LIGHT FOR THE LAST DAYS
A STUDY IN CHRONOLOGICAL PROPHECY
BY DR. AND MRS.
1888
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION. THE DANIEL PARALLEL.
Great Change Impending. —Chronologic Prophecy a Science.-Early misunderstandings
inevitable.-Light promised in the Last Days.- Our Position analogous to
Daniel’s.—Elementary Principles assumed in this Book
CHAPTER
IL
THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES.
The Period of the Great Image.-Historic Features of the Period.- Chronologically
a Great Week.-A Complex Problem.-International Concealment of the Times
in Early Days.-Promise of Light to the "Wise" in the Time of
the End.-Eras, and Years of Crisis.
CHAPTER
III.
THE STARTING-POINT; OR, THE CAPTIVITY ERA OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH.
The Three Main Eras in the Times of the Gentiles.-Events of the Captivity
Era.-The Sixty-five years to the Fall of Ephraim.- Shalmaneser and Sennacherib.
Esarhaddon.—-Nebuchadnezzar’s Overthrow of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin,
and Zedekiah.-Records of this Era in the British museum.—- Chronological
Predictions are Fulfilled in Lunar as well as Solar Years.-List of Critical
Dates in the Captivity Era.
CHAPTER
IV.
THE BISECTION OR, THE ERA OF THE RISE OF THE APOSTASIES.
Events of the Second Half of the Times of the Gentiles.-The Ten Gothic
Kingdoms.-Cardinal Manning on the Rise of the Papacy.- Stages in the Rise
of Papal Power. - Cotemporaneous Rise of Mohammedanism. - Gibbon’s
Description-List of Dates in Bisection Era.
CHAPTER
V.
THE TIME OF THE END.-WESTERN, OR PAPAL ASPECT.
Six Marks of the Time of the End.-Chronological Limits of the Period.
-Historic Features of the Period as far as it has already Elapsed.- Proofs
of the Decay of the Papacy.-Reformation.-The Papal Reaction-Political
Establishment of Protestantism. - Outbreak of Infidelity in France. -
The French Revolution.-Napoleonic Wars, and Annexation of the Papal States-
Later anti-Papal Revolutions.-Unification of Italy.-Fall of the Papal
Temporal Sovereignty.
CHAPTER
VI.
THE TIME OF THE END.-EASTERN, OR MOHAMMEDAN ASPECT.
Culmination of Turkish Power under Solomon the Magnificent.-Decay dated
from Peace of Carlowitz.-Russian Wars, and Peace of Kainardje.-Rapid Decay
since 1821.-Greek Insurrection. -Rebellion of Mehemet Ali.-Object of the
Crimean War.-European Concert on the Eastern Question.-Druze Massacre,
and Protectorate in Syria.-Russo-Turkish War of 1877.-Ottoman Bankruptcy.-
English Occupation of Egypt.-Recent Roumelian Revolution.- Critical Dates
of the Time of the End, Western and Eastern.
CHAPTER
VII.
THE TIME OP THE END.-JEWISH ASPECT, OR THE MODERN RENAISSANCE OF THE JEWISH
PEOPLE.
The Sufferings of the Jews during the Times of the Gentiles.-Fall of Jerusalem
and Jewish War-Degradation of the Middle Ages.- Social and Financial Oppression
of the Jews.-Laws of Edward the Confessor.-Banishment from Spain and Portugal.-Cruel
Sufferings in the Sixteenth Century.-Cromwell and the Jews.- First Jewish
Emancipation Act-Beneficial Effects of the French Revolution on the Position
of the Jews in Europe.-The Universal Israelite Alliance.-Rapid Concentration
of Capital in Jewish Hands. -Modern Increase in Power, Influence, and
Number.-The New "Christ-believing" Movement in South Russia.-Restoration
Promises Fulfilling.-A Final Exodus-Summary.-Foretold and Fulfilled
CHAPTER
VIII.
CHRONOLOGICAL MEASURES OF THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES.
The Prophetic Times are Measured from Eras, not Years.-The Chronology
of the Times of the Gentiles, Historically and Astronomically Certain.-Units
of Measurement.-Chronological Relation of the Three Eras
CHAPTER
IX.
