The following notice was sent by the publisher with a request for its insertion in the literary notices of the Christian Witness. As the object of this publication is not literary, but to hold up as far by God's grace may be, "the truth": this was declined, with the expression of judgment that the order was erroneous. In consequence of this, the author has written the subjoined letter, which, out of courtesy to him it is thought proper to insert; together with some brief remarks on the order.
Dissertations on Unaccomplished Prophecy, by W. S. Chauncy Contents: -introductory Chapter -Summary of judgments predicted against the enemies of the Church of Christ, and which will precede His second advent -Extinction of the Mahomedan powers of Turkey, Persia, (&c. -Punishment and downfall of mystical Babylon -Restoration and conversion of the Jews -Battle of Armageddon -Restoration of the Jews (continued) -Final restoration of the Jews -Invasion of the Holy Land by Gog and Magog -Coming of Elijah, and preparation for the "second appearing" of the Lord Second advent of the Redeemer, and the first resurrection -Preservation of the righteous, conflagration of the earth, and destruction of the wicked -The "new heavens and new earth"—General view of the millennium -Liberation of Satan, and final apostasy of the nations, Gog and Magog -The second resurrection -Final judgment and future condition of the righteous and the wicked.
"The author's object is to exhibit a regular series of prophecy, which is either wholly or partially unfulfilled; and he wishes it to be distinctly understood, that he has endeavored to place these predictions in the ORDER in which they will be accomplished. Those authors who have made the attempt, have never, in his opinion, properly succeeded. He has, however, availed himself of the assistance of various writers of the present and preceding centuries; and hopes that this treatise may be generally acceptable to Christians of all denominations. "
17, Clarendon-Square Somers-Town, London, May, 1st. 1837.
To the Editor of the "Christian Witness.
Sir Your note to Messrs Palmer and Son, expresses your disinclination "to judge" of my intended publication of "Dissertations on unaccomplished Prophecy, " "seeing that the order appears to you most erroneous. "
Conceiving it necessary briefly to defend this arrangement, I request the favor of your insertion of the following remarks, together with any objections which you may still entertain.
After the "introductory chapter," is one which contains a "Summary" (and strictly scriptural view) "of judgments predicted against the enemies of the Church of Christ, and which will precede His second advent." The quotations from scripture appear to be plain, obvious, and unquestionable as to this point; and while no degree of similarity to these descriptions has occurred in the history of the Church, they involve the necessity of no little portion of time for their accomplishment. During the continuance of these troubles, various important events take place, prior to the second advent as here arranged; and indeed no other order appears to me satisfactorily to comport with scripture.
The first of these events, contained in the third chapter, is the "Extinction of the Mahomedan powers of Turkey, Persia," &c, but wholly independent of revelation, the probability that this will take place not many years hence, is generally acknowledged.
The fourth chapter represents the "Punishment and downfall of mystic Babylon," that is, the downfall of the papal see and Temporalities, or the literal destruction of Rome, though not as yet embracing the ecclesiastical power and influence around, nor the spiritual functions of the "man of sin," which can only be extinguished at the decisive conflict of the "Battle of Armageddon." But during this interval, the "Restoration and conversion of the Jews" (chap. 5), shall have commenced; for I conceive that the latter event will occupy more than a short space of time, and which can only be completed subsequent to the extirpation of the rebels" who shall have been "purged out" from among them.
After the annihilation of Romanism at Armageddon (chap. 6), a new and increased facility will be afforded for the restoration of the Jews (chap. 7). And then follow events descriptive of their "Final Restoration" (chap. 8).
During their peaceable possession of Palestine, they being yet but partially converted (chap 9), will be invaded by Gog, for the reasons contained in the prophecy relative to that event. I trust to have satisfactorily proved Gog to be the Russian sovereignty, or the prince of the land of Magog, who will collect his forces from the various countries under his dominion, or to be hereafter reduced by his ambitions policy. For this and other satisfactory, and obvious reasons, I altogether differ from those who identify this invasion, with that of the battle of Armageddon. I differ also from those who conceive that the second advent may take place immediately, or at a short period from the present time, as wholly inconsistent with the interval of time necessary for the fulfillment of these events.
That the Jews should be restored and yet erect no place for the worship of God, appears to me quite inconceivable. I think therefore, that this may be one of their first and most ardent efforts after their return. It would otherwise be contrary to every precedent with which we are acquainted, in the conduct of a new colony hitherto, whether influenced by real or ostensible motives of religion. Their temple worship therefore, with also its rites and ceremonies, may be permitted by divine providence, for a certain period for the wisest reasons; and may perhaps be more conducive than any other event to introduce and re-establish the pure or primitive profession of Christianity. This latter I conclude (chap. 10), will be fully effected, only by the "coming of Elijah," whose mission will prepare the bridal Church for the solemn but anxiously expected advent of her LORD, and thenceforward accomplish the utter extinction of all rites and ceremonies, which will be supplanted by the true and spiritual worship of God.
