ATOLO
I' '^
A Work on Revelaflon
ESCHATOLOGY
A WORK ON REVELATION
Comprising the Seven
Church Ages
CONTENTS
1. EPHESUS-First Church Age
2. SMYRNA- Second Church Age
3. PERGAMOS-Third Church Age
4. THYATIRA-Fourth Church Age
5. SARDIS -Fifth Church Age
6. PHILADELPHIA— Sixth Church Age
7. LAODICEA— Seventh Church Age
COPYRIGHT, NOVEMBER, 1908
BY
EDWIN J. WOOLLARD
PREFACE
The difficulty in understanding this book does not con-
sist in its being a real Book of Mysteries. It does not
require a more complete unction of divine knowledge to
those who may undertake the task of searching out the
mysteries contained in the book than it required of those
of the past who, also, did their work through the inspira-
tion of the Holy Spirit.
In fact, the word Revelation — which is an English
word — when fully interpreted, means to reveal.
The books of Daniel and Revelation are both classed as
Apocryphal Books, and the word apocryphal when inter-
preted means things hidden or secret.
The office or duty of Revelation would then be to per-
form or reveal the things that did or would transpire in the
different ages of the world's history.
The word then has a broader significance and would in-
clude the history of the world from the creation down unto
the end.
Trouble again arises from the fact that in many instances,
those who have written works on Revelation have, whether
they were conscious of it or not, tried to indoctrinate into
the ones who might study their works that they were pe-
culiarly endowed with God-given superiority over all
others; that in the understanding of these things it came
and only came to those who have received a special revela-
tion.
i (^'^n90(\
Then, too, the works on Revelation have been in their
nature only explanatory works, which only state their per-
sonal opinion in regard to those things. But the purpose
of this work is to search out, to reveal, the secret or hid-
den things pertaining to all of the important events that
have and are yet to transpire of the history of the world.
This important feature about the work would make it a
real text book, containing a systematized plan of study and
work. It is also admitted by all Bible students that the
Seven Letters, which Our Lord requested John to write,
were to the Seven Churches in Asia Alinor, each having re-
spectfully its own peculiar name, and means Church Age,
and there were Seven Church Ages. And in the Seven
Messages is revealed what should transpire during all of the
Seven Church Ages, including the history of the whole
world.
In referring to the diagram one will see the difference in
this one and the diagrams in use by others in their works,
concerning the subject of Revelation.
These Seven Divisions or Church Ages, found in this
diagram, is the one important feature of this work. This
discoverv, or inspiration is responsible for this undertak-
ing. Where a diagram is used in other works it will be
found that they begin with the Christian Era, placing with-
in the Philadelphia Age the entire Seven Church Ages,
leaving out the ^lillenium, or Seventh Church Age. For
this very reason it will also be understood they have led all
of us into confusion.
In this work the diagram begins with Creation, and
makes the Seven Divisions, or Ages complete, naming each
respectively and including the Millenium, or Seventh
Church Age.
In compiling this diagram and the work it reveals it was
found to be the onlv correct source of definite knowledge
by which to unravel the veil of mystery contained in all the
books of the Bible.
This work, as has been stated, is a Text Book, and con-
tains a synopsis of all the important events, connecting
them together, link by link, fomiing a completed chain of
evidences ; as fast as one Church Age oasses out and an-
other is ushered in, its particular events are chronologically
associated to show their relation to each other in the Seven
Church Ages.
The Books of Revelation, or the mysteries contained in
it, are completely revealed to us. Our Lord, through John,
repeatedly gives this admonition :
"He that readeth, let him understand."
FIRST CHURCH AGE
EPHESUS*
ANTEDILUVIAN PERIOD
Duration, 1856 Years
* Pure.
REVELATION
The Greek word, Apocrypha, means secret, or hidden,
and would imply mystery.
Like the Book of Daniel in its relation to the Old
Testament scriptures, so the Book of Revelation is to
the New Testament scriptures.
These two books contain some very interesting his-
tory of events surrounded with mystery.
In Revelation, Chapter I, John was requested by Our
Lord to write to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor.
It is not a general opinion that John was to write to
a few churches that might have existed in Asia Minor
and Europe at that time, because he could have visited
them in person and delivered the letters. It is under-
stood that Asia Minor was the center or cradle of all
early religious thought and expression and this has
grown through the ages and extended to every nation.
Not only had the Christ religion its origin there, but the
Pagan and Mohammedan religions also came from that
source.
Belief is established that the Seven Churches men-
tioned in Revelation, 2nd and 3rd chapters, has refer-
ence to the Seven Periods, or Ages, and for convenience
let them be called Church Ages.
The figure 7 with the Jews was a complete number,
and signified all or the zvhole — completeness.
In the first chapter of Revelation it is Christ, Our
Lord, who is talking to John. He says, "I am Alpha and
10 ESCHATOI.CXJY.
Omega" (these are first and last letters in the Greek
alphabet), meaning the beginning and the end.
In the 19th verse Christ tells John to "write the things
which thou hast seen," past tense, meaning the events
that had passed since Creation until the time when John
was writing, "and of the things which are," present
tense, events transpiring during the period in which
John was living (A. D. 96), "and of the things which
shall be hereafter," future tense, the events which were
to occur after that time.
We can imagine that John saw, or was made to see,
in one great panoramic view all of the important events
that occurred and are to occur in all of these seven
church ages, though he writes in the present tense, as if
they were just transpiring.
Verses 12 to 17 relate John's vision of seven golden
candle-sticks and seven stars, and the Lord in the midst
of the seven golden candlesticks. Verse 20 states that
the candlesticks represent the seven Church Ages, and
the seven stars the angels who were to be messengers to
the Church Ages, each one of the angels to carry a mes-
sage to each of the seven ages.
The fourth chapter of Revelation shows the authority
of God, the four beasts and twenty-four elders being
symbols which represent God's supreme authority over
both Heaven and Earth. An illustration or figure of
this is the manner of the Jewish Supreme Tribunal. Their
higher court consisted of elders or ex-priests, twenty-four
in number, beside which there were one high priest and
three vice-priests or presidents. (These are typified by
the four beasts and the twenty-four elders around the
throne of God.) In this high court or tribunal of the
Jews all crimes were tried, and here our Lord himself
the: first church age. 11
was arraigned. The Sanhedrim, or legislative body, con.
sisted of seventy-two members, six representatives com-
ing from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This higher
Jewish tribunal is a type of the Great Tribunal of God,
who has supreme authority over the whole universe.
The fifth chapter of Revelation tells of the book with
the seven seals. This book contains all the historical
events that have transpired during the seven church
ages, from the beginning to the end. These are the mes-
sages that the seven angels were to deliver to the seven
ages. But there was not any one who could open the
seals of the book except the Lamb of the Tribe of Judah,
which is Christ the Lord. All power now had been
given unto Christ by the Father, because of the Atone-
ment made for the sins of the world and for its redemp-
tion. The seals of this book are opened as soon as one
age expires and a new age is ushered in. It is time that
will reveal the hidden mysteries contained in the seven
church ages, from the beginning of creation until the
consummation or the end.
LEiTTER TO THE FIRST CHURCH AGE.
Rev. II, 1,7, is the letter to the First Church Age, or the
Church at Ephesus, the word Ephesus itself meaning First.
This letter contains the first message, and the age is a period
of 1856 years.
One noticeable feature of these letters is the diction,
being so strangely worded as to apply to particular
events of each age as they transpire.
In the first letter to Ephesus God commends the right-
eous ones for their labor performed, "and thou hast not
fainted," but says also, "I have somewhat against thee.
Thou hast departed from thy first love."
12 ESCHATOLOGY.
They had partaken of the fruit of the tree of knowledge
of Good and Evil. They had fallen. They are now ad-
monished to repent, or else their Church Age would be
destroyed. "And I will remove the candlestick."
OPENING THE EIRST SEAL.
Rev. VI, 1-2, is an account of the opening of the First
Seal by the Lamb, which is Christ. In verse 2 John "saw
a white horse and his rider. He had a bow in his hand
and He went forth conquering and to conquer." This is
a fitting symbol of the First Age. The white horse de-
notes purity — the crowned Rider was Christ our Lord,
"going forth conquering and to conquer."
THE FIRST TRUMPET SOUNDS.
Rev. VIII, 7. This verse relates the first trumpet sound,
which was the first of the seven angels who were to
carry the messages to the seven churches. .And John
"saw hail mingled with fire and flood, and they were
cast upon the earth; and a third part of the trees
were burned up and all green grass burned up and de-
stroyed." "And I will remove thy candlestick." For with
the deluge God destroyed all the people, except Noah and
his family of eight persons, who were saved in the ark. (Gen.
VI, 9-22.)
John says one-third of the trees were burned up or de-
stroyed, and green grass was completely destroyed — by the
deluge.
"When the waters were beginning to decrease, Noah
first sent out a raven, which went to and fro daily."
"Also he sent out a dove and she found no rest for
the soles of her feet."
"Then Noah again sent out a dove, and this time she
returned with an olive branch in her beak." (Gen. VIII,
1-12.)
THE FIRST CHURCH AGE. 13
This would indicate that not all vegetation was de-
stroyed, the olive trees being yet alive.
We can understand now that John was not describing
this as a mere figure of something else, but that it did
actually transpire.
"A third part of the trees and all green grass were de-
stroyed." "I will remove thy candlestick out of its
place, except thou repent."
Gen. I gives a full account of the Creation.
Gen. II-III, The Fall of Man, and in the 15th verse of
Chapter III the Promise.
See Gen. XII, 1-8, and in connection with it Rev.
II, 4-5.
Matt. XXVII : The Crucifixion of Christ.
Mark XV: Christ shall bruise the serpent's head,
and the serpent shall bruise His heel.
Luke XXIII: The crucifixion of Christ.
Luke III : Genealogy of Christ.
THE ALTAR REPRESENTS THE CHURCH.
Gen. IV, 3-8 : The Altar of Sacrifice.
Gen. VIII, 15-22: Noah after the Deluge.
Gen. XXVIII: Jacob on his way to Padanaram.
Gen. XIV, 17-24: Abraham and Melchizedek, King of
Salem.
Exodus XXX, 1-10: The Altar Constructed.
Exodus XXVI, XXVII : Building of the Tabernacle.
I Kings VI, VII : Solomon Building the Temple.
Christ OfTers Himself as a Sacrifice.
Gen. IV, 3-4: Abel Offering a Sacrifice.
Num. XXI, 4-9 : The Brazen Serpent.
John III, 14-15: Christ Referring to Himself.
Luke XXIII: The Crucifixion of Christ.
Christ's priestly office.
Gen. XIV, 18-24: Melchizedek and Abraham.
Heb. V, X: Christ's Priesthood.
14 ESCHATOLOGY.
CHRIST AS KING.
Gen. XVII, 1-22: Isaac Promised. ' .
Matt. I, 1-18: Genealogy of Christ.
II Sam. VII, 1-17: David's Kingdom Type of Christ.
Isaiah IX, 1-12: Christ's Birth and Kingdom.
Micah V, 2-3 : In Bethlehem of Judea.
Matt. I, 18-25: Christ's Birth.
Luke II, 27-33 : Nature of Christ's Kingdom.
Gen. V: Genealogy of the Righteous Ones of the
Antediluvian Age.
Jude 14th verse : Enoch appearing in the last days, at the
Second Coming of Christ, with ten thousand Saints of
Ephesus, the First Church Age.
WICKEDNESS OE THE EIRST CHURCH AGE.
Gen. VI: Wicked Destroyed by Deluge.
Rev. II, 6 : Deeds of the Nicolaitanes.
Gen. XIX, 1-12: Deeds of the Nicolaitanes. '
Lev. XVIII, 21-30: Deeds of the Nicolaitanes.
Rev. II, 5 : "Behold I will remove thy candlestick out
of his place, except thou repent."
Rev. XVI, 1-2 : The First Vial of Wrath Poured Out.
END OE THE EIRST CHURCH AGE.
SECOND CHURCH AGE
SMYRNAO
MELCHEZIDEC PERIOD
Duration, 428 Years
* Smyrna means myrrh or sweet-smelling savor — bloody.
SECOND CHURCH AGE
This period represents Innocency or Favor with God.
LETTER TO THE SECOND CHURCH AGE.
Rev. II, 8-11, gives the letter to the Second Church Age.
In verse 9 God says, "I know thy works, tribulations and
poverty, but thou art rich." By the use of the word pov-
erty, God means that there were in this age only a few of
the righteous. The earth was just beginning to be re-
populated after the deluge, and the number of inhabitants
was as yet small.
But He says, "Thou art rich." Gen. XIII, 1-4: Abraham
was rich. Job I, 1-3, and Rev. II, 10, God says to Abra-
ham, "Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer, for
ye shall have tribulation ten days." (A prophetical day
constitutes a 3'ear.)
Gen. XII, 10-20 : Abraham went down into Egypt when
he first came to Canaan, for there was a famine in Canaan
at that time, and he remained in Canaan ten years.
OPENING THE SECOND SEAE.
Rev. VI, 3-4. This symbol is very emblematic of the his-
tory or important events that transpired in the Second
Church Age.
The Red Horse and the Rider refer to Christ our Lord,
and the manner in which He is conqueror in this age.
THE SECOND TRUMPET SOUNDS.
Rev. VIII, 8-9. In the eighth chapter of Revelation we
are told of the sound of the second trumpet. Verses 8
and 9 say, "And there were great mountains burning with
fire, and cast into the sea."
2
18 ^SCHATOIvOGY.
Gen. X, 25: To Eber were born two sons. The name
of one was Peleg, which means to divide. For in his day
the earth was divided. This event is supposed to have oc-
curred about one hundred years after the deluge. Geolo-
gists inform us of very great upheavals about this period of
time and that of the deluge, which very greatly changed the
material lines of the continents.
A very interesting bit of history is obtained from the
Mormon Bible, concerning the time when America was first
peopled, though the truth of the story is not demonstrated.
But it is stated by scientific investigators of ethnology that
the Aborigines of the American continents, the Mound
Builders and Clifif Dwellers, were much more civiHzed peo-
ple than those who were found here in 1492 by the Span-
iards under Columbus.
Rev. VIII, 9 states that a third of the creatures which had
life in the sea died, and a third part of the ships were de-
stroyed.
Those who are acquainted with the ancient history of
the Ninevites and Babylonians know that they soon learned
the art of ship building. They built war vessels, small and
crude, of course, but answering as a navy in carrying on
their expeditions in war.
This is in the age of the "Second Trumpet-Sound," and it
is a very fitting emblem of the period.
Some Bible students are of the opinion that the deluge
was only a partial one, and that it did not cover the whole
surface of the earth. Our purpose, however, does not con-
cern itself with a discussion of these points in dispute. The
main idea is to get a knowledge of these important events,
so that it can be determined in what Church Age or period
of time they transpired.
In Genesis, Chapter X, we learn of the Three Great
Branches of the Human Family.
THE SECOND CHURCH AGE. 19
This event is of an importance only second to that of
the Creation. For if the deluge was an universal one, we
owe to this event the repopulation of the earth.
In this peculiar geographical location, as in the time of the
Creation, we find the Cradle of the Human Family, and
from this great center the different nations of the earth
have been established. These nations have not been born in
a day, or a month, or a year, for the nucleus or beginning
was very small. First there were families, then clans or
tribes, and lastly nations. The progress was naturally
slow, and it required several centuries to populate a nation.
At the time of the division, there were only eight persons,
or we might say, three families, and from this nucleus the
earth was re-populated. Noah and his three sons were the
representative heads. And from the three sons, Shem, Ham
and Japheth, the countries and the nations of people are
respectively named.
Shem — the meaning of the word is "yellow" — is the rep-
resentative of the Semitic branch of the human family. The
original nations of this branch were the early Ninevites,
Assyrians, Babylonians, Armenians, Hebrews, Phoenicians
and Arabs.
Ham — the meaning of the word is "black." The original
tribes of the Hamitic branch were the Africans, the earl>
Egyptians and the Libyans.
