Skeptics and Unbelievers

Christ declared that as the people of Noah's day “did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:39). When the professed people of God are uniting with the world, when the luxury of the world becomes the luxury of the church, when everyone looks forward to many years of worldly prosperity—then, as suddenly as the lightning flashes, will come the end of their misguided hopes. Just as God sent Noah to warn the world of the coming Flood, He also sent chosen messengers to proclaim that the final judgment was near. And as Noah's contemporaries laughed scornfully at the predictions of the preacher of righteousness, so in Miller's day many of the professed people of God scoffed at the words of warning.LF 142.6

There can be no more convincing evidence that the churches have wandered from God than their hatred against this Heaven-sent message.LF 143.1

Those who accepted the advent doctrine felt that it was time to take a stand. “The things of eternity became real to them.... Heaven was brought near, and they felt that they were guilty before God.”^{11S. Bliss, Memoirs of William Miller, page 146.} Christians felt that time was short, that what they had to do for others must be done quickly. Eternity seemed to open before them. The Spirit of God gave power to their appeals to prepare for the day of God. Their daily life was a rebuke to lukewarm church members. These did not want to be disturbed in their pleasure, money-making, and ambition for worldly honor. This is why they opposed the advent faith.LF 143.2

Opposers tried to discourage investigation by teaching that the prophecies were sealed. In this way, Protestants followed in the steps of Catholics. Protestant churches claimed that an important part of the Word, that part especially meant for our time, could not be understood. Ministers declared that Daniel and the Revelation were mysteries beyond comprehension.LF 143.3

But Christ had pointed His disciples to the words of the prophet Daniel: “Whoever reads, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15). And the Revelation is to be understood. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.... Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:1, 3, italics added).LF 143.4

“Blessed is he who reads”—there are those who will not read; “and those who hear”—there are some who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies; “and keep those things which are written in it”—many refuse to heed the instructions in the Revelation; none of these can claim the blessing promised.LF 143.5

How dare anyone teach that the Revelation is beyond human understanding? It is a mystery revealed, a book opened. Revelation directs the mind to Daniel. Both present important instruction about events at the close of world history.LF 143.6

John saw the dangers, conflicts, and final deliverance of the people of God. He records the closing messages that are to ripen the harvest of the earth, either for the heavenly storehouse or for the fires of destruction, so that those who turn from error to truth may learn about the dangers and conflicts ahead of them.LF 143.7

Why, then, is there this widespread ignorance concerning an important part of Holy Writ? It is the result of a deliberate effort by the prince of darkness to conceal from people the parts of the Bible that reveal his deceptions. For this reason, Christ the Revelator, foreseeing the warfare against the Revelation, pronounced a blessing on everyone who would read, hear, and observe the prophecy.LF 143.8