a comparison and contrast of james white and uriah smith ... · a comparison and contrast of james...

AComparisonandContrastofJamesWhiteandUriahSmithonDaniel11ByDavidH.Thiele

1

TheimportanceofunderstandingBiblepropheciescannotbeoverstated,solongasoneunderstandsthatallBiblicalknowledgeissubjectivetothosecharactertraitslistedbyPeterandbeatifiedbyChrist.Knowledgemustbeacquireddiligently.Itmustbeaddedtofaithandvirtue.Itmustbeimpartedtemperately,patiently,andmercifullysoastopromoteGodliness—Godlikeness—whileleadingthelearner,thehearer,topeacefulreconciliationwithGod.Thepeacemakermayevenbesubjectedtopersecution,resultinginthedemonstrationofdeliberateandwillfulloveasforgivenessisofferedtothosewhopersecute.ArightunderstandingofprophecyanditsfulfillmentshouldalwaysleadtoperfectionofChristiancharacterinpreparationforthetimeofJacob’stroubleandtheimminentsecondcomingofourLordandSavior.Hopefully,itwillalsoleadtounitysothatwewillspeakthesamethingswithearnesturgencysothatotherswillworkwithGodindoingwhatHehasordainedfromthefoundationoftheworld.WhenmultipleinterpretationsofBibleprophecyemergewithinasinglebodyofbelievers,wemusttaketimetopauseandevaluateeachpositionthoroughlytodiscoverifitholdsuptodetailedscrutinywithBibleandSpiritofProphecysothatwemightavoidwalkingcontrarytothelawandthetestimony.ThedivergenceofviewswithintheSeventh-dayAdventistcommunityontheidentitiesofthekingofthenorthcanbeisolatedintotwocamps:ThePapacy,astaughtbyMartinLutherandresortedtobyJamesSpringWhite;and,TheOttomanEmpire—aka,Turkey—aspresentedbyUriahSmith,A.T.Jones,A.G.Daniells,andmanyothersduringthemid19thcenturytoabouttheendofWorldWarII.ThiscritiquewilltesttheconclusionsdrawnbythosewhousethewritingsofJamesSpringerWhite,the“Moses”oftheSeventh-dayAdventistdenomination,regardingproofsfortheidentityofthekingofthenorth—asthepapacy—withScriptureandhistory,aswellasWhite’sownwritings,andthencomparingthemwiththatofUriahSmith,andthosewhopreachedandpublishedinharmonywiththeviewscomprisingtheEasternQuestion,aswellassomebackstoryandcounselfromthepenofInspirationregardingthedangersofbecomingtheechoofanyman.Duringthe1873GeneralConferencesession,theGeneralConferencePresident,GeorgeButler,wantedtodemonstratehisrespectfortheworkJamesWhitehadperformedbyGod’sgrace.“ButlercherishedahighregardforJamesWhiteandgreatlyadmiredhisvisionanduniqueleadership.AsButler’smessagewasturnedoverintheheartsofthedelegates,theygraduallysawthathewastakingthepositionthatoneman,regardlessofhistitle,wastoberecognizedasthevisibleleaderofSeventh-dayAdventists,asMoseswasthevisibleleaderoftheHebrews;this,ofcourse,pointedtoJamesWhite.Theperilsofthisphilosophywerenotatthemomentseen,butintimetheywouldhavetobereckonedwith.Whitewasnowridingthecrestofthewaveofpopularity,andButlerwasquitewillingthatheshould.”1

1ArthurL.White,EllenG.White:Volume2—TheProgressiveYears:1862-1876


2

TheperilswentunseenatthattimesimplybecauseButlerwastryingtorightawrongpointedoutbyEllenG.Whiteabouttwoyearsearlier,whenshewrote:—

“InavisiongivenmeatBordoville,Vermont,December10,1871,Iwasshownthatthepositionofmyhusbandhasbeenaverydifficultone.Apressureofcareandlaborhasbeenuponhim.Hisbrethrenintheministryhavenothadtheseburdenstobear,andtheyhavenotappreciatedhislabors.Theconstantpressureuponhimhastaxedhimmentallyandphysically.IwasshownthathisrelationtothepeopleofGodwassimilar,insomerespects,tothatofMosestoIsrael.ThereweremurmurersagainstMoses,wheninadversecircumstances,andtherehavebeenmurmurersagainsthim.“….Godhasgivenusbothatestimonywhichwillreachhearts.Hehasopenedbeforememanychannelsoflight,notonlyformybenefit,butforthebenefitofHispeopleatlarge.HehasalsogivenmyhusbandgreatlightuponBiblesubjects,notforhimselfalone,butforothers.Isawthatthesethingsshouldbewrittenandtalkedout,andthatnewlightwouldcontinuetoshineupontheword.”2

Greatestofallperilstofaceindividualsinthislifetime—greatestbecausethenaturaltendencyoftheperilisconnectedtofataldelusion—isthatofidolizingaminister.Thisperilisnorespecterofpersons.Weshouldnotidolizeanyminister.EllenWhitewarnedusawayfromthisdangerouspracticebecauseoftheilleffectsithadonrookieandveteranministersalike,nottotakeforgrantedtheevilinfluencesonthechurchmembershipatlarge.Shewrotemultipletimesoverthedecadesofherministry:—

ThereispositivedangerthatsomewhoprofesstobelievethetruthwillbefoundinapositionsimilartothatoftheJews.Theytaketheideasofthementheyareassociatedwith,notbecausebysearchingtheScripturestheyconscientiouslyaccepttheteachingsindoctrineastruth.IentreatyoutomakeGodyourtrust;idolizenoman,dependuponnoman.LetnotyourloveofmanholdtheminplacesoftrustthattheyarenotqualifiedtofilltothegloryofGod;formanisfiniteanderring,liabletobecontrolledbyhisownopinionsandfeelings.Self-esteemandself-righteousnessarecominginuponus,andmanywillfallbecauseofunbeliefandunrighteousness,forthegraceofChristisnotrulingintheheartsofmany.3

2EllenG.White,TestimoniesfortheChurch,Volume3(MountainView,CA:PacificPressPublishingAssociation,1875),85,emphasisadded.

3EllenG.White,TheEllenG.White1888Materials(Washington,D.C.:EllenG.WhiteEstate,1987),166,emphasisadded.


3

Inorderthatwemaymakenomistakeswhereoureternalinterestsareinvolved,theLordhasgivenusplaininstructionastowhattoreceiveastruth.Hesays,“Tothelawandtothetestimony;iftheyspeaknotaccordingtothisword,itisbecausethereisnolightinthem.”Weshallbeindangerofbeingmisledifwetrusttoministers,orcouncilsofmen,ordependupontheinterpretationthatmenmayputupontheScriptures.Whateverdoctrineisbroughttous,weshoulddiligentlysearchtheScriptures,asdidthenobleBereans,toknowforourselveswhetherthemessenger’sexpositionisinharmonywiththesurewordofprophecy.“AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness;thatthemanofGodmaybeperfect,thoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks.”Godhasgivenusthepreciousendowmentofreasonandintellect,andweshallbeheldaccountableforourmistakesifwedonotusethemindinearneststudyofthewordofGod.Godhasendoweduswithcapabilitieswherebywemayunderstandwhatisacceptableuntohim.Ourhumanideas,ourhumanwills,arenottotakethethrone,butthewillofGodistobesupreme.4

Itistoofrequentlythecasethatyoungconverts,unlessguarded,willsettheiraffectionsmoreupontheirministerthanupontheirRedeemer.Theyconsiderthattheyhavebeengreatlybenefitedbytheirminister’slabors.Theyconceivethathepossessesthemostexaltedgiftsandgraces,andthatnoothercandoequallyaswellashe;thereforetheyattachundueimportancetothemanandhislabors.ThisisaconfidencethatdisposesthemtoidolizethemanandlooktohimmorethantoGod,andindoingthistheydonotpleaseGodnorgrowingrace.Theydogreatharmtotheminister,especiallyifheisyounganddevelopingintoapromisinggospellaborer.5

Ihavebeenshownthatthereisafaultwithus.Wehonorandflatterhumanbeings,acceptingtheirideasandtheirjudgmentasthevoiceofGod.Weadvocatetheircause.Buttheyarenotalwayssafetofollow.Theirjudgmentiserring.Godwouldhaveuseverrefusetopleadagainstthetruth.Hisfrownisuponallthatisfalseorunfair.ThisshouldbethepositionofeveryonewhostandstoministerintheserviceofhisMaster.ForifonetowhomGodhasentrustedholyresponsibilitiesallowsenvy,evilsurmising,prejudice,andjealousiestofindplaceintheheart,heisguiltyofbreakingthelawofGod.Andhiswords,hisideas,andhiserrorswillextendjustasfarashissphereofinfluenceextends.

4EllenG.White,“PutAwaytheEvilofYourDoings,”TheSignsoftheTimes,February26,1894,emphasisadded.

5EllenG.White,TestimoniesfortheChurch,Volume4(MountainView,CA:PacificPressPublishingAssociation,1881),318,emphasisadded.