The eleventh chapter will I trust, incontrovertibly prove the pre-millennial advent of CHRIST; previous to which I purpose to introduce a chapter on the "Separate state of Spirits." The former necessarily embraces synchronical events, whose order appears to be, First. -The "Resurrection of the saints," or the "First Resurrection," treated of in a distinct chapter; Second. -the "Preservation," or security "of the righteous who shall be alive and remain," previous to and contemporaneous with, Third. -The "Destruction of the wicked" (chap. 12), these must be cut off, "root and branch," the last exertion of divine wrath on incorrigible sinners during the present dispensation; even those who shall have continued to resist, not merely the publication and preaching of the gospel, together with other efforts of missionary zeal, but the outpouring of extraordinary spiritual influences as predicted to take place at this period on both Jews and Gentiles.
The utter destruction of the "ungodly, " will be effected by the "Conflagration of the earth"; but which appears to produce a renovation of its surface, resulting from the simple exertion of Almighty power, and whose "heavens" or atmosphere will also undergo a change, both, in all respects adapted to the declared paradisiacal condition and longevity of its inhabitants. Chap. 14, or, "General view of the Millennium," will be descriptive of the "reign" of CHRIST "on earth" with His glorified saints, comprising the comprehensive view revealed by the prophets. At the end of which (chap. 15), Satan shall be liberated, and will instigate the final apostasy of the nations, perhaps inhabiting those portions of the earth formerly the habitation of those who effected the previous invasion. After this (chap. 16), follows the "Resurrection of the wicked," or "Second Resurrection," and (chap. 17), their "Final condition," together with that of the righteous, will be briefly considered.
Such is the order which I deduce from a close and laborious investigation of the prophecies; divested alike of all prejudices derivable from the opinions of preceding writers, many of whose works I have put into useful requisition, as uninfluenced by either the conversation or society of mystics or fanatics of any description.
I am, Sir, Yours obediently, W. S. Chauncy
There are two general remarks I would make, before entering on the order of events as here detailed. First -that in order to give present practical value to prophecy, it is most desirable that there should be that exercise of sobriety of mind as befits our present stage of ignorance in the matter. I fully believe the Church not sufficiently taught in these details for any individual or any number of individuals to be able to set them forth in an orderly manner There are many grand and important features which are sufficiently plain in the outline, and these are of the utmost practical value, of such value, that I believe it utterly impossible to judge righteous judgment without the recognition of them. The way in which the Church, the world, the Jews, the earth, and Satan himself are severally affected by Christ leaving the right hand of the majesty on high, is that which deeply affects the proper position and service of saints now. And this leads me secondly, -to notice the deep necessity of clearly recognizing the standing of the saints in grace, and therefore in assured security as in Christ, that we may the rather contemplate the things coming to pass as spectators than as actors. It is quite well that the coming of the Lord to judgment, should be preached to the world, but to those who have already met the judgment in the cross, it is to be held forth as the blessed and glorious hope (John 14:1-31Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1‑3); Titus 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)} in which they are rejoicing. even the realization of that hope which brings them to be ever with the Lord, conformed unto His image, changed as to their vile bodies and fashioned like unto His glorious body (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)}; a blessing in which neither the restored Jews nor the saved nations will be -a prerogative blessing of association with Jesus in all His glory -reigning with Him because they have suffered with Him during the period of His Jewish and worldly rejection.