LUNAR MEASURES OF THE SEVEN TIMES, RECKONED FROM THE CAPTIVITY ERA.
Measures of the First Half of the Period, Western and Eastern.-Extend
to the Fall of the Western Empire, and the Saracenic Capture of Jerusalem.-Lunar
Measures of the Whole Period.-Extend to Political Establishment of Protestantism
in the West, and Commencement of Turkish Decay in the East.- Lunar Measures
from the Zedekiah Date to the Universal Israelite Alliance, bisected by
Omar’s Capture of Jerusalem
CHAPTER
X.
SOLAR MEASURES OP THE SEVEN TIMES.
From the Era of Nabonassar to the Accession of Louis XVI., in the West,
and the Treaty of Kainardje, in the East.-The additional Seventy_five
Years lead to Papal Overthrows, 1804 and 1849.-The Shalmaneser, Sennacherib,
and Esarhaddon Starting_points, and the Terminal Events to which they
Lead.-The Termini ad Quem of the Period as Measured from the Three Campaigns
of Nebuchadnezzar. -Convergence of Periods in the Year of Revolution,
1848.- The Final Termini still Future.
CHAPTER
XI.
MEASURES OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEVEN TIMES.
Starting-points in the Bisection Era, and Corresponding Terminations.
-Fall of the Papal Temporal Power in 1870.-Unification of Italy.-Collapse
of the Papal Empires of France and Austria, Sadowa to Sedan.-Eastern Bisection
Dates and their Corresponding Termini.-The Hatti Hamayoun of 1844.-Tel-el-Kehir,
1882.-Intervention in Syria.-Berlin Conference.
CHAPTER
XII.
THE SANCTUARY CYCLE.
Earlier and Later Visions of Daniel.-The Prophetic Period of Daniel viii.,
2,300 years.-Relation to Eastern Events rather than Western. Double Relation
of Mohammedan Conquests.-Range of the Cycle from the Restoration Era of
Ezra and Nehemiah.-Critical Years of this Era, and Corresponding Terminal
Stages. -Astronomic Character of the Cycle.-Extends to Crises of Modern
Jewish Renaissance.-Probable Proximate Stages . . .
CHAPTER
XIII.
THE CONNEXION BETWEEN THE SANCTUARY CYCLE AND THE "SEVENTY WEEKS,"
OR 490 YEARS, EXTENDING FROM THE PERSIAN RESTORATION ERA TO THE ERA OF
"MESSIAH THE PRINCE."
Termini a quo of the Seventy Weeks. Extended Correspondence between the
Two Eras. Interval Linking the Close of the Old Testament Canon with the
Close of the New.-Date of the Apocalypse.- Hidden yet Exact Analogy
CHAPTER
XIV.
THE FINAL "TIME," AND THE ANGEL’S OATH.
Comparison between Dan. xii. 7 and Rev. x. The Speaker, the Subject, the
End, and the Oath identical. Contrast between the Two Chronological Statements.-
The Reformation Era and its Dates.- Corresponding Dates in the Time of
the End . .
CHAPTER
XV.
THE FUTURE DATES OF THIS SERIES.
Last Dates of a long Series, extending to the Advent.-Narrow Margin now
Left.- The Remaining Dates. -Inferences from Analogy.- Events to be Expected
in the Future.-Contrast in Character between the Intermediate and Closing
Events.-A Needed Caution.- Stages in the Establishment of the Kingdom.-Probable
Time of the Fall of Babylon.-Terminal Dates of the Series, and Inferences
from Analogy as to the Crisis which they may bring.
CHAPTER
XVI.
SIGNS OF OUR TIMES.
Summary of Conclusions.-Eras, not Years.-Duration of the Time of the End.-
Duty of Recognising the Signs of the Times.-What are not Signs. -Prodigies
excluded by 1 Thess. v. 2.-The True Signs are Natural Events in Predicted
Order. -A Parable. - Political Signs. - Ecclesiastical Signs. - Jewish
Signs. - Mohammedan Signs.- General Social Signs.-Chronological Signs
..
CHAPTER
XVII.
ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS.
