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. 3:88But, 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).) 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. 24:4242Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 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, 3534Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 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. 11:3-153But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. 5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 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. 14:34-3734Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37If 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 Corinthians 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.