Japheth, meaning "white," is the representative of the
Aryan or Caucasian branch of the human family.
The early Medes and Persians, the Indo-Europeans, first
settled in Asia Minor. But the Greeks, the Romans, the
Russians, the Slavs, the Germans and the Anglo-Saxon or
English peoples, have populated Europe and the isles of
the sea.
In Genesis X, 2, it is related that "Ashur, son of Shem,
builded Nineveh," which later on become the capital of
Assyria. At this time these were small tribal cities.
20 ESCHATOIvOGY.
In verses 9 and 10 it is told that Nimrod, son of Cush,
the mighty hunter before the Lord, builded Babel, The
beginning of his kingdom was about one hundred years
after the deluge. At the building of the tower of Babel
occurred the confusion of tongues. (Gen. XI, 1-9.) Babel
later on became the seat of government in Chaldea, and the
name was changed to that of Babylon. In the remote or
ancient history Nimrod's name is Hammurabi, and he was
the first king of Babel.
In excavating the ruins of these ancient cities, which has
been done in recent years, exploring parties have found a
great many interesting records of these places and these
people. Among other explorers is Prof. Hilpricht of the
University of Pennsylvania, who found what is supposed
to be the temple of Bel at Nipur, the name given to it now.
And it is claimed that 150,000 tablets have been discovered
made of sun-dried clay, and upon which are stamped uni-
form characters, showing the system of writing then in
use. Among the many historical records upon these tablets
is an account of the deluge. There is also a code of laws
similar to the Mosaic law. This is supposed to have been
written by Hammurabi, the first king of Babel.
The call of Abraham into Canaan (Gen. XII) is another
very important event which transpired in the Second Church
Age. Abraham was born 1996 B. C, and was seventy-five
years old when he went into Canaan. The Lord covenanted
with him and told him that He would make of him and
his seed a great nation. "And in thee shall all the nations
of the earth be blessed."
"And Abraham by faith believed God, and it was reputed
unto him for righteousness." (Heb. XI, 8-19.)
The Lord again covenants with Abraham (Gen. XVII,
1-19) and tells him that a son shall be born unto him in
his old age. This son, Isaac, is a type of Christ, and
THE SECOND CHURCH AGE. 21
througli Isaac a great nation is established. (II Sam. VII,
1-17; Matt. I, 1-17).
Like the other nations around her, Israel had her patri-
archal or tribal beginnings. Later on in the course of
events came David, who was king over Israel, and Solomon
his son, whose kingdom was a type of Christ. These are
connecting links in the development of Israel as a nation.
In the days of Kings David and Solomon the nation of
Israel was, in its religious, social and commercial status,
superior to any of the nations about her. God had indeed
fulfilled his part of the covenant that he made with Abra-
ham.
And Israel become a great nation.
Rev. XVI, 3 : The Second Vial of Wrath.
END OE THE SECOND CHURCH AGE.
THIRD CHURCH AGE
PERGAMOSO
PATRIARCHAL PERIOD
Duration, 470 Years
* Height of elevation — corrupt.
THIRD CHURCH AGE
The Third Church Age began when Abraham went down
into Canaan, at the age of 75 years. He left Chaldea in
1921 B. C. (Gen. XII chap.)
LIiTTE;R TO THE THIRD CHURCH AGE.
Rev. II, 12-17. Here the third church letter is given, which
represents the third angel with his message. In verse
13 the Lord says, "I know thy works and, where thou
dwellest even Satan's seat is." Satan's seat means author-
ity, where wickedness abounds and controls. This cer-
tainly refers to the kingdom of Egypt.
The Hebrews were to be sojourners in Canaan and in
Egypt for a total period of 430 years.
Their sojourn is referred to in Gen. XV, 13; Gal. Ill,
16, 17.
Abraham went into Canaan in 1921 B. C, and Joseph
was sold into Egypt in 1729 B. C. A few years later the
families of Israel found refuge in Egypt (about 1689 B.
C.)) The Exodus occurred in 1491 B. C. The families
of Israel, or 'Patriarchs, were sojourners in Canaan 232
years and were in bondage in Egypt 198 years, making a
total of 430 years.
It should be noted that God's purpose in leading his peo-
ple, the Israelites, into Egypt just at this time was that they
might do missionary work among the Egyptians.
And to every nation that has had Israel captive or a tri-
butary to itself, or to whatever nations God has led them
26 ■ ESCHATOI^OGY,
throughout the earth, the IsraeHtes have been missionaries.
No wonder that God told Abraham that through him all
nations of the earth should be blessed.
It is said that nothing so impresses the traveler in Egypt
as the extreme antiquity of the country. The beginning of
its history is unknown.
In a history written in Greek by Mentho in the third cen-
tury B. C. is given a list of the ancient kings of Egypt.
They are divided into empires, then subdivided into dynas-
ties.
The first is called the Ancient Empire, and it comprises
the first ten dynasties. Menes was king of the first dynasty.
The Pyramid of Cheops was built by King Cheop, who
reigned over one of those dynasties, and other monuments
were erected which are said to be well preserved even unto
this day.
Egypt is said to have had a compacted form of govern-
ment even in that early period of her history.
Through discoveries made by archaeologists, the early his-
tory of Egypt is being read today from her hieroglyphics.
It is said that Egypt had developed an alphabet, and that
there were, as in our alphabet, two forms of letters, one for
writing and one for printing. In hieroglyphic writing, use
was made of pictures and symbols to express thoughts. The
key to these hieroglyphics is the rosetta stone. This was
found by the French, when they invaded Egypt under Na-
poleon in 1798. The precious relic bears an inscription in
the Egyptian and in the Greek languages, three forms of
script being used — the Egyptian hieroglyphics and the
Demotic, then the Greek characters. The chief credit for
deciphering these inscriptions we owe to a French scholar,
Champollion.
These researches have opened the long sealed libraries
of Egypt and have made them known to the world.
THE THIRD CHURCH AGE. - 27
The second or middle empire extends from the 12th
dynasty to the 19th dynasty, or from 1985 B. C. to 1575
B. C.
The third or new empire begins with the 19th dynasty in
1359 B. C, and ends with a Persian dynasty about the mid-
dle of the 4th century. There were in all 31 Egyptian
dynasties.
The second empire is the one of most interest to the
present subject. It covers a period of more than four cen-
turies, from 1985 B. C. to 1359 B. C.
Egypt was invaded by the Hykos, a northern race of
people known as Shepherd Kings, who overcame the old
Theban kings of the 12th dynasty, and controlled the des-
tiny of Egypt for several centuries. These people in man-
ners and culture resembled the Hebrews.
It was during the latter part of the reign of the Hykos
that Joseph was sold into Egypt in 1729 B. C, and a few
years later the families of Egypt found refuge in Egypt
(1689 B. C).
At the expiration of the 17th dynasty in 1575 B. C, the
18th or Thosthmuic dynasty began, and governed Egypt un-
til 1359 B. C. Thosthmus I was a young prince of the The-
ban line of kings or royal family, and by a hard struggle
he drove the Hykos out of Egypt. This is known in his-
tory as the War of Independence, and was waged for sev-
eral years.
It was in the fourth year of the reign of Thosthmus that
Moses was bom, 1571 B. C. This even, though seemingly
insignificant, is one of very great importance to the des-
tiny of Israel.
It was Thosthmus who enforced the decree of death upon
the male children of the Hebrews. (Ex. I, 15-22.)
(Rev. II, 13) "In those days wherein Antipas" (the
meaning of this word is little) "was my faithful martyr,
that was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."
28 ESCHATOIvOGY.
In Ex. II, 1, 10 is found the beautiful little story of Moses
and the daughter of Pharoah, Princess Hatshepsut, who
found Moses on the River Nile. She finally adopted him as
her son, and educated him in the knowledge of the Egyp-
tians. (Acts VII, 22.) This preparation fitted him no doubt
for the work which God had enjoined upon him to do, and
which made him a great statesman and a leader of Israel.
OPENING OF THE THIRD SEAL.
Rev. VI, 5-6. In the opening of the third seal the Black
Horse and the Rider are emblematic of the corrupt condi-
tions of this age,
SOUNDING OE THE THIRD TRUMPET.
Rev. VIII, 10-11. "And John saw a great star fall upon
the Rivers and the Fountains of Waters, and they became
bitter, and many men died."
Ex. VII — One of the ten plagues.
Ex. XI— Death of the first-born.
"And the name of the star was wormwood." Rev. VIII,
11.
This would indicate the seven afflictions, the persecution
and the bondage that the families of Israel were under-
going while they were in Egypt.
Gen. XVII— God's Covenant with Abraham.
II Sam. VII, 1-17— God's Promise to David.
Is. IX — Christ's birth and Kingdom.
Luke I, 31-33— Birth of Christ.
Matt. I, 1-17— Genealogy of Christ.
It will be remembered that the covenant was made to
Abraham in the preceding age.
These are very important events that are transpiring in
the development of the families of the Hebrews into a
national existence, and not only the Hebrews, but to the
Gentile nations as well.
TIID THIRD CHURCH AGE. 29
At this time they were all just emerging from the patri-
archal or tribal state into national life, and they were each
striving for the supremacy.
Following is a synopsis of important events as they trans-
pired during the Third Church Age.
Relative to the Hebrews:
Gen. XXI, 1-12— Isaac's Birth in 1896 B. C.
Gen. XXV— Birth of Esau and Jacob, 1837 B. C.
Gen. XXV, 27-34— Esau Sells his Birthright.
Gen. XXVII — Jacob Deceives Isaac.
For convenience in study, several chapters are grouped
together.
The ten chapters of Genesis, from XXVII to XXXVII,
should be studied very carefully, for they cover the Period
of Jacob, from the time he journeyed to his mother's brother
in Padanaram to the time Joseph was sold into Egypt in
1729 B. C., a little over one hundred years. Jacob now has
twelve sons in his family, and from their names we have
the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Chapters XXXVII to L of Genesis are also very inter-
esting. They contain the history from the time that Joseph
was sold into Egy^pt in 1729 until the families of Israel went
into Egypt, about 1689 B. C.
Rev. II, 15. Deeds of the Nicolaitanes.
Lev. XVIII, 21-29.
Gen. XIX. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Ex. II, 1-10 — The Birth of Moses. Moses slew an
Egyptian and fled from Egypt into the land of Midian.
Ex, III, IV — The Lord appeared unto Moses in a burning
bush and told him to go back into Egypt and prepare to
deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians.
The families of Egypt were now to return to Canaan
under the leadership of Moses.
Ex. VII, X — The Lord sends the ten" plagues,
Ex. XII — The Passover instituted.
30 ESCHATOW)GY,
Ex. XIII — The Israelites journey to the Red Sea.
Ex. XIV — Pharoah pursues them. The Crossing of the
Red Sea.
Ex. XV, 22-27— They journey to Ehm.
Ex. XVI — They murmur for bread, and manna is given
them.
Ex. XVII— They pitch at Rephidim.
Ex. XIX — They arrive at Mt. Sinai ten months after
they leave Egypt.
Ex. XX — They remain at Mt. Sinai ten months. During
this time the ten commandments are given (1491 B. C).
Ex. XXV, XXVI— The ark of the covenant and the tab-
ernacle are constructed. This tabernacle is a type of the
temple which was built later on.
The Israelites were numbered and there were nearly
three million of them — quite a nation, on their way back to
establish themselves again in Canaan.
They were twelve months in going from Egypt to Mt.
Sinai.
Num. X — On the twentieth day of the second month in
the second year they were at Kadish on the border of the
wilderness of Zin.
Num. XI — They journey from Kadish three days through
the wilderness to Kibroth. They murmur for flesh to eat
and the Lord sends them quails, which they ate for thirty
days while in camp.
Num. XII — They journey from Kibroth to Hazeroth.
Here ]\Iiriam and Aaron rebuked Moses because he married
the Ethiopian woman. Both were striken with leprosy.
They remain in camp seven days.
Num. XIII— The people remove from Hazeroth into the
wilderness of Paran at Rithmah. Here they remain forty
days until the twelve spies return from their expedition to
Canaan. They had been six months in journeying from
THE THIRD CHURCH AGE. 31
Mt. Sinai through the wilderness of Zin, making in all
one year and six months out of Egypt.
Ten of the twelve spies gave a false report, and the chil-
dren of Israel refuse to move against the Canaanites. They
murmur against Moses.
Num. XVI — Korah and Dathan rebel against Moses
and the Lord destroys them,
Ex. XIV, 30-35 — The people return to the wilderness,
and are there thirty-seven and a half years, making thirty-
nine years since they left Egypt. They return to Kadish,
which was their starting point into the wilderness after
leaving Mt. Sinai.
Num. XX — They were now in the first month of their
fortieth year, when they started again through the wilder-
ness of Zin toward Canaan.
Miriam dies at Kadish and is buried there.
The people again murmur for water. Moses smites the
rock with his rod and water gushes forth. He calls the
place Meribah. Moses and Aaron fail to sanctify the
Lord to the people, and were forbidden to lead them to
Canaan.
The people journey from Kadish and come to Mt. Hor.
Aaron dies at Mt. Hor.
Num. XXI — The Israelites move from Mt. Hor by way
of the Red Sea. They murmur at their difficulties, and
this time God sends fiery serpents to destroy the people.
Moses is commanded to erect a brazen serpent and lift it
upon a pole, that he who is below may look and live. This
serpent of brass is a type of the sacrifice that Christ is to
offer for the sins of the world. (John II, 14-15.)
The Israelites journey from Abath into the wilderness
of Moab. They had consumed ten months of the fortieth
year journeying through the wilderness. They had encoun-
tered enemies along the route, and now as they enter the
wilderness of Moab, bordering on the Jordan, they meet
32 ESCHATOLOGY.
the greatest foe which has yet appeared before them. This
was the tribe of Midianites, whose king was Balak, and
Balaam, a prophet in Midian,
Num. XXII-XXV.
Rev. II, 14.
Notice the similarity in the above two passages.
Deut. XXXIV— Moses died on Mt. Nebo.
Rev. XVI, 4-7— The Third Vial of Wrath.
Ex. VII, 18-25.
Ex. XI.
END OE THIRD CHURCH AGE.
FOURTH
CHURCH AGE
THYATIRAO
THE LAW PERIOD
Duration, 730 Years
* Songs of labor or sacrifice of contrition — death.
3
FOURTH CHURCH AGE
The Angel with the fourth message.
Rev. II, 18-29. The wording of this letter should be
carefully noted. The age is designated as the Law Period,
because of the fact that the law had just been given to Israel.
All these events are easily understood when it is known
where to locate them and in what age they occur. Many of
the events of this age are very important and worthy of
serious study.
THE FOURTH SEAL OPENED.
Rev.VI, 7-8. The Pale Horse and the Rider signify death.
This, too, is very emblematic of the events of this age. The
war with the kings of Assyria, the division of the Kingdom,
the internal wars, driving out the Canaanites, the parceling
out of the land to the twelve tribes of Israel, the Kingdom
established and the building of the temple are all interesting
events of this age.
THE FOURTH TRUMPET SOUNDS.
Rev. VIII, 12-13. This should be carefully noted, es-
pecially the latter part of verse 13. The angel says, "Woe
ivoe, ivoc unto the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the
other voices of the other three trumpets which are yet to
sound." These three woes will begin with the fifth trumpet
sound, or Fifth Church Age, This fact must be, borne in
mind.
Josh. I, V — Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan. They
miraculously cross the Jordan and prepare to take Jericho.
36 ESCHATOIX)GY.
Josh. VI — City of Jericho destroyed.
Josh. VII, VIII— City of Ai destroyed.
Josh, IX-XII — Destruction of the Canaanites.
Josh. XIII, XIV— The land divided, and the death of
Joshua. He ruled 40 years.
Judg. Ill — Ehud ruled Israel 80 years.
Judg. IV — Deborah ruled Israel 40 years.
Judg. V-VIII — Gideon ruled Israel 40 years.
Judg. IX — Abemelich ruled Isreal 3 years.
Judg. X — Tola and Jair ruled Israel 45 years.
