true religion. He imagined himself ordained of God to re form the world, forgetting, like many other enthusiasts, that the reform should begin with himself. | History of the Reformation Vol.3,Bk. lO [217] Thomas Munzer ... not de void of talent, had read his Bible, was zealous, and might have done good, if he had been able to collect his agitated thoughts and find peace of heart.... He was possessed with a desire of re forming the world, and forgot, as all enthusiasts do, that the reformation. |
| [55] Satan... essayed to set aside the ancient Sabbath... and in its stead to exalt the festival observed by the heathen as “the venerable day of the sun.” ... | History of the Sabbath J. N. Andrews 1862 [252] This was nothing less than an edict from the throne of the Roman empire in behalf of “the venerable day of the sun.” It was issued by the emperor Constantine in A.D. 321... |
| [55] Constantine, while still a heathen, issued a decree enjoining the general observance of Sunday as a public festival throughout the Roman empire. After his conversion, he remained a staunch advocate of Sun day, and his pagan edict was then enforced by him in the interests of his new faith. ... A few years after the issue of Constantine’s decree, the bishop of Rome conferred on the Sunday the title of the Lord’s day. [56] Vast councils were held from time to time, in which the dignitaries of the church were convened from all the world. In nearly every council the Sabbath which God had instituted was pressed down a little lower, while the Sunday was correspondingly exalted. | [257] That Constantine himself was a heathen at the time... is shown. [259] Sylvester was the bishop of Rome while Constantine was emperor. ... He changed the name of the day, giving it the imposing title of Lord is day. [262] After his professed conversion to Christianity, Constantine still further exerted his power in behalf of the venerable day of the sun.... [264] The council of Laodicea struck a heavy blow at this Sabbath keeping. ... But the Laodicean council not only forbade the observance of the Sab bath, they even pronounced a curse on those who should obey the fourth commandment! |
| [57] In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the beast “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and John. (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:5–7.) | [271] The opening of the sixth century witnessed the development of the great apostasy to such an extent that the man of sin might be plainly seen sitting in the temple of God... In the early part of this century, the bishop of Rome was made head over the entire church by the emperor of the east... The dragon gave unto the beast his power, and his seat, and great authority. From this accession to supremacy by the Roman pontiff, date the “time, times and dividing of time,” or twelve hundred and sixty years of the prophecies of Daniel and John. |
| [57] Thus says the prophet: “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.” | [272] The true people of God now re tire d for safety into places of obscurity and seclusion, as represented by the prophecy: “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.” |
| The Great Controversy E. G. White 1884(1911 ed.) [61] The history of God’s people during the ages of darkness that followed upon Rome’s supremacy is written in heaven, but they have little place in human records. Few traces of their existence can be found, except in the accusations of their persecutors. It was the policy of Rome to obliterate every trace of dissent from her doctrines or decrees. Everything heretical, whether persons or writings, she sought to destroy.... Papal councils decreed that books and writings containing such records should be commited to the flames. Before the invention of printing, books were few in number, and in a form not favorable for preservation; therefore there was little to prevent the Romanists from carrying out their purpose. | [295] “As scarcely any fragment of their history remains, all we know of them is from accounts of their enemies, which were always uttered in a style of censure and complaint: and without which we should not have known that millions of them ever existed. It was the settled policy of Rome to obliterate every vestige of opposition to her doctrines and decrees; everything heretical, whether persons or writings, by which the faithful would be liable to be contaminated and led astray. In conformity to this their fixed determination all books and records of their opposers were hunted up, and committed to the flames. Before the art of printing was discovered in the fifteenth century, all books were made with the pen; the copies, of course, were so few that their concealment was much more difficult than it would be now.” [Quoted from Benedict’s History of the Baptist Denomination (1849 ed.), p. 50.] |