And now as to the order (ch. 2, 3). It appears to me to be quite wrong ground to put the Church on, looking for judgments against her enemies to precede the second advent. The very power of the truth of the second advent, is to awaken the Church to a sense of her lost position in the world. But if she is put upon looking for the destruction of her enemies, instead of the Lord's coming, will it not infallibly tend to settle her into self-complacency, and to say -"I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing?" What if the very subject of judgment be the professing Church itself, "the vine of the earth to be cast into the wine-press of the wrath of Almighty God." How fearfully would it be, the blind leading the blind, to tell her to look for the destruction of her enemies -for surely if there be one characteristic more prominent than another of the Church of the present day, it is contentedness with itself and its own efforts, instead of sorrow, because Jesus is away. I cannot but feel that there is defectiveness in Mr. C's scheme in a very important point. When apostasy has set in, prophecy has come in as God's witness against it, and sure testimony of corning judgment on it; but at the same time, awakening the faithful to a sure sense of preservation, and sustaining their souls by hope. It is thus that prophecy becomes a light in a dark place, and I know nothing more injurious, than not using prophecy as a light upon the present state of the Church. Mr. C. hopes his "treatise may be generally acceptable to Christians of all denominations." Now what is the fact; the study was revived in our days by the clergy of the establishment, and went on smoothly for some while -but the moment it came to be applied practically to the state of the Church, and the discovery of the departure of their system from the truth of God, they ceased in great measure from preaching the second advent. So far as accredited dissenting education goes, it is well nigh a prohibited study. And the simple testimony to the premillennial advent of Christ, does more to rouse their indignation than any other doctrine; it interferes with every plan of worldliness. If it be therefore "acceptable to all denominations," it must be, from lack of faithful testimony to their present state, and their sin of being many denominations. The tendency of looking to these predicted judgments, must be to turn the mind to canvass passing events in the world unduly, instead of having the conversation in heaven, from whence the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ is to be looked for (Phil. 3:20, 2120For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21)}, and would almost make political partizanship and worldliness a duty. Much of this arises from Mr. C. apparently not seeing the present portion of the Church, as well as the hope of its glory, to be characteristically heavenly (Eph. 1:3; 2:63Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)) and that the minding earthly things puts us in the place of enemies of the cross of Christ.
III-Extinction of the Mahomedan powers of Turkey.
I would only note the unsafe criterion assumed by Mr. C. when he says -"but wholly independent of revelation, the probability that this will take place not many years hence, is generally acknowledged." If we have the word of the Lord, we have nothing to do with human probabilities -that word as far surpasses all human calculations as His grace surpasses our thoughts. And it has been most injurious to judicious interpretation, as well as to the authority of God's word to endeavor to force its application into passing events, which by no means exhaust its fullness, instead of acknowledging that it as yet awaits its fulfillment, under the assured conviction that the counsel of the Lord it shall stand, though heaven and earth pass away, His word shall not. I cannot but think that this principle of probabilities has taken Mr. C's. mind off its subjection to scripture. See ch. 9 in letter. "It would be contrary to every precedent," &c.
V, VII -X. -If Mr. C. Be defective in statement as to the Church's expectation, it appears that he is no less so in many respects as to the Jews; and necessarily so, if in the first; for there is all the difference between the portion of the saints being caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and the Redeemer coming to Zion and to turn away ungodliness from Jacob; a distinction not hinted at in the order. It was seeing the coming of Elijah, placed subsequent to the conversion of the Jews, which at once struck me as to the wrongness of the order. And, first, as to the expression -"Restoration and conversion of the Jews." Many are disposed to allow the conversion of the Jews who deny their restoration; but the important point is -that they are converted as Jews, and are Jews after their conversion (Zech. 8:2323Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zechariah 8:23)); and this, therefore, is a different dispensation from the present.* Now while fully allowing the scriptural evidence for a partial, gradual, and general restoration of Israel: there is one fact clearly announced in scripture, and that is their partial return, rebuilding of Jerusalem and of the temple, in unbelief; and the judgment consequent on this, which seemed to have escaped Mr. C's notice. A future siege of Jerusalem, with its concomitant circumstances, as detailed in Isa. 29, Zech. 14, Psa. 79, will lead us to see that Jerusalem's circumstances (Matt. 24) are yet future. Another thing surely is as to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that they look on Him whom they pierced and mourn (Zech. 12); and Paul sets forth himself as the special pattern of Israel's conversion, in knowing the Lord, first, in glory, and then discovering Him to be Jesus.
116. In the present dispensation, the principle is -there is "no difference," in the coming one, there is Jew and Gentile again; the Jew in all his promised earthly blessing, and the nations blessed through them (see Acts 15:14-1614Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: (Acts 15:14‑16); Psa. 67; Mic. 5:7, 87And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. 8And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. (Micah 5:7‑8)).
VI. -As to the battle of Armageddon, it appears that Mr. C. confounds the gathering unto it with the battle itself, in which the Lord is personally engaged. It is fully allowed with Mr. C. that the invasion of Gog and Magog is not identical with Armageddon; but the important and interesting question is, allowing a long series of events in God's dealings with Israel, whether the saints are not during their progress, for the most part, with the Lord Himself and actors with Him in them. And it does not appear that Mr. C. distinguishes between the blessing of the heavenly and of the earthly Jerusalem -between all the glory of Christ being manifested in His body the Church, and the earthly Jerusalem receiving its blessing through it, as well as the nations of the earth walking in the light of it.
These remarks might be extended, but with so little matter before us on which to express a judgment, it would not be candid to go farther at present. Nor would any remark, at all, have been made, had not the author invited it. It may be, that, in the body of the work, there are things to qualify these statements; but it was the order alone which was presented on which to form a judgment.
The Christian Witness 4:286-294 ((1837).