"And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter" (Revelation 10:10).

"The time of expectation passed, and Christ did not appear for the deliverance of His people. Those who with sincere faith and love had looked for their Saviour, experienced a bitter disappointment."–The Great Controversy, p. 374.

Suggested Readings: The Desire of Ages, pp. 383—394.
The Great Controversy, pp. 355—374.

Sunday August 5

1. SWEET FIRST, THEN BITTER

a. What did the Lord bid John to do with the little book? Revelation 10:8, 9. How does this symbolize the experience of the faithful believers in 1844?

"The earnest, sincere believers had given up all for Christ and had shared His presence as never before. . . . With intense desire they had prayed: ‘Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly.’ But He had not come. And now to take up again the heavy burden of life’s cares and perplexities, and to endure the taunts and sneers of a scoffing world, was a terrible trial of faith and patience."–The Great Controversy, p. 404.

b. As John ate the book [assimilated its content], what was the final result? Revelation 10:10. What does that bitterness represent?

"The disappointment of those who expected to see our Lord in 1844 was indeed bitter to those who had so ardently looked for His appearing. It was in the Lord’s order that this disappointment should come."–Maranatha, p. 18.

Monday August 6

2. GLORIOUS EXPECTATION

a. Because the disciples did not understand the Messiah’s mission, what plan did they want to carry out? John 6:14, 15. What did Jesus risk in refusing their offer?

"When Christ forbade the people to declare Him king, He knew that a turning point in His history was reached. Multitudes who desired to exalt Him to the throne today would turn from Him tomorrow. The disappointment of their selfish ambition would turn their love to hatred, and their praise to curses. Yet knowing this, He took no measures to avert the crisis."–The Desire of Ages, p. 383.

b. As Jesus did not fulfill the disciples’ hope to crown Him as an earthly king, how was their disappointment described? Luke 24:18—21.

"When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, His followers believed that He was about to ascend the throne of David and deliver Israel from her oppressors. With high hopes and joyful anticipations they vied with one another in showing honor to their King. Many spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path, or strewed before Him the leafy branches of the palm. In their enthusiastic joy they united in the glad acclaim: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ When the Pharisees, disturbed and angered by this outburst of rejoicing, wished Jesus to rebuke His disciples, He replied: ‘If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out’ (Luke 19:40). Prophecy must be fulfilled. The disciples were accomplishing the purpose of God; yet they were doomed to a bitter disappointment."–The Great Controversy, p. 404.

c. How have tests of faith also come in the Advent hope?

"In the advent movement [God] has wrought for His heritage, even as He wrought for the Israelites in leading them from Egypt. In the great disappointment of 1844 the faith of His people was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had the Adventists in the early days still trusted to the guiding Hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen of the salvation of God."–Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 115, 116.

Tuesday August 7

3. THE RESULT OF THE DISAPPOINTMENT

a. After the death of Jesus, when the disciples’ hope had vanished away, what did they do? John 21:3.

"The evening was pleasant, and Peter, who still had much of his old love for boats and fishing, proposed that they should go out upon the sea and cast their nets. In this plan all were ready to join; they were in need of food and clothing, which the proceeds of a successful night’s fishing would supply. So they went out in their boat, but they caught nothing. All night they toiled, without success."–The Desire of Ages, p. 810.

b. What do skeptics and scoffers say and do when the fulfillment of prophecy is delayed? 2 Peter 3:3, 4.

"The world has become bold in transgression of God’s law. Because of His long forbearance, men have trampled upon His authority. They have strengthened one another in oppression and cruelty toward His heritage, saying, ‘How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?’ (Psalm 73:11)."–Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 177.

c. What was the result of the disappointment in 1844?

"In 1850 my husband and myself visited Vermont, Canada, New Hampshire, and Maine. The meetings were held in private houses. It was then next to impossible to obtain access to unbelievers. The disappointment in 1844 had confused the minds of many, and they would not listen to any explanation of the matter. They were impatient and unbelieving, and many seemed rebellious, coming out in a most decided manner against their past Advent experience. Others dared not go to this length, and deny the way the Lord had led them. These were glad to hear arguments from the Word of God which would harmonize our position with prophetic history. As they listened to an explanation of the disappointment which had been so bitter to them, they saw that God indeed led them, and they rejoiced in the truth. This awakened the most bitter opposition on the part of those who denied our past experience."–Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 26, 27.

Wednesday August 8

4. SADNESS TURNED INTO JOY

a. What does the Bible say about those who fear God, yet experience disappointment, sorrow, and sadness? John 16:20; Jeremiah 31:13 (last part).

"When trials come into our lives, when clouds darken the horizon, how ready we are to forget that Jesus is our Saviour, that behind the clouds the Sun of Righteousness is shining, that angels are close beside us, preserving us from harm. I would say to the despairing, Look and live. Hope thou in God, for on Calvary’s cross a complete sacrifice was offered for you. Jesus is the sinner’s Friend, the sinner’s Redeemer. Eternal joy–a life of undimmed happiness–awaits the one who surrenders all to Christ."–In Heavenly Places, p. 262.

b. What instruction, given to the early Adventists after their bitter disappointment, extends to us today? Revelation 10:11; Hebrews 12:12, 13.

c. How did the honest ones recover from the disappointment in the early days of the Advent movement?

"I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, ‘Look again, and look a little higher.’ At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry. This light shone all along the path and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the Advent band, and they shouted, ‘Alleluia!’"–Early Writings, pp. 14, 15.

Thursday August 9

5. WHEN THE CONTROVERSY IS ENDED...

a. What will be the fate of many who call themselves Christians but are disobedient to the commandments of God? Luke 13:24, 25.

"Every Christian must meet trial and temptation. Those who basely shun the reproach of Christ, and choose the honor which the world bestows, will surely reap the bitter harvest. Separation from God, the loss of Heaven, agony and despair, must be their portion. But if we will stand fearlessly and firmly for God and the right, relying upon the promises of the sacred word, we shall not be ashamed. Earth and hell can have no power to triumph over us."–The Signs of the Times, February 16, 1882.

b. What will be the reward of those who patiently run the Christian race? From what will they be forever free? 2 Timothy 4:7, 8; Isaiah 35:10.

"Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. ‘There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.’"–The Great Controversy, p. 676.

"The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love." –Ibid., p. 678.

Friday August 10

1. How was the great disappointment of 1844 prophesied?
2. Why were the disciples disappointed in Christ’s day?
3. Why does God allow disappointment to come our way?
4. How should we respond to disappointing circumstances?
5. What should encourage us to persevere?

Webmaster: Nilson Jones.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO ASD-MR. Copyright 2001.