4

GodsaystoeverymantowhomHeentrustsresponsibilities,“Putnotyourtrustinman,neithermakefleshyourarm.”LooktoGod.TrustinHisinfalliblewisdom.Regardasasinthepracticesocommon,evenamongSeventh-dayAdventists,ofbecomingtheechoofanyman,howeverloftyhisposition.ListentothevoiceofthegreatShepherd,andyouwillneverbeledastray.SearchtheScripturesforyourselfandbebracedfordutyandfortrialbythetruthofGod’sWord.Letnofriendship,noinfluence,noentreaty,letnotthesmiles,theconfidence,ortherewardsofanyman,induceyoutoswervefromthepathinwhichtheLordwouldleadyou.LetChristlikeintegrityandconsistencycontroltheactionsofyourlife.ThemanwhositsmostatthefeetofJesus,andistaughtbytheSaviour’sspirit,willbereadytocryout,“Iamweakandunworthy,butChristismystrengthandmyrighteousness.”…ByHisHolySpirittheLordwilldemonstratethatHiswordistheonlythingthatcanmakemenrightandkeepthemright.IhavebeenshownthatGod’srevealedtruthalonecankeepmeninthepathofhumbleobedience.Standardbearersarefallingaroundus,notonlythroughdeath,butthroughthedeceptionsofSatan.AllheavenislookingupontheremnantpeopleofGod,toseeiftheywillmaketruthalonetheirshieldandbuckler.UnlessthetruthispresentedasitisinJesus,andisplantedintheheartbythepoweroftheSpiritofGod,evenministerswillbefounddriftingawayfromChrist,awayfrompiety,awayfromreligiousprinciple.Theywillbecomeblindleadersoftheblind.Ourfaithcannotbevestedinanyman.WeneedChrist’srighteousness.WeneedJesuseverbyourside.HeisourRock.ItisbyHismightthatweconquer,andbyhisrighteousnessthatwearesaved.WhenIseemenexaltedandpraised,extolledasalmostinfallible,Iknowthattheremustcomeaterribleshaking.WhenGod’slampoflifeshinesintotheheartwithclearandsteadyray,darknesswillinstantlybedispelled.Everyidolwillbedethroned,andthepeaceofGodwhichpassethallunderstandingwillreignintheheart.Truth,precioustruth,willbeseen,appreciated,andobeyed.Thestandardwillelevated,andmanywillrallyroundit.—Manuscript15,1886.(WrittenatBasle,Switzerland.)6

WhenEllenWhitewroteofherhusbandsharingsimilaritiestoMoses,particularlyinhowmurmuringsaroseagainsthimduringtimesofcrisis,didsheeverintendthatweshouldconsiderthewritingsofJamesWhitetobeinspiredbyGodaccordingtotheauthorityofaprophet?CertainlyonesimilarityhehadwithMoseswasthat

6EllenG.White,ManuscriptReleases,VolumeEleven[Nos.851-920](SilverSpring,MD:EllenG.WhiteEstate,1990),82,83,91,emphasisadded.


5

attributeofabilitytocorrect,reprove,andrebukeGod’speopleasweprogressonthepathofrighteousnessthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofcrisis.Andyet,evenwhenwritingofthisabilityasitappliedtoherhusband,EllenWhitehadearlierwrittenconcerningtheinfallibilityandinspirationofJames’writingswithinthecontextofcomparisontothosewhoworkedina“rashandunsparingmanner.”

“CuttingandSlashing.”Thisexpressionisoftenusedtorepresentthemannersandwordsofpersonswhoreprovethosewhoarewrongoraresupposedtobewrong.Itisproperlyappliedtothosewhohavenodutytoreprovetheirbrethren,yetarereadytoengageinthisworkinarashandunsparingmanner.Itisimproperlyappliedtothosewhohaveaspecialdutytodoinreprovingwrongsinthechurch.Suchhavetheburdenoftheworkandfeelcompelled,fromaloveofprecioussouls,todealfaithfully.FromtimetotimeforthepasttwentyyearsIhavebeenshownthattheLordhadqualifiedmyhusbandfortheworkoffaithfullydealingwiththeerring,andhadlaidtheburdenuponhim,andthatifheshouldfailtodohisdutyinthisrespecthewouldincurthedispleasureoftheLord.Ihaveneverregardedhisjudgmentinfallible,norhiswordsinspired;butIhaveeverbelievedhimbetterqualifiedforthisworkthananyotheroneofourpreachers,becauseofhislongexperience,andbecauseIhaveseenthathewasespeciallycalledandadaptedtothework;andalsobecauseinmanycaseswherepersonshaverisenupagainsthisreproofs,Ihavebeenshownthathewasrightinhisjudgmentofmattersandinhismannerofreproving.7

Understandingthenatureofhiswork,wemustalsocomprehendtheaffectsofoverworkuponhishealth.JamesWhitehadbeendoingtheworkofseveralmen.BurningthecandleatbothendswouldprovetohaveaninfluenceuponhishealththatwouldalsoimpacthisthinkingasJamestriedtopresentwhathethoughtwasprimalimportanceinunderstandingprophecywhilealsoburdenedbythemultipleresponsibilitiesinvolvingthegrowthofthechurchandpayingthedebtsincurredbythechurch.HewasPresidentoftheGeneralConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventistsforthreedifferentterms:1865-1867,1869-1871,and1874-1880.ThelasttermincludedtheresponsibilitiesofeditorfortheAdventistReviewandHerald(1873-1877).Notehowthestrainsandstressesoftheseandotherresponsibilitiesaffectedhishealthinthefollowingmedicalhistory.OnWednesday,August16,1865JamesWhitesufferedastrokeofparalysiswhiletakinganearlymorningstrollwithEllen.Afterashortseasonofprayer,hesensedpartialrelieffromthemalady,buttwodayslaterhehadtobecarriedtotheirownhome.Aboutfiveweekslater,Ellendecidedthatthebestcourseofactionwasto

7EllenG.White,TestimoniesfortheChurch,Volume1(MountainView,CA:PacificPressPublishingAssociation,1868),612,613.


6

traveltoDansville,NewYork,toundergohydrotherapytreatmentsnotyetavailabletotheminBattleCreek,Michigan.UriahSmithandJohnLoughboroughalsoundertookthejourneytorecovertheirownconstitutionsduetooverwork.SmithandLoughboroughenjoyedfullrecoveryinsixweeks’time,butthedoctorsLayandJacksonthoughtitwouldtakesixtoeightmonthsbeforeJamesWhitewouldrecover.WhenEllenWhitethoughtitbesttoreturnwithJamestoBattleCreekinDecember,bothdoctorsobjected.TheythoughtthejourneywouldkillJames.Takingthetripinstages,oneofwhichinvolvedaseasonofprayerwhileattheAndrews’home,theWhiteseventuallymadeithome.Overthecourseofthenexttwoyears,andwithagradualreturntoduties,hecontinuedtorecover,thoughothersevaluatedhishealthasonlybeingaboutone-halfrecovered.YettheWhitesunderstoodthatthismaladyhadoccurredbecauseJameswasperformingaworkloadoftwomen.Hewasbeingintemperatewithhishealthinthisregard.Godintendedforhimtolearnalessoninthismatter.So,in1871,whenthewarningsignsofanimpendingstrokewererecognized,Jamesdivestedtoothersthemanyresponsibilitieshehadresumed.InMayof1873,Jamessufferedtwomorestrokesjustdaysapart.By1876,Jameswouldbesufficientlyrecuperatedthathewasdoingtheworkofseveralmen.Thestrainofoverwork,evenwhenfeelingstrong,wouldonceagainleadtoinjuredhealth.OnAugust20,1877,hewouldexperienceyetanotherdebilitatingstroke.Thistime,theafflictionseemedtohaveamuchmoremellowingaffectonJames.ButitwasatthistimeavisiongiventoEllenwouldrevealthenecessityofgivingthestomachrestfromlargequantitiesoffoodtakeninthebeliefthatmorewasneededtogivestrengthtothemind.In1880,GeorgeButleroncemoresucceededJamesasPresidentoftheGeneralConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventists.JameswoulddieofafeveronAugust6,1881.Havingtracedthemedicalhistoryofthisblessedpioneerinthechurch,wecanbetterunderstandwhy,in1878,JamesWhitewrotewhathedid,andinthemannerinwhichhedid,onthesubjectofDaniel11.[BecausethefirstelevenparagraphsareintroductiontoprophecyuponwhichSeventh-dayAdventistswouldagree,Ihavemadeaneditorialdecisiontoexcludethemfromthispaper.ThoseinterestedinreadingforthemselvestheseintroductoryparagraphsmaygoonlinetotheGeneralConferencearchiveswherethearticleisavailable.However,whatIhaveherepublishedistheheart,themeat,ofwhatJamesWhitewishedtopresentthatwascontrarytowhatUriahSmithhadfirsteditedandwouldlaterproduceas“DanielandtheRevelation.”SmithconcurredwithmuchofwhatJosiahLitchandWilliamMillerhadpresentedinlecturesandpublishedinpamphletsleadinguptotheGreatDisappointment,withtheexceptionofNapoleonfulfillingDaniel11:44,45,withhiswarsagainstGreatBritainandRussia.JamesWhiteapparentlywishedtoreturntotheProtestantviewonprophetic


7

interpretationasinitiatedbyMartinLuther,wherethepapacywasthefulfillmentoftheseverses.]

