10. W. J., Bangor. There is no direct scripture, that we are aware of, for the thought that the millennium will take place at the end of the 6,000 years from Adam. The seventh-clay, sabbath, or rest, seems to indicate this, and has given rise to the common thought that it will be so. “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Pet. 3:8.) This, however, it may be, has nothing to say to the coming of Christ to take the church, as that is a distinct matter. A literal statement to the effect that the millennium would come at the end of 6,000 years, and the judgment that introduces it at the appearing of Christ, as judge, would have of course determined the time, and thus contradicted the Lord’s words, Matt. 24:42, “Watch therefore, for ye know not the hour your Lord doth come.”
In like manner if the Lord had said there will be seven successive stages of the church’s history, and then cometh the end, that would have taken away the waiting expectation of the early church. Yet now we perceive that though the addresses to the seven assemblies in Asia, had a literal application to them as they existed, they had also a most instructive voice to the churches during the seven successive stages of the history of Christendom. No intelligent student of scripture doubts this.
Matt. 24 refers mainly to the Jews, see verses 15-31, but ver. 32 to the end, has a solemn voice to Christendom. Is it not a mistake to say, that the Book of Revelation was written only to the churches, and, therefore, of what use are the signs of Matt. 24 and the Book of Revelation, if the church has nothing to do with signs? That which applies specially to the churches in Revelation is chapters 2, 3, and in those chapters there are no signs. The church is in heaven before a seal is broken, or a sign given. Thus the signs of Matt. 24 and Revelation have reference to God’s dealings with His people Israel, and the earth.
As to the seals, the trumpets, and bowls, they are successional, one after another, just as the seven addresses to the churches. Three sets of successional stages of judgments on this earth, after the church is gone. The seventh seal introduces the seven trumpets, and the seventh trumpet brings in the final result. (Chap. 11:15.) The seven events of chapter 14, and the seven vials, or bowls of chapter 16, are distinct in character. There is no reference in the seals, and the trumpets, to the last days of Daniel: unless it be the seventh trumpet, in chapter xi. as the last days or dates of Daniel are there named—that is Jewish history properly begins in chapter xi. 3. These and the dates of chapters 12, 13, as the events show, do not belong to the present period of Christendom. God has been pleased to make known to us the things that will take place after we are gone. We must, however, remember that the Revelation is to His servants. (Chap. 1:1-3.)
11. Β. H., Grimsby. The women were to be silent in the assembly. “Let your women keep silence in the assemblies: for it is not permitted unto them to speak..... for it is a shame for women to speak in the assembly.” (1 Cor. 14:34, 35.) It is evident, then, that to pray, or prophesy with uncovered head, does not refer to the assembly; but to that modesty that becometh women at all times. The order is this: The head of the woman is the man; the head of man is Christ; the head of Christ is God. The woman is in subjection to man, as Christ, as man, was subject to God the Father in all things. No doubt, the god of this world is leading the universal rebellion against God and His word. The angels look on. For this cause the woman ought to have covering on her head, as a sign of her subjection to man.
God has marked the distinction in the difference of the long hair of the woman, as a veil or covering. The woman, being in rebellion against God, tries to please Satan’s fashion, in altering this, even if it makes her look frightful, and without shame. Read carefully 1 Cor. 11:3-15. Could anything be more unseemly, or more contrary to God’s word, than for a woman to stand up and preach to men in the streets, and then beg for money as a reward for such a breach of the commands of Christ? For immediately after forbidding women to speak in the assemblies, the apostle says, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 14:34-37.) Thus to deliberately disobey the commandments of Christ the Lord, is rebellion against Him. These are serious questions for this day; but the path of the Christian who loves the word of God is plain enough.