After this they were without a captain until the 18th year
of Jephthah.
Judg, XI, XII, 1-7— Jehpthah ruled Israel 6 years.
Judg. XII, 7-15 — Ibzon and Elon and Abdon ruled 23
years,
Judg, XIV-XVI— Samson ruled 20 years,
I Sam. I-IV— Levi, Judge and Priest, ruled 44 years,
I Sam. I-IX — Samuel ruled 15 years.
This covers a period of 356 years that the Israelites were
governed by judges. The Book of Ruth gives a picture of
their simple home life,
I Sam, X— Saul annointed in 1095 B. C. first king of
Israel, He ruled twenty-five years after Samuel died.
We have traced carefully God's chosen people, Israel,
from the Patriarchal or Tribal State to one of national ex-
istence and power.
I Sam. XVI— David annointed king (1048 B. C),
II Sam. V — David captures the city of David, which
he at once makes the seat or capital of his kingdom and calls
it Jerusalem. This city has an interesting history.
Gen. XIV — After Abraham had destroyed the five kings
in battle he met on his return Melchizedek, who was a
priest of the Most High God, and also king of Salem. He
gives Abraham his blessing. The city Salem afterward be-
the; fourth church age. ^7
came the City of David, then was named Jerusalem, and
made the capital cf the kingdom of Israel.
David ruled 40 years.
II Sam. VI— The Ark brought to Zion.
II Sam. VII — The kingdom established,
II Sam. XXIV — David numbering the people.
I Kings I, II — Solomon annointed king. During his
reign the kingdom of Israel vs^as at peace with other
nations. Solomon's righteousness, wisdom and power
were known to them all. The nation was at its zenith of
glory. God's covenant with Abraham had been fulfilled.
(Gen. XII.)
I Kings V-VII — Building of the temple.
I Kings VIII — Dedication of the temple. Zion, the
church of God, was now permanently established in
Israel, and the honor and glory of it was known to all
nations. How sad that it was soon to disappear!
I Kings IX — God's covenant with Solomon.
I Kings X — The Queen of Sheba with Solomon.
After reigning 40 years, Solomon died in 975 B. C.
I Kings XII — Rehoboam, son of Solomon, annointed
king over Israel, 975 B. C. The kingdom is now di-
vided. Two tribes, Benjamin and Judah, remain loyal
to Rehoboam, and the seat of their government is Jeru-
salem. Jeroboam is annointed king over the remaining
ten tribes, known as Ephraim or Israel, and they estab-
lish their seat of government at Samaria.
Here follows a list of the nineteen kings of Israel from
the division of the kingdom in 975 B. C.
I Kings XII, 20 verses— Jeroboam, 975 B. C., 22 years.
I Kings XIV, 20 verses— Nadab, 954 B. C, 2 years.
I Kings XV, 16 verses— Baasha, 953 B. C., 24 years.
I Kings XXI, 6 verses— Elah, 930 B. C., 2 years.
I Kings, XVI, 10 verses— Zimri, 929 B. C., 7 days.
I Kings XXI, 16 verses— Omri, 929 B. C., 12 years.
38 ESCHATOIvOGY.
I Kings XXI, 28 verses— Ahab, 918 B. C, 22 years.
The Prophets Micaiah and Elijah appear and proph-
esy.
Note I Kings XVII-XXII; II Kings MI; II Chron.
XVII-XVIII; Rev. II, 19-26.
I Kings XXII, 40 verses— Ahaziah, 897 B. C, 2 years.
II Kings III, 1 verse — Jehoroam, 896 B. C, 12 years.
The Prophet in Israel —
II Kings II-XIII— Prophecies of Elisha.
II Kings IX, 6— Jehu, 884 B. C, 28 years.
II Kings IXI-I, 1— Jehoahaz, 856 B. C, 17 years.
II Kings XIII, 10 verses— Jehoash, 839 B. C, 16 years.
The prophet Jonah prophesied against Nineveh,
II Kings XIV, 22 verses— Jeroboam, 825 B. C, 41
years.
The minor prophet Hosea prophesies. Hosea II, III,
IV. He prophesies against Israel, 721 B. C.
Hosea VIII— Judah destroyed by Babylon, 606 B. C.
Amos I-II — Amos, a minor prophet, contemporary
with Hosea, prophesies against Assyria and Moab by
Babylon in 620 B. C.
Amos HI, VII, IX— Against Israel by Assyria, 721
B. C.
II Kings XX, 8 verses— Zachariah, 17Z B. C, 6 months.
II Kings XV, 13 verses— Shallma, 772 B. C, 1 month.
II Kings XX, 17 verses— Menahum, 772 B. C, 10 years.
II Kings XV, 23 verses— Pekahiah, 761 B. C, 2 years.
II Kings XV, 27 verses— Pekah, 759 B. C, 20 years.
II Kings XV, 27 verses— Hoshea, 742 B. C, 7 years.
II Kings XVII— Israel or Ephraim taken into captiv-
ity by Shalmanezzar, King of Assyria, in 721 B. C.
It is possible to obtain many interesting statistics of
the Jews or Israehtes. They are supposed to number
thirteen millions, and are scattered throughout the na-
tions of Europe and through the United States of Am-
the; fourth church age. 39
erica. In the latter country there are supposed to be
two and a half millions. In Russia alone there are five
and a half millions. The remainder are scattered through
various countries of Europe. It has been a puzzle to his-
torians to know what became of the ten tribes of Israel,
called on this account the ten lost tribes. It is possible
t.'iat these are the Russian Jews, but this is only a con-
jecture.
When the Assyrians led the ten tribes into captivity
they filled Palestine with their own people, the Assyri-
ans, to prevent Israel from ever returning. They never
did return. The geographical location of Assyria at that
time was in the remote northern part of Asia Minor on
the Bosporus, bordering Greece in Europe, hence the ten
tribes crossed over into Russia, in the northern part of
Europe.
A list of the twenty Kings of Judah :
I Kings XII— Rehoboam, 975 B. C, 17 years.
I Kings XV, 1— Abijah, 957 B. C, 3 years.
I Kings XV, 9— Asa, 955 B. C, 41 years.
I Kings XXII, 41— Jehosophat, 914 B. C, 25 years.
II Kings VIII, 16— Jehoroam, 889 B. C, 8 years.
II Kings VIII, 25 years— Ahaziah, 885 B. C, 1 year.
II Kings XI, 3— Alhaliah, 884 B. C, 6 years.
II Kings XI, 21— Jehoash, 878 B. C, 40 years.
Zechariah was Prophet.
II Kings XIV, 1— Amaziah, 838 B. C, 29 years.
II Kings XIV, 21— Azuriah, 810 B. C, 52 years.
II Kings XV, 32— Jothan, 758 B. C, 16 years.
Isaiah, the Prophet of Judah, appears upon the scene
of action. His prophecies are first directed against
Israel and Judah.
Is. I, VIII — A general denunciation of Isreal and Judah.
Is. XV — He prophesies against Moab.
Is. XVI, XX— Destruction of Egypt by Assyrians.
40 ESCHATOLOGY.
Is, XXI — He prophesies against Babylon by Medes
and Persians.
Is. XLII, LX — Christ's mission to the Gentiles.
Is. XLV — Restoration by Cyrus.
Is. IX — Christ's Birth and Kingdom.
Luke II, 8-14— Birth of Christ.
II Kings XVI, 1— Ahazim, 742 B. C, 16 years. Micah,
a minor prophet and contemporary with Isiah, also
prophesies.
Micah I-II — He prophesies against Israel and Judah by
Assyria ; Israel by Assyria in 721 B. C, and Judah by
Assyria in 606 B. C, by Babylon,
Micah IV, 10— Birth of Christ, His Kingdom.
Matt. II, 2-6— Birth of Christ.
II Kings XVIII, 1 verse— Hezekiah, 720 B. C, 29
years.
Nahum II-VI — The prophecies of Nahum, a minor
prophet, are directed against Assyria, Egypt and Edom
by Babylon (620 B. C).
II Kings XXI, 1 verse— Manasseh, 698 B. C, 55 years.
II Kings XXI, 19 verses— Amon, 643 B. C, 2 years.
Another minor prophet, Joel, also prophesies.
II Kings XXII, 1 verse— Josiah, 641 B. C, 31 years.
Jer. II-VI-VIII — Calamities of the Jews foretold by
Jeremiah, a major prophet.
Jer. L, LI — Destruction of Babylon by Medes and
Persians. (536 B. C.)
Jer. XXX, XXXIII— Restoration of Judah.
Jer. XXIII— Promise of Christ.
II Kings XXIII, 30 verses— Jehoaz, 610 B. C, 3
months.
Zeph, I, II — Zephaniah, a minor prophet, prophesies
against Judah by Babylon (606 B. C).
II Kings XXIII, 34 verses— Jehoikam, 610 B. C, 11
months.
THE FOURTH CHURCH AGE). 41
II Kings XXIV, 8 verses— Jehoiachim, 519 B. C, 3
months.
The prophet Ezekiel prophesies before the captivity
cf Judah by Babylonians, 606 B. C.
Ezek. XII — Zedekiah's capitvity typified.
II Kings XXIV, 18 — Zedekiah annointed king in 588
B. C, the last king of Judah.
II Kings XXIV, XXV— Destruction of Jerusalem by
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, in 586 B. C.
Ezek. XXI — Conquest of Tyre by Babylon.
Ezek. XXX — Conquest of Egypt by Babylon.
Ezek. XXXI — Conquest of Assyria by Babylon.
Ezek. XXIV — Destruction of Jerusalem.
In verses 6 and 7 notice the Woe that is expressed.
Is. XXIX, 1-7 — Destruction of Jerusalem. Note the
Woe expressed.
Rev. VIII, 13 — Three Woes are here expressed. There
are still three more angels to sound the three trumpets. The
four trumpets had already sounded.
This important event closes the Fourth Church Age,
or Law Age.
The beginning of the Fifth Church Age is known as
the Prophetical Age, under the Fifth Trumpet Sound.
With the destruction of Jerusalem at the beginning of
the Fifth Church Age the first Woe begins, or in 606
B. C, when Judah became a tributary nation to Babylon.
Note the significance of the three Woes. Knowing the
time to which the first Woe refers, it is important to
trace the period of each of the others, so that the events
may be located as they occur.
Rev. XVI, 8-9— The Fourth Vial of Wrath.
Observe the appropriateness of the conditjons men-
tioned.
END OF THE FOURTH CHURCH AGE.
FIFTH CHURCH AGE
SARDISO
PROPHETICAL PERIOD
Duration, 721 Years
* Songs of joy or that which remains — lack of zeal.
FIFTH CHURCH AGE
Rev. Ill, 1-6. In the first six verses of the third
chapter of Revelation is found the letter to the Fifth
Church Age, the wording of which, it will be noticed, dif-
fers from that of any of the four preceding letters. This
is known as the Prophetical Age, because of the finish-
ing up of the Old Testament dispensation — the Law —
and the coming in of the New Testament, or Gospel Age.
Christ is coming to establish His Kingdom upon earth.
In verse 3 Christ says, "Hold fast and repent. If there-
fore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief on
thee, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come."
It will be noted how appropriate is this reference to
Christ's First Appearing.
Matt. II, 1-10, and Luke II, 8-14, Christ's Birth.
the: fifth seal OPFNED.
Rev. VI, 9-11. This should be carefully studied.
THE FIFTH TRUMPET SOUNDED.
Rev. IX, 1-12. The Star mentioned here as falling from
Heaven represents Babylon, the seat of the power of 'Pagan-
ism.
Is. XIV, 12-23— Lucifer, the Morning Star.
Rev. XVII, 1-6— The Mystery Babylon.
Rev. XII, 7-12— The Great Red Dragon. Note with
care these great events that are transpiring in the Fifth
Church Age, which begins in 606 B. C. and closes at 63
B. C, the beginning of the Roman Empire. Or we may
say, for cenvenience, that it extends to the Christian
46 ESCHATOUKJY.
Era, a period of over 600 years. During this period we
have the Babylonian Era, 606-536 B. C, the Persian Era,
536-332 B. C, the Greek Era, 332-198 B. C, the Syrian
Era, 198-168 B. C, the Maccabean Era, 168-63 B. C. and
the Roman Era, 63 B. C.,135 A. D.
It is a mistake to try to be too exact regarding the
dates of various periods or ages. Any investigator of
historical events will find that he cannot put too much
trust in exact dates. It is best to arrange historical hap-
penings according to the changes in religious and po-
litical periods, and to be guided by this classification.
We have three different systems of chronology in
view: 1st the lunar year, 354 days; 2nd, the solar year,
360 days; 3rd, the standard year, 365 days. The Baby-
lonians, Hebrews and Mohammedans used the lunar
system. The solar system was introduced by Julius
Csesar, Emperor of Rome, the standard time by Pope
Gregory. This system is in use by Great Britain, France
and the United States.
Ezek. IV, 1-8, Num. XIV, 33-35— The prophets used
these mysterious symbols : a day, for a year ; meaning a year
in point of time.
Dan. XII, 7; Rev. XI, 2-3; Rev. XII, 1-6, all refer to
the same period of time, 1260 years,
Uusing the lunar chronology as an illustration, the
354 days equals a "time" (354 years) and "times," which
is plural, means twice 354 years, or 708 years. Then
again a half time, 177 years, equals 1239 years. These are
symbols, and are called prophetical days, to which we
will frequently need to refer. Any one of the chrono-
logical systems, 354, 360 or 365 days may be used, but
with the understanding that there will be a difference
between them.
Between the Julian and the lunar systems there is a dif-
THE FIFTH CHURCH AGE. 47
ference of 21 years. For convenience we will hereafter use
in this work the Julian system.
Following is a relation of events as they occur in the
Fifth Church Age.
The two tribes, Benjamin and Judah (known as Ju-
dah). They were taken captive by Babylon in 606 B. C,
and were captives in Babylon 70 years, until 536 B. C.
After her captivity in Babylon, Judah had three gover-
nors, Zerubabel, in 546 B. C, Ezra, 457 B. C, and Nehe-
miah, 456 B. C.
Haggai II — Haggai, a minor prophet, foretells the glory
of the second temple.
Zech. II-VIII— Zecheriah prophesies of the restora-
tion of Judah, and in chapter XI, of the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Roman, 72 A. D.
Mai. Ill, IV — Malachi, a minor prophet, tells of the
fore-runner of Christ.
Matt. Ill; Luke I, II, also.
These three prophets grew up after the captivity and
in the latter part of the Firth Church Age.
The first IVoe expressed began with the Babylonish
captivity (606 B. C).
Ezek. XXIV, 6-7— The Woe expressed.
Is. XXIX, 1-7 — Destruction of Jerusalem.
Rev. VIII, 13— This is the first Woe of the three trum-
pets that were yet to sound. It must be determined how
long this woe is to last.
Rev, IX, 5 — It was to last a period of five months,
using the symbol of the prophetical day, which equals a
year. One month would contain thirty days, or thirty
years; then five months would contain 150 days or
years.
Beginning with the Babylonish captivity, 606 B. C,
and ending with the destruction of Babylon by the Medes
and Persions, 536 B. C, is a period of 70 years. In 536
48 ESCHATOLOGY.
B. C, Cyrus made a decree that the Jews should return
to Palestine, and restore that country (Read the book
of Ezra). It is said that of the Jews in Babylon only
sixty thousand went back under this decree. (Is. XXI).
Some still remained, and were scattered through the
dominion of Persia. (Read book of Esther). Some re-
mained in Persia until the reign of Artaxerxes, or
Darius III. At that time (456 B. C.) occurred what is
known as the Great Reformation of the Jews, under the
leadership of Nehemiah. (Read book of Nehemiah).
From the time that King Cyrus made his decree (Ezra
I, 1-16) until the Great Reformation under Nehemiah,
456 B. C, is a period of 80 years. The Jews were in
Babylon 70 years, and these two periods covered 150
years, which is equal to the 5 months mentioned in
Rev. IX, 5.
And this is the period of the First Woe.
