p. 76 | Untitled article by Ephraim

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, July 16, 1867

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

By Ephraim

The following article, signed “Ephraim,” appeared in the “Ontario (N. Y.) Repository and Messenger,” of June 5, 1867. Thus by various means, the living preacher, and the secular as well as religious press, the attention of the world is being called to the great fact, that the end of all things is at hand. The writer says:—

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.”—Amos iii, 7.

“The wise shall understand.”—Dan. xii, 9.

The design of prophecy is to confirm the belief of God’s people in His over-ruling Providence, as they behold the gradual development of prophecy into history; to cheer them in times of trial and persecution, and thus animate them to that faithfulness in well-doing, which is an important element in the fulfilment of prophecy.

Accordingly, we find that upon the eve of certain great events foretold in Scripture, a general expectation of those events has prevailed among the students of the “sure word of prophecy.” Thus, Daniel, at Babylon (Dan. ix, 2), “understood by books” the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jer. xxv, 11, 12, and xxix, 10), respecting the seventy years of Jerusalem’s desolation. As the day of deliverance approached, Daniel became more earnest in confession of his own and his people’s sins, and in prayer for the fulfilment of the promise. Doubtless he animated the pious hopes of his fellow-captives by rehearsing the Divine promises to them.

So, also, when the Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek monarchies had given place to the Roman power, as indicated in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the great image (Dan. ii,), and Daniel’s vision of the four beasts (Dan. vii,), there was a general expectation of the Messiah, founded on Dan. ix, 25 and other prophecies. Even heathen nations, instructed by Jews resident among them, shared this expectation; and a glowing passage in one of Virgil’s poems, heralds the coming man, “The Desire of All Nations.”

In like manner, as the time of Messiah’s Second Advent approaches, we find a prevalent and increasing impression, even upon irreligious minds, that the world’s great crisis is very near. So general an agreement as to the significance of passing events and chronological calculations, is good evidence of their correctness.

Peter says that “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” It is evident, according to ordinary chronology, that we are near the end of the 19th century of the Christian era, or 5,867 years from creation of Adam and Eve. Our Bible chronology, however—the work of Archbishop Usher and others—is erroneous, a mistake having been found, dating back to the time of the Hebrew Judges. Students differ as to the extent of this error, some assigning to it only a few years, while others allow it 159, which with the conceded fact of our Lord’s first advent having been four years earlier than A. D. 1, would place us, at the present time, in the year 6,000 from Adam. It is certain that we are very near the expiration of this period. The general opinion of Jewish Rabbis and Christian commentators warrant us to expect, in the condition of the world, a counterpart of the seven days of the week, or six millenniums of sin, war, suffering and death, and then the seventh, “the Sabbath of the whole earth,” under the reign of Messiah, The Prince of Peace. His coming will be signalized by the overthrow of all opposing governments, by mighty physical convulsions, and the “resurrection of the JUST.” John says, (Rev. xx, 4,) that certain faithful witnesses for Christ shall live, and reign with Christ a thousand years; after which the “rest of the dead” will rise to judgment.

From the above remarks, and from the recent events which have crippled the temporal power of the Pope, the remarkable movement among the European Jews, the prevalence of famine, earthquakes and pestilence, the general preparation for war, even amidst the cry of “Peace, peace!” we conclude that the end of this dispensation is at hand. “Millenarian doctrines” are rapidly spreading. In London, large meetings have been held for mutual instruction and exhortation. “The Prophecy Investigating Society,” and other bodies of clergymen and laymen, including many of the best and ablest men, united in declaring “The Lord is at hand!”

Nominal Christian, hast thou on the wedding garment? Self-righteous moralist, the Master saith, “Ye must be born again!” Weary pilgrim, travel-worn, suffering, perhaps, a lifetime of pain, be of good cheer! Soon shall “the Master come and call for thee!” Sowers of the good seed, the time is short. “In due season,” yea, very soon, “shall ye reap if ye faint not!” If it be our Lord’s will, we shall abide unto His coming and with “them that sleep,” meet Him in the “air,” and bid Him welcome to His kingdom.

Therefore, beloved brethren let us be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the “work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord!”