Untitled article by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · BATTLE CREEK, MICH. · Aug 7, 1860

VOICE OF THE PROPHETS, VOL. 1, NO. 1.

By Joseph Bates

BY ELD. JOSEPH BATES,

THIS paper dates from Boston, Mass. 1860. Joshua V. Himes, Editor and proprietor; well known as a professed leader in the promulgation of the doctrine of Christ's second advent for the last twenty years.

After a silence of about fifteen years over this subject, he comes forth in this new dress to arouse the world again to the time of the second advent.

The celebrated Dr. John Cumming of London, whose preaching and writings on the second advent of Christ have gained such noted celebrity in both hemispheres, is to be the leading writer; or rather his writings on this subject are to be held forth in this periodical as the most prominent and reliable for that event in 1867.

The editor commences with what he calls "the most important and remarkable work of the age," viz., "The Great Tribulation, or Things Coming on the Earth, by John Cumming, D. D., heralded by some of the leading periodicals of London and the United States. See pages 1, 12, 2d Col."

In his introduction Dr. C. says, "I stated in apocalyptic sketches that the last vial, that is, the symbol which denotes the source, and measure, and duration of the 'Great Tribulation,' was, in all probability poured out in 1848, from which time to 1867 we may expect to feel its intensest effects. . . . The great earthquake that accompanies the pouring out of this vial occurred in 1848 when Europe reeled like a drunken man, and kings were thrown from their thrones," &c.

On page 13, Eld. Himes shows five things to be committed to memory. The fourth one is, "1867 is to be the great crisis in the events of history, in the fulfillment of prophecy, and in the experience of mankind. Read Dr. Cumming on the Great Tribulation."

As Eld. Himes recommends this "Great Tribulation" as a valuable work for students of prophecy and designs to spread it throughout every city, town and neighborhood in the land, I feel interested to examine its premises. The foundation of this "Great Tribulation" then is the pouring out the seventh vial [Rev. xvi, 17] in 1848, the effects of which are to be felt to 1867, or for nineteen years.

As we have thus far failed to find any history, or a thus saith the Lord to satisfy us that the first six vials have been poured out, we shall have to examine the chapter in which they are given, to learn how Dr. C. arrived at his conclusions, or whether any of the seven have yet been poured out.

1. Rev. xvi, 2. "And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth, and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image."

As the worshipers of the beast and his image are to be marked and known by grievous sores, and finally to be destroyed at the second coming of our Lord [Rev. xix, 11, 13, 16, 19, 20], as worshipers of the image, it is plain that the image beast will be known and worshiped only by that generation that lives when our Lord shall come. We ask then, if such worshipers, marked with grievous sores, have been seen in this generation. It cannot be shown. Then there is no image yet to worship; consequently the first vial of the seven is not yet poured out, and Dr. C.'s premises of the "Great Tribulation" are on sliding sand.

2. "And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man and every living soul died in the sea."

If this vial is in the past, where and when was it, that the sea became like the blood of a dead man? Mariners that are continually on the sea, are silent in this matter. Who can make them tell what they never saw? Again where is the history to prove that every fish has died in the sea, and if so who knows when the sea was filled with living fish again as it is now? If the sea-birds and fishermen cannot tell, should not the landsmen keep silence?

"This divine testimony may be figurative," says my reader. Then we ask again, who ever saw the sea figuratively like the blood of a dead man? And where have we any statement in history, or the Bible of figurative fish living in the sea? and figurative fish dying figuratively in the sea? Once more, if we have proved that the first vial is not yet poured out, then we know that the second is yet future.

3. "And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood."

For proof of the literality of this vial, the angel of the waters says, "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink." Verse 6. See also an illustration of this in the days of Moses. Ex. vii, 19-25. Question: When did the rivers and fountains of water become blood? All history is silent, and also inspired testimony. Then those that shed the blood of saints and prophets are yet to drink blood. Hence the third vial is future.

4. "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun, and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God which had power over the plagues; and they repented not to give him glory."

That this is to be literally received is evident; for men blaspheme the name of God, repent and give him glory, literally. It is further clear that because of the literal pain from the scorching of the sun they blaspheme the name of God.

5. "And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness, and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."

The seat of the beast is the literal kingdom of Rome. The darkness and gnawing their tongues for pain doubtless refers to the ten kingdoms of Europe (called ten horns) that will hate her (the church) and make her desolate and naked [chap. xvii, 16, 17] in the interval between the pouring out the fifth and seventh vials, because at the pouring out of the seventh vial the 10th verse shows that God will then give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores. Where did they receive their sores? Ans. Under the first vial. Here is another proof of the literality of the first vial, and shows the continuance of that dreadful scourge. The effects of it are foreshown by the prophets, Isa. iii; Eze. vii, 18; Amos viii, 10.

6. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the waters thereof were dried up, that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the Spirits of Devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

We notice five things that are to transpire under the pouring out of this sixth vial. 1. The waters of the Euphrates are to be dried up. 2. This prepares the way of the kings of the East. 3. The unclean spirits, workers of miracles, called spirits of Devils, that have been doing their work, are at this point out of the mouths of the dragon, beast and false prophet. In other words, their deceptive work is manifestly accomplished. 4. At this point of time the kings of the earth and the whole world are gathering for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. 5. They are gathered into a place called Armageddon.

If we ask again where, and at what age of the world did these wonderful things transpire, will it be received as good and sufficient evidence to be

told that learned men have proved satisfactorily that these six vials have all been poured out in past ages, and that it has been a work of many years? Dr. C. on p. two and five of the "Voice" quotes celebrated authors to prove his position, and that the waters of the Euphrates, which he calls the Turkish territory have been drying up since about 1822, and yet does not admit that the drying up is yet accomplished, even under the seventh vial, in 1860. The text declares the waters of the great river Euphrates dried up when the sixth vial was poured out. And what is still clearer, inspiration says it will be done in one day. Proof. "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her my people, . . . that ye receive not of her plagues. . . . Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire," &c. Rev. xviii, 4, 8. We believe this to be a prophetic day of twelve months, because famine does not cause death in a twenty-four hour day See also Isa. lxiii, 4; xxxiv, 8; xxi, 16.

Rev. xvi, 1, shows the wine of the wrath of God to be the seven last plagues. The third angel [Rev. xiv, 9, 10] declares that the image worshipers shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God without mixture, that is, without mixture of mercy, because when they drink it the gospel will have closed. Chap. xix, 19, 20 shows the gathering and destruction of the image worshipers after the close of the gospel, and at the second coming of Christ.

Here then we prove by inspired testimony that not one of the seven vials is yet poured out, neither can they be until mercy ceases, or in other words, till the gospel has closed. About twelve months will then be occupied in pouring them all out in successive order; emphatically proving them to be the seven last plagues.

As Rev. xvi and xiv, 9-11 shows that there is no mercy for worshipers of the beast and his image in that prophetic day when the seven vials of God's wrath are falling, we think Dr. C. will have to admit that he began his "Great Tribulation" at least twelve years too soon, or that the gospel was finished (according to his statement of the pouring out of the seventh vial) in the year 1848.

We leave Eld. Himes to ponder this matter which he calls "the most important and remarkable work of the age" while we examine the two remarkable discourses of Dr. C. on the prophetic periods relative to the coming of the Lord in 1867, pp. 5, 6, by the earnest request of Eld. H.

Proceeds to show the close of the prophetic periods of the prophet Daniel in brief as follows, to 1867, viz.: "A very learned and able clergyman of the church of England, &c., thinks that the 2,300 years of Daniel commence 433 B. C.; if so, then they would end in 1867 when, according to his view Mahometanism will be utterly expunged." Also the 1260 years began in A. D. 607 when the emperor Phocas constituted Pope Boniface III. the universal head of the church. These two periods added bring us to the same date, viz., 1867. Here the papacy will sink like a mill-stone.

But says Dr. C., "I must say that I prefer Elliot's; but what I wish to impress is the remarkable fact that both interpretations land us in 1867." Elliot's view is, that the 1260 years began in A. D. 532, when Justinian the emperor of Rome made his bishop the universal Pope. These two numbers added carry us to 1792, when the papacy was to be gradually exhausted. "Then there shall be 1290 years. In other words Daniel says that 1260 years shall be augmented by 30 years more; and at the end of which 30 years, there shall be some great event which we have to ascertain. Then add the 30 years to 1792 and it brings us down to 1822, where also the 2300 years ended." "Well, did anything take place in 1822 that would justify that period as a terminating epoch?

"We find that Turkey, in the language of Lamartine, began to die for want of Turks!"

What profound and splendid ideas! But the author before said, that the ending of the 2300 years in 1822 measure out the taking away of the daily sacrifice. How unscriptural! Then says Dr. C., Daniel mentions three periods all beginning, we assume, at 532; first 1260, ending in 1792; then 1290, ending in 1822, and then 1335, ending in 1867.

As Dr. C. endorses this theory, I will just state his views again to show the unscriptural position he occupies. He states that "Daniel says, the 1260 years shall be augmented by 30 years more (taking it from the 1290 years) that added to 1792 would bring us to 1822 where Turkey began to die for want of Turks." This manner of augmenting the 1260 years by 30 years more is unscriptural and unjustifiable; for Daniel nowhere intimates anything of the kind, nor any other inspired writer. We will therefore proceed without adding 30 years to the 1260, until some one can show a thus saith the Lord for the addition. Then A. D. 532 is the starting point for the 1260 years, carrying the point to 1792. Now where the 1260 years end, there also end the 1290. The 1335 reach 45 years beyond the 1290, which added to 1792 would bring Dr. C. to the end of the prophetic periods, and what he calls the end of the world in 1837 instead of 1867. Will Eld. H. please think of this, while we set forth his statement of the prophetic periods of Daniel to carry out the judgment hour cry in 1844. Rev. xiv, 6, 7

