Untitled article by Joseph Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 5, 1867

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 21

Historical Department.

By Joseph Clarke

Prophecy is History in Advance.

DR. NELSON'S VIEW OF THE ADVENT.

Many persons considering themselves of the most orthodox stamp, have by some means imbibed the impression, that Adventists stand out alone and unsupported in their position, by the churches of the age; and that all that is believed touching the advent by the Advent body, is a new development of error.

Let all who so view these matters, peruse the sixty-fifth and sixty-sixth chapters of Nelson's Cause and Cure of Infidelity, published by the American Tract Society, 150 Nassau Street, N. Y.; and it should be remembered that this work was written by Dr. Nelson about the year 1836, some eight years previous to the great advent movement of 1844.

Please let me present the first one of these chapters; not that we endorse every particular point of his view, but to show how very nearly his views approximated to the views now held by S. D. A. people.

JOSEPH CLARKE.

After quoting from the ninth chapter of Daniel, that portion relating to the seventy weeks, Dr. Nelson adds:

The Israelites in reckoning their time, made use of two kinds of weeks, very different in duration, but the same in parts, commencement, and termination. They used the week so well known with us, seven days in extent, and commencing [ending?] with a Sabbath of one day, or twenty-four hours. Their other week which we have ceased to use was seven years in extent, and commenced with a Sabbath of one year's duration. Of course each day of this week was one year. The Israelites who would say it was three weeks to Jubilee, meant twenty-one years. That a week was seven years in length, did not seem strange to him, as it does to those who have long ceased to compute time in this way. The heathen took up the Jewish mode, and reckoned by that week. A celebrated author, in writing his life, and stating that he had passed his eleventh week, did not pause to make any explanation. He seemed to feel that the pagan world at that time were so familiar with the week of years, that all his readers would know that he was seventy-seven years of age.

The people of Daniel, and perhaps all the surrounding nations, knew well that these seventy weeks named by the angel, reached across four hundred and ninety years; and they were looking for the appearance of a great Saviour the year in which Christ was born; but they did not know him when he appeared not clothed with pomp.

The people of Israel were in captivity; their homes were naked and despoiled; and if they ever did return to build their city, it must be by edict from the potentate holding them in subjection. After the vision of the prophet, those who were watching for the redemption of the world, would also watch and listen for a command from some of Persia's monarchs to restore and to build Jerusalem; and from the date of this command, would note the commencement of the seventy weeks. There were two commands to this effect; ordering, and then ordering again, the restoration of Jerusalem. One of these decrees was obtained in the seventh, and the other in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes.

Sir Isaac Newton justly observes, that “the dispersed Jews became a people and a city, when they returned into a body politic; and that was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus.” Maclaurin. The seventy weeks accomplish the declarations of Heaven, if commenced immediately after one of these commandments, and if weeks of solar years are used; while from the other, if seventy weeks of lunar years are counted, the termination is the same. This astronomical accommodation awakens the surprise of many.

That the walls and streets of Jerusalem were nearly fifty years in building, and that the times were so troublous that the workmen labored with a sword in one hand, and a building implement in the other, I had read elsewhere, but had never applied it so as to note the accuracy of the prophet, until reminded of the prediction and the fulfillment by the commentary.

