p. 37 | The Kingdom of Christ by John H. Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1873

The Kingdom of Christ.

By John H. Waggoner

WHEN my attention was called to the articles of Eld. Treat, in the Christian Record, I supposed, from the high standing of the writer in his denomination, that his articles would present their views in so strong a light that it would be well worth while to examine them. But I have been disappointed. The points previously noticed will give the reader a good idea of the strength of his argument, for the remaining numbers contain very little worthy of any notice.

One objection to the position of the Adventists has been so much dwelt upon by Eld. Treat and his associates, that they seem to think it a strong hold. It may be well, therefore, to point out its absurdity. He ridicules the idea that the feet and toes of the image of Dan. 2 represent the European kingdoms, as still existing. But really he needs to go further, and to deny that they represent kingdoms at all; for, if that be conceded, they become the antecedents of “these kings,” in Dan. 2:44, without a possibility of denial. But his objection is this, that, if the toes of the image represent the divisions of the Roman Empire, and they are still found in the European kingdoms, then the toes are longer than any other part of the body, and the image is distorted. But did they ever consider that “the head,” representing the Empire of Babylon, was longer than the whole body put together? And cannot they perceive that the idea of relative duration cannot enter into the exposition of the image? To be sure, an image drawn according to the duration of its several parts, would be somewhat contrary to our ideas of a man, whether we consider the length of the head or the feet; but even were that idea admissible, it would be no more strange than it would be to see a beast with ten horns, or with four heads, and wings of a fowl! The facts of nature are not so closely followed in any of these symbols as to warrant the Bible student in trying to turn either of them into ridicule for its departures from nature. Mr. Treat’s exposition is more creditable to his wit, than to his reverence or even to his common sense.

On Isa. 9:6, he says in one sense the kingdom of Christ may be said to be forever, and, in another sense, to come to an end! But how this can be, he does not deign to inform us. He might as well say that in one sense a thing may be called white, and in another sense, black. The truth is, that all the Scripture declarations on the duration of the kingdom, cannot refer to one and the same kingdom. It is only an absurdity to talk of “the end of the reign,” if that reign is to be forever, and to have “no end.” But when we admit the two thrones, of Rev. 3:21, and two reigns, under different circumstances, all is harmony. It seems singular that people can be so wedded to a theory that they will persist in denying such plain Bible truths.

That Christ is king and mediator at the same time, he tries to prove by Deut. 33:4, 5. “He was king in Jeshurun,” referred to Moses. Against this interpretation there are three objections: 1. The best critics do not refer these words to Moses, but to the Lord, of whom he has been speaking in verses 2, 3. And this agrees with the facts of all the Scriptures. They had no earthly king until Saul; before that, the Lord only was their king. 2. If the reference to Moses be correct, it would not be conclusive in favor of his view, for Moses acted as priest only in erecting the tabernacle, instituting its services, and installing Aaron and his sons into their offices. 3. It would be most absurd to say that Moses was priest and king, so that his priesthood was toward his own kingship! And so of Melchisedec. “A mediator is not a mediator of one,” says Paul. Christ is “mediator between God and man.” This shows three parties, God, man, and the mediator. He is a priest on his Father’s throne, Heb. 8:1, 2; the counsel of peace is “between them both.” Zech. 6:12, 13. It seems singular that a word is necessary to convince any one of a truth so plain.

We have no fear that opposition will weaken our position, for every objection, when fairly examined, only adds to the strength and clearness of the truth. But our fear is that we shall not feel thankful to God as we should for the light of the truth granted to us in his mercy, nor realize the responsibility which the knowledge of the truth places upon us. Though the truth looks clear, harmonious, and beautiful, we should remember that it is not the end, but the means; that it is designed to bring us in harmony with God, the author of truth. And we must not rest satisfied with the true doctrine of the kingdom, but be earnest in the work of preparing for it, and with consecrated, longing hearts, ever pray, “Thy kingdom come.”

J. H. WAGGONER.