This Exposition does not Claim to be a Final Arrangement of Dates.- Is
not this an Attempt to Fix the Time of the Second Advent ?- Our Lord inculcated
Watchfulness on Two Grounds: first, that of Ignorance; secondly, that
of Knowledge: which Attitude better befits the Nineteenth Century ?-A
Fourfold Answer to Objection founded on Acts i. 7.-Premature Anticipations
are Inevitable Results of gradually Increasing Light. Comparison with
Progress of Knowledge on Scientific Subjects.-The Conditions of the Problem.-True
Anticipations have been Numerous and Noteworthy.-Objection on the ground
of the number of Events and Dates indicated.-Justified by Analogy.-The
Result Simple and Clear.
CHAPTER
XVIII.
REVIEW OF THE HISTORY CONSIDERED.
Daniel’s Programme very wonderful. Comparison of it with ordinary
Chart of History.-Both show first, Four Empires; secondly, Ten Kingdoms.-The
Chronological Element in Each.-The Papal Element.-A Definite and unlikely
Prediction.-Faith as to the Future justified by Twenty-five Centuries
of Historic Fulfilment.
CHAPTER
XIX.
THE PROSPECT BEFORE US. - PRE-MILLENNIAL EVIDENCE.
No fifth Gentile Monarchy-The next the Kingdom of God.-Universally admitted
Features of this Kingdom.-Differences of opinion as to the Introductory
Post-millennialism deprives the Kingdom of its Brightest Features to the
Church, and of its most Solemn Aspect to the World.-No Millennium before
first Resurrection.-Ought the World to be Warned or Congratulated?- Unanimity
should be sought on this Subject in this Time of the End.-The Post-millennial
theory, a New Hypothesis, first broached in the Seventeenth Century.-Brief
Review of the Testimony of the Church in all Ages concerning the Coming
and Kingdom of the Redeemer.-Four hundred Witnesses.-The Fathers.-The
Councils.—-Wycliffe.-Columbus.-The Reformers-The Confessions.-Mede,
and the Westminster Divines.-The New England Pastors.-Three leading Theories.-Whitby’s
Doctrine of a Post-millennial Advent the most recent.- Biblical Order
as to the Advent and Reign.-The Teachings of Analogy.- Apostasy Universal.-No
signs of an Approaching Millennium, but the Gospel not therefore a Failure.
CHAPTER
XX.
THE COMING KINGDOM.
The Plan of Providence becomes clear only in the Light of the Revealed
End.- Peculiarities of the Coming Kingdom.-A Manifested Reign over the
Earth.- Fifth in a Series of Empires.-Universal and Enduring.-Divided
into Two Sections, the Millennial and the Eternal.-A Reign of Righteousness.-Opening
and Closing Eras of the Millennium.-Order of Events in the Second Advent
Era.
CHAPTER
XXI.
THE RULERS IN THE COMING KINGDOM.
Apparent Contradictions of Messianic Prophecy removed by Fulfilment. -
Analogy as to Future Events.-Personal Manifestation of Christ, and of
His risen Saints-Not a mere Spiritual Kingdom.-The Future of the Church.-The
Powers of the Spiritual Body, and the Intercourse between Earth and Heaven.-Millennial
Service need not involve Exile from Heaven . . . .
CHAPTER
XXII.
THE SUBJECTS IN THE COMING KINGDOM.
Nature and Extent of the Pre-millennial Judgments.-Spared Nations on the
Earth.-Restored and Converted Israel to Evangelize the World. -Supremacy
of Israel in Millennial Days.-Christ the King of Israel. -The Blessings
of the Nations in the Millennium.-Old Testament Pictures.-Israel’s
Blessings Eternal.-The Covenant in Ezekiel.- Harmony between Old Testament
Prophecy and Revelation.-No Details as to Millennium in the Apocalypse,
because fully Revealed previously in the Old Testament-Universality and
Permanence of the Kingdom.-Cowper’s Description of this Sabbatic
Age. %%%%%%%%%
CHAPTER
XXIII.
THE SECOND ADVENT ERA.-INTRODUCING THE ETERNAL KINGDOM.
Its%Events given in a Series of Twelve successive Visions, Rev. xvii.
xxii.-The fall of Babylon.-Sudden and Final.-The probable Agency employed.-The
Triumph in Heaven.-The Rapture of the Church.-" The Marriage of the
Lamb."-The Epiphany.-The Order of these Two Stages cannot be Reversed.-
Advent Vision in Rev. xix.-The War of Armageddon.-The Binding of Satan.-
A World without a Tempter.-A New Probation.-A Reign of Righteousness,
Peace, and the Universal Knowledge of God.-Brief Post-millennial Era.-"
Then cometh the End" .
