Startling Conclusion

At the beginning Miller had no idea that he would reach the conclusion at which he had now arrived. He himself could hardly believe the results of his investigation. But the Scripture evidence was too clear for him to ignore.LF 139.2

In 1818 he reached the solemn conviction that in about twenty-five years Christ would appear to redeem His people. “I don’t need to mention,” says Miller, “the joy that filled my heart at this delightful prospect, nor how deeply I longed to participate in the joys of the redeemed.... Oh, how bright and glorious the truth appeared! ...LF 139.3

“The question came home to me with mighty power about my duty to the world, in view of the evidence that had stirred up my own mind.”^{4S. Bliss, Memoirs of William Miller, pages 76, 77, 81.} He could not help feeling that it was his duty to give to others the light he had received. He expected opposition from the ungodly, but he was confident that all Christians would rejoice in the hope of meeting the Savior. Still, he hesitated to present the hope of glorious deliverance, expected so soon, in case he might be wrong and mislead others. This led him to review the evidence and to consider carefully every objection he could think of. Five years of doing this left him convinced that his position was correct.LF 139.4