“WhereAreWe?”JamesS.White

TheReviewandHerald,October3,1878Vol.52,No.15Pages116,117

WetracedownthelineofprophecyrepresentedbythemetallicimageofthesecondchapterofDaniel,fromthegoldenhead,Babylon,thesilverbreastandarms,MediaandPersia,pastthesidesofbrass,Grecia,tothefeetandtoes,Romeinitsdividedstate,andtherewefindourselveswaitingtheutterdestructionofallearthlygovernments,representedbythestonedashingtheimageinpieces.Whatnext?Answer:TheestablishmentoftheeverlastingkingdomofGod,whichincludesthecomingoftheSonofmantodestroyhisenemies,raisetherighteousdead,restoretheearthtoitsEdenglory,andreignwithhispeopleuponit“forever,evenforeverandever.”ThesamefieldofprophecyisoccupiedintheseventhchapterofDanielwiththeuseofanotherclassofsymbols,thelion,thebear,theleopard,thebeastwithtenhorns,andthesamebeastwiththreehornspluckedupbythelittlehorn.ThekingdomofBabylonissymbolizedbythelionofthischapter,thesameasbythegoldenheadofchaptersecond.Persiabythebear,Greciabytheleopard,andPaganandPapalRomebythetwoformsorconditionsofthegreatandterriblebeast.Thespecificationsofthispropheticchainaremoreminutethanthoseofthechaptersecond.ThetimeofthepersecutingruleofPapalRomeisgiveninamannersoveryplain,itstwelvehundredandsixtyyearsboundedateachend,commencingA.D.538,andterminatingA.D.1798,thatitcanhardlybemisunderstood.Whatnext?Answer:ThesecondappearingofChrist,thedestructionofthebeast,hisbodygiventotheburningflames.Wehavepassedallthelight-housesonthecoastofTime,andareenteringtheeternalhavenbythelightofthejudgmentfiresoftheburningdayandtheblazinggloryofthecomingoftheSonofman.Again,thelastthreeofthosefouruniversalempiresaresymbolizedintheeighthchapterDanielbytheramwithtwohorns,MediaandPersia;thegoat,Grecia;andthelittlehorn,Rome.Thishornwastobecomeexceedinggreat,standupagainstthePrinceofprincesathisfirstadvent,andbebrokenwithouthandathissecondadvent.WewaitthedestructionofthemanofsinbythebrightnessofthecomingoftheKingofkings.


8

Andthereisalineofhistoricprophecyinchaptereleven,wherethesymbolsarethrownoff,beginningwiththekingsofPersia,and,reachingdownpastGreciaandRome,tothetimewhenthatpower“shallcometohisend:andnoneshallhelphim.”IfthefeetandtentoesofthemetallicimageareRoman,ifthebeastwithtenhornsthatwasgiventotheburningflamesofthegreatdaybetheRomanbeast,ifthelittlehornwhichstoodupagainstthePrinceofprincesbeRome,andifthesamefieldanddistancearecoveredbythesefourpropheticchains,thenthelastpoweroftheeleventhchapter,whichisto“cometohisendandnoneshallhelphim,”isRome.ButifthisbeTurkey,assometeach,thenthetoesoftheimageofthesecondchapterareTurkish,thebeastwithtenhornsoftheseventhchapterrepresentsTurkey,anditwasTurkeythatstoodupagainstthePrinceofprincesoftheeighthchapterofDaniel.True,Turkeyisbadenoughoff;butitswaningpoweranditsendisthesubjectoftheprophetofJohnandnotofDaniel.Thefulfillmentoftheselinesofprophecyconstitutessignsoftheapproachingend.Christsaidtothosewhowererejectinghim,“Yehypocrites,yecandiscernthefaceofthesky;butcanyenotdiscernthesignsofthetimes?”Matt.16:3.TheprophetsofGodhadforetoldthehumbleadventoftheJustOneathisfirstappearingeventhetimeofthateventisgivenintheseventyweeksoftheninthchapterofDaniel.AndthefulfillmentofthesepropheciesconstitutedsignsofChrist’sadvent.AndifwordsofcondemnationfellfromthelipsofChristontheJewsforrejectinghim,becauseintheirblindnesstheycouldnotseethefewandcomparativelyfaintsignsofhisfirstadvent,thosewhoclosetheireyestothetokensofhissecondadventwillbeworthyofgreatercondemnationthantheJewsinproportionasthesignsofthesecondadventaremorenumerousandareclearerfulfillmentsofprophecythanwerethoseofhisfirstadvent.WhilethelinesofprophecyinthebookofDanielhavetodowiththefourkingdoms,Babylon,Persia,Greece,andRome,thatofJohnpertainstothefourthonly,Rome.TheRevelationcontainsfourdistinctlinesofprophecymeasuringtheperiodofthefourthuniversalempire,coveringthehistoryofthechurchuntilherLordshallcome.Webrieflynoticethesepropheticchainsinthefollowingorder:—1.Thesevenseals.Prophecyishistoryinadvance.TheRevelationwasasealedbookfromthefactthatitrelatedtothefuture.SaidtheangeltoJohn,“Comeuphither,andIwillshowtheethingswhichmustbehereafter.”Rev.4:1.Butasthecaroftimerollsdownthetrackofprovidence,andthespecificationsoftheprophecyarefulfilled,andtheeventsmarkedbythepropheticpencilbecomemattersofhistory,thesealsareopenedintheir


9

order.UnderthesevensealsisthehistoryofthechurchofJesusChristinsevenperiods,reachingdowntotheend.Theopeningofthesixthsealrevealsthespecialsignsofthesecondadvent,andopensbeforethenakedglareofthescenesofthelastJudgment.“AndIbeheldwhenhehadopenedthesixthseal,and,lo,therewasagreatearthquake;andthesunbecameblackassackclothofhair,andthemoonbecameasblood;Andthestarsofheavenfelluntotheearth,evenasafigtreecastethheruntimelyfigs,whensheisshakenofamightywind.Andtheheavendepartedasascrollwhenitisrolledtogether;andeverymountainandislandweremovedoutoftheirplaces.Andthekingsoftheearth,andthegreatmen,andtherichmen,andthechiefcaptains,andthemightymen,andeverybondman,andeveryfreeman,hidthemselvesinthedensandintherocksofthemountains;Andsaidtothemountainsandrocks,Fallonus,andhideusfromthefaceofhimthatsittethonthethrone,andfromthewrathoftheLamb:Forthegreatdayofhiswrathiscome;andwhoshallbeabletostand?”[Revelation6:12-17.]Thesignsofthesecondadventhavebeenfulfilled,andwenowstandunderthesixthseal,waitingthecomingoftheSonofmanaccompaniedbyalltheholyangels.IntheirabsencefromtheheavenlycourtstoescorttheirLeaderandCommanderdowntoearthtoraisetherighteousdeadandchangethelivingjusttoimmortality,everyharpandeveryangelvoicewillbehushed,andtherewillbe“silenceinHeavenaboutthespaceofhalfanhour.”Rev.8:1.WhentheministryofChristshallbefinished,andhisbloodshallnomorebeofferedtocleansethesinnerofhissins,andthefearfulfiatofAlmightyGodwillbegiven,“Hethatisunjust,lethimbeunjuststill;andhewhichisfilthy,lethimbefilthystill;andhethatisrighteous,lethimberighteousstill;andhethatisholy,lethimbeholystill;andbeholdIcomequickly,andmyrewardiswithme,”Rev.22:11,12;thenallthesealswillbeopen.ThusJohnisbornedownthestreamoftime.Andstandingwherewestandtoday,hereceivedthisorderfromtheangel,“Sealnotthesayingsoftheprophecyofthisbook[orregarditnolongeritasealedbook],forthetimeisathand.”Verse10.2.Thesevenchurches.ThesealsorepresentsevenperiodsofthechurchofChrist,reachingdowntothetimewhentheovercomersshallseatedontheirLord’sthroneintheimmortalkingdom,astheirLivingHeadovercame,andisnowseatedwiththeFatheronhisthrone.SeeRev.,chaps2and3.Tothesixthchurch,Philadelphia,meaningbrotherlylove,Christsays,“BeholdIcomequickly.Holdthatfastwhichthouhast,thatnomantakethycrown.”ThischurchwascomposedofthosewholefttheircreedsandpartystrifeundertheproclamationofthesecondcomingofChristathandin1844,lefttheseveralorganizationsofwhichtheyweremembers,andunitedinonehappy,loving,brotherhood,lookingforChrist’ssecondappearing.Andofthese,ouradorableRedeemersays,“Ihavesetbeforetheeanopendoor,and


10

nomancanshutit.”HehasthekeyDavid,andissoontomanifesthispowerandreignonthethroneofDavid.Buthesaystothelastchurch,Laodicea,“BeholdIstandatthedoorandknock.Ifanymanhearmyvoice,andopenthedoor,Iwillcomeintohim,andwillsupwithhim,andhewithme.”Chap.3:20.Thesewordsofsignificantimportrepresentnocommonblessing.Butbeforetheblessingcanbereceivedandenjoyedthereisagreatworktobedonebythoseaddressed.Theyarerepresentedaslukewarm.Theyareundertheterribledeceptionofthinkingthattheyarerichandincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing,whileignorantofthefactthattheyarewretched,miserable,poor,blind,andnaked.Theyareexhortedtobezealousandrepent.Buttheyarenotlefthere.Jesusofferstobetheircounselor,andexhortsthemtobuyofhimgoldandwhiteraiment,Hestandsatthedoorandknocks,andpromisesthatifanymanwillopenthedoorhewillcomeinandsupwithhim,andhewithChrist.“BeholdIstandatthedoorandknock.Ifanymanhearmyvoiceandopenthedoor,IwillcomeintohimandwillsupwithhimandHewithme.”Hereisaworkforthoseaddressedtodo.Christwillnotforcehiswayintotheheartsofhispeople,butwhentheyhavepreparedthewayhewillcomeinandshedhisloveabroadintheirhearts.J.W.

