JUDGMENT OF THE WHITE THRONE. THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH.
[EPOCH I0 AND DISPENSATION K.]
WE come in this chapter to the last judgment of all, and the end not merely of an age or dispensation, but of the world itself. The long course of time, that began with the creation, now closes forever; and this extremely solemn occasion—the last great judgment—will be the concluding scene of the life-histories of all the ungodly and impenitent who have ever lived on this earth. (The judgment of the saints will be totally different, at another time and in a different scene, for it will take place in heaven after the saints have been glorified.) " And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Rev. 20:11, 1211And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:11‑12)). Considering when this is to happen, and all the circumstances connected with it, we see at once that this momentous judgment is quite distinct, both as to its character and as to the results that follow, from all the other judgments mentioned in the Word, while it is the last that will take place in connection with this world.
Here I would once more direct attention to the serious error (already alluded to in previous chapters) that is held and taught with regard to this and the other judgments of Scripture, and to the second advent of our Lord. This mistaken view, that appears to be almost universally entertained throughout the Christian world, and is often taught by preachers and teachers, is, that the three great events—(1) the first stage of our Lord's coming for His saints,-the Rapture and first resurrection; (2) the second stage of Christ's coming with His saints to the judgment of the nations; and (3) this judgment at the white throne—are all to take place at the same time, as the several parts of one great event, commonly called the " last day of judgment"! It appears to me astounding that any Bible readers should be found holding such an erroneous view, when Scripture so plainly distinguishes between these three different events, both as to the time of their occurrence and as to the circumstances connected with them. As we have already pretty largely dwelt upon the difference between the Rapture and the second stage of Christ's coming or appearing, we will now for a moment look at the difference between the judgment of the nations and that of the dead at the white throne.
First. Christ is ordained to be the "Judge of quick (or living) and dead;" but it is nowhere stated that these two judgments take place at the same time. In 2 Tim. 4:11I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1), we read, " Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; " that is, the judgment of the quick at His appearing; when He judges the living nations just before He sets up ills kingdom, which will be more than a thousand years before the judgment of the dead.
Second. At Christ's appearing (Matt. 25:31, 3231When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (Matthew 25:31‑32), and Rev. 19:11-1811And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (Revelation 19:11‑18)), it is plainly stated that "before Him shall be gathered all nations," and that He "should smite the nations;" but at the white throne we see a different class altogether, the "dead, small and great," and not a word said about nations. Moreover, we see the spirits of the dead are gathered here, from wherever they had been since they died, and are now invested with immortal bodies to be finally judged. This is the very reverse of being slain, as the nations are represented to be, for it is the second resurrection. "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (or hades) delivered up the dead which were in them, and they were judged every man according to their works " (Rev. 20:1313And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13)).
Third. In the first judgment, two classes are mentioned, the sheep and the goats; but in the last, one class, the dead. Fourth. In the first, only one point of conduct is mentioned by which the sheep are distinguished from the goats, and according to which they are judged—namely, kindness shown, and help afforded, to Christ's brethren in their time of trouble; but at the white throne, they are " judged out of those things which were written in the book, according to their works," the books being symbolically the records of the thoughts, feelings, motives, and actions of their whole lives.
It would therefore be absurd to say that this conclusive judgment was to be determined by the display of one quality or course of conduct,—love practically shown to the brethren, —as it will be when the nations are judged. On the contrary, all their various works, their sins of omission and commission, will in 'that day come into judgment.
Fifth. Another very marked difference appears in the fact that the two classes, the sheep and the goats, are very differently dealt with, the sheep being addressed with the words, " Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," while the goats are destroyed or killed (" He should smite the nations "), as we find from Rev. 19:1515And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15). At the white throne we see no second class called to blessing, but all cast into the lake of fire. Following the first judgment there is a kingdom to be inherited; but before the second, or last, the world even ceases to exist. " From whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." Clearly there could be no kingdom after this crisis, though there will be a new heaven and new earth.