The time times and an half or dividing of time, in Daniel vii and xii, or 1260 years commenced in A. D. 538, where Justinian made his head bishop the pope. These two periods added, ended 1798 when Berthier took away his dominion. This harmonized with the prophecy as saith Daniel vii, 26, and xii, 7. The 1290 of Daniel xii, 11, Eld. H. declared in the "Signs of the Times," commenced in A. D. 508, when Clovis, king of France, with a large army abolished the daily Pagan worship and set up in its place the Roman Catholic religion, or what Daniel calls the abomination that maketh desolate. The same as shown also in chapter xi, 31. Then the 1290 were added to the 508 which also ended in 1798. Does not Daniel xii, 11, say there are to be 1290 from the time the daily is taken away? Yes; then the foregoing addition is right, and there were no 30 years beyond 1798 to be added anywhere. In verse 12 a blessing is pronounced on those that come to the 1335 years from where the 1290 commence. Here then were 45 years to be added on where the 1290 ended, viz., in 1798; this brought us to 1843. How many times he made his opponents yield the point when he stated that the 70 weeks of Daniel ix, were the beginning of the 2300 years of Daniel viii, 14, and that the 25th verse pointed to a commandment or decree that would go forth to begin those years, and how readily he pointed them to Ezra vii, 1, 7, 13; ix, 9, and showed them from thence, and from history that that decree went forth in 457 B. C., which number subtracted from 2300 would leave us in 1843 Roman time, 1844 Bible time. Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

How like God and the Bible that looked and sounded then! Such harmony with the prophetic numbers made the world tremble. They ended with the mighty cry, "The hour of his judgment is come."

How different that sounded from the unscriptural calculations of the prophetic periods he is now sending forth, viz., that the 1290 and 2300 days ended in 1822 and Turkey began to die for want of Turks! Surely Newton is dead.

Eld. H. will pardon me for trespassing on his time, while I glance at one more point which he has called our attention to, viz.,

GOOD NEWS FOR THE CHURCH.

What is it? Why, the Rev. R. C. Shimeall, member of the Presbytery of New York, has been for about thirty years critically examining the Bible chronology. "He calls on all classes—the clergy and laity, learned and unlearned, the rich and the poor to examine his arguments to prove that 6000 years will end the world's history in 1868. Eld Himes says he has examined this work and received much light. He gives us his figures on p. 10, and says, Read Mr. Shimeall's great work! Mr. S. says, from the creation to the commencement of the predicted seven times of Moses and Daniel, are


	3480 years.
Add seven times as above,	2520 "
Total,	6000 "

By some means we are not told how Mr. S. shows that the world began


	4132 B. C.
To which add	A. D. 1868
Total	6000

Simple as water; but who knows how or where he got his starting point? Bishop Usher who gave the chronology of king James' Bible says the world began 4004 years before Christ. Then in the year 1996 if the world stood, we should have 6000 years. But Eld. H. had better light than that; for his weekly papers and books went forth from his Office in 1843 declaring that the world began in the year before Christ 4157, so that 1843 would fill up the 6000 years

Now if we could simply know that either of these three statements had the right beginning, we could readily tell when 6000 years would end; but then we should not know that the end of the world would come, because the Bible is silent on that point.

As Mr. S. shows five different ways in his historical and prophetic numbers to make the 6000 years end in 1868, we will pass to the two last which he calls "A SUMMARY OF THE SHORTER PROPHETICAL NUMBERS."

"I. 1. Set down for commencement of the 2300 years


	3652 A. M.
2. Add years B. C.	480
3. Add years A. D.	1820
4. Add years of the gradual exhaustion of the mystical Euphrates from that date to A. D. 1859	39
5. Add nine years to A. D. 1868	9 2348
Total	6000

II. Set down for the commencement of the 2300 years


	3652 A. M.
Then add 1572, 150, 123, 396, which makes	2241
Add for drying up the mystical Euphrates, Rev. xvi, 12	107 2348
Total	6000"

In the first place Mr. S. allows 48 years for the gradual exhaustion of the mystical Euphrates after the ending of the 2300 years of Daniel, or from 1820 to 1868 to fill up his 6000 years. And then in the second place, to make the 2300 years reach the point to make up 6000 years he allows 107 years for drying up the mystical Euphrates, and cites us to Rev. xvi, 12, viz., "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof WAS DRIED UP." In 48 years? or to stretch "the Bible chronology" 59 years longer and make it 107 years to suit Mr. S.'s convenience? No, no. Why? "For her plagues come in one day." Rev. xviii, 8. That is, the seven plagues are all poured out in one prophetic day, and if it be ever so clear that the waters of the Euphrates began to be dried up in any sense before they are dried up, then Mr. S. has two places 59 years apart to commence with. We ask then which of the two is right, and at what period his 6000 years will end?

If such are the arguments to re-arouse the world by a proclamation of the judgment-hour cry [Rev. xiv, 6, 7], we fail to see their force. Furthermore we fail to see the least ray of hope in such an unscriptural undertaking

as Eld. H. proposes; for he, with a host of others proclaimed and finished the judgment hour cry in 1844

Monterey Mich., July 23 1860