Leaves From the
Book
The Nearness of Our
Hope
T HE calculation of times in connection with the coming of
the Lord has been a fruitful cause of disappointment to those believing in the
pre-millennial coming of the Lord while, to unbelievers in it. it has naturally
given some apparent justification of their unbelief. Our Lord too has specially
warned us against it. "It is not for you.'' He says to His disciples, in the
forty days which intervened between His resurrection and ascension, it is not
for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father has put in His own
power.'' (Acts. i. 7)
This has been sought to be explained as a temporary
restriction now removed, and the language of the prophets, that the vision was
shut up and sealed till the time of the end,'' but ''at the end would speak,
and not lie,'' (Dan. xii. 9 Hab. ii. 3,) has been taken to prove that we might
expect to know them all as the time drew nigh.
It is naturally enough
asked, if the dates are in Scripture. must they not be intended to serve some
purpose and, like all the rest of it, are they not " profitable for doctrine ?
'' Nor can we answer this. as long as it is not seen that " times and seasons
'' are connected with Jewish hopes, to which the whole Christian dispensation
is in reality an interregnum. The want of "rightly dividing the word of truth"
is the great cause of perplexity as to its interpretation. The division of the
Word into two Testaments ought to help us, and the apostle of the Gentiles
distinctly teaches us that the "promises" of the Old Testament (taken in the
letter) are Jewish Rom. 9: 3. 4); while the Gospel of Matthew. on the other
hand, assures us that the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," the kingdom in
the form it takes during the present dispensation - are ''things which '' up to
that time had been kept secret from the foundation of the world".
It is
therefore in vain to look for the record of events in Christendom in the
prophecies of the Old testament. I do not deny, of course, a typical
significance. but this only can he discovered by the direct teaching of the New
and has limits as all typical teaching has, carefully to be ascertained. The
literal application of Old Testament prophecy isalwavs connected with Israel as
the subject of Divine care and providence, and the pivot around which the
wheels of His earthly government revolve. The period in which they are
nationally set aside is a gap, sometimes just marked out, often passed over in
silence, a time of the suspension of purposes which are afresh taken up the
other side of it.
But this uncounted interval of time deranges all attempts
at calculation of the periods. Take, for instance, the great prophecy of the
"seventy weeks" one of the highest importance to understand as connected with
the whole plan of the book of Revelation the commencing and terminal points are
marked as clearly as can be. The commencement is clearly passed for it dates
from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.
Nehemiah's commission, about the middle of the fifth century B.C. The
termination is when Israel's transgression is finished, and their sanctuary
restored, a period as plainly not yet reached. And yet the whole period of 70
weeks is only 490 years, while more than 2000 have actually intervened. The
reason for this is indicated, however, in the prophecy itself, which gives us
483 years or more to Messiah's cutting off, and then an uncounted time of
desolation for the city and sanctuary, at the close of which occurs the
seventieth week.
The gap is thus just indicated, but that which in the
wisdom of God fills it up is left unnoticed: the Christian revelation alone
supplies it. But often the gap even is not noticed, as where, in Isa. lxi. 2,
"the acceptable year of the Lord" and "the day of vengeance of our God" are
brought together; and in like manner the first coming of the Saviour often
blends with His second coming.
A remarkable break in this way in the
apparent continuity of Old Testament prophecy is found by comparing Rev. xvii.
with Dan. vii. The latter chapter gives us the well-known four empires as
apparently stretching from Nebuchadnezzar till the coming of the Son of Man.
And upon this a seeming argument is based for regarding that coming as a
spiritual one only, and the kingdom of the Son of man as the Gospel
dispensation; For plainly the Roman empire which seems to exist in the prophecy
up to that time is not existing now. It is broken up, the independent kingdoms
vf southern and western Europe being its severed parts. Nor, from the prophecy
of Daniel only, could we answer this. But in the light of Rev. xvii., we can at
once explain it: for we find here a second rise of the Romish beast out of a
non-existent state. "The beast that was, and is not, and yet is," should be
rather (as is confessed by critics) "the beast which was, and is not, and shall
be present" and thus the difficulty is cleared up in a way which makes this
prophecy agree with the character of Old Testament prophecy generally, the days
of the Gospel dispensation being omitted from it. Any reckoning of times into
which this uncounted gap may come is thus seen at once to be impossible.
It
is important to note this at the outset, when we propose considering the
probable nearness of the Lord's approach. We are not going to set time, or take
up chronology at all, in this connection. Still less are we going to supplement
the teachings of the word of God with the calculation of the Pyramid
measurements. God has given us Scripture as able thoroughly to furnish us to
all good works, and it is Scripture alone that we admit as having title to be
heard at all.
Astronomical cycles for the same reason we leave entirely to
astronomers, refusing to be guided by anything which proposes itself to us as
knowledge outside the volume of inspiration itself. To this nothing can be
added, as no jot or tittle written there can fail. The rambling off to other
things may be a proof of the ferment in which men's minds are, but it cannot be
considered a healthy sign.
