Exposition of heavenly truths through the revelation of the Holy Scriptures and the testimonies of the world's history

Front matter

Class_ \^"R I 2Jc

Book_ <MiL

CopyrightN°_d.

PART I. Historical Evidence of the Fulfillment of Prophecy

Chapter I—The Language of Divine Prophecy 5 or, The In¬ terpretation of Prophetic Symbols . . 10

Chapter II—The History of the Christian Church to the End of'the Second Woe ; divided into six parts, namely :

J* 1—The Fulfillment of Christ’s Prophecy in Matth. 24:1-28, or, The Warfare and Suffering of the Church under Pagan Rome. 26

\ 3—The Period of Transition from the Victory of the Church of Christ over Paganism until the Begin¬ ning of the Reign of the Two Witnesses of Rev.

11:3. 32

§ 4—The Reign of the Tyrant-Prophets of Rev. eh.

11, or, Christendom During the Time of the Most Intimate Union of State and Church..,... 40

§ 5—The Ascending of the Beast of the Bottomless

Pit, and the Death-State of the Two Witnesses. 48

§ 6—The Resurrection and the Present Decadence

of the Power of the Two Witnesses. 51

V

PAGE

Chapter III—Additional Facts Concerning the Proper Place¬ ment of the Beginning and Ending of the Intimate Union and Great Persecuting Power of the Two Wit¬ nesses . 58

Chapter IV—The Interpretation of the Twelfth Chapter of

the Book of Revelation . 70

Chapter V— Remarks on the Doctrine of the Trinity. 99

Chapter VI—The Temple of God and the Holy City, Rev.

11:1-2.. 107

Chapter VII—The Two Beasts of the Thirteenth Chapter

of Revelation. 113

Chapter VIII—On Revelation 14:9-10; Specially the Third

Angel’s Message. 139

Chapter IX—The Interpretation of the First Five Seals;

Chapter X—The Sixth Seal; Rev. 6:12 to 17. 150

Chapter XI—The Sealing of the Hundred and Forty-Four

Thousand; Rev. ch. 7. 157

Chapter XII—The Overthrow of the Arian Kingdoms, Rev.

ch. 8; or, The Commencement of the Seventh Seal.. .. 161

Chapter XIII—Exegesis of Rev. ch. 17. 169

V

Chapter XIV—Interpretations of Portions of the Book of

Revelation Not Contained in the Foregoing Chapters.. 180

Chapter XV—A Brief History of the Christian Dispensa¬ tion. 187

VI

Part II

Dissertations on Various Doctrines in the Light of Divine Law and Testimony. Isa. 8:20.

PAGE

Chapter XVI—Biblical and Historical Testimony Concern¬ ing the Observance of the Seventh and the First Day of the Week; divided into two parts, namely:

§ 1—General Testimonies.189

§ 2—On the Relation of the Feasts of Easter and Pentecost to the Observance of Sunday, and The Great Sign of His Messiahship Which Jesus Gave to the Scribes and Pharisees. 210

Chapter XVII—Concerning the So-Called 2300 ‘ ‘Days’’ of Daniel, ch. 8, and the Evidence of Their Non-Relation to the Heavenly Sanctuary. . 227

Chapter XVIII—On the Second Advent of Christ and the

Millennium .240

Chapter XIX—On the Unalterability of God’s Designs and the Evidence for the Yet Future Fulfilment of Those Prophecies Which Atheists Consider Failures.255

Chapter XX—On Daniel ch. 2, v. 43 .. 282

Chapter XXI—On the Return of Sodom, Ez. ch. 16 . 283

Chapter XXII—On the Ordinance of Baptism and the Way to “the High Calling in Christ Jesus” .. 287

Chapter XXIII—Answers to Diverse Arguments in Regard

to Water Baptism.... 300

Chapter XXIV—How to Discern Between True and False

Prophets.. 305

Chapter XXV—On Objections Raised Against Peculiar

Statements and Expressions Fouud in the Bible.328

VII

This book is an “Exposition of Heavenly Truths,” because it presents an exegesis of the Revelations which God gave us con¬ cerning His kingdom.