CHAPTER
XXIV.
THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH OF THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD.
The World’s Need of Renovation.-The Bible reveals a Twofold Work
of God, Creation and Redemption.-Types of the latter in Nature and Providence.-Four
great Stages: Preparatory; Messianic; Millennial; Eternal.- Scripture
Testimony on the Subject of the New Heavens and the New Earth: Isa. lxv.
and lxvi.; 2 Pet. iii.; Rev. xxi. and xxii.-Contrast between the Millennial
and Eternal Stages of the Kingdom, but main characteristics unchanged.-The
Heavenly and the Earthly continue distinct, yet associated.-The Glorified
Church of the First-born not the sole Result of Redemption.-The Nations
of the Earth: Pre-millennial, Millennial, and Post-millennial.-Does this
imply perpetual Generations ?-TWO Classes of Passages.-Difficulties no
Warrant for the Rejection of Scripture Teachings Paraphrase of Revelation
xxi. and xxii.
APPENDIX
A.
The Scientific Basis of Prophetic Chronology, " sure as the stars."-
Astronomical Observations in the "Almagest" of Ptolemy.-Value
of Ptolemy’s Records.-Testimony of La Place-Four groups of Ancient
Eclipses.-Initial date from which Ptolemy reckons his Eclipses.-Thoth
I., Nabonassar I.; February 26th, B.C. 747.- The Chronology of Ptolemy’s
Canon.-Fifty-five reigns, extending over 907 years.-Agreement between
the Historical and Chronological Outline in the Canon of Ptolemy and that
in the Fourfold Image of Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision . . .
THE CANON OF PTOLEMY . . .
Adjustment of the Chronology of Scripture to the Astronomical Dates furnished
by Ptolemy.-Destruction of the Temple in the Nineteenth Year of Nebuchadnezzar.—-Liberation
of Jehoiachin in the Thirty-seventh Year of his Captivity.-Seventy Years’
Interval from the Beginning of the Captivity of Judah to the First Year
of Cyrus.- Darius the Mede not Darius Hystaspes.-Omission in the Canon
of Reigns less than a year in duration, and Inclusion of their Periods
in the longer Reigns.-The Artaxerxes I. of the Canon identical with the
Artaxerxes of Ezra and Nehemiah.-Agreement between the Chronology of Josephus
and that of the Canon.-Confirmatory Evidence of Herodotus.-The untrustworthy
Elements in his History as shown by Recent Oriental Researches. -Confirmation
of the Canon of Ptolemy and of the Chronology of Scripture by Modern Oriental
Discoveries.-Comparison of the Assyrian Eponym Canon with the Canon of
Ptolemy.-Account of the Capture of Babylon by Cyrus from the Assyrian
Annals . . .
APPENDIX
B.
The Date of our Lord’s Passion, AD. 29.-Early Christian Testimony.
"BLESSED BE THE NAME OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER: FOR
WISDOM AND MIGHT ARE His: AND HE CHANGETH THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS: HE
REMOVETH KINGS, AND SETTETH UP KINGS: HE GIVETH WISDOM UNTO THE WISE,
AND KNOWLEDGE TO THEM THAT KNOW UNDERSTANDING: HE REVEALETH THE DEEP AND
SECRET THINGS: HE KNOWETH WHAT IS IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE LIGHT DWELLETH
WITH HIM. I THANK THEE AND PRAISE THEE, O THOU GOD OF MY FATHERS, WHO
HAST GIVEN ME WISDOM AND MIGHT, AND HAST MADE KNOWN UNTO ME NOW WHAT WE
DESIRED OF THEE. . . . BUT AS FOR ME, THIS SECRET IS NOT REVEALED TO ME
FOR ANY WISDOM THAT I HAVE MORE THAN ANY LIVING."
"IN THE FIRST YEAR OF DARIUS . . . I DANIEL UNDERSTOOD BY BOOKS THE
NUMBER OF THE YEARS."
-Daniel, the prophet of Judah and the statesman of Babylon.