Rev. IX, 12 — "One Woe is past, and behold there are
two more to come hereafter,"
The second Woe, then, begins at the time of the Great
Reformation of the Jews under Nehemiah. 456 B. C.
This period is in the Persian Era. A little later, (332
B. C.) the Greeks, under Alexander the Great, captured
Persia, and Palestine fell into the hands of the Greeks.
the: sixth trumpet sounds.
Rev. IX, 13-21. At this time the Sixth Angel sounds the
Sixth Trumpet. Verse 15 says: "It was prepared for one
hour, for a day, for a month and for a year for to slay the
third part of men."
Ezek. IV, 4-6 — The type of Jerusalem's Siege. Verse
4: "Lie upon thy left side and lay the iniquity of the
House of Israel upon it according to the number of days
that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt hear their iniquity."
In verse 5 the prophet is to lie upon his left side 390
THE FIFTH CHURCH AGE. 49
days, each day to equal a year. In the 6th the prophet was
now to lie on his right side 40 days, for the iniquity
of the House of Judah. Forty days, each day a year,
would equal 40 years. (For both Israel and Judah 430
years) .
Num. XIV, 33-35 — These are the mysterious symbols,
i'nd the symbols applied to —
Rev. IX, 15. — The one hour, one day, one month and
one year, would be 391 years, one day being equal to
one year, one month to thirty years, one year to three
hundred sixty years. Compare with Ezek. IV, 4-5 — "Lie
on the left side for the iniquity of the House of Israel
390 days," or years. It will be seen that they refer to
the same period of time. In computing this period, 456
B. C, is the starting point, and the 390 years given by
Ezekiel and also by Revelation, bring the epoch down
to 63 B. C, when the Romans came into power, and Ju-
dah became tributary to them.
Ezek. IV, 6 — The prophet was to lie on his right side
for the iniquity of the House of Judah forty days, which
means years. These forty years are to be added to the
390 years, making 430 years, and the 40 years substracted
from 63 B. C, when Rome came into power, bring the
period down to 23 B. C.
This period of time covers the same epoch as does the
second Woe expressed, which will be noted later.
Ezek. I — The vision of the Cherubim.
Ezek. X — The Vision of Coals of Fire.
Zech. I, 18-21— The Four Little Horns.
Zech. VI — Vision of the Four Chariots.
These also refer to the same period of time.-
In 332 B. C. the Persian Empire fell into the hands
of the Greeks. Alexander the Great lived only a few
years, and his kingdom was divided into four parts by
4
50 ESCHATOLOGY.
four of his favorite generals (Dan. VIII, 3-8, The king-
dom divided).
The first general, Cassander, governed Macedonia and
Greece. The second, Lysimachus, governed Thrace, in
the western part of Asia Minor. The third, Seleucus
Nicator, governed Syria and part of India.
The fourth, Ptolemy, governed Egypt.
Rev. IX, 15 — These are the four angels that were
loosed.
Ezek. II, 9-10— Eating the roll.
Ezek. Ill, 1-3— This roll pertains to the Old Testa-
ment Scriptures — the divine history of the Old Law
Dispensations.
Rev. X — The New Testament Scriptures a divine his-
tory of the Gospel Age.
Rev. XVI, 10-11— The Fifth Vial of Wrath.
END OF THE EIETH CHURCH AGE.
SIXTH CHURCH AGE
PHILADELPHIA©
GOSPEL PERIOD
Duration, 2334 Years
* Brotherly Love.
FIRST SECTION
; (Sixth Church Age.)
the: letter to the sixth church age.
Rev. Ill, 7-13. — In verse 8 John refers to the coming of
Our Lord. "He is the Open Door." (John X:l-18.)
At a glance can be seen what the fulfillment of the Gospel
Age reveals :
THE SIXTH SEAL OPENED.
Rev. VI, 12-17.
Matt. XXVII, 46-54.
Luke XXIII, 44-49.
In verse 13 we are told that the stars fall from Heaven
unto the earth.
Rev. XII.
THE SIXTH TRUMPET SOUNDS.
Rev. IX, 13-21. — This should be read very carefully.
The Book of Daniel is now to be considered.
Among the books classified as Apocryphal, there are
none, not even the Book of Revelation, which are so puzzling
to the Bible student as the Book of Daniel. The meaning
of the word Apocrypha is Some Hidden or Secret Mystery,
and the Book of Daniel can certainly be so described.
Daniel was a young man at the time when Judah went
into captivity to Babylon (606 B. C). His remarkable abil-
ity to understand and interpret dreams was demonstrated
when he was brought before Nebuchadnezzar, King of-
Babylon, to interpret the king's dreams.
Some of Daniel's phrophecies are made during the Baby-
lonish captivity, the remainder under Darius I, King of
the Medes and Persians who had destroyed the empire.
54 ESCHATOLOGY.
An observation of pertinence to the subject in hand is
that one of the disadvantages in the present arrangement
of the Bible is its division into chapters and verses. This is
of considerable convenience in the study of details, but in-
terferes with the mental grasp of a broad subject, as it breaks
the narrative in a manner apt to be confusing to the student,
and has been the source of more fatal misunderstandings
than all other agencies combined. Hence in this study, a
number of chapters are often given in a single reference,
the object being to obtain a connected chain of evidence. In
a consideration of the prophecies of Daniel, chapters II and
VII should be studied in connection with each other, as they
are parallel passages.
The second chapter of Daniel tells that Nebuchadnezzar,
king of Babylon, has a dream which troubles him. He is
unable to recall the matter of the dream and sends for
Daniel to relate and interpret it.
Dan. II, 31-33 — Dream of the King.
Dan. II, 36-43 — Interpretation of it.
Here should be noted the parallel passages in II and VII.
Dan. VII, 1-7— The four great beasts.
Dan. VII, 15-19, 23, 20, 24 — All these refer to the same
great events.
Dan. VII, 2— "Daniel saw the four winds of Heaven
strive together upon the great sea."
This is symbolical language, the four winds indicating the
fact of tumult, war, etc. The great sea signifies the nations
who were to struggle for supremacy. Four great kingdoms
were to have supreme political power. The first, "the Head
of Gold," the Lion, which means courage and strength, was
Babylon. The second, "the Arms and Breast of Silver," the
Bear, signifies cruelty, the means used to gain political su-
premacy. These were the Medes and Persians who over-
threw Babylon. The third, "the parts of the image that
THE SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 55
were brass," the leopard with four wings and four heads,
refers to the swiftness of action that characterized the
Greeks under Alexander, who in a very few years conquered
all of the world there was to conquer. No expedition in an-
cient or modern war has ever excelled it. Alexander lived
only a few years after his brilliant victory and his kingdom
was divided among four favorite generals, Cassander, Lysi-
machus, Sileucus Nicator and ^Ptolemy.
The fourth part of the vision, "the legs of iron," meaning
the strength and power to subdue, is characteristic of the
Romans who came into power after the Greeks, subdued
all neighboring nations and became Mistress of the World.
The Jews became a nation tributary to the Romans in 63
B. C, and it was at the beginning of the fourth kingdom
that a very important event took place, namely, the birth of
the Messiah.
Matt. II, 4-7— The establishing of Christ's kingdom.
Luke II, 1-21.
Daniel II, 34-35 and 44, 45.
The final figure of the dream is "feet of iron mixed with
clay," typifies partly strong and partly weak. The "ten
horns" are ten political powers, the ten separate kingdoms
that are to come up out of the empire of Rome. In the last
century of the empire, 351-479 A. D., these ten divisions, one
by one came into existence. And gradually the great pres-
tige of the Roman Empire was absorbed by these ten king-
doms, and her strength diminished and died.
Dan. VII, 8, 20, 21, 24 — "And out of the ten horns a little
horn is to come up, and the horn is to be diversed from the
ten horns," which refers to His ecclesiastical authority. And
this little horn is to subdue three of the ten horns.
During the half century immediately following the fall
of the Imperial City of the West, the eastern emperors
struggled hard to withstand the inundation that threatened
to overwhelm Constantinople, the New Rome by the bar-
56 KSCHATOI^OGY.
barians. Fortunately in 527 A. D, there ascended the east-
ern throne a prince of unusual ability, Justinian by name,
who proved to be the restorer of the empire. As early as
the beginning of the sixth century, the Bishops of Rome were
exerting a strong influence upon the imperial court. There
were three barbarian kingdoms who had given the Bishops
considerable trouble in the last century of the empire by
invading Italy. One of these tribes was the Vandals of
Northern Africa, who were in opposition to the Catholic
Church at Rome on the doctrine of the Trinity, and were
mortal enemies of the Bishops. Assisted by the Church,
Justinian destroyed the Vandals in 533 A. D.
The Visigoths, or West Goths, had established themselves
in Southern Spain, but were overcome by Justinian in 493
A. D.
The Ostrogoths, or Eastern Goths, under the leadership of
Theodoric, had established themselves in Northern Italy,
Justinian sent his famous general, Belisariiis, on an ex-
pedition against them, and drove them out of Italy in 538
A. D.
These are the three little horns, out of the way of the
development of the little horn which came up out of the ten,
and was "diversed" from them. This proves beyond a doubt
that the little horn refers to the Roman Catholic Church, or
to the establishment of the papacy. (Dan. VII, 20, 24, 25.)
The Christian religion had no recognition from the im-
perial authorities until Constantine, Emperor of Rome, was
converted to Christianity in 313 A. D. He raised it to a
privilege of the imperial court. After being thus protected
it gained precedence and power, and in the end outranked
its fellows. From the establishment of the Christian Church
of Rome, the beginning of the papacy, we date with the
uniting of church and state, and the details of this must
now be stated.
In 330 A. D. Constantine, for military and commercial
THE SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 57
reasons, moved the seat of government from Rome in Italy
to Byzantine on the Bosporus in Greece. Even at this time
we can see the influence the church at Rome had over the
imperial authorities. With the surrender of the sovereignty
of the west into the hands of the emperors in the east, the
Bishops of Rome became the most important personages in
Western Europe, and being so far from the imperial court
in the east, they gradually assumed almost imperial powers.
Long before the fall of Rome there had begun to grow
up within the Roman Empire an ecclesiastical state which in
its constitution and administration was shaping itself upon
the imperial model. This spiritual empire, like the secular
empire, possessed a hierarchy of officers — deacons, presby-
ters, bishops, etc. To the Bishops the precedence of autho-
rity and jurisdiction were given. These matters constituted
the great landmarks in the rise and early growth of the
Papacy.
Finally Bishop Boniface was crowned Pope of the Church
of Rome by Phoecus, King of Italy, in 606 A. D. Now he
is invested with secular or political authority as well as his
ecclesiastical authority, and with this peculiar vestage of
power, he assumes the greatest sovereignty, and becomes
the ruling power of all the nations of the earth.
In connection with Dan. II-VII should be read the thir-
teenth chapter of Revelation, keeping in mind the work that
has been gone over with regard to the Latin Church at
Rome and the origin of the Papacy. "The little horn that
should come up out of the ten horns," and should be di-
versed from the other ten, "the eighth kingdom that should
arise up out of the seventh kingdom," etc.
Dan. VII, 24, 25— The power of the little horn.
Rev. XVII, 10-18— The eighth kingdom.
With a knowledge of these, we should be able to apply
without trouble the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. In the
1st verse John "saw a beast rise up out of the sea." Sea
58 ESCHATOLOGY.
signifies nations or people, a symbolic term. "The seven
heads with ten horns" represents "seven kingdoms that
should rise up and ten kingdoms should come up after
them."
"And there were ten crowns upon his heads, the name of
blasphemy."
This has reference to the ecclesiastical authority — the
pagan religious influences that were parallel with the secu-
lar or political influences prevailing over the seven kingdoms
and afterward the ten kingdoms— the political divisions of
Europe.
Rev. XIII, 2 — "The beast was like a leopard, and his feet
were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a
lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his seat of
authority."
The beast represents the church— the ecclesiastical autho-
rity that had its characterizing influence over the leopard, the
bear, the lion, and lastly, over the dragon, which represented
the four great nations whose history was nearly finished,
namely, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome.
Dan. VII, 2-8; 17-20— "But the dragon (the Roman Em-
pire) is to give him his seat, his power and great authority."
The beast, the church, is now to receive greater power
and authority. This certainly has reference to the Papacy,
for now the Pope is not only invested with ecclesiastical
power, but the power of state is given him also, and by this
means the Latin church is sovereign, not alone at Rome, but
also over the nations of the earth.
Rev. XIII, 5 — Power to govern for forty-two months.
Dan. VII, 25— These passages refer to the same fact.
■ This period begins 606 A. D., and extends a Time, Times
and a Half-Time (using the symbolic term a day for a
year). According to the Julian system of chronology, a
solar year is 360 days. A "time" is 360 years; "times,"
being plural, is twice a time, or 720 years, and a half time
THE^ SIXTH CHURCH AGE, 59
is half of 360, or 180 years, the sum total being 1260 years,
"Or until the Ancient of Days should sit."— Dan. VII, 22,
26, 27.
When Pope Gregory II at Rome in 717 A. D. excom-
municated Leo, the Emperor and the iconoclast of the east-
ern churches in Greece, the church was divided into two
heads. The eastern churches are known as the Greek
Church, and the Church at Rome as the Latin Church.
It is the Latin Church that is under present consideration,
and it is that branch or head that was wounded.
Rev. VIII, 3-8— "The Head Wounded nearly to death."
Rev. XVII, 12-18 — "Received power one hour with the
beast." Searching for the nature and course of the wound,
we find that the Reformation caused the wound. That move-
ment, like the Papacy, had its beginning earlier than we can
trace and gradually grew until the power of the Latin
Church at Rome was shaken from center to circumference.
The growth was very gradual, and perhaps as early as the
ninth or tenth century after Christ was in slow progress,
taking root for deeper activity. The growth could not
be otherwise than slow because it affected so many peoples.
When the Pope was led into captivity, A. D. 1798, the move-
ment was gradually gaining ground.
Rev. XVII, 12 — "Some of them were to share power with
the beast for one hour."
The beast, the Roman Catholic Church or Bishops, had
power to rule, and until the time of the Pope's coronation
in 606 A. D., the church had had "three kingdoms plucked
up." We can see then that some of these kingdoms were
resisting the authority of the church. While we have no
history as to the time when the first of these ten king-
doms threw off the papacy, still we are to understand that
the one hour mentioned in Rev. XVII, 12, is only a short
period of time, and up to the actual commitment of the
Pope there were only three nations in Europe who had not
60 ESCHATOLOGY.
in some way thrown off his restrictions in secular or poHti-
cal affairs. He was still allowed, however, to retain his
ecclesiastical control. As is the case even at present in our
own country, the United States, the Catholic Church is ac-
corded the same privileges and protection that the Protest-
ant Church enjoys. The Pope's ecclesiastical authority is
respected and honored. But in 1870 Victor Emanuel, king
of Italy divested the Pope of his secular and political autho-
rity, and it ceased, even in his own country. The severe
struggle which has taken place in France during the last
two years has accomplished the same object.
When the public manifestation of indignation against the
church and the Pope made itself felt the Pope was brought
before a tribunal of justice (Dan. VII, 22-28). The actual
verdict was rendered in 1798, when the French army under
Berthier abolished the ^Papacy in Rome and proclaimed a
republic there. Pope Pius VI, who was in. power at that
time, was put into captivity for the remainder of his life.
Rev. XIII, 3— "And the deadly wound was healed."
(Verses 4-11.)
The eleventh verse should be specially noticed: "John
saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had
two horns like a lamb and he spake as a dragon."
All of the symbols mentioned by either John or Daniel are
referred to as coming up out of the sea. Sea here means
people or nations. But this last beast comes out of the
earth, a term the opposite of sea, so that it signifies an unin-
habited portion of the globe. Without doubt it has reference
to the western continent. "It was like a lamb," and as a
lamb always represents gentleness, so this figure would in-
dicate the peaceful manner in which the United States has
developed into national existence. "The two horns" symbo-
lize North and South America.
Verse 18 says, "And his number is 666, and it is the num-
ber of a man."
