Chapter 52 — THE MIDNIGHT CRY

"The bridegroom was late in coming, so the girls began to nod and fall asleep. It was already midnight when the cry rang out, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!' The ten girls woke up and trimmed [added oil to] their lamps" (Matt. 25:5-7).SRme 1.1622

In the summer of l844 Adventists discovered they had made a mistake in their counting of the prophetic time. Now they corrected their mistake. The Adventists still believed that the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 would end at Jesus' coming. They first thought Jesus' coming would be in the spring of 1844. But after studying more, they saw the 2300 days would end in the autumn of 1844. The Adventists preached that Jesus would come in the autumn of 1844.SRme 1.1623

Preaching this time message was another step in the fulfillment of Jesus' story of the marriage. The Adventists clearly understood that the story of the ten virgins described their experience. In the story the voice was heard at midnight, announcing that the bridegroom was coming. Now, half-way between spring and autumn in 1844, the believers announced the "midnight cry," using the language of Scripture: "Behold the Bridegroom comes. Go out to meet Him."SRme 1.1624

The message went over the land with the power of a huge ocean wave. The message went from city to city, from village to village, and into far-away country places. The waiting people of God were awakened. People stopped being fanatics. Believers once again felt sure Jesus was coming. The people again had hope and courage.SRme 1.1625

Fanatics are always present when people's excitement is not controlled by the influence of God's Word and Spirit. Now fanatics disappeared. This time of preparation for Christ's coming was the same as the times when Israel humbly returned to the Lord after God had sent messages of reproof through the prophets. The Advent movement was the same as the work of God in every age. The people showed no excited joy, but there was deep searching of heart to remember if they had asked forgiveness for all sins and turned from the world. The burden of every believer was to be prepared to meet the Lord. The people prayed earnestly, and gave themselves unreservedly to God.SRme 1.1626

The message of the midnight cry was preached with divine power. This power made the people willing to accept the message. People did not doubt. They had no question about the truth of the message. The Bible proof was so clear that there was no argument against it [the message].SRme 1.1627

At the time of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, people from many countries were in Jerusalem for the Passover. These people went to the Mount of Olives and joined other people who were joyfully praising Jesus. The people felt the thrill of the hour and joined in the shouts, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matt. 21:9). The same as that time, great crowds of unbelievers now came to the Adventist meetings. Some people came because they were curious. Some people came to laugh and make fun of the message. But these people felt the divine power when they heard the message, "Behold the Bridegroom comes!"SRme 1.1628

At that time people had faith and they received answers to prayer. God rewarded the people's faith. The same as showers of rain on the thirsty earth, the Spirit of God came on the people. People who expected soon to stand face to face with their Redeemer, felt a joy that words could not describe. The softening, quieting power of the Holy Spirit changed people. The glory of God covered the faithful, believing people.SRme 1.1629

Carefully and reverently people who accepted the message came to the time they hoped to meet the Lord. Every morning these people felt their first duty was to be sure they were accepted by God. People were closely united and prayed much with and for one another. People often met together in quiet places to talk with God. The voice of prayer was heard in fields and woods. To have their Saviour's approval was more necessary to these people than to have food. If they had a doubt or a problem, they did not rest until it was removed. These people were eager to see Jesus whom they loved.SRme 1.1630