Sixth. The first judgment takes place before the millennium, while the second will be after the last rebellion, and even after the world is destroyed. This is very clearly and strikingly shown; for in Rev. 19 we have the judgment of the nations, then in chapter xx. the succeeding events that follow this in consecutive order—thus, the casting of Satan into the bottomless pit; the appearance of the saints of the first resurrection, who are to reign with Christ a thousand years; Satan loosed at the expiration of the thousand years; the last apostasy and rebellion; the rebels encompassing the camp of the saints and the beloved city; their final downfall; and, last of all the total destruction of the world.
After all these events have transpired, we come to the judgment of the great white throne in verse 2. These facts, so circumstantially stated, with the long interval between them so distinctly mentioned, prove that the judgment of chapter 20:11-15 cannot possibly be the same as that recorded in chapter 19:11-21.
Seventh. Furthermore, it must be evident that those who have part in the first resurrection, and who are to reign for a thousand years, are not raised at the same time as the other class, of whom it is said, " The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Yet, strange to say, there are many who confidently assert, in the presence of such explicit statements, that there is to be but one general resurrection, and one judgment of the righteous and the wicked! When they add to this the sadly mistaken idea that the Rapture is also to occur at the same time as these two judgments, we certainly see a most extraordinary as well as thoughtless error (as to these important dispensational truths) widely and persistently disseminated throughout the whole of Christendom.
Some will, no doubt, refer in vindication of their theory to the well-known scripture, "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" or judgment (John 5:28, 2928Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28‑29)).
Here, no doubt, we have the two distinct resurrections—of the good and of the evil—very plainly stated; but it does not follow because they are put together in the same passage, that they are to take place simultaneously.
And in this instance we know that such an inference is decidedly incorrect, when we turn to other scriptures that tell us plainly of a long interval between these two. This verse simply gives a general statement of the facts of two resurrections of the dead, without any allusion whatever to when they are to occur. In Scripture we have numerous instances similar to this, of different events being linked together in the same passage, while the time of their occurrence may be hundreds of years apart; for an explanation of which we may have to go to other parts of the Word. For example, in Isa. 61:22To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (Isaiah 61:2) we read, "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God." In this one sentence we have two distinct prophetic events, but were they on that account to take place at the same time? Certainly not, as we see in a moment on turning to Luke 4:18, 1918The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18‑19), where we find our Lord, while reading this passage in the synagogue, stopped and closed the book after the words " acceptable year of the Lord," saying, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." He did not read the following words, "the day of vengeance," and say that it also was then fulfilled, because that day had not yet come, so He closed the book in the middle of the sentence. Nearly nineteen centuries have passed, but the second event —" the day of vengeance "—has not yet come.
Again, Peter on the day of Pentecost quoted Joel's prophecy concerning the last days, to show that one part of it, referring to the pouring out of the Spirit, was then partially, and in a preliminary way, accomplished; but while he also quoted the other portions of the same prophecy (all given in the same passage in Joel 2:28-3228And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. 32And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:28‑32)), they have certainly not yet, after all these hundreds of years, been fulfilled in any sense, partially or otherwise. "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come." That day of the Lord is yet to come, as repeatedly noted in our previous remarks. Many more such instances might be adduced, if necessary, showing that different events contained in the same prophecy will often be found to have widely different times of fulfillment.
On this last solemn occasion,—after the world has disappeared,—we see countless millions of the dead, small and great, summoned before the white throne, to hear the dread sentence that is to fix their eternal doom. Few though the words be which are employed to set this judgment before us, they are so exceedingly appalling as to cause the imagination to shrink instinctively from the contemplation of them. And that which will add. such intense sadness to the whole scene, will be the reflection that all thus adjudged will be so because of their deliberate rejection of the gracious salvation provided by, the Lord Jesus Christ; like those whom our blessed Lord so pathetically lamented over in the words, "Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life; " to whom also the apostle Paul refers in Heb. 10:26, 2726For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26‑27): " For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
Let us now inquire who these dead may be who are thus to be judged at the white throne. The fifth verse of Rev. 20 supplies us with a sufficient answer to this question,-" The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished."