Fragments of the contents of this book have appeared in pam¬ phlets and in the form of short articles ever since 1883. But the author is aware of the necessity of having them published connect¬ edly to facilitate the search for reference and comparison, in order that all things therein presented might be easier understood.

The holy Scriptures give us many repetitions and supple¬ ments in regard to divine precepts and prophecies. Concerning the same facts we find numerous statements scattered here and there throughout the different books; because the books of the Bible were not written by one, or by a few, but by many prophets, and at times widely distant from one another. Therefore the perfect harmony in the language and in the meaning of the meta¬ phors used by the different writers, or prophets, in all their testi¬ monies, is truly astonishing and proves by itself almost as fully as does the perfect fulfillment of the various predictions, that the rev¬ elations of the Bible came not through any worldly wisdom, but from one source only, namely the Spirit of God. The Apostle Peter says (2 Pet. 1:21): “Prophecy came not by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” In another place (1 Pet. 1:11) he says, that the Spirit of Christ was in the old prophets. The fact that the different por¬ tions of the Bible were written by many prophets and during a long space of time, and that notwithstanding their great number, the different books contain no contradictions, but constitute a har¬ monious entirety, is certainly important. The evidence is perfect; for it is an harmonious testimony of many witnesses. Those wit¬ nesses do not only agree with one another in regard to divine doc¬ trines and precepts, but, as already stated, the wonderful symbol¬ isms, in which their predictions and parables are clothed, are in their use, application and meaning everywhere the same. The

Exposition of Heavenly Truths .

historical facts which prove the fulfillment of prophecy show this in every instance.

The many repetitions and supplements throughout the whole Bible are necessary for the purpose that the reader may keep every truth in constant remembrance. The prophet Isaiah says in chap¬ ter 28, verse 10: “Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.” If certain facts were not always kept in remembrance, it would be impossible to understand in all places the meaning of the Holy Scriptures, and to recognize without difficulty the fulfillment of a prediction and the progress toward the end of the definite historical periods. But to the heedless it happens as it is writ¬ ten (Matt. 33:13) : “Seeing they shall not see, and hearing they shall not understand.” For the carnal mind does not appreciate spiritual things, has no desire to hear them and study them, and therefore cannot understand them. A faithful seeker after truth cannot remain in ignorance, for the testimony of the prophetic word is so clear as to convince any one that will hear it. It was for this reason that Jesus refused to give the scribes a special sign concerning his authority and Messiahship.

The writer followed the teaching of the Holy Scripture in re¬ peating certain truths occasionally, and in referring the reader to previous statements when he deemed it necessary, especially in the explanation of prophetic symbols. None can thus lose sight of what was explained before; and the application of the same truths will bring light in new matters. Therefore, let the reader not regard this course as an imposition on his patience, but consider that in these highly important matters it is best to follow the ex¬ ample taught by the Holy Scripture.

Seventh Day Adventists applied the falling of the stars spoken of in Matt. 24:29 to a meteoric shower which fell in 1833; and the w r ord Genea, which occurs in the same passage of Scripture (and is translated by the English as “generation”), they thought meant only a man’s age. They have taught* therewith, that the^ second advent of Christ shall take place before all those shall have died who saw the phenomenon; for they consider that as the ful¬ fillment of the falling of the stars in Christ’s prophecy. They also looked in the same way on the darkening of the physical sun and moon in 1780. In this book, however, the proofs are given that the words of Jesus concerning the darkening of the sun, the

Introductory.

going out of the moon, and the falling of the stars from heaven, and the shaking of the powers of the heavens, have a figurative meaning, and that they were fulfilled long before the time assigned by the Seventh Day Adventists. The proof of the truth of this assertion is given in the first and second chapters of this book. Therefore none can tell whether any person who in 1833 saw the so-called falling of the stars will be alive or not at our Lord’s per¬ sonal appearing. The word Genea in the said passage applies to the Jewish race; and, moreover, the stars in the physical heavens did not fall, neither can they fall to the earth in the sense of com¬ mon language.* Therefore, if the last one of those who saw that great meteoric shower (for it was only such—and not the falling of the stars), shall have died before our Lord’s advent, then there shall be a great shaking in the Seventh Day Adventist church on this account, and also on account of many other doctrines which are built on similar false suppositions. To warn people against these errors, and to keep some from stumbling through offense is one reason why I commenced to write on the prophecies.

