A brief illustration of the prophecies and promises of God's word, concerning the kingdom of God ...

Front matter

I l lRI^ i ! 1 I ' lillilll

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

BRIEF ILLUSTRATION

Contents

SECTION.

I. The Everlasting Kingdom of* God.

II. FOREORDINATION OF GOD'S CHOSEN KlNG.

Introduction

As Christ is the end of the law, so is he the end of the prophecies. And the whole of God's dispensations to man, originate and centre in him, as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, who was before all things, and by whom all things consist : and in whom all the prophecies and promises are yea, and amen, to the glory of God the Father.

Prophecy not only reveals future events, but by it the history of the whole Patriarchal age was recovered, by Moses, and handed down in the Pentateuch to later generations. And by it the instructions concerning present duty, as well as the knowledge of future events, are communicated from God to man. The apostle Peter considered it more sure than heathen Fables, or even the history of events, related, or written by eye-witnesses : and encourages us to take heed to it, as to a light shining in this dark world, until the millennial day dawns, and the Star, which visited us at the first advent of Christ, arise in our hearts at the resurrection, as the root and offspring of David, the Bright and the Morning Star.

The mystical and allegorical constructions put upon the Prophecies, by unbelieving and visionary interpreters, has bewildered the minds of many, who seem either to be fruitful in imagining vague notions concerning viii

INTRODUCTION.

their meaning, or to despair of obtaining any correct understanding of them. But why should it be thought reasonable, that God, in revealing his word, means different from the plain, literal meaning of it, or that he will fulfill those predictions which remain to be fulfilled, in a manner different from those which have been accomplished ? It requires no greater stretch of credulity, to believe that the saints shall inherit the new earth, than to believe the account given of the creation and peopling of this earth. Nor is it any more inconsistent to believe that the Lion will eat straw like an Ox, and lie down with the Lamb, peaceably, than that he ever did those things.

We learn from the account given of the creation, that, on a certain day, God created every beast jthat creeps upon the earth (and the lion was one of them), and that he created every tree bearing fruit, and every herb bearing seed, for food, for man and beasts, on another day. But it is evident that the lion did not live on animal food; for he could not eat his fellow animals without killing them. And there were no instances of death, before sin abounded.

The Author does not feel himself at liberty to depart from the plain, literal, common sense import of the Scriptures ; unless they are represented as metaphors, and parables, by being called such ; or are connected with figures, or couched in such language as shows them to be allegorical, by being expressed in phrases of comparison, such as the following, for example : Like unto, or is as, or like, &c. <fce.

It is to be regretted that so many, in modern times, are disposed to subvert the Scriptures, by saying, as they did anciently , "Ah Lord God ! doth he not speak

INTRODUCTION.

parables V If one takes the liberty to invent, or imagine a figurative meaning of scripture, others may take the same liberty, and produce a multitude of different figures, and each be entitled to equal credibility. And thus we are left to mere conjectures, instead of having a revelation that is tangible, and reasonable, and certain.

From these considerations, the Author has been deterred from using long and labored metyphysical arguments, and has briefly expressed his views, and quoted the Scriptures, from which he has derived the sentiments he endeavors to illustrate ; that those who read may be able to compare them with the only infallible standard of divine truth : The Bible.

While prosecuting this work, the Author has been filled with admiration, in finding so much in the Bible to confirm the literal meaning of the Scriptures, and that, as yet, nothing has been discovered that is inexplicable, or contrary to such meaning. And if the reader is as much delighted in perusing the work, as the Author has been in the pleasing task of writing it, he will not regret the attention thus devoted to this important subject.

In hopes thus to contribute to the promulgation of gospel light, and truth, and in aiding and edifying Christians, and of convincing such as maybe skeptical, and persuading them to believe the Scriptures, this little Treatise is respectfully and affectionately dedicated to the public by the humble

Author.

z

INTRODUCTION.

"The Bible is justly esteemed

The glory supreme of the land, Which shews how a sinner's redeem'd.

And brought to Jehovah's right hand. With pleasure we freely confess

The bible does all books outshine, But Jesus, his person and grace,

Affords it that lustre divine.

In ev'ry prophetical book

Where God his decrees hath unseal'd, With joy we behold as we look,

The wonderful Savior reveal'd ; His glories project to the eye,

And prove it was not his design Those glories concealed should lie,

But there in full majesty shine.