THE SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 61
This surely has reference to the Latin Church and the
Papacy. The Head of the Papacy "had been wounded
nearly to death, but was healed." The Pope had been di-
vested of his political power and his influence over most of
the nations of Europe, but it was partly restored, and the
Papacy still exists. It must be learned how the wound was
healed.
In 1492 the western continent was discovered by Colum-
bus, who was a Roman Catholic, Spain was tributary to the
Latin Church, and it was through the assistance of Queen
Isabella and Ferdinand, sovereigns of Spain, that Colum-
bus was equipped for the voyage. And at the earliest oppor-
tunity the 'Pope established his authority over the Americas
by right of discovery.
A brief investigation will reveal the manner in which the
wound was healed.
Verse 4 says: "And they worshipped the dragon, which
gave power unto the beast."
The two Americas were the dragon which gave
power to the beast, the Latin Church.
By his ecclesiastical authority the Papacy lives. In the
United States the Latin Church is respected and protected,
and is given many privileges of which the Pope is not slow
to take advantage. Educational, social and commercial in-
terests of the church have been protected as thoroughly here
as in any country of the world, and it was by this protection
that "the wounded head was healed," and the church re-
stored to life.
After Columbus returned to Spain and it was known that
the voyage had been a successful one, the wildest enthusi-
asm prevailed throughout all the nations of Europe. One
expedition after another was fitted out and an effoT-t made to
reach the new world.
Spain being first on the ground soon had exploring par-
ties on their wav to the new country. The first one to land
6-i. ESCHATOLOGY.
on the North American mainland was that under Ponce de
Leon in 1512, along the coast of Florida. Menendez found-
ed a colony in Florida in 1565 and named it St. Augustine.
The United States purchased this territory from Spain in
1820 for $6,500,000.
Cortez, a Spanish explorer, discovered Mexico and the
Californias in 1543, and by treachery and bloodshed he cap-
tured the wealth of the Montezumas in a few years and took
possession of all that country in the name of Spain, and the
United States in 1854 paid Mexico $10,000,000.
The next important Spanish discovery was that of Ferdi-
nand de Soto, when in 1541 he first saw the Mississippi
River, and a vast amount of new territory fell into Spain's
hands. But in 1798 this was ceded to France by treaty, was
named Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV and was sold
to the United States by France in 1803 for $15,000,000. At
the time of this Louisiana Purchase, the territory was con-
trolled by the Pope.
To sum it all up, the United States in 1854 had paid to
countries loyal to the Pope, the amount of $31,000,000.
This does not include the booty that Cortez received from
the Aztecs in Mexico, when he discovered the southwestern
country, nor does it include any other booty obtained from
other Spanish discoveries. It can never be known what was
the amount of these. But the sum paid to Latin countries
for their western possessions is a vast amount.
The same had extended its blighting grasp over South
America. Pizarro had conquered Peru and captured all the
wealth of the Incas. By right of discovery all South Ameri-
ca came as booty to the Latin Church. The conquests made
by Spain in the new world left her the wealthiest nation in
Europe. And in 1898, because of the friendly attitude of
the United States toward Cuba, Spain took ofifense and de-
clared war. The blowing up of the Maine, a United States
man-of-war, was the opening of hostilities. It was rumored
THE SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 63
at the time this occurred that a scheme had been laid by
Leo XIII, 'Pope of Rome, and his advisors, to rid them-
selves of Cuba and the Philippine Islands at the expense of
the United States government. If such was the case, the
matter was very cleverly managed, for in the treaty between
the two countries, the United States paid Spain $20,000,000
for the Philippine Islands, and later assumed, at the instiga-
tion of Pope Pius X, the obligation to pay to the priests
and the church for personal and real estate properties owned
by them in the Philippines, the sum of $8,000,000. This
$28,000,000 added to the $31,000,000 previously paid to
Latin countries makes a total of $59,000,000.
Truly the United States has bowed the knee. The "dra-
gon has given power unto the beast" — to the Pope at Rome.
We have mentioned only incidentally the other advantages
that have occurred to the interest of the Latin Church in the
United States.. We have stated the actual amount, as re-
corded in history, which the United States has contributed
toward the succor and restoration of "the head that was
wounded unto death, but was healed or restored to life."
(Rev. XIII, 3-4.)
And through the medium of commercialism, the Church
of Rome is to dominate the nations of the earth unto the
end. (Rev. XVIII.)
SECOND SECTION
(Sixth Church Age.)
The prophecies of Daniel are now to be continued,
Dan. VIII, 1-8; 20-22.
Dan. IV, 10-17; 20-27.
The tree that Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, saw in
his dream represented his kingdom. The tree was cut
down and Babylon destroyed by the Medes and Persians
in 536 B. C. When this occurred the power of this branch
of the Semitic people was transferred from them to a branch
of the Aryan race known as the Indo-Europeans — the Medes
and the Persians.
Verse 15 says : "The stump was left nevertheless." Verse
25, "Seven times shall pass over thee." (Lev. XXVI, 21-24).
Using the prophetic symbol, 360 years equals a "time,"
and seven "times" equals 2520 years. Or using the lunar
chronology, 354 years as a "time," and seven "times" are
equal to 2478 years. Between the 2478 years and the pres-
ent year, 1908, A. D., (to which we must add 536, as Baby-
lon fell 536 B. C, making the total 2444 years since Baby-
lon fell) there is a difference of 34 years. This then is
the time that we may expect to transpire before the Resto-
ration of the Semitic Branch in the east.
Using the Julian system, or solar chronology, we have
2520 years. Subtracting from this the 2444 years since the
fall of Babylon we have Id years yet to come.
Dan. IV, 25, 26.
Verse 26 says that the stump of the tree was left. The
Semitic race which had ruled the world for nearly 19 cen-
turies was cut down.
5
66 ESCHATOLOGY.
Rev. XVII, 1-6— The Mystery, Babylon the Great. In
verse 3 John "saw a scarlet colored beast with seven heads
and ten horns, and a woman sat upon the beast," and upon
her forehead was written Mystery, Babylon the Great."
The woman represents the pagan religion and the beast
with the seven heads seven political kingdoms. The ten
horns are the ten political divisions of Europe. And they
all committed fornication with the woman. (Rev. XVII,
12-18).
Dan. IV, 25, 26.
Rev. XVII, 7-8.
In verse 8 "the beast that thou sawest was (implying fu-
ture tense) is not (present tense) cut down for awhile. But
is yet to ascend (future tense) out of the bottomless pit and
go into perdition."
In verse 9 the seven heads are seven mountains, meaning
seven kingdoms where the woman sitteth — and this means
the seat of ecclesiastic authority of the pagan religion.
Verse 10 says, "There are seven kingdoms." Five have
fallen. The sixth one was in existence at the time John
was writing Revelation, 96 A. D., and the other is not yet
come. "And when He cometh He must continue a short
space."
First the seven kingdoms must be searched out. Five of
them were prior to 96 A. D., for John was then living in the
days of the sixth,
Dan. VIII, 1-8.
In verses 3 and 4, the ram with the two horns represents
the kingdom of the Medes and Persians combined. They
come into the arena of history in 536 B. C., when they de-
stroyed Babylon.
Dan. IV, 22, 23, 25, 26.
As has been previously stated, the old Semitic branch of
people was cut ofif, and a new one came into power, the
Aryan or Indo-European race. And they, the Aryan peo-
THE SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 67
pie are to rule the world until seven times have passed away.
We start then from this period to find the five kingdoms,
from the time of the Medes and Persians, 536 B. C.
Dan. VIII, 5-8; 21-23.
The goat represents the Greeks under Alexander, who
overcame the Medes and Persians, 332 B. C. But Alexan-
der's kingdom was divided into four parts. Now we have
the five kingdoms, containing the Medes and Persians as
one. And the Greek empire divided into four, each part
forming a kingdom of its own. Our task now is to find
the sixth kingdom, for it was in power when John wrote
Revelation in 96 A. D.
The beginning of the history of Rome dates back to 753
B. C., and for convenience has been divided by historians
into three parts. The first period was ruled by kings. The
second was a republic. During the latter part of the re-
public, 63 B. C., the Jews became tributary to Rome. This
period extended to the time of Hadrian, 135 A. D.
John wrote Revelation in 96 A. D., during the period of
the republic, which is the sixth kingdom he refers to. "And
the other or seventh is yet to come. But He must continue a
short space." (Rev. XVII, 10). And that kingdom is the
Empire of Rome, whose history is of so great interest to the
student of this matter. It extended from 135 to 479 A. D.
"And it is to continue a short space" — (325 years). Verse
11, "And the beast that was and is not, even he is the eighth
and of the seven, and goeth into perdition."
Dan. IV, 22,23 — "The old stump" means the Mystery,
Babylon the Great, or the pagan religion. Rev. XVII, 11,
"that was" implies past time. He was, he existed. "And he
is not," present time. He has been removed or disappeared.
But in the future he is to "arise again and go into perdition."
"He is the eighth but cometh up out of the seventh."
This refers to the origin of the Papacy. The empire, the
Seventh Kingdom, came in full force of power in 135 A. D,
68 ESCHATOLOGY.
and ended in 479 A. D. The conditions which were favor-
able for the estabhshing of the Papacy, the eighth kingdom,
began in the empire, the seventh kingdom, under the reign
of Constantine, when he favored the Christian Church at
Rome and made it a preferred religion of the imperial court.
This event is known as the uniting of church and state.
And a further impetus was given in 330 A. D., when the
seat of government was removed from Rome to Byzantine,
this leaving the aflfairs of the Roman government largely in
the hands of the bishops at Rome.
When Constantine died the empire was transmitted to
his three sons, Constans, Constantinus and Constantine. The
empire was divided among them, which led to war, and at
the end of sixteen years, Constantinus was master of the
whole empire. He died after ruling eight years. Then
Julian, his cousin, who is called the Apostate, ascended the
throne. He had once embraced the Christian religion, but
had apostatized. He introduced into the empire Polytheism
or Iconoclastes, meaning image-worship. Thus we see the
pagan religion again made the religion of the imperial court.
Dan. IV, 26 — The old stump.
Rev. XVn, 7-18— Mystery, Babylon the Great.
This brought about a severe contention between the
churches of Greece in the east and the church at Rome in
the west. The latter church had introduced image worship,
which the Greek churches repudiated. Now since Bishop
Boniface of Rome had been crowned Pope of the Roman
Church (606 A. D.) this church had received an increase of
power and authority, and when the Greek church refused
to install image worship in its services (716 A. D.) Pope
Gregory excommunicated the emperor Leo at Constantinople
and all the churches in Greece. This caused a division in
the Catholic Church, and it has ever since had two branches,
the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Church.
THIRD SECTION
(Sixth Church Age.)
Daniel's prophecies in the third year of the reign of
Belshazzar, King of Babylon:
Dan. VIII, 3, 4 — Daniel's vision of the ram. Verse 3 —
"He saw a ram with two horns," and one of the horns was
higher than the other. Daniel is again using a s\Tnbol. The
two horns represent the kingdoms of Media and Persia, the
ram the two kingdoms combined. Verse 4 — "He saw the
ram pushing westward, northward and southward, so that
no beast (kingdom) could stand before him, and he became
great." This shows the manner in which the Medes and
Persians conquered the nations around them. Babylon be-
came a tributary nation in 536 B. C, and from that year
until 332 B, C. the Medes and Persians were in the ascend-
ency in that part of the world. This is known as the Per-
sian Era.
Dan. VIII, 20 — "The ram was the king of Media and
Persia."
Dan. VIII, 5-8; 21, 22 — The vision of the goat. Verse 5 —
"Daniel saw a goat and he came from the west. He had one
notable horn and he touched not the ground," etc. "The
goat is the king of Greece in the west of Europe ; the great
horn, the first king." "And he touched not the ground" in-
dicates the rapidity with which his expeditions of war were
conducted, and refers to the Greeks under Alexander the
Great, who in a few years subdued Media and Persia in Asia
Minor, also Tyre, Palestina, Egypt and even a part of East
India. Alexander lived only a few years after his brilliant
conquest and his kingdom was divided among his four gen-
70 ESCHATOI.0GY.
erals. Cassander governed Greece, Tysimachus Thrace, and
the western part of Asia, Seleucus Nicator, Syria and the
countries to India, and Ptolemy, Egypt. (Dan. VIII, 8-22).
This is the Greek Era, from 332—198 B. C.
Dan. VIII, 9-12 ; 23-27— Verse 9— "And out of one of the
fourth kingdoms (Arabia) comes a little horn which waxed
exceeding great toward the south, toward the east and to-
ward the pleasant land."
This little horn represents the Moslem or Saracen king-
dom, which arose from the kingdom of Seleucus Nicator,
one of the four generals. It was under the leadership of
Mohammed the prophet that the Moslems came into power.
Mohammed was born in 570 A. D., at Mecca in Arabia. He
was a wealthy merchant of that city, and was converted to
Christianity in 622 A. D. He died in 632 A. D., only ten
years after he embraced Christianity. But the Saracens
under his leadership had taken the countries of Egypt, Tyre
and Persia, and 'Palestine, the "pleasant land," had fallen
into his power, the city of Jerusalem being captured in 607
A. D. (Dan. VIII, 9, 23, 24).
The war, however, did not cease with Mohammed's death.
For a century the conquest was carried on by the Saracens
under the leadership of several caliphs, who were members
of Hegira. They attempted to invade Europe at Constanti-
nople on the Bosporus in Greece (673-677 A. D.), but were
driven back by the personal heroism of Leo, the Isaurian,
emperor of the eastern empire, who won a complete victory
over them. This important event saved Constantinople and
the invasion of Europe for several centuries.
As the Saracens had failed in their attempt to invade
eastern Europe they turned their attention to the western
part, and gained a foothold in Spain in 711 A. D. At once
they began to plan further invasions, and at length crossed
the Pyrenese and established themselves upon the plains of
Gaul. However, the Franks and their allies, under their
the; sixth church age. 71
leader, Charles Martel, met the Moslems upon the plains of
Tour in Gaul, and completely defeated them, forcing them
to return to Spain. Thus was the Christian civilization saved
to Europe.
But later, as the power of the eastern empire began to
fail, Constantinople was again invaded, this time by the
Turks (1453 A. D.) who were of a different nationality, but
who were followers of Mohammed. They, encouraged by
the capture of Macedonia and Greece in Europe, made a sec-
ond invasion as late as 1683 into the province of Austria.
But at Vienna they were defeated by the Christians under
John Sobieski, and were driven back to Constantinople,
which territory they have held ever since their first invasion
in 1453. The sultan has made that city his seat of power, or
the capital of Turkey.
During the conquest at the beginning of the 15th century,
Palestine, the "pleasant land," fell into the hands of the
Turks, the city being captured in 1453. And Jerusalem, the
holy city, remains under the sovereignty of the sultan today.
(Dan. XI, 36-45). However, there was a feeble effort
made to wrest the Holy Land from Moslem power during
the tenth and twelfth centuries by the Christians in Europe,
known as the War of the Crusaders.
The power of the Moslems shall be "a time, times and a
half time." (Dan. XII, 5-7.) Using the prophetic symbol,
a day equals a year. According to the Julian system of
chronology, a solar year (360 days) equals 360 years. A
time, then, is 360 years, a double time 720 years, and a half
time 180 years, the sum total being 1260 years,
Dan. VIII, 9-12, 23-27.
Dan. XI, 36-45.
The Moslem rule began in 607 A. D., when Mohammed
took Jerusalem. And its power shall endure 1260 years, at
the end of which period it shall begin to wane. At the ap-
pointed time (the end of the 1260 years, in 1798) the French
72 ESCHATOLOGY.
under Napoleon invaded Egypt and the Holy Land, and held
them for several years.
Observe what a parallel history the Latin Church at Rome
and the Saracens under Mohammed at Mecca have had.
The papacy was established in 606 A. D. and extended to
1798, when "the head was wounded unto death," but re-
vived, which means that the Pope was shorn of his political
power, but still retained his ecclesiastical prestige. His politi-
cal authority was wrested from him in 1798 when the French
under Berthier arrested Pope Pius VI and carried him away
from Rome in captivity.