Seventh Day Adventists are certainly wrong in thinking that the word Genea in Matt. 24:34f is only applicable to a man’s age; and, by turning many symbolic statements into the literal, they also believe that before the destruction of Jerusalem there never were such great earthquakes (in nature) as there have been since. All such ideas have their origin in a misunderstanding of cer¬ tain prophetic terms.

It is astonishing how even the most renowned Bible exposi¬ tors have contradicted themselves, and how • their commentaries prove in themselves that certain views taken by them are false; one allegation very often destroying the other. Some tell us that the “manchild” of Revelations, chapter 12, is Jdsus. How can this be true? The Revelation of John is a revelation of things that were yet future, from the time that John was in the Isle of Patmos

* See also the Scriptural evidence which is given in chapter II, § 2, and in chapter X.

f Matt. 24:34, “Verily I say unto you, This generation” (Gr. “genea”—generation, race, breed) “shall not pass away till all these things be accomplished.” Luther and many others have correctly translated the word as “race” or “kindred,” which is in perfect har¬ mony with the numerous prophetic statements which foretold the survival of the Jewish race to the end.

Exposition of Heavenly Truths.

(Rev. 1:1)/and not of things that then already were in the past.* And, notice, the woman. Rev. 12 :1, that brought for that manchild” is not a fleshly woman, but a spiritual, namely, the church of God. Therefore the birth of that “man child” was not a fleshly birth, but a spiritual. Again, they comprehend correctly that the Sea out of which the first beast of Revelation 13 arose repre¬ sents discontented, restless multitudes in revolutions and wars. But they tell us that the Earth, out of which the second beast arose, is the physical earth, and that it is, specially, the lately discovered continent of America. How can this be true? If the sea has a spiritual meaning, why should, in the same vision, the earth not also have a spiritual meaning? As the restless, wind-tossed sea stands for unruly people, so shall we find that the firm earth stands for peaceable, patient, quiet people that are not involved in wars. Again, if the Sun wherewith the woman of Revelations, chapter 12 was clothed, and the Moon which she had under her feet, have a spiritual meaning, why not also the Sun and Moon in the proph¬ ecies of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jesus? etc. Is God’s word confusion? Surely not. It is also impossible for the Little Horn of Dan. 8:9 to be the same as the one spoken of in Daniel, chapter 7; because that of Daniel, chapter 8, came out of one of the Greek kingdoms. History and Scripture teach that none of the old universal domin¬ ions sprang out of one another, but that every succeeding one arose independently and absorbed the one that had ruled before. The Roman empire did not come out of that empire which was founded by x41exander, but it grew up in the West and spread and absorbed the kingdoms in the East. (Every successive universal dominion was also larger than the one that preceded it. t) How then can the Little Horn of Daniel, chapter 8, be the papacy? And seeing that the prophecy in Daniel, chapter 8 (in the original language),

* P’or the things which John had seen according to verse 19 are simply the things mentioned in verse 20: the vision of Jesus Christ and the things concerning the seven communities in Asia, which at that time existed, verses 10-18.

t Those great pagan dominions of ancient times were not called Universal, because they covered the whole earth, for they did not, but because each one in its respective time ruled over all the coun¬ tries in which the knowledge of God was spread upon the earth. No nation comes under the scope of prophecy as long as the word of God is not preached among it.

Introductory .

speaks not of 2,300 Days, but of 2,300 Evening-mornings, how can they be years? Evening-mornings signify natural days, days that have evenings and mornings (nights and days) ; they can therefore not be considered as prophetic days, and consequently not as common years, etc. I consider it my duty, not only to teach the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus, but also to remove the stumbling blocks set up by false teachers—by which so many have fallen into skepticism.