Whoever reads Ezra and Nehemiah, may feel that the difficulties connected with Jerusalem's restoration were indeed sufficiently pressing to merit the language “troublous times.” That expression will never again stand before him as covered with obscurity. Scott points us to the fact, that the term of seventy weeks in the text is divided into three several portions. These three different periods are of a very unequal length, but when added together make up the seventy. They are a term of seven weeks, of sixty-two weeks, and of one week. The seven weeks' term extends across the time of building, which was so dangerous and so toilsome. This lasted forty-nine years; each one of the seven weeks being seven years, according to our mode of reckoning. The workmen were beset by their enemies in such a manner, that they labored while clothed in armor. The sixty-two weeks seem to extend from this time, until the Most Holy was anointed on the bank of Jordan. Oil had been used to anoint other high-priests; but to anoint the great High-priest, that which the oil signified, the Holy Spirit, was seen to descend and rest upon him. After his baptism, the Saviour traveled and preached, healed and instructed, for three years and six months, just the half of a week, before he was crucified. He rose from the dead, ascended, and told his followers to go and tender the gospel in his name to the earth, but to begin at Jerusalem. They did so, and during another half week, thousands on thousands accepted, and with them the covenant was confirmed, before the preachers were driven from Judea to offer it to the Gentiles. This last term of one week is divided into two parts. It was in the middle of it that the great sacrifice was offered, which annihilated the utility of all other sacrifices. It was in the middle of the last week that the oblation was poured out, which instantly checked the efficacy of all other oblations. We are told that when Messiah should be cut off, it would not be for himself. This points us to the atonement—in the vicarious sufferings which, as we have noticed, were shown so fully to Isaiah, and which he repeated with such strange variety of words. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. When one offers and the other refuses, a covenant is not confirmed. When both agree, it is confirmed or closed. God's part of the agreement which he offers to make, is, that he will take the one who has sinned, as his child, place the everlasting righteousness brought into view by the Most Holy during the last one of the seventy weeks to the man's account, as though it belonged to him, protect, guide, and finally save. Reader, he is serious, and will confirm such a contract with you, if you wish it. Man's part of the covenant is, that he will accept the gift of this righteousness, confessing he did not make it himself; cease opposition to his Maker; inquire after all his precepts, and obey them. During the three years and a half before the death of Christ, he, with his apostles, confirmed this covenant with many of Daniel's nation; and his apostles, after he left them, did the same for half a week in his name. After this, obstinacy prevailed; and it was not very long before the “people of the prince,” that was foretold when Daniel lived, the Romans, came and did destroy “the city and the sanctuary.” If any should inquire what is meant by the sentence, “The end thereof shall be with a flood,” I would answer, Read a full account of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem; and if the expression is not fully explained, I am unable to make it plainer. Flavius Josephus was a spectator of that flood. He wrote, and his books may be read. As it regards the desolations which were to overwhelm the nation which cut off the Messiah, we are only told that they should roll on until the consummation; how long before the consummation, this chapter does not tell. God's people have seen them pouring out, and have looked on with wonder for eighteen hundred years, asking, “Will this torrent never cease to beat upon the desolate?” The answer is, Not before the consummation. But we have reason

to believe this now approaches so near that we may begin to discern it dimly.

Respecting the measurement of these three divisions of weeks, it is true that the quibbler may cavil and speak zealously against the prophecy; and so he can quibble and speak plausible falsehood concerning the proper location of any star in the heavens. I shall then go on at once to the inference promised, which is brief and may be speedily drawn.

APPLICATION. I had read heathen poets, and had applauded them. I had read ancient orators, and had admired them. I had watched with great curiosity, even a little turn of expression in a historian, who lived long since. Why did I not observe and wonder at the fact, that here, on the page of prophecy, which was written five hundred years beforehand, which had been in Egypt three hundred years before Messiah “was cut off,” was found a relation of interesting events which were to take place, as accurate as the record of them after they did take place? Why was I not at least excited so far as to inquire into the matter? The reason is, that man is inclined to run after falsehood and nonsense, with more activity than he is after truth and things of everlasting moment. Some millions of our race have found this out; but there are more millions who do not believe it.

AN OUTLINE OF HISTORY.

The following passage of scripture, taken from the same prophet, was not, if I now remember accurately, observed faithfully by me, until I had a hope in the Messiah who was “cut off.” I am, however, very confident that if I had noticed it closely at any portion of my life, and had heard it expounded by any one acquainted with history, I should have deemed it worthy of a second reading. The passage is in the seventh chapter of Daniel, verse 2–29. Take a Bible and peruse it.

