William Miller and the others in the world-wide movement that came up as a result of exploring this prophecy correctly reasoned that the first part for the Jews and the rest must both start at the same time, 457 BC. They originally didn’t know about the lack of a year zero and just like you would on a calculator today, came up with 1843 (negative 457 plus 2300 equals 1843). At first they thought it would take place in the spring. They then came up with 1844 as the correct year and thought the next spring would be it. One scholar in this movement noticed that since Artaxeres decree came into effect in the fall, the time period wouldn’t end until the fall. As the fall got closer another also noticed that the spring festivals in the Jewish ceremonial calendar that pointed to Jesus’ first Coming were literally fulfilled on the exact days in question that they took place that year. The last super was held the same night as Passover, for instance. This lead them to the conclusion that the exact day for the Jewish Day of Atonement cleansing of the earthly sanctuary would be the day Jesus returned. October 22 was Rosh Hashanah that year. Since there was no more reasoning that could be done the hopes and dreams of the people were pitched to the highest level they could be. Hence the term ‘great’ to describe their disappointment. If you’d like to read more about this you can find William Miller’s book at the Internet Sacred Text Archive www.sacred-texts.com. We have already seen that they did make the one mistake thinking the cleansing would be the end of the world, but God used them to test the sincerity of the rest.

There’s a great comment in Hebrews 4:16 that ties what we’ve just discussed to what Jesus is doing for us now in the Sanctuary: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” To come boldly is to not let the thought of your inability to obey Him cut off your faith. Don’t focus on how unworthy you feel compared to Jesus in His perfection. Focus on how good, kind and merciful He is. Don’t let this thought lead you to presume upon His mercy of course, but remember God loves you and He wants to save you. Salvation is a very practical thing. If you ask Him to wipe out the record of your sins in the Sanctuary now, He will do it if you have truly turned form those sins with all your heat.

What Jesus did on the cross was to save you and what He is doing now is to save you as well. He is going over the lists and will wait until everyone has made their decision. However at the same time several significant events are happening on earth. God’s truth about this many other important Bible teachings are going out to all the world. He has His people here sharing the truth so that everyone can have that chance to decide. At the same time a myriad of Satan’s counterfeits, including the great emphasis today’s society has on science as the way to solve all man’s problems and reclaim earth’s place in the universe, are going out as well. Another great counterfeit to watch out for comes from the Christianity of the 14th century. You see, this truth regarding what really happened on October 22, 1844, that Jesus began this first phase of the judgement described in Daniel 7 with the 100 million angels is only being taught today by the Seventh-day Adventists. When the Great Disappointment happened, the vast majority of those who believed and rejected William Miller’s teachings rejected this concept as the explanation for what really happened that day.

So that’s where we are now. There are many options available for you to choose but only one is really the truth. And that truth is far greater a truth that you’d ever previously imagined it could be. It encompasses all that was right and true from the Bible within the 14th century view, includes all that modern science has gleaned from this physical reality we are in, and is infinitely more fulfilling than the attempts to meet our spiritual needs that science fiction really is. All the events we’ve already seen at the start of this chapter about the Second Coming of Christ and the real end of the world won’t happen until everyone has made their decision. Why not make yours today?

In the next chapter we will have the same story told as if it were a novel or a screenplay. Let your heart be thrilled as you experience the wonder of God’s love for you. Very few of the words will be my own and are taken form the pen of someone writing as if she had seen the whole thing on video. Here’s a little bit of her words from “Steps to Christ” pages 88 and 89:

The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in His power to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.

As we meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world.”