William Miller's Dream
[ Referred to on Page 48 ]
I dreamed that God, by an unseen hand, sent me a curiously wrought casket
about ten inches long by six square, made of ebony and pearls curiously
inlaid. To the casket there was a key attached. I immediately took the key
and opened the casket, when, to my wonder and surprise, I found it filled
with all sorts and sizes of jewels, diamonds, precious stones, and gold
and
silver coin of every dimension and value, beautifully arranged in their
several places in the casket; and thus arranged they reflected a light and
glory equaled only to the sun.
William Miller[* SEE APPENDIX.]
God sent His angel to move upon the heart of a farmer who had not believed
the Bible, to lead him to search the prophecies. Angels of God repeatedly
visited that chosen one, to guide his mind and open to his understanding
prophecies which had ever been dark to God's people. The commencement of
the
chain of truth was given to him, and he was led on to search for link
after
link, until he looked with wonder and admiration upon the Word of God. He
saw there a perfect chain of truth. That Word which he had regarded as
uninspired now opened before his vision in its beauty and glory. He saw
that
one ****tion of Scripture explains another, and when one passage was closed
to his understanding, he found in another part of the Word that which
explained it. He regarded the sacred Word of God with joy and with the
deepest respect and awe.
Spiritual Gifts
As he followed down the prophecies, he saw that the inhabitants of the
earth
were living in the closing scenes of this world's history, yet they knew
it
not. He looked at the churches and saw that they were corrupt; they had
taken their affections from Jesus and placed them on the world; they were
seeking for worldly honor, instead of that honor which cometh from above;
grasping for worldly riches, instead of laying up their treasure in
heaven.
He could see hypocrisy, darkness, and death everywhere. His spirit was
stirred within him. God called him to leave his farm, as He called Elisha
to
leave his oxen and the field of his labor to follow Elijah. With
trembling,
William Miller began to unfold to the people the mysteries of the kingdom
of
God, carrying his hearers down through the prophecies to the second advent
of Christ. With every effort he gained strength. As John the Baptist
heralded the first advent of Jesus and prepared the way for His coming, so
William Miller and those who joined with him proclaimed the second advent
of
the Son of God.
Spiritual Gifts
Preachers and people have looked upon the book of Revelation as mysterious
and of less im****tance than other ****tions of the Sacred Scriptures. But I
saw that this book is indeed a revelation given for the especial benefit
of
those who should live in the last days, to guide them in ascertaining
their
true position and their duty. God directed the mind of William Miller to
the
prophecies and gave him great light upon the book of Revelation.
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