An outline of history for many centuries is desirable. There are many who would be glad to be familiar with the profile of the most prominent nations of the earth, for the last two thousand three hundred years. An ordinary attention to this chapter will furnish this much-abbreviated, but very correct history. Those who complain of enfeebled memories, will find a remedy in the imagery of the verses we have referred to. Those who desire it can at any time obtain a very gratifying amount of historic information, with trifling labor, and in a way which will forbid its departing from them.

There is something in the texture of the youthful mind which disposes it to lay hold on, and to retain, figures either beautiful or terrible, especially if they are systematically striking.

A teacher of history may communicate, I feel assured, after repeated trial, more knowledge in a given time, by causing the student to learn a number of passages taken from different prophets, than can be done in any other way.

The chapter before us is one. The history begins five hundred years before the birth of the Redeemer, reaches us, and passes us by a very few items, and for aught we know, the time may be as inconsiderable in its duration. The first three verses tell us of great beasts coming up from the sea, diverse one from another. Elsewhere in the Bible, we are informed that the sea is the emblem of the restless and noisy populace of agitated nations. The prophets of God, when about to picture a power which reached its elevation after a long march through blood, where the feet were dipped in human gore at every stride, have used as an emblem a beast, wild and ferocious. By the accurate propriety of any picture, the memory is greatly assisted. On the fourth verse, which tells us of the lion which had eagle's wings, and whose wings were plucked, Scott makes the following observations:

“The Chaldean empire, as advanced to its summit of prosperity under Nebuchadnezzar, and as declining under Belshazzar, was intended by this beast. The lion was an emblem of Nebuchadnezzar's courage and success in acquiring the dominion over his neighbors; and perhaps of his superior generosity and magnanimity, with which he ruled over the nations. The eagle's wings denoted the rapidity and unabated vigor with which he prosecuted his victories. But as the

prophet saw this, he observed that the wings thereof were plucked. After the death of Nebuchadnezzar, the Chaldeans made no more conquests; several of the subjected nations revolted. The Medes and Persians soon began to straiten them, till at length Babylon was besieged and taken, and so that monarchy was terminated. No longer did this beast appear rapid in conquest as an eagle, or courageous and terrible as a lion, but it was changed as it were into a human creature; it stood on its feet as a man, and had a man's heart given to it. After Nebuchadnezzar's death, the kings of Babylon became less terrible to their foes and subjects, and more cautious, and even timid, till at length Belshazzar shut himself up in Babylon, not daring to face Cyrus, as a man would not venture to face a raging bear, which a lion would despise.”

The fifth verse tells us of another beast, like to a bear, which raised up itself on one side, and which had three ribs in its mouth.

The individual who loves to learn, and who desires to remember important facts, is told in this verse, that the Chaldean empire was succeeded by that of the Medes and Persians. This bear raised itself up on one side, or in other words, pushed its victories toward the west alone, almost. This animal had three ribs in its mouth, or, in other words, Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt were conquered, oppressed, or as it were, devoured by the Persian bear.

Concerning the sixth verse, which mentions the leopard with wings, and with four heads, our commentator makes the following remarks: “The bear having disappeared, the prophet saw an extraordinary leopard rise up in its stead. This was the emblem of the Grecian or Macedonian empire, which for the time was the most renowned in the world. It was erected by Alexander the Great, on the ruins of the Persian monarchy, and it continued in four divisions under his successors. The leopard being exceedingly fierce and swift, represented the kingdom, and especially Alexander its founder; but the swiftness of a quadruped was not an adequate emblem of the rapidity with which he made his conquests, as he subdued nations more speedily than others could march their armies through them. The leopard had therefore four wings of a fowl upon his back. When Alexander died his kingdom was, after many contests among his captains, divided into four parts, Egypt, Syria, Macedonia, and Thrace, with some regions of Asia Minor. These were the four heads of this third beast, and under them dominion was given to it, until it was gradually reduced by the next beast.”

