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of the seventy weeks is fixed. This Canon places the seventh year
of Artaxerxes in the year B. C. 457; and the accuracy of the Canon
is demonstrated by the concurrent agreement of more than twenty
eclipses. The seventy weeks date from the going forth of a decree
respecting the restoration of Jerusalem. There were no decrees be-
tween the seventh and twentieth years of artaxerxes. Four hundred
and ninety years, begi
C. 457, and end in A. D. 34. Commencing in the twentieth, they
must commence in B. C. 444, and end in A. D. 47. As no event oc-
curred in A. D. 47 to mark their termination, we ca
the twentieth; we must therefore look to the seventh of Artaxerxes.
This date we ca
strating the inaccuracy of Ptolemy’s Canon. To do this, it would
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be necessary to show that the large number of eclipses by which its
accuracy has been repeatedly demonstrated, have not been correctly
computed; and such a result would unsettle every chronological
Appendix
335
date, and leave the settlement of epochs and the adjustment of eras
entirely at the mercy of every dreamer, so that chronology would be
of no more value than mere guess-work. As the seventy weeks must
terminate in A. D. 34, unless the seventh of Artaxerxes is wrongly
fixed, and as that ca
effect, we inquire, what evidence marked that termination? The time
when the apostles turned to the Gentiles harmonizes with that date
better than any other which has been named. And the crucifixion,
in A. D. 31, in the midst of the last week, is sustained by a mass of
testimony which ca
As the 70 weeks and the 2300 days have a common starting-
point, the calculation of Mr. Miller is verified at a glance by sub-
tracting the 457 years B. C. from the 2300. Thus,
2300
457
____
1843 A. D.
But it requires 457 full years before Christ, and 1843 full years
after Christ, to make the 2300. Now the decree of Artaxerxes did
not go into effect at the begi
the autumn of that year; it follows that the 2300 days would not
terminate in 1843, but would extend to the autumn of 1844. This is
plainly seen by the following simple diagram:—
457.
2300.
end of 1843.
|__________________________________________|
|___________________________________________|
Decree given.
2300.
Days end in 1844.
This fact not being at first perceived by Mr. Miller and his
associates, they looked for the coming of Christ in 1843; hence the
first disappointment and the seeming delay. It was the discovery of
the correct time, in co
led to the movement known as the midnight cry of 1844. And to this
day the computation of the prophetic periods placing the close of
the 2300 days in the autumn of 1844, stands without impeachment.
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The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
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Then the question arises, if Wm. Miller’s calculation of time was
correct, whence his disappointment? This was due to his mistake
as to the event. The prophecy says, “Unto two thousand and three
hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Mr. Miller and
his associates failed to understand the subject of the sanctuary and its
cleansing. Here was the secret of their disappointment. For a brief
explanation of this important point, showing what is the sanctuary,
and how its cleansing—begi
days in 1844—fulfills the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, see chapter 18., entitled “The Sanctuary.”
Another question then arises: “If he was mistaken in the event,
was not his whole work an error?” That does not follow. The disci-
ples of Christ were utterly mistaken when he rode into Jerusalem,
and they hailed him as a king with tokens of victory. They thought
he was then to be crowned a king on David’s throne. But it was not
an error in them to act according to their belief; in so doing they
fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which they would not have done if they had realized that he was going to judgment and to death.
But that scripture must be fulfilled, if it were necessary to make the
stones cry out. Luke 19:37-40. In like ma
Miller and his associates fulfilled prophecy, and gave a proclamation
(see Revelation 14:6, 7) which they would not have given had they understood that yet other proclamations were to be made before the
Lord should come. Revelation 14:8-14.
Note 2. Page 225.—That a wrong use is often made of the text
(Matthew 24:36), is evident from the context. One question of the disciples was concerning the sign of Christ’s coming and of the end
of the world. This question Jesus answered. In verse 29 he gave signs, and said, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is
near, even at the doors.” Verse 33. One saying of the Saviour must not be made to destroy another. Though no man knoweth the day nor
the hour, we are instructed and required (for it is in the imperative)
to know when it is near, even at the doors. And we are further taught
that it will be as fatal to us to disregard his warning, and refuse or
neglect to know, as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah
not to know when the flood was coming. Verses 37-39. And verses
44-51 show in what light Christ, when He comes, will regard and
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reward those whom he finds watching and teaching his coming, and
Appendix
337
those denying it. “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when
he cometh shall find watching.” Luke 12:37.
Note 3. Page 228.—The story that the Adventists made robes
with which to ascend “to meet the Lord in the air,” was invented
by those who wished to reproach the cause. It was circulated so
industriously that many believed it; but careful inquiry proved its
falsity. For many years a large reward has been offered for proof
that one such instance ever occurred; but the proof has not been
produced. None who loved the appearing of the Saviour were so
ignorant of the teachings of the Scriptures as to suppose that robes
which they could make would be necessary for that occasion. The
only robe which the saints will need to meet the Lord will be that of
the righteousness of Christ. See Revelation 19:8.
Note 4. Page 241.—The year 1843, during which Adventists at
first expected the coming of Christ, was regarded as extending to
the spring of 1844. The reason for this, briefly stated, is as follows:
Anciently the year did not commence in mid-winter, as now, but at
the first new moon after the vernal equinox. Therefore, as the period