The first gracious promise to man,

A blessed prediction appears, His work is the soul of the plan,

And gives it the glory it wears.

How cheering the truth must have been,

That Jesus the promised seed, Should triumph o'er satan and sin,

And hell in captivity lead !

The ancient Levitical law

Was prophecy after its kind, In types there the faithful foresaw

The Savior that ransom'd mankind.

The altar, the lamb, and the priest,

The blood that was sprinkled of old, Had life when the people could taste

The blessings those shadows foretold,

INTRODUCTION.

Review each prophetical song,

Which shines in prediction's rich train The sweetest to Jesus belong,

And point out his sufferings and reign Sure David his harp never strung

With more of true sacred delight, Than when of the Savior he sung,

And he was revealed to his sight.

May Jesua more precious become—

His word be a lamp to our feet, While we in this wilderness roam,

Till brought in his presence to meet Then, then we will gaze on thy face,

Our Prephet, our Priest, and our King Recount all thy wonders of grace,

Thy praises eternally sing."

Section I. The Everlasting Kingdom Of God

Text: Psalms ciii. 19, " The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all."

According to this text, we understand that God prepared a throne for himself in the heavens, and reigned as the Supreme Ruler of the Universe of worlds, before this world, or our solar system of worlds was created. For he inhabiteth eternity, and we can no more consistently limit the beginning of his reign, than we can set bounds to the future duration of his dominion.

Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. — Job xxxvi, 26.

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy ; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. — Isa. lvii, 15.

And while we expect that he will rule eternally hereafter, we may, with equal propriety, believe that his kingdom has ruled over the inhabitants of other worlds for millions of years.

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. — Psa. xc, 4.

THE EVERLASTING

Daniel describes the throne of God in a striking coincidence with the idea that the local place of God's throne is a Sun, or Solar Planet ; around which other solar systems revolve.

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool : his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him : the judgment was set, and the books were opened. — Dan. vii,

How exactly does this agree with the fact of a planet of fire, surrounded with other planets of burning flame, as wheels revolving like stars around the sun !

Wh en the door was opened in heaven to John's vision, he saw this throne, and him that sat upon it ; and also those that surrounded it.

After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven : and the first voice which I heard, was as it were of a trumpet talking with me ; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

And immediately I was in the Spirit : and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone : and there was a rainbow round about the throne in sight like unto an emerald.

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment ; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

9, 10.

KINGDOM OF GOP.

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal : And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within : and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almignty, which was, and is, and is to come.

And when those beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Thou art worthy, Lord, to receive glory, and honor, thy pleasure they are and were created. — Rev. iv, 1-11.

It has been very common for expositors to represent the Beasts and Elders, as being some class of mortal agents ; but, it is evident that they are celestial beings.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Above it stood the seraphims : each one had six wings ; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts i the whole earth is full of his glory. — Isa. vi, 1, 2, 3.

Here they are called seraphims. These and the elders, as well as the innumerable created all things, and for

THE EVERLASTING company of angels, of whom Paul in Heb. xii, 22, and John in Rev. v, 11, speaks, are all celestial beings, who inhabit celestial worlds. And we have no more cause to doubt the existence of such beings, than we have to doubt the existence of man.

Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. — 2 Peter ii, 11.

David speaks of these in connexion with the throne, which is prepared in the heavens.

The Loan, hath prepared his throne in the heavens ; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the Lord., ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. — Psa. ciii, 19, 20,

But of all the glorious hosts of celestial beings, that are spoken of as being connected with God's throne, none are so wonderful and glorious as the Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not : behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood the Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. — Rev. v, 5, 6.

This glorious personage, the four beasts, the four and twenty elders, all the angels, and every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, join to worship in connexion with

KINGDOM OF GOD.

him that sat on the throne, " saying, blessing and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Rev. v, 7, Moses mentions the heavens and the heaven of heavens.

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. — Deut. x, 14.

From this we understand that there are : First, the heaven which probably is the airy region of atmosphere with which this earth is surrounded.

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven ? — Job xxxv, 11.

And God called the firmament Heaven : and the evening and the morning were the second day. — Gen. i, 8,

The second are the regions of the heavenly worlds, or the planetary system of worlds.

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. — Heb. i, 2.

