Another Objection Against the Immediate Coming of Christ.
By D. T. Bourdeau
THIS objection runs as follows: The opinion has quite generally prevailed among the ancients and moderns that our earth would continue in its present state for the period of 6000 years, at the close of which, the seventh millennium would be ushered in, and our Saviour would come the second time. Now, as there were, according to Usher’s chronology, only 4004 years from creation to Christ, see margin of Gen. 1, and as we have only reached the year of our Lord 1872, we cannot consistently look for Christ for about 124 years. In reply to this objection we would say that it is also our opinion, as based on Old Testament types, especially that of the jubilee, that our earth will continue in its present state during a period of 6000 years, and that the seventh thousand years will be a period of rest to our earth; and could we determine the age of our world to a year, we could tell the very year of our Saviour’s return to earth. But, as God would have it, we cannot tell the precise age of our world. There must be in the best of chronologies a variation of at least a few years; so that we are left in a waiting, watching position, having seen the signs by which we are to know that Christ is near, even at the doors, and that we have even reached the last generation of men, and are yet being called to live by faith, not knowing the day nor the hour of Christ’s second coming. Although we have a good degree of confidence in Usher’s Chronology, as found in the margin of our Bibles, yet this remarkable chronology stands corrected by Paul on the period of the Judges, at least. Usher makes this period—i. e., from the death of Joshua to the coronation of Saul—margin of Joshua 22, and 1 Sam. 10—about 331 years; whereas, Paul says, “He [God] gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years.” Acts 13 : 20. This makes a difference of 119 years, which, added to 4004 years, would make 4123 years, fixing the creation of our world B. C. 4123. To which add 1872, and our earth has stood about 5995 years. We are on the verge of the seventh millennium; and the Lord for whom we have waited will soon descend the blazing vault of heaven, in the glory of the Father, and with all the holy angels, to raise the sleeping saints and change the righteous living. Hail glorious day!