The seventh and eighth verses tell us of the fourth beast, and describe the Romans in a few words, but very strikingly. This empire is called a beast, strong and terrible. All who have read the history of Rome and then read these verses, have wondered at the amount of character handed to us in these few words. They have wondered at the extent of the picture drawn in one single verse. The iron teeth, the devouring, and stamping, and breaking in pieces, tell those who know something of the history of the world, of the people and nation here portrayed, at once. The historian knows that the fourth beast was indeed diverse from any that preceded, and from any that have followed it.

“This fourth beast evidently accords with the legs and feet of iron, which were seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his visionary image, and which were at length divided into ten toes. It far exceeded in power, fierceness, and destructive rage, all that had gone before it, as well as in the extent and long duration of its dominion; and no animal could be found so terrible and furious, as to lend it a suitable name. This was doubtless an emblem of the Roman state, the invincible fortitude, hardiness, and force of which perhaps were never equalled. By wars and conquests the Romans bore down all opposition, and reduced almost every kingdom or state in the known world, into some kind or degree of dependence; drew all the spoil and wealth of many conquered nations, to enrich their proud capital; and tyrannized over all that did not yield obedience to their authority. That which the Romans could not quietly enjoy in other countries they would give to other kings and rulers, that at all times

when they would, they might take it again; which liberality is here called stamping the rest with their feet.

“This fourth empire was governed in another manner, by other maxims, than any of the preceding, and in process of time it was divided into ten kingdoms, which have been thus numbered in the eighth century. 1. The Senate of Rome; 2. The Greeks at Ravenna; 3. The Lombards in Lombardy; 4. The Huns in Hungary; 5. The Alemanes in Germany; 6. The Franks in France; 7. The Burgundians in Burgundy; 8. The Goths in Spain; 9. The Britons; 10. The Saxons in Britain. They are indeed reckoned up in several ways by different writers, according to the date assigned to their enumeration, but in general, it is clear that they were nearly the same with the principal kingdoms in Europe at this day. It is certain that the Roman empire was divided into ten kingdoms, and though they might be sometimes more and sometimes fewer, yet they were still known by the name of the ten kingdoms of the Western empire.” Scott.

The learned of the earth have praised one of their own number, for one particular trait of character belonging to him in full measure. They have said that Sir Isaac Newton would not indulge in wild speculations, and vain conjecture. It is stated that in all his astronomical and philosophical researches, every doctrine which he advanced was built on fact, and that further than this he would not proceed. He seems to have preserved this feature of his mind while writing on prophecy. I never understood one fact concerning the ten horns of the fourth beast, until I read and closely noticed a passage of this philosopher's writing, concerning that beast. I knew that the Roman empire was divided, and that ten kingdoms had existed in Europe as fragments, or horns of that beast; but I did not know why eastern countries, over which the Roman empire had extended, were not included. I knew that in Europe, for twelve hundred years, ten horns had been visible, but if Asia should be taken into the reckoning, the number of horns must be extended. The astronomer saw clearly enough why the kingdoms of Europe alone were to constitute the body and the horns of the beast. His words we will transcribe, for the sake of those who may wish to understand plainly this interesting part of history.

“All the four beasts are still alive, though the dominion of the three first be taken away. This corresponds with the declaration of the twelfth verse, that although their dominion was gone, they had their lives prolonged for a season and a time. The nations of Chaldea and Assyria are still the first beast; those of Media and Persia are still the second beast; those of Macedonia, Greece, Thrace, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt, are still the third; and those of Europe on this side are still the fourth. Seeing therefore the body of the third beast is confined to the nations on this side of the river Euphrates, and the body of the fourth beast to the nations on this side Greece, we are to look for all the four heads of the third beast among the nations on this side the Euphrates, and for all the eleven horns of the fourth beast among the nations on this side of Greece. And therefore, at the breaking of the Greek empire into four kingdoms, we include no part of the Chaldeans, Medes, and Persians, in those kingdoms, because they belonged to the bodies of the two first beasts. Nor do we reckon the Greek empire seated at Constantinople among the horns of the fourth beast, because it belonged to the body of the third.” Sir Isaac Newton.

