"And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men" (Revelation 9:15).

"At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations."–The Great Controversy, p. 335.

Suggested Readings: Education, pp. 173—184.
The Great Controversy, pp. 334, 335.

Sunday July 8

1. THE FOUR ANGELS LOOSED

a. What command was given to the angel when he sounded the sixth trumpet? Revelation 9:13, 14.

"The river Euphrates must be taken for a symbol of that kingdom of which it was the principal river, or Turkish empire. The four angels are supposed to mean the four chief Sultanies of which the empire was composed."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, p. 215.

b. What prophetic period was given to the four Sultanies? Revelation 9:15. When was it to begin and when was it to end?

"The angels were loosed for an hour, a day, a month, and a year. This, reduced from prophetic to literal time, gives us the following period: . . . 391 years and 15 days. This added to the date, July 27, 1449, where the 150 years of previous trumpet ended, brings us to August 11, 1840."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, p. 215.

"In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. Two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown ‘in a.d. 1840, sometime in the month of August.’"–The Great Controversy, p. 334.

Monday July 9

2. PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED

a. How was the prophecy commented upon by Josiah Litch fulfilled?

"‘Allowing the first period, 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled before Deacozes ascended the throne by permission of the Turks, and that the 391 years, fifteen days, commenced at the close of the first period, it will end on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case’ [Josiah Litch declared]."–The Great Controversy, pp. 334, 335.

b. What does the Bible say about the word of prophecy? Can we trust that prophecies will be fulfilled? 2 Peter 1:19; Amos 3:3.

"The prophecies of Daniel and of John are to be understood. They interpret each other. They give to the world truths which every one should understand. These prophecies are to be witnesses in the world. By their fulfillment in these last days they will explain themselves."–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 949.

c. In what promise did those who believed in the word of prophecy trust? Habakkuk 2:3.

d. How was the prophecy of the 391 years and 15 days fulfilled?

"At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to the advent movement."–The Great Controversy, p. 335.

Tuesday July 10

3. THE EFFECT OF PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT

a. What special message was given at the time of the fall of the Ottoman empire, and what was the result? Revelation 14:6, 7.

"To William Miller and his colaborers it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the center of the great advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel’s message had its most direct fulfillment. The writings of Miller and his associates were carried to distant lands. Wherever missionaries had penetrated in all the world, were sent the glad tidings of Christ’s speedy return. Far and wide spread the message of the everlasting gospel: ‘Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.’"–The Great Controversy, p. 368.

"Men of learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended."–Ibid., p. 335.

"The advent movement of 1840—44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel’s message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century."–Ibid., p. 611.

b. What other prophecy brought deep conviction to William Miller and his associates? Daniel 8:14.

"As the disciples went out preaching, ‘The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand,’ so Miller and his associates proclaimed that the longest and last prophetic period brought to view in the Bible was about to expire, that the judgment was at hand, and the everlasting kingdom was to be ushered in. The preaching of the disciples in regard to time was based on the seventy weeks of Daniel 9. The message given by Miller and his associates announced the termination of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, of which the seventy weeks form a part. The preaching of each was based upon the fulfillment of a different portion of the same great prophetic period."–The Great Controversy, p. 351.

Wednesday July 11

4. GOD’S MERCY SPURNED

a. What important part does the prophecy of the sixth trumpet play in history? Revelation 9:16—19.

"The means by which the Mohammedans achieved their wonderful conquests are described in verses 17 and 18 as fire, and smoke, and brimstone; and it is a remarkable fact that in this revolution, gun-powder was first used as an implement of war. It thus appears that John, in a.d. 96, penned a prophecy of that notable invention which appeared as a new engine of destruction thirteen hundred years from his time, and has revolucionized the mode of warfare throughout the civilized world."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, pp. 216, 217.

b. In spite of severe punishment inflicted upon apostate Christianity, what was the result? Revelation 9:20, 21.

"In His dealings with the human race, God bears long with the impenitent. He uses His appointed agencies to call men to allegiance, and offers them His full pardon if they will repent. But because God is long-suffering, men presume on His mercy. ‘Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.’ The patience and long-suffering of God, which should soften and subdue the soul, has an altogether different influence upon the careless and sinful."–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 3, p. 1166.

c. What will be the fate of those who do not repent? 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9; Amos 8:11, 12.

"God will always accept confession if the evil that has been done is repented of. Our heavenly Father makes the declaration, ‘As I live, . . . I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked should turn from his way and live.’ Over every sinner that repents the angels of God rejoice with songs of joy. Not one sinner need be lost. Full and free is the gift of saving grace. Every one may have the salvation that the Lord Jesus will bestow abundantly on all who bring His love into their life-work."–The Review and Herald, May 31, 1906.

Thursday July 12

5. GOD LEADS THE DESTINY OF NATIONS

a. In Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving, what truth was acknowledged by the prophet? Daniel 2:20, 21.

"The history of nations that one after another have occupied their allotted time and place, unconsciously witnessing to the truth of which they themselves knew not the meaning, speaks to us. To every nation and to every individual of today God has assigned a place in His great plan."–Education, p. 178.

"The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation and to every individual God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes."–Prophets and Kings, p. 536.

b. Irrespective of the size or power of a nation, how is it estimated in God’s sight? Isaiah 40:15, 17; 14:26, 27.

"In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, behind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of human interests and power and passions, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will." –Education, p. 173.

Friday July 13

1. What period of history is covered by the sixth trumpet?
2. How did Josiah Litch explain the prophecy of Revelation 9:15?
3. How did Josiah Litch aid the work of William Miller?
4. What happens to nations, families, and individuals when they do not accept the counsel of the Lord?
5. What lessons should we learn from the history of the nations?

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