The Roman empire revived...

Chapter I. Preliminary Remarks

The lessons of time. — The use of history. — Law of sequence. — The question of the day. — Prophecy. — Map of the future. — Class of new theorists. — Statement of three propositions. — Theory of proof. — The same as in the physical sciences 9

Chapter II. Times Of The Gentiles

Syncronizes with four universal motuzrchies.— Has no numerical limitation. — Metallic image. — Dominion over the earth conferred upon the Gentiles. — The ways of Divine Providence. — The hidden hand. — God's throne in heaven. — State craft 16

Chapter III. Prophetic Numbers And Symbols

Prophetic numbers chiefly found in Daniel and the Apocalypse. — Understood as literal time. — Seven times. — The import of prophetic symbols. — How determined. — Usus loquemii. — A uniform meaning must be assigned to symbols 25

Chapter IV. Impending Crisis

Prop. I. — Not in itself improbable. — The King of Rome. — Tendence of European diplomacy. — Survey of the nations. — Secret societies. — Revolutionary literature. — Disparity of condition. — Emigration. — Modern science. — The Christian religion. — Unfavorable outlook. — The remedy 33

Chapter V. Evidence From Prophecy

Our position on the prophetic chart. — The nations sprung from the disintegrated Roman Empire. — The identity of the symbols described in Dan. 7th and Rev. 13th. — This identity conclusive of Prop. 1. — Additional and independent specifications 54

Chapter VI. Further Evidence From Prophecy

A beast the symbol of an universal, secular monarchy. — Can not symbolize the Roman Hierarchy. — The Roman Empire revived pointed out. — Additional reason for. — The great red dragon. — The woman clothed with the sun 66

Chapter VII. Further Evidence From Prophecy

Having seven heads. — Five forms passed. — Tacitus. — Imperial form. — Triumvirs. — Summary of the duration of each form; — Six forms identified. — Ten horns and ten crowns upon his head. — Seven mountains.— The site of the city Rome. — Wounded head. — Charlemagne. — Image worship. — Pliny 76

CONTENTS. 5

Chapter VIII. Incidents And Attributes

The sand of the sea. — Like unto a leopard. — Feet like a bear. — Lion's mouth. — Name of blasphemy. — Symbolic number 666. — Forty and two months. — Prophecy points out cardinal events only. — Seventy weeks. — Messiah, the Prince, cut off. — Blindness of Israel. — The Prince that shall come. — Not Titus. — But he is a Roman. — Covenant. — Three and a half years. — David Brown, D. D. — Restoration of the Jews. — Flight of the woman. — Heroic devotion of the Jews. — Time of trial. — Duration limited 99

Chapter X. The Rapture Of The Church

Not the second advent. — But preparatory. — Special favor to believers. — Symbolized by the catching up of the man-child. — Resurrection of the saints special. — No resurrection at the second advent. — Relation of believers to Christ. — The first fruits. — The saints will come with the Lord when he comes to reign 141

Chapter XI. Judgment Of The Nations

There will be no general judgment of both the quick and the

dead. — But all the Gentile nations will be judged 180

Chapter XII. Recapitulation And Specific Terms

The two comings of the Lord are indicated, each by a specific

word in the original 189

Chapter XIII. Population And Territorial Limits

Brief review. — Prophetic symbols of uniform import. — The Roman Hierarchy. — The anti-Christ. — The Roman laws. — Peculiarities. — Extent. — In Europe. — In Asia. — Homogeneity of race. — Centers of civilization. — The Latin race. — Limits designated by the one-third part 201

Chapter XIV. The Inception Is It The German Empire?

The boast of this age. — The vicegerent of the god of this world. — The contrast. — Holy Roman Empire of the German nations. — Was this the seventh? — Ten kingdoms. — Prussia. — Rise and present position. — Germans the modern Romans. — Their institutions and army. — Comparison 219

Chapter XV. Historical Career And End

A real subject. — Atheism. — Evil the primary principle. — Woe trumpets. — General insurrection. — Effects. — Great Western Apostate. — Migrations of the Jews to Palestine. — Eastern Apostate, or anti-Christ. — First invasion from the orient. — Image worship.— Tests. — Fall of Babylon. — Apostates. — Great tribulation. — Limit. — Two witnesses. — Ancient of days. — Everlasting gospel 233

Preface

To the following pages must be entrusted the vindication of the things treated therein, both as to the merits of the matters presented, and the manner of presentation.

Were it not that a discussion oi the topics here presented for consideration, is not to be found in any treatise of general circulation, — unless in isolated paragraphs, in certain rare books not accessible to the general public, — and, therefore, that much uncertainty, and even contradiction of opinion prevails in reference to coming merits, on account of conflicting and unsatisfactory theories, — the responsibility of issuing the following treatise would not have been incurred.

Manifestly a theory, respecting the developments of the future, not so much the result of a patient and careful induction from the teachings of Divine Revelation, as the suggestions of an ardent aspiration, native to the human mind, for a higher state of civilization and moral development, has very much influenced the conclusions of expositors of the prophecies in modern times. A preconceived theory, is tantamount to an assumption, in advance, of the results sought to be established by a process of inquiry, if so fettered.