The third is the celestial world, or solar luminary, around which all other solar systems of worlds revolve ; and from which all centripetal and all centrifugal forces originate.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings ; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

THE EVEKLASTINU

And one ceied unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts : the whole earth is full of his glory. — Isa. vi, 1, 2, 3.

But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee ; how much less this house that I have builded ?

Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thv dwelling-place, and maintain their cause. — » 1 Kings viii, 27, 29.

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool : where is the house that ye build unto me ? and where is the place of my rest ? — Isa. lxvi, 1.

Many seem to be very incredulous about the local habitation of God, because they are unable to fix on any place in the world for his residence. But when we consider that there are, probably, worlds on worlds revolving in the immensity of space, around the heaven of heavens, we shall not depend on the discoveries of astronomers, nor be disposed to deny that God has a dwelling place where he personally resides.

The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high.

Who humbleth h imself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth ? — Psa. cxiii, 4, 5, 6.

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, thou that dwellest in the heavens. — Psa. cxxiii, 1.

The argument, that if God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, his centre must be every where, proves too much. For it deprives him of independent identity, and renders him incapable of locomo-

KINGDOM OF GOD.

tion, action, or knowledge. For how can a being who fills all space, remove from one place to another? or move to action? or even receive any knowledge of any event beyond his own inactive existence? But, say some, how can his power be exerted ? and his influence to be felt ? and his knowledge extend every where if he exists in personal form, and has a local habitation ? I answer by inquiring, how any ruler on earth exerts his power? and causes his influence to be felt, and* knows what transpires in his dominion, while he is located personally on the throne ? It may be answered: by seeing and hearing. Well, if man can see beyond his own personal existence, or hear, by acoustics, from afar, shall we limit the capability of him, with whom there is no darkness ? or think him incapable of distinguishing pneumatical sounds ? If our optics of vision can discern objects, and our organs of hearing can distinguish sounds for many miles, for aught we can tell, God can see and hear every thing in the universe.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight : but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. — Heb. iv, 13.

It is certain that the resurrected body of Jesus Christ personally exists somewhere. And yet he can be with his disciples to the

THE EVERLASTING end of the world. Paul says he has ascended up where he was before he descended.

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before ? — John vi, 62*

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.— Eph. iv. 10.

And Stephen says he saw him standing on the right hand of God.

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of marl standing on the right hand of God. — Acts vii, 56.

This perfectly harmonizes with the language of wisdom, in personifying Christ in his pre-existent state.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

"When there were no depths, I was brought forth ; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth :

While as yet he had not made the eearth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

When he prepared the heavens, I was there : when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

When he established the clouds above : when he strengthened the fountains of the deep :

"When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment ; when he appointed the foundations of the earth :

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him : and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him :

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth ; and my delights were with the sons of men. — Prov. viii, 23-31.

If, then, Jesus Christ still exists in personal form, and is on the right hand of God,

KINGDOM OF GOD.

is it inconsistent to believe that God exists in personal form, and has a local residence? If any one will tell me where that body which ascended in the sight of the five hundred witnesses is, I will tell where God is, for Christ is at his right hand. And though we are not able to soar, in our discoveries, so high as to fix on the local place, in the immensity of space, where God resides, yet it is no argument that he has no local place where his throne is prepared, and where he exists in the heaven of heavens.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. — St John iii, 13.

Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory : where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me ? are they restrained ?— -Isa. lxiii, 15.

In contemplating the throne and kingdom of God, we are not only led to consider his

Eersonal existence, and the throne on which e reigns, but also the elements of his kingdom, and the order of his dominion " over all."

The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice ; the floods lift up their waves. — Psa. xciii, 3.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. — Matt vi, 9, 10.

As God has proved himself to be a being

THE EVERLASTING of infinite goodness, wisdom, and power, it is not only rational but obligatory to believe that he has exerted those attributes, in the creation and government of all the creatures he has made ; and that for the purposes of sustaining, instructing and controlling them, he has associated and organized a universal kingdom ; and so constituted its elements and order, as to secure the exercise of justice, judgment, and love in the execution of his dominion over all worlds.

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. — Psalms lxxxix, 14.

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.— Heb. xii, 22, 23, 24.