The Moslem kingdom began 607 A. D. when the Sara-
cens under Mohammed captured the Holy City Jerusalem
This was re-taken by the French under Napoleon in 1798.
But the power of the Sultan was not entirely broken. He
is called the Sick Old Man of Europe, his political power
is waning, but he will retain, though feebly,- his hold until
the end.
By some writers it is thought that the Sultan's seat of
government will be changed from Constantinople in Europe
to Jerusalem in Palestine, before the end comes.
Dan. XI, 40-45 — (Note particularly verse 45.)
At the present time a struggle is going on between the
Sultan of Turkey and 'Prince Ferdinand, the ruler over Bul-
garia, in Southeastern Europe. How their struggle will
affect the political influences of these powers in the far
east cannot be predicted, but the event is of great interest.
The Czar of Russia is also concerned in this struggle.
For many years Russia has been jealous of the strategic
point, Constantinople on the Bosporus. The removal of the
Turks from Macedonia would give Russia an outlet to the
southern countries, and would greatly further Russia's com-
mercial interests with those countries. Russia has made re-
peated attempts to capture this point, but the other Euro-
rut SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 73
pean powers have prevented her from accomplishing her
purpose. It is suspected, however, that during the recent
visit of King Edward of England to the Czar, a movement
of this kind was secretly planned.
FOURTH SECTION
(Sixth Church Age.)
We hve had for consideration chapters II, IV, VII and
VIII of Daniel, a complete history in prophecy of the Gen-
tile nations of the earth. In chapter XI there is a summing
up of all important events which are to transpire.
Verses 1 and 2 give the history of the Medes and Per-
sians (536 B. C, 332 B. C.) known as the Persians Era.
Verses 3 and 4, the history of the Greeks, (332 B. C, 198
B. C.) known as the Persian Era, including the Syrian Era;
(198-168 B. C.) Also the Maccabean Era (168-63 B. C.)
These are combined into the same era.
Verses 5-19, history of the latter part of the Roman
Republic. "Kings of the North" is the title applied to the
remarkable leaders, Julius Caesar, Pompey, Anthony and
others. The Ptolemies in Egypt are called Kings of the
South, and there is given the history of the Ptolemies and
Cleopatra in the Punic Wars.
Verses 20-29, history of the Roman Empire, or King of
the North, and the Vandals in Egypt, or King of the South.
The important event is the overthrow of the Vandals in
Egypt.
Verses 30-35, history of the Papacy. The important
events that transpired during the Dark Ages of history,
known as the King of the North.
Verses 36-39, history of the Moslems, or Kings of the
South. The important events were the invasion of Holy
Land or Palistine by the Saracens and their capture of Jeru-
salem, 607 A. D., and their struggle at Tours in France, 732
A. D.
76 ESCHATOI^CXiY.
Verses 40-45, history of the Turks. Important events the
Battle of Constantinople in 1453 and the efforts made to
expel the Turks from Europe, on their invasion of Austria
in 1683. And also in 1798, when the French invaded Egypt
and the Holy Land.
FIFTH SECTION
(Sixth Church Age.)
We have had for consideration Daniel II, IV, VII, VIII
and XI, which give Daniel's prophecies regarding the Gen-
tile nations and the most important events that are to trans-
pire from 536 B, C, the beginning of the Persian Empire,
to the end of time.
Now we will study the peculiar relation which God's peo-
ple, the Jews, are to have toward the Gentiles, and the
important events that are to transpire in the coming ages
relative to the Jews.
Dan, IX — Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks. Verse 25,
Daniel says it shall be seventy weeks from the time the
Decree was made until the coming of the Messiah,
The Decree was written by Cyrus, king of Persia, in the
first year after his victory over Babylon (Ezra I, 1-14), and
it is said that about 60,000 Jews returned at that time, but
the remainder continued to dwell in the realms of Persia.
The reason for this, tradition tells us, was that after Baby-
lon fell under the power of Persia, (536 B, C.) Cyrus lost
his life while engaged in an expedition against the Scythian
tribes of the north (529 B. C.) Then came the reign of
Cambyses, son of Cyrus, 529-522 B. C. During the few
years of his reign he carried on expeditions against Eg}'pt
in Africa, and being unsuccessful in this, he took his own
life. He was followed by Darius I, 521-484 B. C, who
fitted up two expeditons against the Greeks, but was de-
feated, Darius was succeeded by his son Xerxes, 484-464
B, C. Like his father, he commanded an unsuccessful expe-
dition against Greece.
78 ESCHATOLOGY.
The reign of Artaxerxes, 464-359 B. C. (see book of
Esther) was the first time in the history of Persia that she
was at peace with other nations, and was the only time that
was favorable for the exodus of the Jews from Persia.
Nehemiah was cup bearer to Ahaseurus, the king, and was
in favor with him. So during the reign of Artaxerxes in
456 B. C, occurred the Great Reformation, under the lead-
ership of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah I and II.)
At this time then, 456 B. C, begins the period of the sev-
enty weeks. (Dan. IX, 25).
Using the prophetical symbol a day for a year, one day
equals one year. There are seven days in a week, and
seventy prophetical weeks equal seven times seventy
weeks, or 490 years, which is the time foretold until the
coming of the Messiah. Notice particularly the manner
in which Daniel divides this period.
First he says "It shall be seven weeks." If a day equals
a year, then 49 days or seven weeks equals 49 years. Dur-
ing this time the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.
Next he says, "It is three score and two weeks."
Seven times 62 weeks equals 434 years, or until 27 A.
D., when the Messiah was baptized or anointed for his
ministry, or priestly office. (Matt. Ill, 2 -17, "The anoint-
ing of Christ") (In verse 26:) "And after 62 weeks shall the
Messiah be cut off."
Thirdly, he says (verse 27) "for one week," or seven
years, "Christ is to confirm the covenant with many" —
preach the Gospel to many,
"In the midst of the one week he shall cause the sacri-
fice and the oblation to cease, and the abomination that
maketh Desolate shall be poured upon the Desolate," etc.
Our Lord's ministry consumes one-half of the week, or
three and a half years. During the remaining half "the
covenant was to be confirmed with many — the Gospel
THK SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 79
preached to many. (Acts II, particularly verses 37-47.)
This ends the period of the seventy weeks and brings
us down to 34 B. C.
Dan. VII, 7; II 34, 35, 40, 44, 45.
Mark XV.— "Crucifixion of Christ."
Dan. IX, 26-27— Again notice the wording— "At the end
of three score or sixty-two weeks" (483 years) "and in
the midst of the week" (seven years) "the Messiah, the
Prince is cut off," referring to the crucifixion of Christ,
34 A. D.
But Christ is not to be cut off for Himself, "but the city
and the Sanctuary, by the people of the Prince that shall
come and destroy many, and the end shall be with a flood."
The word sactuary here refers to the crucifixion of
Christ, 34 A. D., and the Oblation or Sacrifice shall cease
and the destruction of Jerusalem or the Jews, which oc-
curred in 72 A. D., by Titus, a Roman general. The peo-
ple of the Prince that shall accomplish, this are none other
than the Romans.— Mat. XXVII, 46-54; Luke XXIH,
44-49.
"And unto the end of the war desolation are determined."
Matt. XXIV, 15-22, Christ gives sanction to Daniel's
prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem.
In connection with Dan. IX, we introduced Rev. XI, 1-14,
"the two witnesses prophesy." In verses 1 and 2 the
angel is commannded to measure the temple, but the court
on the outside was not to be measured."
"It was given unto the Gentiles to be trodden under
foot," " for forty and two months."
Using the symbol, a prophetical day for a year, a month,
or thirty days equals thirty years and forty-two months
is forty-two times thirty years, or 1260 years.
Rev. XII, 6.
80 SSCHATOLOGY.
Then this period of 1260 years is to begin in 72 A. D.,
v.hen the church or the Jews were led into in the wilderness
or dispersed, and were scattered throughout the ten king-
doms of Europe.
"This is the place that God had prepared to feed and
keep His people until they were thus scattered."
Dan. XII, 9-13.— "Until God shall scatter His people,"
they go as missionaries among these nations. In verse
11, Daniel says it shall be 1290 days. This refers to the
same period, using again the symbol, a day for a year,
would equal 1290 years. But Daniel begins with 34A. D.,
the crucifixion of Christ. There is a difiference of thirty
years between the dates given us by Daniel and by the
author of Revelation, 1290 years and 1260 years, but we
can see at a glance that they are the same. The difference
between 34 A. D., when Christ was crucified, and 72 A. D.,
v/hen Jerusalem was destroyed, is a little more than 30
years. But there is no discrepancy between the two state-
ments, nor can there be any doubt as to their referring to
the same period of time. And it is understood that this
period is the early beginning of the Reformation that is to
spring up in the kingdoms of Europe. Daniel must have so
understood it. Dan. XII, 12. For this last statement
would extend the time until the Reformation was thor-
oughly established.
Below is a list of some of the early reformers, and the
place and time of their work.
The early beginning of Reformation.
The Moravians, an evangelical Christian Church in Sax-
ony, Germany, 1457.
Theodore Baza, at Bezley, France, 1548.
Peter Martin, 1542.
John Calvin, 1529.
John Knox in Scotland, 1542.
THE SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 81
Wm. Tyndale in England, 1525.
Martin Luther in Germany, 1507.
Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland, 1517.
John Huss in Bohemia, 1345.
John Wycliffe in England, 1348.
Jerome in Prague, 1400.
New Jerusalem Church — Baron Swedenburg, 1188.
The Reformation in England by King Henry VIII, 1525.
The Waldenses by Peter Waldo at Lyons, France, 1170.
This was the strongest body of Protestants in all Europe
at that time. They lived at Patine in the Alps. Pope
Innocent III of Rome ordered a crusade against them in
1205.
It is certain that both Daniel and John refer to this
period of time.
Dan. XII, 9-13 and Rev. XI, 3; XII, 6.
As was stated above, the thirty years difference in the
two dates is caused by Daniel beginning with the Cruci-
fixion (34 A. D.) and John from the destruction of Jeru-
salem by Titus (72 A. D.). Allowing for this, the time
i^ identical.
We will now consider Rev. XII, 1 : "The Vision of the
Great Red Dragon." "And there appeared in Heaven a
great wonder, a woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon
under feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."
In this symbol the woman represents the Church, and
the Sun refers to the Gospel dispensation. The 'Moon is
the Law dispensation, and the crown of 12 stars to the 12
tribes of Israel. At the coming of the Messiah, the Law,
or Old Testament dispensation, came to an end, or was
overshadowed by the Gospel or New Testament dispensa-
tion, called the Gospel Age.
6
82 E^SCHATOI^OGY.
Verse 2 — "And she being with child cried, travaihng in
birth and pain to be deHvered." Christ the Son of God
had appeared unto the world to establish His kingdom of
righteousness, the Gospel upon earth. And Zion, the Moon,
or Law dispensation, travaileth in birth, and out of her
womb the Messiah was born unto the world.
Verse 3 — "And there appeared another wonder in Heav-
en, and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and
ten horns, and seven crowns upon his head."
The red dragon refers to Satan, the Devil. Rev. XH, 9.
The seven heads are the seven political kingdoms that we
have under consideration; the ten horns the political divi-
sions that came up in Europe. The seven crowns are the
ecclesiastical or false religious influences that had sat upon
the heads of the seven great political powers ruling the
earth, and that were to continue to sit upon the heads of
the ten political kingdoms of Europe.
Rev. XVI, 12-1'4 — "And I saw three unclean 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."
The world from the beginning of history has been dom-
inated by three great false religions, the dragon, or 'Pagan-
ism, the beast, or Papacy, and the false prophet, or Mo-
hammedenism.
Rev. XH, 4, 5— "The Fallen Angels." Verse 4— "And
He drew the third part of the stars of heaven and did cast
them upon earth."
n Peter H, A — The Fallen Angels.
Jude 6 — The Fallen Angels.
Isaiah XIV, 4-23.
Rev. XII, 5— "And she brought forth a man child."
Isaiah IX, 1-8 — Christ's birth and kingdom.
Luke II, 1-14— "The birth of Christ."
Rev. XI, 4 — The two olive trees.
THU SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 83
Zech. IV — The Two Witnesses (referring to same inci-
dent). The first witness is to prophesy forty-two months
or 1260 years. This is the law dispensation, and ends at
the coming of Christ. The representative head of "Zion,"
or the Law dispensation, was John Baptist. Mai. Ill, 1-6.
The fore-runner of Christ.
Mat. III.
Rev. XI, 3,4 — "The second witness was to prophesy one
thousand two hundred and three-score days, or 1260
years."
Rev. XII, 6 — "And the woman fled into the wilderness."
This is the Church or Gospel dispensation, and its repre-
sentative head is Christ.
Rev. XI, 5-13 — Their personal testimony. Verses 7-13.
The active personal ministry of both John Baptist and
Christ our Lord was three and a half years. Verse 9 —
"John says three and a half days," which means three and
a half years.
Matt. Ill, 11-17— John's testimony of Christ.
Matt. XI, l-U — Christ's testimony of John.
Rev. XI, 8 — "And their dead bodies shall lie in the
streets of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom
and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." It is
true that John Baptist was beheaded by Herod a short time
before Christ's death. And our Lord was crucified by
Pilate at the request of the Jews in Jerusalem, 34 A. D.
Rev. XI, l'^ — "The second Woe is past, and behold the
third Woe cometh quickly."
At this time with the crucifixion of Christ, the second
woe is to end.
Matt. XXVII, 46-54— Christ's crucifixion.
Luke XXIII, 44-48.
Rev. VIII, 13 — Remember the Wail of the three Woes.
As there were only seven angels who had trumpets to sound
84 ESCHATOLOGY.
(the first four trumpets had sounded prior to the Fifth
Church Age), and as these woes were to come under the
last three angels to sound their trumpets. These three
Woes, then, would begin with the blast of the fifth angel's
trumpet, and that was at the beginning of Sardis, the fifth
church age, in 721 B. C, and the first Woe then begins
wath the captivity of Judah by Babylon in 606 B. C. The
first Woe lasted five months, or a period of 150 years.
(Rev. IX, 5.) This covers the period from 606 B. C. to
456 B. C, the time of the Great Reformation under Ne-
liemiah, in the time of Artaxerxes, king of Persia.
Rev. IX, 12— "The first Woe is past." The second Woe
begins with that date, 456 B. C, and extends to the cruci-
fixion of the Messiah, 34 A. D., a period equal to 456
years.
"The third and last Wail of Woe is to come quickly."
Rev. XI, 1^1 — "Behold the last Woe cometh quickly."
Ezek. XVI — Read the whole chapter, then verses 21-23.
The destruction of Jerusalem (72 A. D.). Luke XXI,
20-24, 32, 33.
Christ phophesying the destruction of Jerusalem in 72 A.
D., by the Romans. At this time He prophesies also of
His second coming in the latter days, or the end. (Luke
XXI, 5-19; 25-31.)
Rev. XII, 6-17. Then 12-14— The last Woe.
Rev. XII, 3-lA — "The woman fled into the wilderness"
(verse 6) "where she hath a place prepared of God, that
they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and
three-score days."
Using the symbol again, a day for a year, this period
equals 1260 years. It begins in 72 A. D., when the Romans
destroyed Jerusalem and led the Jews away into captivity,
they go as missionaries among the nations of Europe. And
this period, 1260 years, extends also to the beginning of
the Reformation.
SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 85
Dan. XII, 9-13, and verse 7— "And when God shall have
accomplished to scatter the power of His holy people, all
these things shall be finished."
This event is to begin 34 A. D., when the Messiah was
crucified, and extends to the beginning of the Reformation,
In verse 11 Daniel says there are a thousand two hundred
and ninety days, which equals 1290 years. In verse 12,
"Blessed is He that waiteth and cometh unto the thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days," which would extend
the time until the Reformation was thoroughly established.