It is of great importance to understand prophecy, and to know the facts by which the predictions have been fulfilled, and to know by means of the scriptural symbolisms in what way those prophe¬ cies, for which the time of fulfillment has not yet come, shall also be fulfilled. The predominant elements of paganism were feel¬ ing, superstition and speculative philosophy. But the true relig¬ ion is a religion of light and knowledge and of faith founded upon the knowledge that it’s promises are sure.

The strength of the Christian argument rests upon the ful¬ fillment of prophecy. How can any intelligent and inquisitive person become a successful teacher except he sees, that aside from his own conscience, his faith is confirmed by plain historical facts, and founded upon the testimony of the prophets of whom Christ is the cornerstone. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Paul has defined what faith is, when he said, Heb. 11 :1, “Faith is the substance” (Gr. basis) “of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is a substance; it is the foundation of hope, and a condition that can bring forth works that are good in the sight of God. Faith is not speculative; for it rests upon perfectly reliable and incontrovertible evidence. The evidences of the perfect fufillment of things, that were foretold by God’s prophets, begets the right kind of faith in the things fore¬ told yet to come, and a childlike trust in God. Without faith it is impossible to serve God aright. In addition, therefore, to what Paul said in verse 1 he says in verse 6: “Without faith it is im¬ possible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” The ardent desire to please God is always rewarded. For example, God sent Philipp to the Ethiopian eunuch, and Peter to Cornelius, to preach to them and show them His will in Christ Jesus, that those men might attain the high calling of the elec¬ tion, the great inheritance of the saints (of the innumerable bride-

Exposition of Heavenly Truths .

company). For these indeed were men that did the will of God and searched after God’s kingdom.

No one should implicitly trust all the arguments of great preachers, but should use them rather as incentives for self-study. Often in a sermon are most important passages left out which would throw a different light on what the preacher has said. Let all things be proven: first, by the commandments of God; and sec¬ ond, by the testimony of prophecy. The Revelation which Jesus received of God, and which He then gave to John on the Isle of Patmos, is the last of the revelations of God in this dispensation. It unveiled the mysteries which the apostles in their time could not yet have known, and foretold the history of the Church of Christ. This revelation shows us which is the true Church of Christ. As he that builds his house on a solid foundation, so will a wise man build his hope on the foundation of revealed and firmly established facts. Blessed is he whose faith stands upon the solid foundation that is laid in Christ Jesus. For thereby he gains an immovable confidence and perfect assurance of the promises of God which are looked for.

I wish that every one could say, like Paul, from his whole heart: “I know Him whom I believe.” The Scripture says> Faith comes, by hearing the word of God. It comes through evi¬ dence. Peter says: “We have a sure word of prophecy; and ye do well to take heed to it.” Yea, after speaking of the vision in the mount, he puts the testimony of prophecy above it and said: “We have a more sure word of prophecy.” And why? Because he knew the naked facts Ipy which its truth was incontrovertibly established. It is this prophetic word by which the truth of every doctrine must be tested. For this purpose also was the Revelation of John given to us. Thiplias seemed strange to some, for they say no man can understand the Revelation. But the reader will find, if he goes through this book, that we declare the truth. The Scriptures give us complete satisfaction for all our wants. Jesus referred to the Scripture continually. In those rude pictures of the first centuries we find him almost invariably represented with the roll of the old Scriptures in His hand, figuratively showing that He referred to the Scriptures in His teaching.

My aim is to exhibit the truth and harmony of the Scriptures by guiding the reader to understand the prophecies. Unlike that old Roman who said it was more difficult for him to say much in

Introductory .

a few words, it used to be the writer’s fault to contract too much, so that many could not readily understand him. He therefore labored for years to get out of that fault. In writing this book he took pains (especially in chapter I and chapter XIX) to make many explanations and repetitions that the respective matter should be better understood by those who are not favored with a sufficient knowledge of history, and therefore cannot so readily understand the prophecies. I know that I am writing chiefly for the poor and uneducated. For the great ones of this world and the rich and those highly educated in the arts of men do generally not take a great delight in the knowledge of God. The few excep¬ tional ones, therefore, who do not need all my explanations will kindly excuse me for the sake of others. However, by the means of seasonable repetitions we gain this important advantage, that the majority of the chapters are complete in themselves. There¬ fore they can very well be understood by themselves, if only the interpretation of prophetic symbols, given in chapter I, will be re¬ membered.