As love is a principle of his nature, so justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne; while mercy and truth go before his face. And sooner would a world sink, than that either of these divine and essential principles should fail to be executed in his kingdom. Consequently, whatever may be our imaginary notions about the manner in which these principlds can be harmoniously executed, it must be admitted that

KINGDOM OF GOD.

the system of divine economy exercised by the All-wise Creator and Governor of the Universe, is perfectly right. And that it is our duty to believe the revelation he has made concerning it.

Clouds and darkness are round about hirn : righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. — ■ Psa. xcvii, 2.

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things ?— St. John iii, 12.

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him. — James ii, 5.

"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. — Heb. xii, 28,

Then it becomes us, without attempting to be his counsellors, or to instruct or reply against God, to submit to his authority with confidence in his goodness and righteousness ; and to set to our seal that God is true, in all that he has said, as well as in all his works and ways.

Kay but, man, who art thou that repliest against God ? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it. Why hast thou made me thus % — Rom. ix, 20.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord ? or who hath been his counsellor? — Rom. xi, 34.

In this manner we may enquire to know

his will concerning us, and be reconciled to

him ; and by acquaintance with him be at

peace with him.

Righteous art thou, Lord, when I plead with thee : yet let me talk with thee of ^judgments. — Jer. xii, L

THE EVERLASTINu

But if we distrust his word, we shall be sure to distrust his goodness, and reject the proffer of his mercy, and being unreconciled, indulge a carnal mind of enmity against God.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. — Rom. riii, 7.

How important then, it must be for us to divest ourselves of confidence in our own wisdom, and to come to the light of divine truth as it is revealed in the Word of God, to gain an understanding that will qualify us to speak of the glory of his kingdom and talk of his power, in praising him for his goodness, and for his wonderful works.

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk 01 thy power ;

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion enditreth throughout all generations. — Psa. cxlv, 11, 12, 13.

Kelying, then, upon the truth of the assertion of the inspired Apostle, that the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, I attempt to advance in the consideration and illustration of what is revealed in the Scriptures of Truth, concerning the elements and phases of the kingdom of God in this world and that which is to come.

Believing that the same rational and per*

KINGDOM OF GOD.

feet system of divine economy is exercised, in all worlds, in the government of Angels and Seraphs, that are the basis of God's nature, and the habitation of his throne, I shall not attempt further to illustrate the order of his government in other worlds, but shall confine myself to what is revealed in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, concerning his kingdom administered to the inhabitants of this world, by his son Jesus Christ.

Four elements are essential to a perfect, well organized kingdom, viz: 1. A King, 2. Subjects. 3. Territory ; and, 4. Law.

All these elements are found in the everlasting kingdom of God. The Self-existent and Eternal Jehovah is the Supreme Euler of the Universe. All other rational, intelligent beings, are his subjects, over whom he reigns. All worlds, comprising not only our solar system of worlds, but the heaven of heavens where God resides, and all other systems of worlds revolving around it, are the territory of his everlasting kingdom. And that eternal rule of right, based on principles of justice and judgment, revealing the will of God, is the law by which he governs the universe.

So, likewise, in the lvvelation of his word, we are to expect to find all these elements in the different phases in which the kingdom of God appears,

FOREORDINATION OF

With this expectation, then, I proceed to an examination of the Scriptures of truth, which are the only infallible source of information on this, and every other subject of revelation.

Section II. Foreordination Of God's Chosen King

Text: 1 Pet. i, 20,21. "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ; who by him do believe in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God."

Having thus noticed God's everlasting kingdom, and the throne which he has prepared in the heavens, I shall pass to the consideration of the preparation of his kingdom in this world.

The first preparatory element of his kingdom in this world was the foreordination of his Son, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

And lie hath on his vesture and on his thigh, a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LOUD OF LORDS. — Rey. xix, 16.

god's chosen king.

In the text Christ is represented in three different states. First, in his pre-existence, at the beginning. Second, in his humiliation, as manifest for us in the flesh. Third, in his state of exaltation and glory in heaven.

In order to understand his true character, we must consider his nativity, his administration, and his reign.

In the gospel, written by the apostle John, we find his native character described as at the beginning.

In the beninning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. — Johni, 1.

Here we learn that he is God. But not the same identical God that he was with ; for this would confound the harmony of language, and destroy all relation existing between the Father and Son. How then shall we understand this passage? Answer: by considering the explanation given by John in the 14th verse.