(Tobecontinued.)Apparentlyparttwowasneverpublished,ifindeeditwaseverwritten.Thereasonwhy?EllenWhitewrote,sixyearsafterJames’death:“Weshallseeeyetoeyeerelong,buttobecomefirmandconsiderityourdutytopresentyourviewsindecidedoppositiontothefaithortruthasithasbeentaughtbyusasapeople,isamistake,andwillresultinharm,andonlyharmasinthedaysofMartinLuther.Begintodrawapartandfeelatlibertytoexpressyourideaswithoutreferencetotheviewsofyourbrethren,andastateofthingswillbeintroducedthatyoudonotdreamof.Myhusbandhadsomeideasonsomepointsdifferingfromtheviewstakenbyhisbrethren.Iwasshownthathowevertruehisviewswere,Goddidnotcallforhimtoputtheminfrombeforehisbrethrenandcreatedifferencesofideas.”8ThisstatementcoveredmanyviewsandopinionsthatJamesWhiteheld.Assuch,itwasnotintendedtoconveythatJamesWhitewascorrectonhisviewsregardingDaniel11.Iftheyhadbeen,thenEllenWhitewouldhavebeenmoreprolificinwritingonthesubjectinsuchamannerastoexposeUriahSmith’sperspectiveaserroneous.

8EllenG.White,Letter37,1887,ManuscriptRelease,VolumeFifteen[Nos.1136-1185](SilverSpring,MD:EllenG.WhiteEstate,1990),21,emphasisadded.


11

IhavesearchedthroughseveralsubsequentissuesoftheReviewandHerald(1878fromOctoberthroughtheendofDecember),andcouldnotfindanyevidencethatJamesWhitefinishedwhathestartedwiththisarticle.Atfirstglance,however,itappearselsewherethatJamesWhite’sconvictionsonthepapalpowerbeingthekingofthenortharestronglyimplied,butnotdirectlystated:—

ThatJesusroseup,andshutthedoor,andcametotheAncientofdays,toreceivehiskingdom,atthe7thmonth,1844,Ifullybelieve.SeeLuke13:25;Mat.25:10;Dan.7:13,14.ButthestandingupofMichael,Dan.12:1,appearstobeanotherevent,foranotherpurpose.Hisrisingupin1844,wastoshutthedoor,andcometohisFather,toreceivehiskingdom,andpowertoreign;butMichael’sstandingup,istomanifesthiskinglypower,whichhealreadyhas,inthedestructionofthewicked,andinthedeliveranceofhispeople.Michaelistostandupatthetimethatthelastpowerinchap.11[kingofthenorth],comestohisend,andnonetohelphim.ThispoweristhelastthattreadsdownthetruechurchofGod:andasthetruechurchisstilltroddendown,andcastoutbyallchristendom,itfollowsthatthelastoppressivepowerhasnot“cometohisend;”andMichaelhasnotstoodup.ThislastpowerthattreadsdownthesaintsisbroughttoviewinRev.13:11-18.Hisnumberis666.Muchofhispower,deception,wonders,miracles,andoppression,willdoubtlessbemanifestedduringhislaststruggleunderthe“sevenlastplagues,”aboutthetimeofhiscomingtohisend.ThisisclearlyshadowedforthbythemagiciansofEgypt,deceivingPharaohandhishost,inperformingmostofthemiracles,thatMosesperformedbythepowerofGod.ThatwasjustbeforethedeliveranceofIsraelfromEgyptianbondage;andmaywenotexpecttoseeasgreatamanifestationofthepoweroftheDevil,justbeforethegloriousdeliveranceofthesaints?IfMichaelstoodupin1844,whatpowercame“tohisend,andnonetohelphim,”“ATTHATTIME”?ThetroublethatistocomeatthetimethatMichaelstandsup,isnotthetrial,ortroubleofthesaints;butitisatroubleofthenationsoftheearth,causedby“sevenlastplagues.”SowhenJesushasfinishedhisworkofatonement,intheHolyofHolies,hewilllayoffhispriestlyattire,andputonhismostkinglyrobesandcrown,torideforth,andmanifesthiskinglypower,inrulingthenations,anddashingtheminpieces.9

OnlyinthesetwoplacesdoweobtainJamesWhite’spublishedconclusionsregardingthepapacytobethekingofthenorthinDaniel11.Fromthesestatements,wehavenoevidenceofhowhearrivedathisconclusionsthatthepapalpowerandthekingofthenorthareoneandthesame.Whatwedoseeisanapparent“strawman”argumentforwhythekingofthenorthisnotTurkey:“ButifthisbeTurkey,assometeach,thenthetoesoftheimageofthesecondchapterareTurkish,thebeastwithtenhornsoftheseventhchapterrepresentsTurkey,andit

9JamesWhite,AWordtotheLittleFlock(Gorham,Maine,1847),8,9.


12

wasTurkeythatstoodupagainstthePrinceofprincesoftheeighthchapterofDaniel.True,Turkeyisbadenoughoff;butitswaningpoweranditsendisthesubjectoftheprophetofJohnandnotofDaniel.”Thesestatementsamounttoa“sharpthrust”andunreasonableconclusionbaseduponfaultylineoffigurativereasoning,whichweshallnowattempttounderstandforwhattheytrulyare(withtheunderstandingthatJamesWhitewasnotfullyrecoveredfromhisnervousbreakdownandsubsequentstroke,ofwhichevents,inallprobability,affectedhisthinking).1.ThetentoesoftheimagecanneverbeTurkishbecausetheyarerepresentativeofthetenkingdomsthatemergefromWesternRometoinfluencetheeventspertainingtothewholeearth.Itisthesetenkingdomsthatgrowtosuchpowerastocolonizeand/orinfluencetherestoftheworld.Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatTurkeyisn’tthekingofthenorthinDaniel11.NordoesismeanthatRome,whichistheseatofthebeastofRevelation,isthekingofthenorth,exceptasitruledtheactualterritorythatgeographicallyfitsthedescriptionfirstestablishedinDaniel11untiltheMuslimTurksfinallyconquereditaftera53-daysiegeonMay29,1453.Whatissurprisingisthatthosescholars,pastors,andevangeliststhatwouldconcurwithJamesWhite’sviews(andeventhosewhodifferontheidentityofthekingofthesouthinthelatterportionofDaniel11)allagreethattheearlyportionofthischapterisliterallyfulfilledbycharactersthatliveinthephysicalgeographyofterritorypositionedtothenorthandsouthofancientIsrael’sboundaries—MesopotamiaandEgypt—thenationsoftheEuphratesandNilerivers,untiltheychoosetodealwiththerestofthechaptersymbolically,orfiguratively.ThentheyarefreetoapplywhateverScripturepassagesandhistoricaldatatheyneedtobringaboutaninterpretationthatsuitstheirownideas,theirowndesirableoutcomes.2.AtthetimeofJamesWhite’swritings,ConstantinoplewasthecapitoloftheOttomanEmpire,andbyextrapolation,thatofTurkeyuntilthecapitolwasmovedtoAnkaraonOctober29,1923.ConstantinoplewasthecapitoloftheRomanEmpirefrom330A.D.whenConstantineremovedfromRometotheeasternprovincesoftheempire.WhiteappearstooverlookandneglectthatpassageinDaniel11:24,“Heshallenterpeaceablyevenuponthefattestplacesoftheprovince;andheshalldothatwhichhisfathershavenotdone,norhisfathers’fathers;heshallscatteramongthemtheprey,andspoil,andriches:yea,andheshallforecasthisdevicesagainstthestrongholds,evenforatime.”ThispassagealludestotheimperialtransferofauthorityonceheldbythecityofRometothenewcapitol,Constantinople,asverse25describesOctavian’sattackonAnthonyatActium,September2,31A.D.Adding360years(“evenforatime”intendedtobeprophetictimeofoneyear,or360daysforapropheticyear)tothatdatewouldbringustothetimeConstantinoplebecamethenewcapitol,May11,330A.D.