God's word itself, however, teaches us that we
may be seeing the approach of "the day" (Heb. X. 21); and while we believe that
to look for certain things as necessarily to take place before His advent would
be in some measure at least to echo the wicked servant's cry, "My lord delayeth
His coming," it is a very different thing to ask if there be not already signs
to indicate His being near. That God has given us such indications to quicken
our faith after so long a lapse of time as has been "since the fathers fell
asleep," every one in whose heart glows the "blessed hope" will, I think,
admit. Still it will not be in vain to remind ourselves of what may be familiar
truth, while to many it may be encouraging to find how very much remains, after
laying aside everything that is doubtful or obscure, in which we may surely see
the glimmer of the morning.
There are signs, in fact, whichever way we
look, in the social, political, ecclesiastical, and spiritual spheres
alike.
We do not propose to classify them, however, in that way, nor
pretend indeed even to enumerate them all - they are so many. We propose only
to take up some of the most striking. To begin with what is most external.
Politically there are many remarkable signs: the growth and extension of
Russia, the revival of Italy and Greece, the Eastern question, the commencing
return of the Jews to Palestine. With each of these we might fill pages, where
we shall have to confine ourselves to as many lines.
(1) Russia is the
power spoken of in Ezek. xxxvlii. as to come up against Israel in the last
days, when they shall again be dwelling safely in the land brought back from
its long desolation. It is well known, although still struggled against, that
instead of "chief prince of Meshech and Tubal," we should read Prince of Rosh,
Meshech, and Tubal." Unbelief itself can hardly maintain that Meshech and Tubal
do not find their modern representatives in the countries of which Moscow and
Tobolsk are the chief cities in this day. The oldest Greek translation (the
Septuagint) also gives archonta Rhosh, the ruler of Rhos. The "land of
Magog" no one doubts to be Scythia or Tartary, mostly now Russian; Persia and
Togarmah (Armenia) are at his borders, as is also, the Asiatic Cush, in our
version Ethiopia. Other names may be more difficult to identify; but these are
ample to show that the great power foretold by Ezekiel is indeed getting ready
to fill her predicted place, while she has been for long extending herself in
the very direction indicated, the waning power of Turkey alone intervening.
2. The resurrection of Greece is another remarkable occurrence. She is
expressly named by Zechariah as among Israel's adversaries at the time the Lord
finally takes up their cause (Zech. ix. 13). Moreover, in Daniel (chap. viii.),
"in the last end of the indignation" of God against Israel, we find a king of
Greece who destroys "the mighty and the holy people" (Israel), and who at last,
standing up against the Prince of princes, is broken without hand. He appears
to be the final "king of the North" in the eleventh chapter, who manifestly,
throughout the chapter up to this point, is a Grecian king.
Yet Greece had
seemed to be, as a kingdom, blotted out of existence. She is risen up again,
and bent upon claiming her old possessions, as we know.
3. Still later, and
very recent indeed, is the revival of Italy. We have already seen that the book
of Revelation fully recognizes a time of non existence for the Roman empire,
which is yet to have a form it never has had, "ten horns," or kings, giving
their power to the beast. The barbarian kingdoms of the past, formed by the
division of the empire, never gave power to, but took it from, the empire; but
in this form it also will be found in conflict with the King of kings, and be
overcome by Him when He appears. (Rev. xvii. 11-14, xix. 11-21.)
Now the.
empire still "is not," nor is it probable that Christians will see it restored;
its time of revival fills up the interval between the time in which the Lord
takes up His people, and that in which He appears in glory with them; but the
kingdom of Italy, which had been broken up into a number of small states, is
restored, and is an evident first step towards that which God has written, and
which (spite of the anxiety of politicians to preserve the balance of power)
will surely come to pass.
4. Again, everybody has heard much about "the
Eastern question." But everybody familiar with God's prophetic Word knows that
the East (particularly Palestine) is to be the place of settlement, Divine
settlement, of national controversies. The powers of the North and South and
West are thus depicted in a final struggle before the interference of Him under
whose peaceful and powerful sway "nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
Man's "Eastern question"
may not be at all the same as God's, and is not; but who that has looked as
guided by the Word at the impending future, but must see that the one is
rapidly merging into the other?
5. The return of the Jews to their land is
actually accomplishing. In Jerusalem itself there are said to be now 23,000
Jews, and they are buying up all the available ground within it. Agricultural
labour is being resumed, and the latter rains, long absent, are reported to be
returning. A Jew is currently reputed to have a mortgage upon the land. Lastly,
the British occupation of Cyprus is giving a new sense of security in the East,
which must needs have the effect of encouraging their most sanguine
expectations. Let us bear in mind, that Scripture intimates no complete return
of Israel,- no proper restoration, in fact, till the Lord himself restores, and
that after His coming. Their return before that is but partial, and in
unbelief,- a state which will be the cause of their last and sorest trouble.
