Supplement
An Explanation
Dear Christian Friends: As I have given a brief sketch of my experience and views, published in 1851, it seems to be my duty to notice some points in that little work, also to give more recent views.
1. On page 33 is given the following:
"I saw that the holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between
the true Israel of God and unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is the great
question to unite the hearts of God's dear, waiting saints. I saw that God
had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the
light upon it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were
filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more
fully." {EW 85.2}
This view was given in 1847 when there
were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these
but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a
line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfilment of that
view is beginning to be seen. "The commencement of that time of trouble,"
here mentioned does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be
poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while
Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is
closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry,
yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the
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third angel. At that time the "latter rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. {EW 85.3}
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third angel. At that time the "latter rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. {EW 85.3}
2. The view of "The Open and Shut
Door", on pages 42-45, was given in 1849. The application of Revelation 3:7,
8, to the heavenly sanctuary and Christ's ministry was entirely new to me. I
had never heard the idea advanced by anyone. Now as the subject of the
sanctuary is being clearly understood, the application is seen in its force
and beauty. {EW 86.1}
3.
The view that the Lord "had
stretched out His hand the second time to recover the remnant of His
people," on page 74, refers only to the union and strength once existing
among those looking for Christ, and to the fact that He had begun to unite
and to raise up His people again. {EW 86.2}