13

ThesignificanceofWhite’sstatementaboutTurkeyshowshowheoverlookedthatConstantinoplethoughtofitselfasRomanasRomeitself.JustasRomehadsevenhillssodidConstantinople.TheEasternRomanprovincescontinuedforcenturiesafterWesternRomeimplodedintothetenkingdoms.Thenewcapitolcontinuedtothrivebecauseoftheglobalcontrolithadoverthecommerceoftheempire.However,whentheMuslimTurkscapturedthecity,andmadeitthecapitolfortheirCaliphate,wecannothelpbutconcludethatthisisindeedtheendtimepowerofthekingofthenorthdescribedbyDanieltowardthecloseofchaptereleven.Wemustnotbesonarrowinourthinkingandinterpretationastoconcludethatonlythepapalpowerwouldpersecuteandkillthesaintsduringthe1,260dayprophecy.ThisisnottosaythatthistimeperiodcanbeappliedtotheOttomanTurks.Itcannot.However,persecutionofChristianswithintheterritorycontrolledbyIslamicrulerswhogovernedbyShariaLawshouldnotbecasuallydismissed.ItmatterednotwhetherGod’speoplediedbypapalbonfiresorIslamicsword.BothreligiousstatespersecutedGod’speopleduringthe1,260days.Onlythepersecutionbythepapacyhasbeencurtailedbyprophetictimeperiods.3.WhitebeginstoaddressthepropheticinterpretationofRevelationbyapplyingthesevenseals,thesevenchurches,asapplicableonlytothePapacyasthoughthe“historyinadvance”couldnotpossiblyincludepropheticreferencestotwopowersexercisingpersecutionpowersduringthesameperiodoftimethatthePapacywouldhavetoexerciseitsauthorityoverthoseconsideredheretics.ItisassumedthatWhitewouldhaveaddressedtheseventrumpetsintheintendedsubsequentarticlesthatwerenotpublished.But,forhisviewsontheseventrumpets,wedohavehiswritingsfrom1859,whichwewillreviewinitsproperplace.OfthesevensealsmentioninRevelation6:1-17,and8:1,therearenodirectreferencesmadetoprophetictimeexceptforthe“silenceinheavenaboutthespaceofhalfanhour.”ThesevensealsappeartogiveusgreaterdetailofthehistoryofthesevenchurchesfirstmentionedinRevelationchapters2and3.Whatisobviousisthatthehistoryoftheworldcontainedinthesymbolsofthechurchesandsealsincludedthegenesisoftheprimitiveapostolicchurch,thetransitiontotheimperialChristianchurchasitdivergesintothecreeds,organizations,andcorruptionsofboththeGreekandRomanChristianstreams.Thereoughttobenodoubtthatduringthe1,260yearsofRomanCatholicdominationandpersecutionofsocalledhereticalsectswithinitssphereofinfluencetherealsooccurredgreatpersecutionofChristiansintheregionofConstantinople.Again,itmattersnotifaprofessorofChristdiedburningatthestakeintheWest,orbledoutfromtheswordandhalberdoftheMuslimsintheEast.ThosecalledoutoftheworldtoliveobedientlivesuntoGodwerehunteddownandkilledinthenameofGodandAllah.LongbeforetheOttomanEmpiremassacredChristians,SasaBeymassacredtheChristiansofEphesus.Later,TamerlanewoulddepopulatemanyChristiancities—includingSmyrna.Letitsufficethatboththeseatofthebeast(Rome)andthekingofthenorth(MuslimrulerscontrollingtheByzantiumregion)wouldbepersecutingandkillingthepeopleofGod.


14

Beforemovingontotheseventrumpets,weneedtoconsiderthesevenlastplagues.Thereasonforthisorderofthingswillbecomeclearerasweproceed.4.BothWhiteandSmithconnectthedemiseofthekingofthenorthwiththecloseofprobation,atwhichtimeMichaelstandsup.Yetitisherethattheirconclusionsdiverge,andwemustunderstandthereasonswhy.ItisnotenoughtomakeassumptionsofidentitysimplybecausethefirstvisionincludesBabylonastheheadofgold,orthesecondvisionpointstoBabylonasthefirstbeasttocomeoutofthesea.ThosevisionshavetheirowninterpretationsgiventothemofwhichDanielalreadyunderstood.Innoneoftheseinterpretationsdoweseeaforeshadowingoftheidentityofthekingofthenorthorofthekingofthesouth.ThepurposeofthevisionofDanielchapter10through12isnottofurtherexplainwhatDanielalreadyunderstands.ThisexplanationisforthepurposeofhelpingDanieltocomprehendthetruthofthevisionthatlastssomanypropheticdaysastooverwhelmhimwhenheseeapparentdelaytothereturnofGod’speopletoJerusalemaccordingtoJeremiah’sprophecy.Evenafterreceivingandrecordingtheexplanation,Danieldoesn’tunderstand.“AndIheard,butIunderstoodnot:thensaidI,OmyLord,whatshallbetheendofthesethings?Andhesaid,Gothyway,Daniel:forthewordsareclosedupandsealedtillthetimeoftheend.”10ItisthebookofDanielbeingunsealedthatfulfillstheprophecyofthelittlebookthatJohniscommandedtoeateventhoughheiscommandedtosealupwhattheseventhundersuttered.11So,toextrapolateaconclusionbyforcingBabylonasanidentityofeitherkingisunsafeandilladvisedgivenitsprecipitousnature.ForwhileitispossibletogatherotherscripturestogivetheappearanceoftheBibleinterpretingitself,suchapracticeisimpulsivemisapplicationwhenthemeaningofDaniel11canbereasonablyunderstoodthroughoutthechapterbytheliteralapplicationthatbothSmithandWhiteinitiallymake.Tofullycomprehendtheidentityofthekingofthenorth,wemustthenseehowRevelationpointsustothatidentityaswecompareitscontributiontowhatexplanationwasgiventoDanielinchapter11.Cleverreaderswilloftenreadthefirstandlastchaptersofabooktosurmisetheworthinessofitspurchase.Sothen,thelastsevenplagueswhichconstitutethetribulationmentionedinDaniel12:1mightcontainvitalcluestoinformourunderstandingbeforeweprecedetofocusontheseventrumpets.Incommencingwiththiscomparison,itiswiththeunderstandingthattheRomanpowerisfirstintroducedinDaniel11:14asthe“robbersofthypeople.”ThisdesignationisgivenatatimewhenthekingofthenorthisstilltheSeleucidpower,andthekingofthesouthisrepresentativeofthePtolemydynasty.However,as

10Daniel12:8,9,emphasisadded.11Revelation10:2,4,8-10;22:10.


15

historyunfolds,weseehowRomeevolvestoenvelopeandabsorbtheterritoriescontrolledbyboththekingsofthenorthandofthesouth.Inverse16,weseehowthekingofthenorthisopposedbyanewpowersosufficientlydistinctandseparatefromthekingofthesouththatforthenextfewversesthekingofthenorthandthekingofthesoutharenotmentionedagainuntilwecometoverse25wherethekingofthesouthismentionedbytitle.ItisherethatSmithappliesthetwotitlestoCaesarAugustusandAntony.TheprecedingverseindicatesaprophetictimeperiodthatSmithappliestotheremovaloftheimperialauthorityfromRometoConstantinople,whichisintheliteralterritoryofthekingofthenorth.ThegreatlydiminishedroleofRomeintheoverallauthorityoftheempirewascompoundedwiththewaningauthorityoftheSenateinthemilitaryranks.Diocletianhadbegunthereductionofsenateprestige,andwhileConstantinereformedtheinjurythesenatewouldneverregainthepoweritonceexertedovertheaffairsofstate.UponConstantine’sdeath,theempirewasessentiallyruledbyhisthreesonsbornofFausta:ConstantineII(rulingoverGaul,Britannia,andHispaniauntilhisdeath),ConstantiusII(rulingoverByzantium,untilthedeathsofhisbrothers),andConstansI(rulingoverItalia,Africa,andIllyricumonceheattainedadulthood,andassumingruleoftherestofthewestwhenConstantineIIdiedinanambush).Andwhileverse24portendsafutureevent,verses25through28providethehistoricalstartingpointofcalculatingthetimetakentotheconclusionofthedivisionofRomeintotwoempires—thewest,whicheventuallycomesundertheauthorityofthepapacy;and,theeast,whicheventuallycomesundertheauthorityoftheOttomanTurkswiththefallofConstantinopleforetoldinsecondwoeofRevelation9:13-21.TheimportanceofthisprefacehingesonthereferencetotheEuphratesinRevelation9:14aswescrutinizethesevenlastplaguesforcluestoidentifythekingofthenorthandpreciselyhowhewillcometohisend.TwohundredyearsasthecapitaloftheEmpirelaysthegroundworkforhowtheEasternRoman,orByzantium,Empirebecomesthekingofthenorth—becausetheEuphratesRiverisliterallywithinitsrealm.Byacknowledgingthesehistoricalfactswecanbetterunderstandhowprophecyistheforetellingofhistoryandtheeventscomprisingitsfulfillmentwhenidentifyingaccurately,andansweringproperly,astowhoisthekingofthenorth.Johnwrote,“AndIstooduponthesandofthesea,andsawabeastriseupoutofthesea,havingsevenheadsandtenhorns,anduponhishornstencrowns,anduponhisheadsthenameofblasphemy.AndthebeastwhichIsawwaslikeuntoaleopard,andhisfeetwereasthefeetofabear,andhismouthasthemouthofalion:andthedragongavehimhispower,andhisseat,andgreatauthority.”12Imperialauthority,havingrelocatedtoConstantinople,thengavetheBishopofRomethepower,seat,andgreatauthorityassociatedwiththeprimacyof

12Revelation13:1,2,emphasisadded.


