THE ADVENT, THE NEXT PROPHETIC EVENT
By S. Bliss
1. From the fulfillment of the prophecies.
"THEY are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor. x, 11, 12. 1. History informs us that Babylon, Media-Persia, Grecia and Rome, the four universal empires, symbolized by the gold, silver, brass and iron, of Nebuchadnezzar's image, [Dan. ii,] have successively arisen as predicted; so that we are now at the very toes of the image, which symbolize the divided state182of the Roman empire, in the days of which, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom, symbolized by the stone smiting the image on its feet, and dashing it to pieces, and which will destroy all those kingdoms and stand forever. 2. History not only shows a fulfillment of the predictions of these great kingdoms, which are also symbolized in the 7th of Daniel by four beasts,—a lion, bear, leopard, and nondescript beast, but also the fulfillment of the more minute predictions in that chapter respecting them; the division of the Grecian empire into four kingdoms, and the division of the Roman into ten, with the coming up of the Papal horn among the ten, which subdued three of them, and has continued its time: so that we only wait for the judgment to sit, when these kingdoms will be given to the burning flame, and the saints of the Most High will take the kingdom, to possess the kingdom forever and ever. 3. History shows the fulfillment of the same events predicted in the 8th of Daniel; so that we are only waiting for the exceeding great horn to be broken without hand. 4. History shows a fulfillment of all the events to precede the judgment predicted in the 11th and 12th of Daniel; so that we only look for the standing up of Michael, the time of trouble, the resurrection of the dead, and the glory which is to follow. 5. History shows the fulfillment of all the events predicted in the 24th of Matt. to precede the sign of the Son of man in heaven; so that we only wait for Christ to come, as the lightning shining from the east even unto the west. 6. History shows the fulfillment of the events predicted by St. Paul, in 2 Thess. ii, to transpire before that day—the falling away, and the revelation of that wicked one; so that we only wait for the Man of sin to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. 7. We find, by the historical fulfillment of the events predicted in Rev. i, ii and iii, that we are living in the Laodicean state of the church, which is to be spewed out of the mouth. 8. We find by the historical fulfillment of the events predicted in Rev. viii, v, and vi, that we are living under the sixth seal, at the close of which, the wicked will call upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. 9. We learn by the historical fulfillment of the events predicted in Rev. viii, ix, x, and xi, that we are at the close of the sounding of the sixth trumpet, when the seventh is to sound quickly; and when it shall begin to sound, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. 10. We find by the historical fulfillment of the events predicted in Rev. xii, xiii, and xiv, that we only wait for the angels to reap the harvest of the earth, and to cast the wicked into the great wine-press of the wrath of God. 12. We learn by the fulfillment of all the discursive prophecies but those which have reference to the scenes of the last day and the glory to follow, that the Advent of Christ is the next expected event. II. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES ADMONISH US THAT THE LORD IS AT THE VERY DOORS.
"But can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. xvi, 3. 1. The gospel of the kingdom is now being preached in all the world; which was to be a witness to all nations that the end should then be. See Matt. xxiv, 14. 2. Many are running to and fro, and knowledge respecting the end is being increased, as was predicted it should be at the time of the end. Daniel xii, 4. 3. The increase of riches, and heaping up treasure together, which was to be done "for the last days." James v, 1-3. 4. The unwillingness to hear sound doctrine, and the substitution of fables. 2 Tim. iv, 1-4. 5. The multiplicity of scoffers, who walk after their own lusts, and say, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter iii, 3, 4. 8. The multiplicity of false teachers who make merchandise of the gospel. 2 Pet. ii, 1-3. 9. The abundance of mockers who walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude iv, 19. 11. The prevalence of wickedness, so that it is indeed as it was in Sodom and before the flood. Luke xvii, 26-29 12. The absence of faith that Christ will ever make his personal appearance. Luke xviii, 8. 13. The wonders seen by this generation in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. Joel ii, 30. 15. The falling of the stars, Nov. 13, 1833, as a fig tree casteth its untimely figs, when shaken of a mighty wind. Matt. xxiv, 29. Rev. vi, 13. Advent Tract, No. IV, PUBLISHED IN 1843.