Ministers and people declared that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation were incomprehensible mysteries. But Christ directed His disciples to the words of the prophet Daniel concerning events to take place in their time, and said: “Whoso readeth, let him understand.” Matthew 24:15. And the assertion that the Revelation is a mystery, not to be understood, is contradicted by the very title of the book: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.... Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:1-3....
In view of the testimony of Inspiration, how dare men teach that the Revelation is a mystery beyond the reach of human understanding? It is a mystery revealed, a book opened. The study of the Revelation directs the mind to the prophecies of Daniel, and both present most important instruction, given of God to men, concerning events to take place at the close of this world's history.
To John were opened scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the experience of the church. He saw the position, dangers, conflicts, and final deliverance of the people of God. He records the closing messages which are to ripen the harvest of the earth, either as sheaves for the heavenly garner or as fagots for the fires of destruction. Subjects of vast importance were revealed to him, especially for the last church, that those who should turn from error to truth might be instructed concerning the perils and conflicts before them. None need be in darkness in regard to what is coming upon the earth.
Why, then, this widespread ignorance concerning an important part of Holy Writ? Why this general reluctance to investigate its teachings? It is the result of a studied effort of the prince of darkness to conceal from men that which reveals his deceptions. For this reason, Christ the Revelator, foreseeing the warfare that would be waged against the study of the Revelation, pronounced a blessing upon all who should read, hear, and observe the words of the prophecy.—The Great Controversy, 317-342.
1. What kind of man was William Miller? (47, 63)
2. What method of study did Miller use in his search of the Bible? (49, 50)
3. The doctrine of the world's conversion has led to what evil results? (51)
4. In what way did the text Daniel 8:14 become particularly significant? (54)
5. Miller was led to link the cleansing of the sanctuary with the second coming of Christ. What generally accepted view misled him? (54)
6. How and when did Jesus become “the Anointed One”? How and when did the “sacrifice and oblation” cease? (56, 57)
7. How were these events significant to the 2300-day prophecy of Daniel 8:14? (57, 58)
8. Miller spent seven years in earnest Bible study. How many were given to initial exploration? How many to careful review? (58-61)
9. For what reasons did Miller hesitate to begin preaching? (60)
10. In what way was Miller's preaching similar to that of the early Reformers? (61)
11. Why did Miller's preaching, like that of the Reformers, arouse opposition by “popular religious teachers”? How did these teachers make up for their lack of Scripture argument? (63, 64)
12. Why was the preaching of Christ's second coming so unwelcome to the churches? How did this same preaching affect those who accepted it? (65, 66)
13. Against what are those who read, hear, and observe the words of Revelation's prophecy protected? (67)
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