16

thePapacyoverallotherbishops,thuseffectivelydividingtheRomanEmpireintotworealmsinecclesiasticmatters.ThePapacyattemptedtoexertcivilauthorityaswellasitsecclesiasticalauthorityeventhoughitdidn’thavesufficientmilitarymighttopreventtheWesternEmpirefromfragmentingintotenkingdoms.ItusedtheDonationofConstantine,whatisnowbelievedtobeaforgery,tosupportitsclaimstocivicpower.Theecclesiasticauthorityprovidedtremendousclout,butlackingagenuinebasisforcivilauthoritythiscouldnotmakethePapalpowerthekingofthenorth.ThatdesignationremainedwithConstantinople.ThePapacyreallyhadnopowertowagewar,andsowhentheVandalssailedintohistorytowreckthehavocDanielprophesiedwiththelootingofRomein455A.D.,itwasthekingofthenorth—orByzantium—thatsufferedthepredicteddefeatwhentheeasternnavywasdestroyedbyGensricin468A.D.accordingtoDaniel’svision.13Withoutthenavalsupportfromtheeast,RomewasleftwideopentotheassaultsofGothsandVandals.WiththeunderstandingthattheseatofthebeastisRome,andthekingofthenorthisConstantinople,wecanthenseehowthefifthandsixthplaguesaffectthesetwodistinctidentitiesastheyappearinRevelation16:10-14.“Andthefifthangelpouredouthisvialupontheseatofthebeast;andhiskingdomwasfullofdarkness;andtheygnawedtheirtonguesforpain,AndblasphemedtheGodofheavenbecauseoftheirpainsandtheirsores,andrepentednotoftheirdeeds.”Intheeventsofthefifthplague,nowheredoweseetheendofthebeastoritsseat.Smithdeclaresthatthefirstfourplagueshavenotkilledofftheirvictimsasyet.Theystillsuffertheeffectsoftheearlierplaguesevenasthefifthplagueispouredout.Thepromiseddisasterisdarknessandpain,butlifeisnotendedbecausechoicesaremadetoremainunrepentant.Thedeadcannotblaspheme.Theconclusionthattitle“kingofthenorth”literallyrepresentsafixedgeographicallocationwheretheOttomanTurkshaveruledbyconquestisessentialtounderstandingwhathappenswhentheEuphratesRiverdriesupasrecordedbyJohn,whichwethencomparetoDaniel’seulogy,“…yetheshallcometohisend,andnoneshallhelphim.”TheeventofdryinguptheEuphratesisnotaliteraldrought,butasymbolicevaporationofthewatersrepresentingpeoples.AdroughtinwhichpeoplegroupsaredriedupasapreparationforthekingsoftheeasttomobilizeatArmageddoncanonlymeanthatthekingofthenorth,whoserealmcontainstheheadwatersoftheEuphrates,willcometohisendwithouthelp.

ThedryingupoftheriverinthissensewouldbetheconsumptionoftheTurkishempire,accompaniedwithmoreorlessdestructionofitssubjects.

13Daniel11:30.


17

Thusweshouldhaveliteraljudgmentsuponmenastheresultofthisplague,asinthecaseofalltheothers.14

Intimespast,warshavebeenfoughtforthesolepurposeofgainingcontroloftheterritoryheldbytheTurksatConstantinople.WhenRussiathreatened,thearmiesofFrancecombinedwiththenavyofGreatBritaincametopreventthesureresultofimbalanceofpowerwhichremainedshakyatbest.However,Turkeyreceivedhelpatthattime.WhenGermanydesiredunimpededaccesstoBaghdad,theRussians,French,andBritishalliedthemselvestopreventGermaneconomiccontrolofConstantinople—resultinginawarintendedtoendallwars.Atwar’sendin1918,theOttomanEmpirewouldbebrokenup.TheIslamicnationofTurkeysecularizedin1923,movingthecapitolfromConstantinopletoAnkara.ThisappearstoleaveTurkeywithouthelpuntilafterWorldWarIIwhenitbecameamemberstateoftheNorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization(NATO).FormanyyearsitwastheonlyIslamicnationwhichstorednuclearweaponsasaColdWardeterrentagainstUSSR.Currently,thepoliticalleadersofTurkeyhaveopenlydeclaredtheywantJerusalemback.Whoknowshowthismighthappenwiththeapparentmodernimpossibilities.ButGodsetsupkingsandkingdoms,andremovesthesame.Howeverthismaybefulfilled,itwillhappeninamannerthatmaximizesGod’sglory.5.Whenwecometotheseventrumpets,JamesWhiteacknowledgesthroughthequotedworkofAlexanderKeiththatJohnandDanieleachrefertotheMusliminvolvementinhistoryasitaffectsthepeopleofGodatthetimeoftheend,aswellastheendoftime.

"Thereisscarcelysouniformanagreementamonginterpretersconcerninganypartoftheapocalypseasrespectingtheapplicationofthefifthandsixthtrumpets,orthefirstandsecondwo[sic],totheSaracensandTurks.Itissoobviousthatitcanscarcelybemisunderstood.Insteadofa[verseor]twodesignatingeach,thewholeoftheninthchapteroftheRevelation,inequalportions,isoccupiedwithadescriptionofboth."TheRomanempiredeclined,asitarose,byconquest;buttheSaracensandtheTurksweretheinstrumentsbywhichafalsereligionbecamethescourgeofanapostatechurch;andhence,insteadofthefifthandsixthtrumpets,liketheformer,beingmarkedbythatnamealone,theyarecalledwoes.Itwasbecausethelawsweretransgressed,theordinanceschanged,andtheeverlastingcovenantbroken,thatthecursecameupontheearthortheland.

14UriahSmith,DanielandTheRevelation:Thoughts,CriticalandPractical,ontheBookofDanielandtheRevelation:BeinganExposition,TextbyText,ofTheseImportantPortionsoftheHolyScriptures(Nashville,Tennessee:SouthernPublishingAssociation,1897),692.


18

"Wehavepassedtheperiod,inthepoliticalhistoryoftheworld,whenthewesternempirewasextinguished;andthewaywastherebyopenedfortheexaltationofthepapacy.TheimperialpowerofthecityofRomewasannihilated,andtheofficeandthenameoftheemperorofthewestwasabolishedforaseason.Thetrumpetsassumeanewform,astheyaredirectedtoanewobject,andtheclosecoincidence,orratherexpressidentitybetweenthekingofthesouth,orthekingofthenorth,asdescribedbyDaniel,andthefirstandsecondwo[sic],willbenotedinthesubsequentillustrationofthelatter.Thespiritualsupremacyofthepope,itmayberemembered,wasacknowledgedandmaintained,afterthefallofRome,bytheemperorJustinian.Andwhetherinthecharacterofatrumpetorawo[sic],thepreviousstepsofhistoryraiseus,asonaplatform,tobeholdinapoliticalviewthejudgmentsthatfellonapostateChristendom,andfinallyledtothesubversionoftheeasternempire."15

ThequestionwenowraiseisWouldJamesWhitequoteapassagefromKeithwithwhichhewoulddisagree?CoulditbethatheunderstoodKeiththesamewaythatUriahSmith,whoalsoquotedthesamepassageinDanielandtheRevelation?OrdidhethinkKeithmightbestatingthattheidentitiesofthekingofthenorthandthekingofthesouthhadnothingtodowiththeSaracensandtheTurks?IbelievethatWhitedidagreewithKeith’sconcept.WhatisdifficultformetosurmiseisthatWhiteactuallyanddefinitivelyunderstoodKeithinthesamewaythatSmithdid.IcannotproveitfromWhite’swritings,thoughImightconjecturethatWhite,in1859,agreedwithSmith—therebycausingWhitetoappeartobecontradictorytohispositionsheldin1847and1878.Instead,Iwouldhavetorestuponreliablesecondarysourcestoanswerthesequestions.OnesuchsourcewouldbeJamesWhite’sson,Willie.IncorrespondencewithLeRoyFroom,Williestated:—

DuringthefewmonthsprecedingthismeetingIhadreadDanielandRevelationbyElderUriahSmith.Ilovedthewriter;Iadmiredhisstyle;Ilovedhisteaching:andIwasshockedwhenElderWhitepresentedanotherviewregardingthekingoftheNorth.OnedayIsaidtohim,“Father,IhavejustreadElderSmith’sbookandhisexpositionseemscleartome.DoyoureallybelievethatRomeisthekingoftheNorth?”Hisanswerwas,“IthinkElderSmithisgoingtoofastinhisexposition,andIthoughtitwastimeto

15JamesS.White,TheSoundingoftheSevenTrumpetsofRevelation8and9(SteamPress:ReviewandHeraldOffice,BattleCreek,Mich.,1859),30,31,emphasisadded.