The words " rest of the dead " obviously imply two classes, —the first, as we are told in verse 4, being those who had either died in the Lord, or had been changed at the Rapture, and who are afterward seen in heaven seated around the throne (Rev. 4 and 5.). For all true believers—Old as well as New Testament saints—will be in the first resurrection.
It necessarily follows that the second class, or rest of the dead, must be unbelievers, who, by their willful rejection of Christ's salvation, had lost the blessedness of the first resurrection; and whose souls had been consequently left in a disembodied state in hades until the thousand years were finished; then to come forth and appear before this judgment-seat. As there will be a first so there will be a second resurrection, a first death and a second death,—as in verse 6 it is said, " Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power." But on these ungodly dead the second death hath all its full and dreadful power, and it is to realize this they come forth at this dread tribunal, then to be consigned to the " lake of fire," which is the "second death,"-" they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation " or judgment (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)). The first class of the dead and the changed ones (all believers), will have been raised a thousand years before "unto the resurrection of life." "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal " (Matt. 25:4646And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)); a "resurrection of life" and a "resurrection of judgment," but manifestly with a long interval of time between them (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)).
The dead at the white throne will accordingly include all the wicked who have passed from time into eternity, from the beginning of the world to its close. "Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged " (Rev. 11:1818And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18)). Death and the grave had claimed them as their prey through many successive generations, and hades had been for ages the abode of their disembodied spirits. These, and the great sea, that had likewise swallowed its millions, now pour forth in countless multitudes the dead that are in them, to appear before the judgment bar of God,—immortal bodies being given to them, that shall never decay or die, but shall endure forever and ever; for it is not annihilation, as the doubters of God's plain Word would have us believe.
It is indeed fearful to think that these lost spirits of the dead should thus be raised and furnished with imperishable bodies, to come under the awful sentence of God's righteous wrath for their persistent impenitence and rebellion against Him; and their deliberate refusal of all His gracious offers of mercy and salvation provided by Jesus Christ. " He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him " (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). " And the books were opened: and another book was opened, Which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Rev. 20:1212And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)). All the evil deeds of their lives, the blotted pages of their history, appear in these books as the handwriting against them, according to which they will be judged and condemned.
How different it will be with believers; for no such records will be kept to appear against them, because Christ has forever taken them away by His atonement. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John, 5:24). "Whose names are in the book of life" (Phil. 4:33And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3); Rev. 21:2727And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)).
Many have thought that, as the "book of life" is introduced here, some saints may die during the millennium, and appear at this judgment, and that it is therefore presented to indicate the fact of their names being written in it, so that they would not be condemned with the wicked.
But there does not appear to be any authority whatever for this supposition, inasmuch as it does not say that any names of those gathered to this judgment were found written in the book of life. Indeed, the inference is strongly the other way, that not a single name of all the vast host gathered to this tribunal will be found in that book. A far more reasonable explanation as to its appearance here may, I think, be found in the thought, that it is specially mentioned to show that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, had provided a way of deliverance from the wrath to come for all who would accept it; and that all who accepted God's way had their names inscribed in this blessed book as those appointed to everlasting life. Indeed, the allusion to it in this connection will be a most solemn and significant feature of this judgment of the unbelievers. For while the thought of it will vindicate and exalt the love and mercy of God in providing salvation for all, and His good pleasure in thus recording the names of those who receive it, it will greatly aggravate the guilt of the lost when they discover their awful sin and folly in having neglected so great a salvation, thus losing the blessed privilege of having their names recorded in God's book of life. It is as if the Judge should say: " Behold, this book, in which it would have been My delight to record the names of all, had they but accepted the precious gift of eternal life, provided at such infinite cost by Jesus Christ the Lord; but I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof.... For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of My counsel; they despised all My reproof: therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices ' " (Prov. 1:24-3124Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (Proverbs 1:24‑31)). These lost souls will then be compelled to acknowledge the righteousness of God's judgment in excluding their names from the book of life, because of their deliberate rejection of Christ.