The ancient Chaldeans or Babylonians were of the
Semitic branch or race of people, "and were cut oflf"
by the kingdom of Persia in 536 B. C. The Persians were
of the Aryan or Caucasian race, known as Indo-Europeans.
(Dan. IV, 25, 26, "Until seven times should pass over
them.") Like these, the Jews also were of the Semitic
race, and like the Babylonians the Semitic race had gov-
erned the nations in Asia Minor — ever since the deluge.
"And now the power of God's holy people was to be
scattered until all things shall be finished."
Dan. VIII, 13,14: "A vision concerning the daily sacri-
fice and the transgression of the desolation to the trodden
under foot."
"Both the sanctuary and the host." The sanctuary refers
to the crucifixion, 34 A. D., and the host to the Holy Peo-
ple, who were cut off in 72 A. D.
Verse \4 — "And the angel said unto Daniel, unto two
thousand three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be
cleansed."
According to the symbolic day, which equals a year, we
have a period of 2,300 years. Beginning with the time
of Christ's crucifixion, 34 A. D., it is to be 2300 years
"until the sanctuary is cleansed." Then, subtracting 1908,
the present year, from 2300 years, there are yet remaining
86 ESCHATOLOGY.
392 years, "until all these things are finished," or until the
beginning of the Millenium, or Seventh Church Age. Then
the Holy People, the Jews, shall have been restored to
their own country, 'Palestine.
Rev. XIV, 1-16 — "And the angel with the first sickle
went forth to reap the harvest." There could not have been
a more opportune time for reaping, as the Law dispensa-
tion was now passing away and the Gospel Age was being
ushered in. For the harvest time of the Law Age was
now ready, and the number of those that were sealed or
redeemed will now be garnered in.
Rev. VII — The number of those who were sealed.
Ezek. II, 9, 10; III, 1-3— The roll— the Old Testament
scriptures.
Rev. X, 1, 2; 8-11— The New Testament Scriptures.
Rev. X, Z-7 — An angel with a book. In verses 3 and 4
John says, "When the seven thunders had uttered their
voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from
Heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the
seven thunders uttered (the seventh angel with the trum-
pet that is to sound in the Seventh Church Age, or the Mil-
lenium) and write them not."
The events that are to occur in the Seventh Church Age
were not ready to be revealed, so he was to "seal them
up, and write them not." None but Christ, the Lamb of the
tribe of Judah, could open the Book, the Seventh Church
Age, and the time for this had not yet come into existence —
has not revealed itself to the world.
Verse 7 — "But in the days of the voice of the seventh
angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God
should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the
prophets."
Isa. LXVI— "The final restoration of Israel."
At the end of the sixth church age this very important
SIXTH CHURCH AGE). 87
event takes place — God's people are to return again and
restore and inhabit their own country. All other events
which have transpired fade into insignificance before this
one.
Verses 19 and 20— "And they" (the Gentile nations)
"shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the
Lord out of all nations upon horses and in chariots and in
litters and upon mules and upon swift beasts to my holy
mountain in Jerusalem."
Zech. X, 6-12 — Final restoration of Israel. Read verse
10 carefully. Verse 11 — "And He shall pass through the
sea with affliction and shall smite the waves in the sea and
all the deeps of the river shall dry up." (Sea and river
means people or nations of people.) God is going to af-
flict the Gentile nations that hold possession of the Holy
Land when the time of the prophecy is fulfilled. The na-
ture of these afflictions is in the future, and remains to be
seen,
"And the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and
the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away."
The Persians now inhabit Assyria and the Sultan of
Turkey controls the Holy Land, Palestine, and Egypt in
Africa. And when these nations are destroyed and their
power taken away, then the way will be opened for God's
holy people to return unto the Holy Land.
Just how the difficulty between Bulgaria and Turkey
will terminate cannot at present be determined, but Tur-
key's political strength is failing, and the nation is con-
trolled by the powers of Europe. Russia is implicated in
the struggle between these eastern countries, as Constan-
tinople on the Bosporus has always been a strat-egic point,
and an outlet between Europe and Asia Minor, and the
countries of Arabia and Egypt on the south. Russia for
several centuries has been covetous of this point, but has
88 ESCHATOLOGY.
failed in all attempts to get control of it, other interested
European nations interfering to prevent. Recently, how-
ever, Edward VII of England has visited the Czar of Rus-
sia and it is rumored that they reached an agreement to
dismember Turkey.
Eg>^pt, though in possession of Turkey, is virtually con-
trolled by England. The Rothschilds, wealthy bankers of
London and France, who for a number of years have con-
trolled the commercial interests of the world, are Jews, and
it is said that they hold a mortgage on Palestine for money
loaned to the Sultan of Turkey, and they favor the coloniza-
tion of the Jews in Palestine. Sixteen societies are at work
in different countries to accomplish this plan. Recently
the Zionists met in New York, and a measure was passed
toward establishing a colony in the Holy Land.
These important events should be watched as they de-
velop into maturity. They lead to the fulfillment of the
prophecy concerning God's holy people, Israel.
Ezek. XXXVII— "The Resurrection of Dry Bones.
Ezekial was to prophesy on the dry bones, that they might
live."
This symbol represents both Judah and Israel — the whole
house of Israel.
In verses 16 and 17, he was to take two sticks. These
are supposed to be the tablets of clay that were used to
stamp cuneiform characters upon, the manner of writing
used by the early Chaldeans. And he was to join them,
that they should be united again, as one whole house of
Israel.
We remember that in 721 B. C. the Ten Tribes, Ephraim
or Israel, were led into captivity by the Assyrians, and they
never after that returned, so that they are known as the
"ten lost tribes of Israel."
SIXTH CHURCH AGE. 89
In 606 B. C. Benjamin and Judah, known as Judah,
v\ere taken captive by Babylon. The two tribes also re-
mained in captivity in Persia. In 536 B. C. Cyrus, king of
'Persia, issued a decree of release and they returned to
Persia, when they were again conquered in 63 B. C,
by the Romans. Then followed the destruction of Jerusa-
lem by Titus, a Roman general, in 72 A. D., and the Jews
were led away captives, to be scattered among the nations
of Europe. Ezekiel is to re-unite them, that they may be-
come one whole house again, when they shall return to the
Holy Land.
Ezek. XL, XLVIII— These should be studied with care.
In chapter XL is given the Vision of the City. We must
not confuse the rebuilding of this city (which will be Jeru-
salem, the Holy City) with the restoring of the city at the
beginning of this, the sixth church age, when the exodus
of the Jews out of Persia occurred, 456 B. C.
Haggai II — Rebuilding of the city. Haggai gives a
glowing description of the Second Temple. But Ezekiel is
describing the city that is yet to be built at the end of the
sixth church age, when the Jews shall be restored to the
Holy Land.
In chapter XLI he describes the temple. And in XLV-
XLVIII the division of the land again between the twelve
tribes which shall be done, at this time when the Holy Peo-
ple are to be permanently established and to remain unto
the end.
Ezek. XXXVIII, XXXIX— He prophesies against Gog
and Magog. He gives a graphic description of them and
their complete destruction. The term Magog means a
north country, and Gog, the ruler of a north country. This
north country refers to Russia. Then he prophesies against
Meshech and Tubal and the prince of these countries,
which are supposed to be Germany and France, and
90 ESCHATOI^OGY.
are to be allies of Russia. They seem to be on friendly
terms at present. But during the struggle of Russia and
Japan, Russia tried to secure a sum of money to defray the
expenses of the war from the Rothschilds, bankers in Eng-
land. But the Rothschilds are Jews, and they refused to
make the loan because at that time Russia was severely
persecuting the Russian Jews. She then applied to France
and the loan was granted. After the war ended, Russia
secured a loan of $15,000,000 from Germany to rebuild her
navy, which had been destroyed by the Japanese.
These events are mentioned because they affect the great
political movements which are yet to transpire among the
nations of the earth.
Chapter XXXVIII, 13— "Sheba and Dedan and the mer-
chants of Tarshish with all the young lions thereof shall
say unto thee, Hast thou come to take a spoil, hast thou
gathered thy company to take a prey, to carry away silver
and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take away great
spoil ?"
Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, the young
lions, etc., are to be the allied powers in the south, and Eng-
land, because of her commercial relations in Egypt and th%
colonies of Africa, and in Arabia and East India. The
United States is included because of her interest in the
'Philippine Islands, and perhaps Japan and China.
And lastly, the whole house of Israel, the holy people,
shall in the fulfillment of time have returned and estab-
lished themselves in the Holy Land. Then the great
struggle which has been prophesied will occur. And from
the description that Ezekiel gives of this struggle between
the nations, will be an event such as the world has never
before witnessed. The strife is to be between Russia and
her allied forces of the northern European countries, and
England and the United States of America and their allied
SIXTH CHURCH AGE). 91
forces of the south countries. The origin of this difficulty
is the possession of the Holy Land. The world may not
look for any great international disturbances until that one
shall come.
Ezekiel draws a fair picture of the struggle, the fearful
destruction, etc. He says that five-sixths of the army of
the north countries are to be destroyed in battle.
Zech. XHI— "A Fearful Calamity." Rev. XVUI. And
two-thirds of the inhabitants of the Holy Land, the nations
of Israel, shall be destroyed in this great struggle. And
by this affliction God is to refine the third part of His peo-
ple who live. This is the last great event, the summing
up of the historical happenings of the sixth church age,
preparatory to the seventh age, or the Millenium, and the
second coming of Christ Our Lord.
Rev. XIV, 17-20— "The angel with the second sickle."
This is the time that the second angel is commanded to
reap, the second harvest time of the world.
(Rev. XVI, 12-16 — The Angel with the Sixth Viae
OF Wrath.)
This is a fitting emblem of this church age. In verses 13
and 14 the three unclean spirits, like frogs, are the three
false religions that have dominated the earth from the be-
ginning of creation until the present time, namely Pagan-
ism, Romanism and IMohammedenism.
the End of the sixth church age.
SEVENTH CHURCH
AGE
LAODICEAO
MILLENIAL PERIOD
Duration, 1,000 Years
* Judgment.
SEVENTH CHURCH AGE
THE LETTER TO THE SEVENTH CHURCH AGE.
We will now read the Message.
Rev. Ill, 14-22.
This letter should be compared with the Message to Sar-
dis and Philadelphia. In verse 20 the Lord says : "Behold I
stand at the door and knock : if any man know my voice, and
open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him
and he with me."
In verses 1-5— The Message to Sardis.
In verses 7-8— The Message to Philadelphia.
These passages need no comment.
THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED.
Rev. VIII, 1— "And when he had opened the Seventh
Seal, there was silence in Heaven, about the space of half
an hour."
THE SECOND COMING OE CHRIST.
This is the all important event of the Seventh Church Age.
It is to occur at the beginning of the Millennial Age.
There could never be a more opportune time for this. In
fact, all events of the Six Church Ages were preparatory
to those of the Seventh.
Rev. XIX; Zech, XIV; Matt. XXIV, 21-37— The signs
of Christ's coming.
I Thes. V, 1-10 — Description of Christ's coming.
I John, III, 1-3 — The manner of Christ's coming.
96 ESCHATOLOGY.
And this age is the one in which Judgment, Justice and
Righteousness shall sit upon thrones, and reign over the
nations of the earth, (Matt, V, 1-12, re-reading verse 5;
Luke X, 23-37, re-reading verse 27 ; Is, XI, Christ's 'Peace-
able Kingdom.)
All the nations of the earth now will be at peace.
Rev. XX, 1, 2 — "And John saw an angel come down from
Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great
chain in his hand, and laid hold on the Dragon, the Devil,
and bound him a thousand years."
The angel with the great chain represents the religious
authority that shall have so modified the moral forces of
the earth, so that the evil influences of the Devil will be cast
into the bottomless pit. He will be overcome and those
who favor civic, social and spiritual righteousness will sit on
thrones and judge the nations of the earth.
Verse 3 — "And cast the Dragon, the Devil, the Old
Serpent into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a
seal upon him. That he might deceive the nation no more
until the thousand years had expired."
But at the end of the Seventh Church Age, "he is to be
loosed a little season."
Rev. X, 1-7— An Angel with the Book.
THE SOUND OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET.
Rev. XI, 15-19.
This needs no comment.
THE EIRST RESURRECTION.
Rev. XX, A — "And I saw thrones and they that sat upon
them ; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for
the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which
had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, nor had
received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands;
and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
the; seventh church age. 97
Verse 5 — "But the rest of the dead lived not again until
the thousand years were finished.
"This is the first resurrection."
The thrones signifies authority, power and justice, "Anc'
they that sat upon them," those who are righteous shall
govern and judge the people of this age. "And it is they
who are to reign with Christ during the thousand years."
It is the righteous who have lived in all the six ages
prior to the Seventh Age, who were truly followers of Our
Lord and Master Jesus Christ. "Who had not worshipped
the beast, nor his image, nor received his mark in their
foreheads," etc. These are the qualifications of those that
shall have part in the First Resurrection.
Verse 5 — "The rest of the dead are not to be raised in
the First Resurrection, that is, the wicked of all the six
church ages prior to the seventh "until the thousand years
are finished."
In verse 6 John says in great exultation, "Blessed is he
that hath part in the First Resurrection, for on such the
second death will have no power." This means that those
who are righteous and have part in the First Resurrection
at this time will receive judgment, and they will not again
appear before God in the final judgment, when the wicked,
who were not raised in the First Resurrection and those
who are of this period will appear in judgment before God
at the end of the Millennium, or Seventh Church Age.
It is the righteous, then, who are raised in the First Resur-
rection, and the righteous who are of this age that are to
reign with our Lord "until the thousand years are finished."
the manner of the resurrection.
Job XIX, 25-27— Job's belief of the Resurrection.
Gen. V, 21-2-1 — Enoch translated. Notice that Enoch was
translated in the First Church Age or Ephesus. He is
98 ESCHATOLOGY.
a witness for the Anteldiluvian Age, General Epistle of Jude
14, 15.
Deut. XXXIV, 1-6— Death of Moses. This is mentioned
incidentally. "For God buried Moses, and no man knoweth
his burying place, not even until this day."
Matt. XVII, 1-13— "But on the Mount of Transfigura-
tion in the days of Christ, just before his crucifixion, Christ
went into a high mountain. Peter, James and John were
with him." Moses and Elias were present and talked with
Him, perhaps concerning the manner of His death and res-
urrection.
II Kings II, 1-12 — Elijah translated. To this important
event that should be made known to the world after the
death of Christ we have six witnesses. Three witnesses for
Zion, or the Law Dispensation, Enoch, Elijah and Moses,
and three for the Gospel dispensation, Peter, James and
John.
Under the Jewish law it required three witnesses to
establish a fact of a thing that might be in controversy or in
doubt. So to establish the fact of the Resurrection, its pur-
pose and what it should be, we have the Law Dispensation
and the Gospel Dispensation represented, by three wit-
nesses each.
HOW THE DEAD ARE RAISED.
John XI, 1-46 — Lazarus raised from death. In verses
21-27 the Lord explains to Martha the nature of the resur-
rection.
Luke XXIV — Christ's resurrection. Reading the chapter
will be sufficient comment.
I Cor. XV — The manner of Christ's Resurrection. Paul
very clearly set forth the nature of the resurrection. Re-
read verses 51-57. Paul sheweth a mystery.
THE SEVENTH CHURCH AGE. 99
THE NECESSITY OF THE MILLENIUM.
Matt. XXVIII, 19-20— "The great commission to the
church was to "go and preach the Gospel to all nations,"
etc. And this mission had been carried on by the Bride, the
Church. But the work was not yet a complete one.
Mark XVI, 14-20 — A greater commission is now given,
a more complete work is to be done. The Gospel is now
to be preached to every creature, so that all who are of the
Seventh Church Age may know Christ, may learn Him in
the full knowledge and power of His redeeming grace.
Rev. XX, 7-10 — "Satan is loosed a short season." Verse
7 — "And when the thousand years is expired, Satan shall
be loosed out of his prison." Notice how this is to occur
at the end of the Millennial Age.