19

presentsomethingtocheckthecurrentbeliefthatwhatistranspiringwasthebeginningofArmageddon.”16

WhatwouldmotivateJamesWhitetofeargoingtoofastwithSmith’sexposition?Remember,notonlywasWhitetheeditorfortheAdventistReviewandHeraldin1878,hewasalsotheGeneralConferencePresident.Aspresidentofaneverexpandingworkthatfacedeverexpandingdemandsonaneverincreasingbudgetforwhichcashwasslowtocomeintothecoffers,Whitemighthavebeenmotivatedtopresentthisconflictingviewduetotheburdenshefelttoraisefundsforthevariousinstitutionsbeingbuiltaroundtheworldtomeettheneedsofarapidlygrowingchurch.WillieWhiteseemedtounderstandhisfather’smotivesassuch,writingthisexplanationtoElderJohnVuilleumier:—

InFather’seffortstoarouseourbrethrentoclearoftheB.C.[BattleCreek]Collegedebt,andtoraisemoneyfortheB.C.San.AndfortheEuropeanMission,andfortheproposedBritishMission,andotherthingshehadmettheplea,“It’stoolate,Eld.Whitetoplanforallthesethings.TOOLATE,TOOLATE.”AndwhenheheardEld.Smith’spresentation,fearseizedhissoul,andhethrewinhisexpositiononDaniel11,notsomuchthathereallybelievedit,asthathethoughtitwouldcheckamovementthathethoughtwasborderingintofanaticism,andmightleadtothehindranceoftheworktobedone.HewasreprovedbytheLordforbringingindistrustastotheunityoftheleadersandsankdownindiscouragement,andthusthegreatfinancialcampaigncollapsed.17

AsforEllenWhite’sviewsregardingthepotentialcorrectnessofJamesWhite’sposition,WillieaddressedthisquestioninthesamelettertoElderVuilleumier:—

Idonotknowofanyutteranceofmother’sthattellsusabouttheKingoftheNorth.Thetwothingsthatmostnearlyapproachtoit,arethestatementinTestimonies,v.9,p.14andTestimonies,v.4,p.279.Here,inreportingtheDanverscampmeeting,shewrote:“Eld.SmithspokeinthemorningontheEasternQuestion.Thesubjectwasofspecialinterest,andthepeoplelistenedwiththemostearnestattention.”Thesethingsarenotproofs,buttheyseemtometobeveryinterestingindications.18

WhatmaketheindicationsevenstrongeristheevidencethatEllenWhite’slettersanddiaryentriesprovideusasarecordofeventsthroughtheyears—evenafterJames’deathin1881.

16JohnC.Witcombe,UnholyWar:…andtheKingoftheSouthis…(ProphecyWaymarksPublications,2014),17,18,quotingaletterdatedDecember12,1930.

17Ibid.,16,quotingaletterdatedMarch6,1919.18Ibid.,20.


20

SundayforenoonElderSmithspokeupontheEasternQuestion,justthesubjectthepeoplewishedtohear.Thecarsandthreesteamboatswerepouringthelivingfreightuponthegrounduntilwethoughtthattherewerenearlyasmanyaslastyear.Andindeedthereweremoreattentivelistenersthanlastyear.Themammothtentwaswellseated,withbackstotheseats.19Elder[Uriah]SmithspokeontheSabbathquestiontoalargecongregationthismorning,andthiseveninghespeaksontheEasternquestion.IfeelsogratefulthatBrotherSmithisnotlosttothecause.Heseemsfullyandthoroughlyunitedwithus;seemslikeBrotherSmithofold.Oh,thanktheLord!PraiseHisHolyName,thatHislove,Hiswondrouslovehasbeenexercisedtowardthechildrenofmen.Itissodark,Imuststop.Willwriteyoutomorrow.20Godalonecanmaketheimpressionandgivetheincrease.Healonecanwatertheseedthathasbeensown.IpraytotheLordthatthelaborputforthmaynotbeinvain.Manyseemtofeeldeeply.WefeeltothankandpraiseGodthatthislargenumbercouldhaveachancetohearthetruthforthemselves.Dr.Caroisnowspeakingatfiveo’clockp.m.uponthehealthquestion.ElderDaniellsspeaksthiseveningupontheEasternQuestion.MaytheLordgiveHisHolySpirittoinspiretheheartstomakethetruthplain.21

Thislastquotegivesagreatdealofgravity,ifnotoutrightproof,regardingEllenWhite’spositionregardingtheidentityoftheKingoftheNorth.ElderA.G.DaniellswaspreachingthesameexpositionasElderSmith.EllenWhitecallsittruthevenasshewritesaprayerthatGodwouldmakethattruthplaininordertoinspireheartstoyieldthemselvestoGod.AfterEllenWhite’sdeath,andneartheconclusionofWorldWarI,Danielspublishedabooktorevealthereasonswhythe“GreatWar”hadtakenplace.22ItisinterestingtonotethatvirtuallyeveryEuropeanNationinvolvedwasseekingtocontrol,orpreventthecontrolbyapparentaggressors,ofConstantinople.RussiawantedConstantinoplesothatitcouldhavefreeaccesstotheMediterraneanSeaandbeyond.Othernationswishedtopreventthat.GermanywantedastrongcommercialinfluencewitharailroadlineknownastheBerlin-Byzantium-BagdadRailroad.SerbiawasoneoftheobstaclesforaccesstotheAegeanSea.RussiasawthisasathreatintheBalkanstoherowninterests.TheonlyquestionBiblestudentsofprophecy,atthattime,neededtobeaskingwasWillthisbethewarinwhichTurkeydoesnotgetanyhelp?Andwillthefallof

19EllenG.White,Lt10a-1877,datedAugust30,1877.20EllenG.White,Lt55-1884,datedAugust24,1884.21EllenG.White,Ms189-1898,diaryentrymadeSunday,December25,1898,whileevangelizingNewcastle,NewSouthWales,Australia,emphasisadded.

22ArthurG.Daniells,TheWorldWar:ItsRelationtotheEasternQuestionandArmageddon(Washington,D.C.:TheReviewandHeraldPublishingAssociation,1917).


21

ConstantinoplepreparethewayforamoveofcapitoltoJerusalem?SuchawarwillpreparethewayforthekingsoftheEasttomaketheirwaytoArmageddon.23TheendofWorldWarIdidnotseethecompleteannihilationoftheOttomanEmpire.True,subsequenteventssawtheendoftheCaliphateandthesecularizationofIslamintheimmediateregion.ThecapitolwasremovedfromConstantinopletoAnkara.TheempirewasbrokenupandreducedtopresentdayTurkey.But,ConstantinopleremainedasaTurkishpossession.ThePalestineMandateof1920-23wouldleaveJerusalemundertheadministrativecontrolofGreatBritainuntil1948.Suchpoliticswouldmaintainanuneasypeaceatbest,andalukewarmwaratworst—duringwhichtimeAdventistscholarsandBiblestudentswereleftscratchingtheirheads.WasUriahSmithwronginhisexpositionafterall?CoulditbethatthePapacyisthekingoftheNorthafterall?Thoughtleadersstartedtodiscussandpresentnewtheories.Ifonlytheyhadunderstoodwhatwasatstake,andpaidheedtothecounselofGodgivenbyHismessenger.TheapparentdelayisbecausethesealingofGod’speopleisnotyetcomplete—becauseGod’speopledonotyetperfectlyreflectthecharacterofChrist.

TheLordwishesalltounderstandhisprovidentialdealingsnow,justnow,inthetimeinwhichwelive.Theremustbenolongdiscussions,nopresentingofnewtheoriesinregardtopropheciesthatGodhasalreadymadeplain.ThegreatworkfromwhichthemindshouldnotbedivertedistheconsiderationofourpersonalstandinginthesightofGod.AreourfeetontheRockofAges?ArewehidingourselvesintheonlyRefuge?Thestormiscoming,relentlessinitsfury.Arewepreparedtomeetit?AreweonewithChristasheisonewiththeFather?AreweheirsofGodandjointheirswithChrist?Areweworkinginco-partnershipwiththeSaviour?...Alreadykingdomisrisingagainstkingdom.Thereisnotnowadeterminedengagement.AsyetthefourwindsarehelduntiltheservantsofGodshallbesealedintheirforeheads.ThenthePowersofearthwillmarshaltheirforcesforthelastgreatbattle.Howcarefullyweshouldimprovethelittleremainingperiodofourprobation!Howearnestlyweshouldexamineourselves!WeshouldeatthefleshanddrinkthebloodoftheSonofGod;thatis,carefullystudytheWord,eatit,digestit,makeitapartofourbeing.WearetolivetheWord,notkeepitapartfromourlives.ThecharacterofChrististobeourcharacter.Wearetobetransformedbytherenewingofourhearts.Hereisouronlysafety.NothingcanseparatealivingChristianfromGod.Itisdisciplineofspirit,cleannessofheartandthought,thatisneeded.Thisisofmorevaluethanbrillianttalent,tact,orknowledge.Anordinarymind,trainedtoobeya“ThussaiththeLord,”isbetterqualifiedforGod’sworkthanarethosewhohavecapabilities,butdonotemploythemrightly.Christ

23Revelation16:12andDaniel11:45.