Thus its presence (so very precious to all the saints of God) will be a strong and incriminating witness against the unbelievers on that day, seeing that their names are not written therein; whereas they might have been, but for their persistent rebellion against God. Consequently we see but one terrible fate awaited them all, for "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Even "death and hell (or hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death " (Rev. 20:14,1514And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14‑15)).
[In the chart three unrolled scrolls are drawn to represent the "books" that are opened at this last judgment.]
Connected with the judgment of the great white throne —or just before it—we come to the end of the world and everything in it, for it is then to be completely destroyed: " From whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them" (Rev. 20:1111And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:11)). It is to this final event that Peter refers in his second epistle, chapter 3:7, 10, 12, "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.... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the dements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein, shall be burned up.... Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat."
While Peter in his epistles does not apparently allude to the Rapture, or first stage of the Lord's coming (this was specially given to Paul to unfold), he distinctly refers to the second, the appearing or revelation of Christ, and the judgment connected therewith.
He had for a moment seen the King in His millennial glory on the mount of transfiguration, a scene he could never forget, and one likely to have much to do in coloring his after-life and thoughts.
To this he touchingly refers in 2 Peter 1:15-1815Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:15‑18), and concludes by emphasizing the importance of taking heed to the sure work of prophecy, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, " until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts " (verse 19). This no doubt primarily points to the prophetic word concerning the "day of the Lord," when He will appear to judge the nations, though in principle these words may also be applicable to believers now looking and waiting for the Rapture.
Then in chapter 3.—as quoted above—he again alludes to that "day " in a wider sense. The words, "the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night," are used by Paul, in 1 Thess. 5:22For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2), with reference to the Lord's coming to judge the nations; and also by our Lord in Rev. 16:1515Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15); in allusion to the same occasion. But it would seem that Peter, while dwelling on this appearing of the Lord, is carried by the Spirit further down the stream of time, even beyond the millennial period, to the very end of the world. So that the previous judgment of the nations, and this end of all things before the white throne, appear to occur at the same time, although there is more than a thousand years between them. Another instance of the fact-previously noticed-that in Scripture we frequently find prophecies side by side, and apparently connected, but with long intervals between their fulfillment. From these instances we see that the matter of time is of secondary importance, compared with the events themselves, because in the infinite mind of God all time-past, present, and future—is one everlasting present. For "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day " (2 Peter 3:88But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)).
In Peter's account of the end of all things, we have a short though graphic description of the final and complete destruction of this earth: "The heavens shall pass away with a great noise." The first heaven or firmament (Gen. 1:88And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. (Genesis 1:8)), the earth's atmosphere, will be dissolved or decomposed and pass away into space, probably by a terrible explosion, "and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)).
All this will be brought about by the direct intervention of God Himself, the omnipotent Creator and Disposer of all things, and may possibly be another stupendous and supernatural catastrophe, similar in some respects (though far more destructive) to those which it is supposed took place through all the successive ages of the pre-Adamite world before it was finally prepared as a habitation for man.
Moreover, the words, "The day of the Lord," are used by Peter in connection with the final destruction of the earth, showing us that that day extends through long intervals of time. Taken in its widest sense, it may be said to comprise several events, beginning with the Lord's coming forth to take the book and open its seven seals of judgment on the earth, after the removal of the Church; extending through the day of tribulation, to the judgment of the nations; and including the whole millennial period, the time of the last apostasy, the destruction of the rebels, and the judgment of the white throne, down to the end of all things.
Then this day comes to an end, and the Lord delivers up the kingdom to God, as we are told in 1 Cor. 15:24-2824Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24‑28): " Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all."
From these remarkable words we learn, that when the Lord Jesus Christ shall have fully accomplished all the work that was committed to Him, as the righteous Judge and Ruler of this world, He will deliver up the kingdom to the Father, that God may be all in all. Then a new heaven and a new earth shall be created, and the eternal state will begin, as John tells us in Rev. 21:11And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1), "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Peter also, in the chapter from which we have just quoted, mentions this: " Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:1313Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)).
In Isa. 65:1717For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17) and 66:22, the creation of new heavens and a new earth is likewise mentioned; but it would appear from the context that the words probably refer to the millennium, and not to the period we are now considering.