The reader should not fail to look at-the footnotes; for some of them contain valuable information; and they do not treat on outside matters, but were separated for the only purpose of mak¬ ing. the main text appear clearer.

Very'many prophecies are not mentioned in this book; but they are those that are generally well understood (as, for example, Dan. chapter 2). Aside from the book of Revelation, which is most important, we shall consider only those questions concerning which much misunderstanding and confusion prevails among the sectarian theologians.

I know that many things are not brought out in this work as well as they ought to be. Other labor and constant troubles prevented it. And while the writing of this book has been a great pleasure to me, I confess and regret that the cares of this world and rebukes and tauntings have worried me. As to what remains of my studies and work, I pray for God’s blessing to accompany the same, that they may greatly benefit such as seek after truth, and may yet be instrumental in bringing many to a good understanding of the Holy Scripture and increasing their faith in this late and most dangerous hour.

“And, finally, I wish to say yet that it is far from me to think that my work might be perfect, even if I could have be-

Exposition of Heavenly Truths .

stowed more time on it. No human work is perfect. The Scrip¬ tures (for example, Ex. 30:31-38) show that the production of anything perfect is not meet to be accomplished by man in his present state. We strive, however, after perfection. Not that I already had apprehended, but I pursue after it. I pray for more light and earnestly solicit from my fellowmen any good advice (that is in accordance with the testimony of the Scripture and history) by which this work might be revised for a better x edition, if time for it should remain before our Lord’s coming, when “light shall spring forth as the day, and the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord and His glory as waters that cover the sea. 1 ”

Thus had I hoped when I wrote the Introduction for the first edition of this book. Now in bringing out the second I imagine I can feel somewhat as others have felt when they expected to make an impression for good on society, and failed. But Jesus, when He saw that those of repute had rejected Him, thanked God, that though God had hid these things from the wise and prudent, He revealed them unto babes. “Even so. Father, for thus it seemed good in Thy sight.” When I published the first books I hoped that some of the great leaders of the Christian denominations should feel interested in my efforts to spread divine knowledge.* But to my sorrow 1 found some that would not condescend to read one single page. Some even refused the gift of a copy, whether it was because I am a farmer and they thought such a one was not capable to understand prophecy, or that some knew that I stand independent of human denominations and that I have at¬ tacked certain creeds ? However, is it not written concerning world-minded teachers (Isa. 56:10-11), . . . ”they are

shepherds that know how to understand: they all turn to their own way, everyone after his own gain from all quarters.” I must expect therefore that many will cleave to their errors and remain in Babylon. Yea, many have told me that no man can understand the Revelation which was given to John. But con¬ cerning it, it is written, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are writ¬ ten therein.” How shall they keep them if they don’t understand

* Do not apiarists, agriculturists, fruitmen and others fraternally consult and help one another?

Introductory .

them? I had hoped to get help from some of the great and learned men, but I received not as much as one suggestion, and the whole work was left to me alone. But before the manuscript was re-written I had the pleasure of receiving some notes from a young man, A. Raleigh, Malvern, Ark. Those notes are signed, “A. Raleigh.”

Thankful for the prayers and the words of approval from those by whom the first work was gladly received, and who read the same, I hope that they, like Nicodemus, finally gain the cour¬ age to defend every truth publicly. And God grant that the truths brought out in this w r ork shall find an entrance also into many other hearts and bring them nearer to God.

In the estimation of the writer the book appears now much improved* from what it was. Even the title is somewhat changed, and therefore a new copyright has been taken. However, one par¬ agraph, “The Testimony of the Bible on the Use of Wine” does not appear in this edition, because it involved matters that did not properly belong among subjects of so much more importance. If any wish the said article, let them address me.

To God who guides His children and causes them to know more and more their own weakness, and His love and the power of His Holy Spirit—to Him be all the honor and glory.