But the budding again of the fig-tree is the Lord's own special sign of His
being at the door; and the fig-tree (as in Luke xiii. 6) is the type of Israel
(Matt. xxiv. 32). No more significant sign can we have than this.
6.
Another prominent sign of the times is the spirit of lawlessness and
independence prevailing everywhere. The spirit of Communism, in its various
forms, is a matter causing the most serious alarm, not merely to despotic
governments, but to those of the most popular character also: in the United
States, for instance, as well as in Russia. Nor is this a mere passing
ebullition. The rulers of conservative Europe have had uneasy and uncertain
possession of their seats for a long time past. The voice of the people is
making itself heard more and more, and in no respectful tones. They are newly
interpreting the very ancient maxim, "Might is right," by the assumption that
might should be with the many, and not with the few. In result it is individual
self-will casting off restraint, and with man's law, God's also.
We shall
find this character of the last days in the prophecies both of the Old and New
Testaments. It is the "clay" which enfeebles the feet and toes of
Nebuchadnezzar's imperial image (Dan. ii). Peter and Jude both speak of it as a
special element in the decline and corruption of Christianity which they
depict; but I must leave my readers to follow out this for themselves in
Scripture: a mere reference to it must suffice us here.
7. That Christendom
as a whole ends in open infidel apostasy is what the word of God distinctly
teaches. Antichristian as Rome surely is, there remains yet to be developed a
final form exceeding all in blasphemy and iniquity. The beast will at last
throw off the woman who at first rides upon it, and with the ten horns will
"hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh and burn
her with fire" (Rev. xvii. i6); but it will be only to be found in open
antagonism to the Lamb (ver. I 4). Popery will thus not be the last nor the
worst form of evil. The Antichrist will deny both the "Father and the Son" (i
John ii. 22). No longer content to be at all the "woman," and to own subjection
to Christ at all, he will be "the man," although it be "the man of sin," and
sit in the temple of God, and show himself as being God (2 Thess. ii.). Thus
the present "mystery of iniquity" will issue in a "falling away," or apostasy,
and that in a strong delusion in which all will be taken, who, while they had
the truth, believed not the truth, that they might be saved (vers. II, ii).
Looking round, we may say that the apostasy has begun already. Germany, the
leader once in evangelical reformation, has become the leader in a destructive
rationalism which leaves little for the most open infidelity to destroy. In
England it almost divides the Establishment with Puseyism, and has largely
leavened the dissenting bodies. Dr. Smith and his following are signs of what
is doing in Presbyterian ranks. In France infidelity has long shown an open and
increasing front. In Italy and elsewhere a large number, who have learned it
secretly under the garb of Popery, are escaping from the pressure of this, to
practice it openly elsewhere. America is a field in which all growths develop
rapidly, and where they attain, a corresponding stature. That God is working,
with all this, I fully and thankfully own yet not to alter the face of things,
but to save individuals out of it. When presently the voice of the Lord shall
summon His own to meet Him in the air, Christendom will be but a tare-field
ready for the burning, in the fire of His wrath.
8. Apart from this, the
signs of the last days are, in the professing church, painfully evident. Such
texts as "In the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers
of their own selves, covetous, boasters, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof," need only be
quoted. Those who are acquainted with the wonderful prophecy of Rev. ii. and
iii., in which the whole course of the professing church is mirrored for us
from the apostles' day till the Lord takes His people, will know how near the
close we seem to be. I cannot do more than refer to this just now. In
Philadelphia the last announcement of His coming is given, and the word is now,
"Behold, I come quickly." Is not this the cry now to us on every side? Shall we
not hear it?
9. But this links with another statement, and that also from
the Lord's own lips. In the familiar parable of the ten virgins, in which the
state of Christendom is described in connection with His coming, the tarrying
time which has tested so the hearts of His people is brought to an end by the
sudden cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him." That cry
wakes up the sleeping virgins, and they rise and trim their lamps. Upon that
the Bridegroom comes, too suddenly for some of the slumberers. Now the great
and grave question is, is not the time of the church's slumber passing, if not
past? Has there been nothing answering to that cry, the echo of the
announcement to Philadelphia, "Behold, I come quickly?" Has there been no
announcement? no consequent stir in the professing church? no fresh going forth
with kindling of heart to meet One whose coming sounds to it as the greeting of
a marriage bell,- the coming of the Bridegroom? If so, may we not be very sure
that He is near?
Are you awake, reader? Has the cry thrilled your very
soul? Do you respond to the love which greets you,- the love which expects
response from His redeemed? Is it all settled and sure that you are His? Is
your whole future His as well? If ere this year yet ran out He came,- if you
began next year in eternity with Him,- would you regret it?
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
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