The short account we have of this new scene is contained in the first eight verses of Rev. 21, which is a continuation of chapter 20, and ought to have been included in it, as we come to the end of the book at the eighth verse; then onward through the rest of chapter 21, and in the first five verses of 22 we are taken back to behold the glories of the New Jerusalem during the millennium.
As the new earth will doubtless be totally different from the present one, and all the conditions of physical life and existence may be entirely altered, we cannot conceive what it will be like. "And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."
One leading feature which we find in the account of it is, that God will not only reign over its inhabitants, but will tabernacle and dwell with them, which marks a distinct difference between the state of things then and that in the millennium. "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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away " (Rev. 21:3, 43And I heard a great 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. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:3‑4)).
Another remarkable fact stated is, that the New Jerusalem shall in some way be connected with this state of things, apparently coming down from heaven to be the instrument of blessing and joy to its inhabitants in happy communion with them, though not, it may be, to rule over them, as in the millennium. " And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband " (Rev. 21:22And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)).
Although we are not told who the inhabitants of this new world will be, yet from the allusions to tears wiped away, no more death or sorrow, crying or pain, and the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to be associated with it, we might be led to infer that they will be saints who once dwelt on the present earth,—possibly those of the millennial period, in immortal and glorified bodies that will never be subject to pain or sorrow or death.
What a bright and glorious picture is presented to us in this eternal state of felicity, standing out in such marked contrast to all that has been known in the sad history of the present world! As another has said: "In this eternal scene of bliss, sin and death are unknown, or remembered only as vanquished foes. There is no more wandering, for all have entered into the permanent rest that remaineth for the people of God; no more expectation, for every longing of the heart has found complete satisfaction. Distance from God is no more known, for the glorified saints are fitted for the presence of Him who is of purer eyes than to behold evil."
In concluding our remarks on these interesting epochs and dispensations of Scripture,—the stepping—stones in the great river of time,—and considering their momentous bearing upon the destinies of mankind, and the point in that long stream to which we have now come in these last days, we may well exclaim with the Apostle Peter, " Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:1111Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (2 Peter 3:11).)
Moreover, when we look at what is transpiring around us, and see so many unmistakable signs of the near approach of the end of the present dispensation, it becomes us, as Christians who are animated with the " blessed hope " of our beloved Master's speedy return to take us to Himself, to be more than ever on the watch-tower; constantly watching and waiting for His glorious presence, " for our redemption (that of the body) draweth nigh." Thus only can we with full assurance raise and repeat the midnight cry, "Behold the Bridegroom." We can also take up in these last moments the words of the Apostle Paul with greater emphasis than ever.
That we are on the eve of a most momentous crisis, must surely be evident to all intelligent readers of Scripture, who have their eyes open to see what is going on in these remarkable times all over the world. Even secular papers, that pay little or no attention to Scripture, are constantly referring to the extraordinary activity and restlessness that prevail in the political, the social, and the religious world;—the stone, as it were, rolling down the mountain side, visibly accelerating in its speed as it draws nearer and nearer to the bottom of the hill.
Do we not see the dark and ominous cloud of a tremendous war looming up on the national horizon, expanding portentously as it draws nearer every day? It is what we are taught in the Scriptures to expect, soon after the removal of the Church to heaven, in Rev. 6:1-61And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. 5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Revelation 6:1‑6). It may begin, for aught we know, even before this; but we are not taught to look for any event before the coming of the Lord.
Do we not sec an unprecedented democratic power, under the various forms of Anarchy, Nihilism, Socialism, Communism, &c., rising up from the lower strata of society, and becoming by its defiant and insolent attitude an element of serious weakness, disturbance, and disorganization in every nation? This is just what we are to look for, at the " time of the end," in the " MIRY CLAY " which appears in the feet and toes of the great image of Dan. 2:41-4341And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Daniel 2:41‑43), and which unmistakably marks the close of the "Times of the Gentiles," and consequently the conclusion of this dispensation.