* The writer’s mother tongue is not the English, and there may be some improper expressions and awkward turns in this work. Let the reader not regard such, but let him take delight in the beauty of God’s truth.—As to the price of the book it cannot be denied that it is high. It is because the means have been lacking to pay for plates, and one thousand copies was the limit of the printing, for which the writer borrowed the money and gave a mortgage on his home. No publisher could be found to take hold of the work. If these 1,000 copies are sold and the debt paid, then, if time lasts, undoubtedly more means will be found, so that not only the work might be stereo¬ typed and copies produced cheaper, but also that suitable illustrations could be made, especially for chapters IX, X and XII.

J. N.

Malvern, Arkansas, 1903.

PART ONE Historical Evidence of the Fulfillment of Prophecy

Containing (/) an Interpretation of Prophetic Symbols , and ( 2) the Exegesis of the Book of Revelation and of Certain Prophecies Connected Therewith.

“Every scribe that is instructed in re¬ gard to the kingdom of God is like a house¬ holder who brings forth out of his treas¬ ure things new and old.” Matt. 13:552.

Chapter I

The Language of Prophecy: or, the Interpretation of Prophetic Symbols.

We cannot understand divine prophecy except we first under¬ stands its symbolic language. Unassailable testimonies prove that in Matt. 24:29, Jesus spake not of the physical sun and moon and stars, nor that Moses spake of the atmospheric expanse in Deu¬ teronomy 28:23, nor that. Ezekiel in his prophecy of the downfall of Egypt spake of the sun and moon and the stars that shine in the visible heavens, etc. For, as these heavenly bodies influence the earth and dispense thereon the different seasons, they were used in the said prophecies as symbols for governmental powers and for rulers. Sun and moon represent the religious and civil laws, or powers, over mankind ; and stars represent the great men that rule. The seat of ecclesiastic and civil powers is therefore emblematically called Heaven in prophecy; and the common peo¬ ple (being subjected and ruled by it) is called The Earth.

Interpretation of Prophetic Symbols.

The Roman empire was a universal dominion, because it ex¬ tended as far as God’s people had become scattered during its exist¬ ence. As soon as the terrible persecutions of pagan Rome had ceased, when Christianity had triumphed over the heathen world and the Edict of Toleration had been proclaimed (then) the old Roman empire, the last universal empire of this world, began to disappear. In the language of prophecy, therefore, it was imme¬ diately after the days of the great persecutions against the Church of Christ that the sun was darkened and the moon did not give her light and the stars fell from heaven. Notice: one heaven, which represents the authority of the one (universal) Roman empire. And after that (and ever since then) the powers of the heavens were shaken. Matt. 24:29, and so they continue until Christ’s return. Notice, heavens (plural) representing the various new governments that since the fall of the Roman empire did arise and rule the world. When the Roman empire, the last uni¬ versal dominion of this world was overthrown, its sun, that is its religion, was first extinguished; and then disappeared its moon, or civil power. And then also its stars, the illustrious senatorial families and the great men fell from their high positions. And then appeared new heavens, new seats of ruling powers, namely, those of the horns and kingdoms that rose up in fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy;* and these established themselves upon the ruins of Rome. Since then there was no longer one heaven (a single dominion) that ruled over Christians and Jews. The new kingdoms were never able to consolidate into one domin¬ ion; they were forever “shaken” by wars and other causes both in religious and civil respects down to the present day.f They con¬ tinue in this way until the return of Christ. “Then shall they disappear and the kingdom of God shall appear with power and glory, and shall rule over all. Dan. 7:27, etc.

The word heaven, if figuratively used in prophecy, always denotes the seat of religious and civil authority over mankind. Paul, the apostle, used the same prophetic expression when he

* The Roman, according to Daniel’s prophecy, was the fourth and last universal dominion of the present world. See Daniel, chapter 2 and chapter 7.

f The so called Christian governments also entered into unions with certain churches. Under this arrangement religious liberty was entirely crushed untR the last decade of the eighteenth centutry.

Exposition of Heavenly Truths: Ch . /.