This is plain as the astronomer's doctrine of gravitation. I pity the man who does not read; and I pity the man who hastily reads his Bible, but is too ignorant to enjoy the wonderful pictures so plainly delineated in these few verses. Men would teach their children history by causing them to commit verses of this character to memory, and explaining it to them, were it not that they have heretofore valued, and do still value the things of earth alone above everything besides. I know a little boy and girl who were taught the outline of history and its general features for two thousand years, by lecturing on this chapter several times during the space of twelve hours; so wonderfully does such imagery fix the attention, and invigorate the recollection.

“While the prophet was considering these ten horns, he saw another little horn springing up among them. This evidently points out the power of the church and bishop of Rome, which, from small beginnings, thrust itself up among the ten kingdoms, and at length got possession of three of them, having turned out those who held them, namely, the exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombards, and the state of Rome; and the dominion of the Roman pontiff over these three kingdoms has ever since been denoted by his triple crown. In this horn, as the church of Rome became when it obtained temporal authority, were eyes like the eyes of a man. This circumstance denoted the policy, sagacity, subtlety, and watchfulness by which the little horn would spy out occasions of extending and establishing its interests, and advancing its exorbitant pretensions; and the court of Rome has ever been remarkable for this above all the states in the world, as every person in the least acquainted with history must know. It had also a mouth speaking great things, and we shall have frequent occasion to speak of the arrogant claims, blasphemous titles, and the great swelling words of vanity of this horn. The style of ‘his holiness,’ and the claim of infallibility, and of a power to dispense with God's laws, to forgive sins, and to sell admission into Heaven, may serve as a specimen of the great things which this mouth hath spoken.” Scott.

This little horn, the pope of Rome, before whom three other horns were plucked up by the roots, has indeed spoken great things. After taking possession of the three thrones, and wearing a triple crown ever after to denote his power, he has claimed that and spoken that which shocks all who read, unless it be those whose feelings are so dull in holy things, that they are not moved at seeing a mortal pretend to all the attributes of Omnipotence.

The twenty-fifth verse informs us that he should wear out the saints of the Most High for a certain period. And it is a fact so well known that he has burnt and slaughtered so many thousands of professors of religion on account of their religion, so many tens of thousands more than any other power ever did, that I need not at present make any remarks on the expression, “wear out the saints,” more than simply to quote the expression. The period during which they were to be given into his hands was “a time and times and the dividing of time.”

A time, one year, times, two years, the dividing of time, half a year. These three years and a half contain twelve hundred and sixty days. A prophetic day stood for a year. This period is mentioned so often elsewhere, sometimes called “forty and two months,” sometimes “three and a half years,” and sometimes “a thousand two hundred and threescore days,” that any one who will make himself acquainted with the page of prophecy will feel at home here. There is nothing difficult or obscure in these periods. We can count twelve hundred and sixty days, and of course can count as many years. According to the ancient and general computation of thirty days to a month, we can know how many days were meant for forty and two months.

“Thus matters were left in his hands till ‘a time and times and the dividing of time,’ that is, for three years and a half, or forty-two months, which, reckoning thirty days to a month, and this was the general computation, make just one thousand two hundred and sixty days; and these prophetic days signify just one thousand two hundred and sixty years—a number we shall repeatedly meet with in the Revelation of St. John.” Scott.

It was once thought that the attention of the wicked would be greatly awakened if they should see the influence of the little horn at Rome over the other horns of Europe begin to decline. They have been told that appearances of the downfall of the Roman authority would be visible at the close of the twelve hundred and sixty days, and they have seen it, but it is looked upon by them without any interest whatever.

APPLICATION. We can improve the subject over which we have glanced, by enumerating the items or particulars which were to take place, and which have taken place since the days of Nebuchadnezzar. In giving this epitome or making out this catalogue, let no one suppose that all the particulars can be brought into the list. I cannot do this, but I can designate enough to bring before us the kind of credibility belonging to those who believe that events have happened such as seemingly fulfill this and other prophecies like it. Those who think that predictions are verified causally, are asked concerning the number of accidents in which they believe.

Concluded next week.