A Temporal Millennium,

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N.Y. · Jul 11, 1854

A Temporal Millennium,

The theory of a temporal millennium, as now held by many in the Christian community, is of modern origin. Less than two centuries have elapsed, since the doctrine, in its present form, was first promulgated.

Daniel Whitby, a learned doctor of divinity, was the author. From him were derived those sentiments which have since been so widely diffused, and accredited. The Christians of other days looked for the coming of their Lord, as at hand, but the dissemination of notions of a later origin, delays his coming for many years. To this favorite idea is to be attributed, in a great degree, the present lethargic state of the church and the world, respecting the near approach of the everlasting kingdom. The immediate coming of Christ to judgment, finds no response in the millenarian's bosom.

But, be not deceived: all the New Testament writers declare the judgment as near at hand. The apostles and their coadjutors preached, “Behold he cometh quickly.” The church has, through all subsequent time been anxiously watching for the consummation of her hope, waiting the return of her first love. The present age is, however, an exception, they heed not the admonition of their Christian fathers, to expect that eventful period as soon to dawn upon them. They place the coming of Christ far in the future, far beyond the limits of their earthly career?

Those passages which are usually cited to support a temporal millennium, can only be fulfilled in the “new heavens, and the new earth,” where “the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”

On examining the prophecy of Daniel, we find presented a series of events which are to extend into the eternal state. The character of the several kingdoms which were to exist, are there delineated. These kingdoms were to be earthly, sensual and estranged from God, and to remain for a given period, when they are to be destroyed, and the kingdom of God, which is to stand forever, even forever and ever, will be established.

These kingdoms are prefigured several times, by different representations, and extend to the end of time. The judgment, the resurrection from the dead, is immediately to succeed the present condition of human government.

The little horn, mentioned in the vii. chapter was to wear out the saints for a certain period, time, times and dividing of time—when his dominion was to be taken away—still he was to continue and prevail, though gradually consumed, and finally destroyed at the judgment day. The spirit of Anti-christ, was to prevail, “until the ancient of days came,”—its blighting influence will be felt while time endures. Antichristian powers, earthly kingdoms, are to bear rule until Christ comes to judgment—till the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.

The fifth universal kingdom is not a temporal kingdom, but the eternal inheritance of the saints: when once the saints get possession, they occupy, not for a limited period, but “forever, even forever and ever.” An endless dominion, when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, he shall reign forever and ever.

We would refer the reader to our Saviour's declarations when on earth, “My kingdom is not of this world,” “Thy kingdom come,” “In this world ye shall have tribulation,” also to the parable of “the tares of the field.”

St. Paul also declares, that the Man of sin—Papacy, shall be revealed, whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

If we look at the revelation of St. John, we find he has not revealed anything which indicates the world's conversion, to be followed by a state of glory before Christ's coming, but otherwise. John saw things which should be hereafter, and he heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, wo, wo, wo to the inhabitants of the earth. Can any one really believe that the angel would have cried wo, wo, wo, (and the last wo comes when the seventh angel sounds,) when gladness, joy, and peace, were to fill the earth. Paradoxical indeed, would be such an inference.

We might refer to the opinions of the “Fathers.” The Council of Nice.—The creeds of the respective, evangelical Churches, and show that they all anticipated the personal appearing of the Lord from heaven—a millennium prior to that event, never received their sanction.—Mid. Cry., 1844.