In this study, we will be looking at the two tables mentioned in the book of Habakkuk 2 in the Bible. The foundation of the faith of Adventism will be highlighted from its beginning.
It is important to note that it is in the Millerites’ historical time period that we have the formation of the foundation and pillars of the faith of Adventism.
On these two tables or charts mentioned in Habakkuk 2, the historical waymarks of the Faith of Adventism are pinpointed and we will see from inspiration that this is how God wanted it to be and that these are the waymarks Adventism should follow without altering them.
So let us begin by Reading (Habakkuk 2:1-4) It says “ 1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Here we just read from Habakkuk 2 that the vision should be written, and be made plain upon tables. Here we can see that this is a prophecy that must come to pass…
So when did this Prophecy to Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables came to pass?
Let us hear what the Word of God has to say. Reading from (Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, page 241 par. 2) It says “As early as 1842, the Spirit of God had moved upon Charles Fitch to devise the prophetic chart, which was generally regarded by Adventists as a fulfillment of the command given by the prophet Habakkuk, “to write the vision and make it plain upon tables.”{4SP 241.2}
So from what we have just read, we see that the prophecy of Habakkuk 2, had a fulfillment in the year 1842 “to write the vision and make it plain upon tables.
Also, from the quote we have just read, it stated that it was Charles Fitch who the Spirit of God moved upon to create the prophetic chart.
Now, here are a few questions from the quotations that we have just read from Ellen G. White:
A) Who created the prophetic chart?
Answer: Charles Fitch
B) In what year was it created?
Answer: 1842
Nice. Let’s move on…
So let us read another quotation from (Early Writing, page 74, par.1) It says “I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as He wanted them; that His hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it, until His hand was removed.” {EW 74.1}
Here are a few more questions from the quote that we have just read:
A) What was the first table/chart called?
Answer: 1843 chart
B) Whose hand directed the creation of this chart/table?
Answer: God
C) Should we alter or change what is on the chart/table?
Answer: No
D) Is this the way God wanted the figures to be on the chart/table?
Answer: Yes
D) Why was it called the 1843 Chart?
Answer: Because they were expecting God to come in 1843
We are doing great so far in this study. Let us continue…
We have read about “tables” in Habakkuk 2 and we know that “tables” is plural, which means more than one.
So here is the problem, we saw that it was only one chart/table created in 1842 while we read about more than one. So now we need to trace down and see where in history the second table/chart of Habakkuk 2 had its next fulfillment.
We would like to begin by reading from ( Manuscripts Releases volume 13, page 359, par.1) It says “I saw that God was in the publishment of the chart by Brother Nichols. I saw that there was a prophecy of this chart in the Bible, and if this chart is designed for God’s people, if it [is] sufficient for one it is for another, and if one needed a new chart painted on a larger scale, all need it just as much.” {13MR 359.1}
Let us also read this quote from (Manuscripts Releases volume 15, page 210 par.4) Which says “Monday we returned to Dorchester where our dear Brother Nichols and family live. There in the night God gave me a very interesting vision, the most of which you will see in the paper. God shewed me the necessity of getting out a chart. I saw it was needed and that the truth made plain upon tables would effect much and would cause souls to come to the knowledge of the truth.” {15MR 210.4}
Here we can now clearly see that Ellen G. White has gotten a vision from God about the chart that was published by Brother Nichols. She vividly stated that God was in the publishment and that there was a prophecy of this chart in the Bible and further, she stated that this chart serves to make the truth plain upon tables.
So this second chart published by Brother Nichols was also a fulfillment of Habakkuk Chapter 2
Now this next quote that we are going to read is taken from a book published in the year 1977 by Pieter Gerard Damsteegt, called (Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, page 193, par.1) It says “In 1850 Nichols published a Pictorial Illustration of the Visions of Daniel & John designed by Samuel W. Rhodes. On this chart the third angel was indicated by the motto “The Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.” {1977 PGD, FSDA 193.1}
This other quote is taken from a book written by LEROY EDWIN FROOM called (The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, Volume 4, page1071, par.2) It says “Then OTIS NICHOLS, engraver of Dorchester Massachusetts, a Boston suburb, published this first pictorial chart to be brought out after the Disappointment. Lithographed at Boston in December, 1850, it differs but little in general outline from the positions of the Millerites taught during the seventh month movement except in the expanded treatment of the sanctuary and the flight of the third angel. About 30 by 40 inches, it is arranged in four vertical columns. The second column, which is rather narrow, is confined to chronological data, while the three larger ones dial systamatically with the symbols.” {1954 LEF, PFF4 1071.2}
Let us answer some questions below from the quote we have just read
A) Who created this next prophetic chart?
Answer: It was designed by Samuel W. Rhodes and published by Otis Nichols
B) In what year was this chart created?
B) What was this second chart/table called?
Answer: 1850 Chart
C) Why was it called the 1850 chart?
Answer: Because it was created in 1850
We have reached the conclusion of this study and from what we have understood or learned so far, it is clear from the Word of God that the tables of Habakkuk 2 had their prophetic fulfillment, one in the year 1842 and the other in the year 1850.
Inspiration tells us that God directions were given in the creation of these charts and the one created in 1850 has the expanded treatment of the sanctuary and the flight of the third angel on it.
We hope this study was a blessing to you and you should look out for part 2. God Bless.
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