Do we not also see skepticism and infidelity coming more boldly forward than ever in its Rationalism, Agnosticism, Positivism hydra -headed forms of Atheism, Rationalism, Agnosticism, Positivism, Secularism, &c., combined with numerous subtle forms of heresy, and numbering among its advocates and teachers some of the ablest and most highly educated scholars of this nineteenth century?
This too we are taught in the Word of God to expect in the closing scenes of this age. "Knowing This first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation " (2 Peter 3:3, 43Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:3‑4)). " There should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts" (Jude 1818How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (Jude 18)). "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Tim. 3:1, 2, 7, 81This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2 Timothy 3:1‑2)
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:7‑8)).
Then, again, do we not see Spiritism in its various forms of Theosophy, Buddhism, the mystic sciences, &c., asserting itself in the most astounding and positive manner, and counting as its deluded votaries many among the higher circles of society?
And, further, is not the whole religious world in a state of unprecedented commotion, like the ocean in a boisterous storm, fiercely agitated by all manner of wild theories, false doctrines, heresies, down-grades, sacerdotalism, superstition, and ritualism; while many of the professed teachers of the Christian religion —high in popular favor and largely followed—are actually undermining its foundation truths? "Even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:11But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)). " But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived " (2 Tim. 3:1313But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13), and Jude 44For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 4),11-13). " Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them " (Acts 20:3030Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30)).
The events that are transpiring around us are the foreshadowings of these unclean spirits of devils, which are to go forth more energetically later on "unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty " (Rev. 16:1414For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:14)).
The foregoing are some of the dark shadows now being cast on the earth, telling of coming events, and pointing to still more terrible evils that shall arise in the great tribulation (after the Church is translated), and they ought to be regarded by all who consider these things as significant signs of the approaching end; when the " Stone " shall smite the great image on the feet, and destroy all these powers of evil, to establish in lieu thereof a kingdom in righteousness.
It should be distinctly remembered that I do not point to these things as signs of the coming Rapture, inasmuch as no events are spoken of in Scripture as occurring before that. But many things are foretold as happening before the second stage, of the Lord's coming, and it is to these I have been directing attention. At the same time, we cannot but conclude that, if the judgment of the nations be near at hand, the Rapture must be still nearer, because it is to take place some few years at least before this judgment, as repeatedly pointed out in our previous remarks.
On the other hand, we may perhaps point to one incidental and cheering indication of the near approach of the great crisis,—the coming of the Lord for His saints,—in the fact that so many now, as compared with the number some years ago, fully believe in the personal and pre-millennial coming of the Lord, and are earnestly teaching it in their sermons, lectures, and writings. Surely we may conclude that the Spirit of God is laying this precious truth more and more on the hearts of His saints as the time draws near. For this every believer should be truly thankful, and be led to pray that God may be graciously pleased to deeply impress this " blessed hope " on the hearts of Christians all over the world, as a preparation for that transcendent day. It is indeed cheering to hear so many joining in the cry, "Behold the Bridegroom;" and it is hoped that the perusal of this little book, through the Divine blessing, may help in some measure to add many more to that happy number.
While dwelling, as we have been, on the terrible judgments that are to fall ere long upon the ungodly and rebellious of this poor world, what joy and consolation it is for all true Christians to be able to look above and beyond the dark storms that are soon to descend upon the earth, to that bright and glorious morning (the brightest and happiest that has ever dawned) for the saints of God when they shall hear the blessed Lord calling them to Himself—in a voice that shall thrill millions of hearts—to be changed in a moment, transformed into His own celestial image, and caught up to meet Him in the skies, so to be forever in His glorious presence No tongue or pen could ever describe the bliss and glory of that bright day.
In view of all this, we ought to be found in the attitude of daily and hourly waiting and watching for our beloved Master's return, ever bearing in mind His own loving words on the eve of His departure from these earthly scenes, " I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord.... Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching" (John 14:33And 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 14:3); Mark 13:33-3733Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:33‑37); Luke 12:35, 36, 3735Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:35‑37)).
If our hearts are thus truly in the current of His gracious thoughts, we shall be ready—as all believers ought to be—to respond to His last words in the book of Revelation, "Surely I come quickly," "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."