Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 7, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 23.

Question Corner

By Editor

1878.—The Six Thousand Years.

When will the six thousand years of this world's history end? Will it end ninety-five years hence? In the year 2,000? And as there has been no time lost, what about "this generation" of Matt. 24:34?

The above sum up the questions of various inquirers. Let us reply briefly:

1. There is no absolute evidence that there will be just six thousand years of probationary time. To us there seems to be good evidence that there will be more than that. "The great day of the Lord" includes not only the 1,000 years of Revelation 20, but spaces of time before and after that period, the day extending from the day that probation closes till the curse is forever wiped from the earth.

2. We do not know when the six thousand years will end. They may have already ended. The time from the creation to about 1,000 years before Christ is uncertain, and at present seems undeterminate. The Septuagint Version gives a much longer time to the patriarchal age than does Usher's Chronology. From the beginning of the prophetic dates of history there is little question, and from the first Advent practically none. As regards the order of the days of the week, there is every reason to believe that they have been the same throughout all human history. The years of history are quite another thing.

3. This generation is the generation which sees—perceives—in the light of Christ's words the signs foretold in verse 29. That generation is co-extensive with the giving of the last message. Some at least of those who were in its beginning were in its close.