22

isthetruth,becauseheisthefulfillmentofancientprophecies.Menmaytakeprideintheirknowledgeofworldlythings;butiftheyhavenotaknowledgeofthetrueGod,ofChrist,theWay,theTruth,andtheLife,theyaredeplorablyignorant,andtheirknowledgewillperishwiththem.Secularknowledgeispower;buttheknowledgeoftheWord,whichhasatransforminginfluenceuponthehumanmind,isimperishable.Itisknowledgesanctified.Itislifeandpeaceandjoyforever.Thedeeperknowledgemenmayhave,sanctifiedwhollyuntoGod,themoretheywillappreciatethevalueofJesusChrist.24

Whatwehaveasaproblemisnotamisunderstandingofhowprophecyisfulfilled.Whatwehaveisaproblemofnotunderstandingwhytheprophecyisonhold.TheBiblepromisewehavebeengivenis“AndtheLordansweredme,andsaid,Writethevision,andmakeitplainupontables,thathemayrunthatreadethit.Forthevisionisyetforanappointedtime,butattheenditshallspeak,andnotlie:thoughittarry,waitforit;becauseitwillsurelycome,itwillnottarry.Behold,hissoulwhichisliftedupisnotuprightinhim:butthejustshalllivebyhisfaith.”25Inthepast,wehavebeenledtounderstandthiswasfulfilledin1843-44.ButthetruthisthattheprophecyofthelittlebookofRevelation10:2,8-10fulfilledatthattimewasnottheresultoftarryingoftime,butthemiscalculationoftimewhenthe2,300dayprophecywasfirstpreached.Habakkukistellingusofadelayofprophecyfulfillment,andthiscanonlybetheamountoftimethathaspassedsincetheCrimeaWarthatfulfilledDaniel11:44asUriahSmith,A.T.Jones,A.G.Daniells,andothersunderstoodandpreached,andasEllenWhiteaffirmed.Wearemerelyrepeatinghistory,asEllenWhitepenned:

HadAdventists,afterthegreatdisappointmentin1844,heldfasttheirfaithandfollowedonunitedlyintheopeningprovidenceofGod,receivingthemessageofthethirdangelandinthepoweroftheHolySpiritproclaimingittotheworld,theywouldhaveseenthesalvationofGod,theLordwouldhavewroughtmightilywiththeirefforts,theworkwouldhavebeencompleted,andChristwouldhavecomeerethistoreceiveHispeopletotheirreward.Butintheperiodofdoubtanduncertaintythatfollowedthedisappointment,manyoftheadventbelieversyieldedtheirfaith....Thustheworkwashindered,andtheworldwasleftindarkness.HadthewholeAdventistbodyuniteduponthecommandmentsofGodandthefaithofJesus,howwidelydifferentwouldhavebeenourhistory!ItwasnotthewillofGodthatthecomingofChristshouldbethusdelayed.GoddidnotdesignthatHispeople,Israel,shouldwanderfortyyearsinthe

24EllenG.White,“PreparetoMeettheLord,”TheReviewandHerald,November27,1900,emphasisadded.

25Habakkuk2:2-4,emphasisadded.


23

wilderness.HepromisedtoleadthemdirectlytothelandofCanaan,andestablishthemthereaholy,healthy,happypeople.Butthosetowhomitwasfirstpreached,wentnotin“becauseofunbelief.”Theirheartswerefilledwithmurmuring,rebellion,andhatred,andHecouldnotfulfillHiscovenantwiththem.Forfortyyearsdidunbelief,murmuring,andrebellionshutoutancientIsraelfromthelandofCanaan.ThesamesinshavedelayedtheentranceofmodernIsraelintotheheavenlyCanaan.InneithercasewerethepromisesofGodatfault.Itistheunbelief,theworldliness,unconsecration,andstrifeamongtheLord’sprofessedpeoplethathavekeptusinthisworldofsinandsorrowsomanyyears.—Manuscript4,1883.26AfloodoflightisshiningfromthewordofGod,andtheremustbeanawakeningtoneglectedopportunities.WhenallarefaithfulingivingbacktoGodHisownintithesandofferings,thewaywillbeopenedfortheworldtohearthemessageforthistime.IftheheartsofGod’speoplewerefilledwithloveforChrist,ifeverychurchmemberwerethoroughlyimbuedwiththespiritofself-sacrifice,ifallmanifestedthoroughearnestness,therewouldbenolackoffundsforhomeorforeignmissions.Ourresourceswouldbemultiplied;athousanddoorsofusefulnesswouldbeopened,andweshouldbeinvitedtoenter.HadthepurposeofGodbeencarriedoutbyHispeopleingivingtotheworldthemessageofmercy,Christwould,erethis,havecometotheearth,andthesaintswouldhavereceivedtheirwelcomeintothecityofGod.27Inthevisionsofthenightaveryimpressivescenepassedbeforeme.Isawanimmenseballoffirefallamongsomebeautifulmansions,causingtheirinstantdestruction.Iheardsomeonesay:“WeknewthatthejudgmentsofGodwerecomingupontheearth,butwedidnotknowthattheywouldcomesosoon.”Others,withagonizedvoices,said:“Youknew!Whythendidyounottellus?Wedidnotknow.”OneverysideIheardsimilarwordsofreproachspoken.IngreatdistressIawoke.Iwenttosleepagain,andIseemedtobeinalargegathering.Oneofauthoritywasaddressingthecompany,beforewhomwasspreadoutamapoftheworld.HesaidthatthemappicturedGod’svineyard,whichmustbecultivated.Aslightfromheavenshoneuponanyone,thatonewastoreflectthelighttoothers.Lightsweretobekindledinmanyplaces,andfromtheselightsstillotherlightsweretobekindled.

26EllenG.White,Evangelism(Washington,D.C.:ReviewandHeraldPublishingAssociation,1946),695,696,emphasisadded.

27EllenG.White,TestimoniesfortheChurch,Volume6(MountainView,CA:PacificPressPublishingAssociation,1901),449,450,emphasisadded.


24

Thewordswererepeated:“Yearethesaltoftheearth:butifthesalthavelosthissavor,wherewithshallitbesalted?itisthenceforthgoodfornothing,buttobecastout,andtobetroddenunderfootofmen.Yearethelightoftheworld.Acitythatissetonanhillcannotbehid.Neitherdomenlightacandle,andputitunderabushel,butonacandlestick;anditgivethlightuntoallthatareinthehouse.Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhichisinheaven.”Matthew5:13-16.Isawjetsoflightshiningfromcitiesandvillages,andfromthehighplacesandthelowplacesoftheearth.God’swordwasobeyed,andasaresulttherewerememorialsforHimineverycityandvillage.Histruthwasproclaimedthroughouttheworld.Thenthismapwasremovedandanotherputinitsplace.Onitlightwasshiningfromafewplacesonly.Therestoftheworldwasindarkness,withonlyaglimmeroflighthereandthere.OurInstructorsaid:“Thisdarknessistheresultofmen’sfollowingtheirowncourse.Theyhavecherishedhereditaryandcultivatedtendenciestoevil.Theyhavemadequestioningandfaultfindingandaccusingthechiefbusinessoftheirlives.TheirheartsarenotrightwithGod.Theyhavehiddentheirlightunderabushel.”IfeverysoldierofChristhaddonehisduty,ifeverywatchmanonthewallsofZionhadgiventhetrumpetacertainsound,theworldmighterethishaveheardthemessageofwarning.Buttheworkisyearsbehind.Whilemenhaveslept,Satanhasstolenamarchuponus.28

Asweattempttograpplewiththeperceivedproblemsofasyetunfulfilledprophecy,letusalwaysrememberthatChrist-likecharacteristheasyetunattainedcriteria.KnowledgeofGod’srighteousness,andofHiswillregardingthesuccessHedesiresintheexecutionoftheplanofsalvation,isonlyoneofseveralcharactertraitsHedesirestoseedemonstratedinus.Thisdemonstrationwillbethelastmessageofmercygiventothisfallenplanet.

Thelastraysofmercifullight,thelastmessageofmercytobegiventotheworld,isarevelationofHischaracteroflove.ThechildrenofGodaretomanifestHisglory.IntheirownlifeandcharactertheyaretorevealwhatthegraceofGodhasdoneforthem.29

28EllenG.White,TestimoniesfortheChurch,Volume9(MountainView,CA:PacificPressPublishingAssociation,1909),28,29,emphasisadded.

29EllenG.White,Christ’sObjectLessons(BattleCreek,MI:ReviewandHeraldPublishingAssociation,1900),415,416.


25

ChristiswaitingwithlongingdesireforthemanifestationofHimselfinHischurch.WhenthecharacterofChristshallbeperfectlyreproducedinHispeople,thenHewillcometoclaimthemasHisown.ItistheprivilegeofeveryChristiannotonlytolookforbuttohastenthecomingofourLordJesusChrist,(2Peter3:12,margin).WereallwhoprofessHisnamebearingfruittoHisglory,howquicklythewholeworldwouldbesownwiththeseedofthegospel.Quicklythelastgreatharvestwouldberipened,andChristwouldcometogatherthepreciousgrain.30

Inconclusion,wecansafelyavoidthefataldeceptionofidolizingourministers—nomatterhowgreataworktheyaccomplishedbyGod’sgrace—andtherebygrowinthegraceandknowledgeoftheLordJesusChristbyfaithfullystudyingforourownselvessolongasweproceedwithonegoalinmindofperfectingourcharacterswhileawaitingChrist’sfulfillmentofprophecyasHedirectstheaffairsofcivilandreligiousgovernmentstoHishonorandglory.HehasalreadygivenusconfidencethroughtheencouragingletterswrittenbyEllenWhiteastowhatisthetruth.Hehasgivenittoussothatourfaithwouldfailnot—regardlessoftheapparentimpossibilitiesnoputinplacebytheschemesofmenattemptingtoshoreupafragilepeaceinatimeoframpantgreedandself-ambition.WealsocanplainlyseehowagreatpioneerofGod’scausemayhaveunnecessarilyshortenedhislifebyattemptingtoaccomplishinhisownstrengthalonewhatGodwouldhaveaccomplishedforusasadenominationifwehadcooperatedwithGodbyfaith.WehavealsolearnedhowSatancancreatedivisionsintheranksofGod’speoplewhenwetakeupthework,asJamesWhitecertainlydid,oftryingtopreventfanaticism—realorperceived—bytakingacontrarypositiontoaunitedeffortthathasalreadybeenaffirmedastruthbyGod’schoseninstrument.Thewarninggiventhenisjustastruetoday,thatonlyharmcanresulttodayjustasitdidinthelifetimeofLuther.

30Ibid.,69.

a comparison and contrast of james white and uriah smith ... · a comparison and contrast of james...

Documents