The condition of some having become luke-warm or in-
different toward the cause of the Master, and this is to be
a test of their faith in Christ, a trial to see who are worthy
of Him, and preparatory to the final judgment that is now
soon to transpire.
Verse 8 — "And he shall go out to deceive the nations of
the earth — Gog and Magog — and gather them together to
do battle."
Ezek. XXXVIII, XXXIX— Read these understandingly.
We must not be confused by the event in verse 9, the siege
of the "Beloved City" by Gog and Magog. For this event
is occurring at the end of the Laodicean or Seventh Church
Age, while the other event, similar indeed, transpired at the
end of the Philadelphian or Sixth Church Age. Still we
believe that it refers to the same remote countries in north-
ern Europe. Magog, Russia, then Meshech and Tubal, in
the prophecy of Ezekiel concerning them at the end of the
vSixth Church Age. Nearly the same statement is made
and the same countries are implied. But one event transpires
at the end of the Philadelphian Age and the other is to trans-
100 ESCHATOI.OGY.
pire a thousand years later, at the end of the Seventh Church
Age or the Millennium.
Rev. XX, 11 — "And John saw a great w^hite throne, and
Him who sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the
heaven fled away ; and there was found no place for them."
Notice the phraseology of this verse. The difiference is
seen at a glance. This speaks of only one throne — a Great
White Throne, and this event is at the Final Judgment, at
the end of the Seventh Church Age.
Verse 4 — The word thrones is the plural form, hence there
are more than one throne. There is then more than one
occupying the thrones. This transpires at the beginning
of the Seventh Church Age. Those who are in righteous
authority are the ones who shall sit upon the thrones, of
which there will be many.
But in verse 11, there is only one throne, "And Him that
sat upon it," This is a single person, and has reference to
God himself.
Verse 12 — "John saw all the dead (note this expression)
both small and great, stand before God." Remember that
the wicked dead of all the first six church ages who were
not raised in the first resurrection, (verses 5 and 6) they are
now, at the expiration of the seventh church age, to ap-
pear in judgment, before God. With them will appear, also,
both the righteous and the wicked who had lived during
the Seventh Church Age.
"And the books were opened." (Rev. V. VI.)
There were seven books, a book for each of the seven
church ages that had passed.
The books were the seven ages, containing the important
historical events as they transpired.
"And another book was opened," which is the Book of
Life. In this is the summing up of all the seven books of
the seven ages. The Book of Life contains only the names
THE SEVENTH CHURCH AGE. 101
of the righteous, who are sealed, or have been redeemed in
the blood of Christ, during all the seven church ages.
And the Book of Life is our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
Verse 13 — "And the sea gave up the dead which were
in it; and death and hell (the grave) delivered the wicked
dead that were in them; and they were judged, every man
according to their works."
This reference includes all of the wicked dead of all the
seven church ages, who shall all, both small and great, stand
before God in the final judgment.
Verses 14 and 15 — "And Death and Hell were cast into
the Lake of Fire. And whosoever was not found written
in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire."
"And THIS IS the Second Death." Notice how graphic-
ally this important scene is pictured by the Revelator, who
was led to see it all as it transpired, and to give it as it was
shown to him, to the world. This record constitutes the
Book of Revelation — a most wonderful book.
Rev. XXII, 6-21— The character of the wicked.
II Peter 11.
Rev. XXI, 5-8.
Rev. XVI, 17-21— The Seventh Vial of Wrath.
And now we have reached the end — the consummation of
all that has transpired in all the Seven Church Ages.
END OE THE SEVEN CHURCH AGES.
FINALE
The events mentioned in chapter XXI, 1-7, 9-27, and in
XXII, 1-6 of Revelation, are distinctly apart from any of the
historical events that were contained in the Seven Church
Ages.
So we will consider these separately, and will take them
up as a Finale for the reason that they give us an insight
into the events that are to transpire after the seven ages
have ended.
We will first give attention to the twenty-first chapter.
Rev. XXI, 5 ; 1-3— The order of the verses is transposed
so that we may get a clearer understanding of the event now
under consideration.
Verse 5 — "And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold
I make all things new." This has reference to God and His
supreme authority."
Verse 1 — "And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for
the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away; and
there was no more sea."
All things are made new. This is a controverted point
in scripture, some Bible students believing that the earth
is not to be consumed by fire or be completely annihilated,
but the old earth is to be transformed, and this transforma-
tion will give it the appearance of a new earth.
Those who are inclined to the belief in the burning up or
utter destruction of the earth refer to the statement made
by Peter. (II Peter III, 10-13.)
Verse 10 — "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief
in the night, in the which the Heaven shall pass away with
104 ESCHATOLOGY.
a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up."
At first glance this statement, we must confess, seems
to indicate a complete annihilation of the earth. But let us
analyze it.
Peter is using a figure of speech when he refers to the
"fire that is to consume." In our language, the element
fire conveys the strongest terms of the indignation of God's
Divine Wrath against all sin. We believe that Peter uses
this term to describe the destruction, not of the earth, but
of the wickedness that abounds in the earth — it is the man-
ner of God's dealing with the ungodly, the wicked, etc.
Read verse 1-7 — The fifth verse says, "For this they will-
ingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens
were of old, and the earth standing out of the water."
Verse 6 — "Whereby the world that then was, being over-
flowed with water, perished."
Verse 7 — "But the heavens and the earth which are now,
by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against
the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
Compare the wording of verses 6 and 7, and see if they
do not have similar meaning.
In the sixth verse Peter refers to the flood. He says, "The
world being overflowed with water perished," the earth was
not annihilated by water, but the wicked of the First Church
Age were destroyed by the Deluge." (Gen. VI.)
II Peter II, 7 — "The earth by the same word (or power)
is kept in store, reserved unto fire." He is now speaking of
the future, "against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men." It is to be the wicked and ungodly who are
to be consumed by the fire of God's wrath in the Day of
Judgment.
II Peter II.
Rev. XXI, 8.
FINALE. 105
Also it has been demonstrated beyond doubt by the science
of biology and by chemical processes, that no substance,
whether solid or gaseous, can be destroyed. Its form may
be changed, but the elements of which it is composed re-
main intact.
By this knowledge we learn the impossibility of total an-
nihilation. The earth, then, can not be utterly destroyed.
The term when so used is misapplied. It is only a figure of
speech, and is used to indicate the utter destruction of all
sill by God's consuming zvrath. And this truly is to be God's
means in transforming the old earth.
Rev. XXI, 2— "And John saw the Holy City, New Jeru-
salem, coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband." (Rev. XIX.)
This has reference to the church, to those who have
been redeemed in the blood of the Lamb (Christ), the right-
eous who now alone shall inherit the new earth. The wicked
with all evil and all manner of unrighteousness are eradi-
cated from off the earth.
With these conditions so changed, the earth will indeed
appear as though it were created anew.
This is the transformation that is to be wrought.
Verse 3 — "And I heard a voice out of Heaven saying,
Behold the tabernacle of God is with men. and He will dwell
with them, and they shall be His people and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God."
The interpretation of this verse would seem to be that the
inhabitants of the New Earth will be men. "Behold, the
tabernacle of God is with men." This tabernacle has refer-
ence to holiness of heart and living. That will characterize
the occupants of the New Earth. Men will know God and
will be obedient to His will.
John XIV, 1-3 — Christ comforteth His disciples.
In verse 1 Christ says, "Let not your heart be troubled;
ye believe in God, believe also in me."
106 ESCHATOLOGY.
This occasion was just before His crucifixion, and the dis-
ciples were sad and heavy-hearted, troubled at the thought
of having to part with the Lord. Christ comforts His dis-
ciples and continues to say, in verse 2, "In my Father's house
are many mansions ; if it were not so I would have told you."
The word "mansions" is plural — more than one mansion is
referred to. The idea that He refers to buildings or man-
sions such as we occupy for homes, is unworthy of even a
moment's consideration.
Then the statement must imply some other thought.
We believe it has reference to the occupancy of the stars,
as we sometimes express it, the planetary systems of the
worlds. This follows out the plural significance of the
word mansions, as there are system after system of plane-
tary worlds. "In my Father's house" implies the Heavens —
all space everywhere. God is omnipresent — the whole
Heavens are filled with planetary systems, or systems of
worlds — "many mansions,"
By the use of the telescope and by other investigations of
astronomy we learn that there are one billion, one hundred
and seventy million planets or worlds; these are mansions
in God's House in the Heavens. And perhaps these are only
a few, comparatively speaking, of the mansions that the
heavens contain, or of the inhabitable planets of the universe.
We have eight planets in our solar system, and Jupiter, the
sixth planet from the sun, is said to be fourteen times as
large as our earth, the mansion we occupy in our Father's
House.
There are myriads of fixed stars, called suns, the one
nearest us being Centauri, which gives four times as much
light as our sun. Another, Vega, gives forty times as much
light; Sirius fifty times, and Arcturus 200 times as much
as our sun. These are the four fixed stars visible to the eye,
but by means of the the telescope we can see eighty millions
of them.
FINALS. 107
And we believe this is the meaning of the Master when
He said, "In my Father's house are many mansions."
In verse 3 He says : "I go to prepare a place for you."
Notice He uses the singular form, "a place" — only one
mansion in the statement to which He refers. And this one
is not now ready for occupancy. He says, "I go to prepare,"
implying that the place is to be ready in the future — is being
prepared now. The Master means to say, "I go to prepare
a place" (our earth) for occupancy, and our earth is now
undergoing the preparation to fit it for the habitation of the
righteous, as "a mansion in the skies."
In verse 3 the Master continues: "I will come again and
receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be
also." This refers to His second coming, and in our study
of this lesson we see the "place" now ready to be the eternal
abode of the righteous.
Rev. XXI, 1 — "And I saw a New Heaven and a New
Earth."
This is a mansion in God's House, an eternal dwelling
place for the righteous,
THE HOLY JERUSALEM.
Rev. XXI, 10-21— The Great City, the Holy Jerusalem.
John's description of the Great City, the Holy Jerusalem,
does not need any comment.
If the New Earth is to be occupied by human inhabitants,
the preparation for the material interests must be carried on
as well as for the moral and spiritual interests, and God has
made just such preparation as is required by the occupants
of the New Earth, for their good and happiness.
We believe the Holy City Jerusalem is to be the seat of
government of all the nations that will inhabit the New
Earth.
Verse 22 — "And I saw no temple therein ; for the Lord
God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." John is
108 ESCHATOLOGY.
here referring to the spiritual interest of the city. There will
be no such temple as we had during the former seven church
ages, for all will be holiness and righteousness unto the
Lord. The power of holiness which is of God and the Lamb
(Christ) shall reign supreme among men.
Verse 23 — "And the city had no need of the Sun," which
has reference to the Gospel Dispensation during the Sixth
and Seventh Church Ages. "Neither the moon to shine in
it." This refers to the Law Dispensation during the Fourth
and Fifth Church Ages. The New Earth does not require
these agencies, for they would be inferior to complete holi-
ness as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord, which is to characterize
the inhabitants of the New Earth.
Rev. XXI, 5 — "Behold, I make all things new, saith the
Lord."
Rev. XXI, 23— "For the glory of the Lord did lighten it
and the Lamb (Christ) is the light thereof."
Read verses 24-27.
Verse 2-4 — "And the nations of them which are saved
shall walk in the light of it, for the glory of God did lighten
it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor
unto it."
This means those who have the authority to rule and
govern the New Earth.
THE RIVE^R AND THE TREE OE ElEE.
Rev. XXII, 1-5.
Verse 1 — "And he shewed me a pure River of Water of
Life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God."
This statement, again, is figurative language. Water has
always been used as a symbol of purity, clean, white, clear,
because of its cleansing qualities. "The River of Water"
represents purity, holiness, and Godliness, as it is in Christ
our Lord, and to be sure, this Pure River, clear as crystal,
proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb. God's
FINALE. 109
throne, or seat of righteous power and justice, is in Heaven.
"The Lamb" represents Christ, and through Christ our Lord
the purity of holiness and Godliness shall flow out from the
throne of God in Heaven through Christ our Lord, to bless
the nations or inhabitants of the New Earth.
As to the forms of water here referred to, fountains,
rivers, lakes, seas, etc., these all, we believe, will continue to
have their uses for the inhabitants of the New Earth just
as they have had in the past.
Verse 1 has reference to the purity, holiness and godli-
ness which characterize "the Lamb," Christ. The elements
of purity in His life are to flow through Christ from God in
Heaven in all of their purity, to bless the inhabitants of the
New Earth.
Verse 2— "In the midst of the street of it, and on either
side of the River, there was the Tree of Life, which bare
twelve manners of fruits and yielded her fruits every month,
and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the na-
tions."
Like the first verse, the second represents Christ our
Lord. It was through the purifying elements in the blood
of the Lamb (Christ) that the righteous of the earth were
healed or redeemed of all their iniquities. "And were washed
and made clean in the blood of the Lamb." And it is
through Christ, the "Tree of Life," through His saving
power, that the elements of purity shall continue to grow
forever to bless the righteous and to be a safeguard to
the inhabitants of the New Earth. We believe also that
there will be trees growing then as now, and also all vege-
tables will continue to grow. Their chemical elements and
medicinal properties will remain the same as they now are,
and their office in sustaining life will be the- same as at
present. In the proper use of them God will continue,
through Christ, the "Tree of Life," to heal, to preserve, to
use as a protection from all manner of evil. These are all
110 ESCHATOUXiY.
insured to the righteous, and they will continue through
Christ, the "Tree of Life," to be a healing or blessing unto
the nations of the New Earth,
In verse 2 "the Tree of Life" has direct reference to the
healing efficacy of the elements of purity as they are in
Christ. And through Him this purity of life, as it emanates
from the throne of God in Heaven, shall reach the inhabi-
tants of the New Earth,
GARDEN OF EDEN RESTORED.
In connection with these verses read Gen. II, 8-17, "the
Garden of Bden," and Gen. Ill, 1-6, the Fall of Man,
In II, read again verses 8, 9 and 15-17; and in III read
again 4-19, 22-24, noting particularly the last three verses.
In these "the Tree of Life" is mentioned as being in the
midst of the garden. After the fall of man, God drove him
from the Garden of Eden. "And at the east of the Garden
of Eden God has a cherubim, an angel with a flaming
sword, to guard and keep the Tree of Life."
The "Tree of Life" represents Christ. He was, then, in
the midst of the garden. And Adam feasted upon the fruits
of His pure spiritual life, and it continued to keep the life
of man pure and holy, until he partook of the forbidden
fruit, the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
In this act he disobeyed God's command or law, and by
this disobedience he fell. Then he was driven from the
Garden of Eden, which means that his life of spiritual
purity, his communion and fellowship with God ceased. He
was separated from God. He was removed and his access
to the "Tree of Life," which is Christ, was not granted him,
and in his moral and spiritual life he died.
Ever since the fall of man the world of mankind has com-
mitted all manner of sin, and this has produced his physical
decay and death. The cherubim with the flaming sword
who is to guard the "Tree of Life," signifies the impossibil-
FINALE. Ill
ity of man's having access to the fruits of it unless he accepts
the atoning- grace of Christ, "the Tree of Life," who was
made a sacrifice to redeem mankind to his original moral and
spiritual purity and Godliness. These characteristics can
be obtained only through the efficacy of the blood of
Christ, or the "Tree of Life." "His redeeming blood is a
propitiation for all sin and unrighteousness." And this will
be the necessary qualifications of all those who are to inherit
eternal life, and dwell in righteousness upon the New Earth.
The world after going through seven millenniums of all
manner of wickedness is to be redeemed or restored to the
original position of mankind before he fell. We can now
thoroughly understand God's purpose, the secret of His
power, the wisdom displayed in His plan for the redemption
or restoration of all those who will avail themselves of it.
And that will again be the "Tree of Life," and the re-
deemed of the New Earth are to have access to "the Tree of
Life" throughout all eternity.
Rev. XXI, 2— The Tree of Life.
Then read verses 3-5 and 21 — The Grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with vou all. Amen.
THE END.
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