Dr. Rice on the Seven Seals.
By M. E. Cornell
BRO. WHITE: While in Boston, I listened to a lecture on the Seven Seals of Revelation chapter six, by the celebrated Dr. N. L. Rice of New York city. I had read Dr. Rice's Discussion with A. Campbell, and was interested to know what so learned a man would say of the Signs of the Times. I can only give some of the leading features of the discourse from my notes. The lecture was introduced by some very good remarks on the "more sure word of prophecy," and the following rules given: 1. All interpretations, to be correct, must be in harmony with the general plan of God in saving men. 2. There are three distinct classes of influences to be considered, namely, The Gracious, Ordinary and Extraordinary providences. 1. Keep in view the fact that prophecy is the history of the church to the end of time. That kingdoms are only noticed as they affect the church. But secular history only refers to the church as it affects the civil power. 2. The common view, that the Seals reach to Constantine, the Trumpets reach further on, and the Vials complete the whole, cannot be correct. The symbols represent seven periods of this age. The number seven signifies perfection, completeness. Each class of symbols must be understood to complete the history of the power or influence represented. A voice was heard saying "It is done." The trumpets are constantly used to represent the commotions of the Nations. Trumpets call to arms. But seals are the Ecclesiastical history of the church. The Vials are God's judgments on the wicked. 3. First Seal. "White horse." "Go forth," where? No limit. The gospel was to all the world. Not so with the trumpets. They were limited to certain parts. White horse could not be a fit symbol of bloody wars, as some have said. It represents Evangelical period. Bow and Crown, the peaceful conquests of the Gospel in its purity. Gospel was the power of God to salvation. 4. Second Seal. "Red Horse." How different this symbol! It represents a secular period, or union of church and state. Constantine aided the clergy and put them under obligations to him. He legislated for the church, called the Council of Nice, and was most prominent in that council. Constantine had the glory of tearing down the heathen temples, not the Gospel. The state had the glory instead of the church. Constantine made decrees against some errors, and was praised, and suffered to go on and introduce many errors, and oppose some important truths. Controversies arose, and when a new Emperor took the throne, there was a rush of the clergy to get him on the side of their peculiar tenets. Mosheim says of this period, "There was continual war, and trouble." 5. Third Seal. "Black Horse." If this represents famine, as some expositors say, it was a famine for hearing the true word of God. It was the superstitious period, from the 7th to the 10th cent. A time of great darkness. Corruption of sacraments, masses for the dead, Purgatory, Worship of Saints and Angels, Images, Pictures and Relics, Taking Pilgrimages after bones of Apostles. &c. Men could not be saved without some of these sacraments, therefore not without a priest. The historians say a gross darkness hid almost every truth. The Popes of the 10th cent. were "monsters not men." 6. Fourth Seal. "Pale Horse." Death. This was the fanatical period. The church becomes a destroyer. Consider the Crusades. Millions perished in the fanatical effort to drive the Mahometan from the holy land. They promised that those who died in the war should never see purgatory. 7. Fifth Seal. "Souls under the altar." They are crying to God. This earnest pleading will avail. It does not indicate a greater persecution at hand, as some say, but that in a "little season," the Reformation would quell the persecution. God heard and delivered. Luther came. Salvation by faith was again preached with power. Israel cried for deliverance, and it came. 8. Sixth and Seventh Seals. Great changes. Universal agitation. The world never was so excited as in the last sixty years. A time of wonderful inventions. Gospel preached in all the world. The greatest and most general commotion is yet future. Mahometanism must go down, the balance of power will be destroyed, and universal war will be the result. All the powers of the earth cannot prevent it. Commotions and troubles without a parallel await this generation. Those who now live will soon see strange things. The trouble is not in the distant future; it is right upon us. No excuse for doubts now. It is difficult to tell exactly where one period ends, and another begins. The transition is gradual. Time is required to accomplish the changes. The periods blend together like the colors of the rainbow. The Dr. concluded with a solemn exhortation to prepare for the coming judgments, but comforted the people with the idea of a reign of peace to follow the terrible troubles now pending. The people listened with some interest, but appeared quite indifferent to the solemn appeals to be awake in this time. Of course they did not appreciate the sentiments in their fullness. They could endure it for an evening, as a lecture by Dr. Rice, but under other circumstances it would have been too much like Millerism.