In the following pages, conclusions have been drawn from the analogies furnished by the past, and from a careful examination and comparison of the prophecies having reference to the future, and the results stated, and the reasons generally given, but not always.

Symbolic prophecy, which has been the fruitful source of so much that is vague and indefinite in the writings of those who have ventured upon an elucidation of this department of sacred learning, has, in the following pages, been interpreted upon an uniform system, giving to each symbol its previously ascertained import. As the hieroglyphics upon the monuments of antiquity have been induced to yield up their secrets to the talismanic touch of the Rosetta Stone, so has the patient researches of other Champollions furnished a guide for deciphering the apocalyptic hieroglyphics.

The unsettled state of the public mind in respect to coming events, seems to demand some such work as is here attempted, as may be inferred from the following extract, which is one of many similar :

Says a writer in a leading daily paper : " It is impossible to watch the Signs of the Times, Religious, Social, Civil and Military, without being impressed with the conviction that we are approaching one of the most pre-eminently important chapters in the whole history of the human race."

Such passages are significant. They indicate that much anxiety and uncertainty, as to what the future may develop, disturb the minds of the reflecting. Is not, therefore, a true and comprehensive statement, of what is yet in reserve for the nations, demanded? This we have aimed to give. With what success, let the inquiring and unbiased reader judge.

THE

ROMAN EMPIRE REVIVED.

Chapter I. Preliminary Remarks

"Blessed is he that readeth." * • *

"For the time is at hand."

The lessons taught by time in his flight, have been slightlyheeded by the millions of the past, and the multitudes of the present generation have profited little by their example. It appears to be inherent in human nature, that men should for the most part strive to walk in the foot-steps of their ancestry. 1

1 The wisdom and folly of the past, the successes and mistakes of the present, have little influence upon the judgments which are formed respecting coming events. Tomorrow shall be as this day and much more abundant, is the congenial sentiment of the hour.

History like a mirror, casts the reflections gathered from more than three thousand years of experience upon the dark shadows of the future. While a correct estimate of what the future may disclose, though of the highest moment to a wise use of the present, is the most difficult lesson to master. For men embark in enterprises of the greatest consequence to themselves, without hesitation, often reck-

IO ROMAN EMPIRE REVIVED.

lessly, which may require years, even decades for their accomplishment.

Capitalists invest their means in securities, which may look forward ten, twenty or even forty years before maturity. All acting and presuming upon an invariable law of past experience, namely, that all things will continue to flow on in the same channels in the future, which they have followed in the past. But there is a settled conviction gaining strength daily, that the smooth onward flow of the current of human events, must sooner or later encounter interruptions. Even the experience of the past should render this highly probable.

Inquiries, therefore, even as to the probabilities of the future, are of the highest moment to the present, and should not, among the multiplicity of topics engaging the attention of the present generation, be entirely passed over as too uncertain in their nature, or too contingent in their relations to deserve serious attention.

What the near future may have in store is the great question of the day. It forces itself upon the attention of the present generation by considerations the most imperative.

The millions have long and patiently waited for the promised "better time coming." But they can discern, as yet, no traces of the outlines, in bright shadows, spanning the heavens of the bow of promise.

But dark clouds continue to hang, like the pall of death upon the horizon of the future, while deep toned thunders, though faint sounds, as yet in the distance, utter their ominous voices.

Nothing in human affairs can be deemed in a state of absolute repose. The ever restless activity of mind, seeks to explore some new avenue, which may lead on to something better.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. II

Human nature~yearns for a state of amelioration.

By the highest authority we are instructed, that the whole creation groaneth.

This conscious discontent, with the present state of things, goaded on by a thousand incentives, real or imaginary, can not long permit the affairs of the world to remain in statue quo. .

The present order of things had a beginning, they must likewise have an end. And events follow each other, according to an invariable law of antecedents and consequents.

It is only necessary, therefore, to consider certain well defined laws of human conduct and the dominant incentives to action operating, to determine what men at any time, under a given state of things, will attempt, and therefore with reasonable certainty to infer from the present what may be in the future.

But we are not under the necessity of depending on the dim light of reason and experience, we have an unerring guide, in the prospective visions of divine revelation.

The great land-marks of the future are distinctly mapped out in the prophecies, and events follow each other in chronological order. If we can with certainty, therefore, identify any part of a prophetic vision, the remainder can be filled out with almost unerring precision.

Whoever will candidly consider the present state of things must come to the conclusion that we are passing through critical times, and are rapidly approaching an epoch of untried experiences. What these may prove to be, we can with a high degree of probability determine, if we can only fix our present position on the prophetic chart of time.

A survey of the conditions of the nations of the continent, of Europe, lead to the following inferences :

That the signs of the times clearly indicate that the present order of things is very much distracted. That there is great trouble of the nations and distress among the people. Many alarming symtoms of decay are making their appearance, and a spirit of innovation is rife. And further, that present discontents demand radical remedies for existing evils. No mere change of policy or administration will satisfy the prevalent demand for reform. Nothing short of a sweeping repudiation of past and present institutions, and a plunge into the untried and unknown will satisfy the new class of theorists, who have suddenly come to the front. The sciences of ethics and political economy have passed under a new revision at their hands. It would seem as though the science of government itself, was about to be put on trial and condemned, as a failure by them ; as though all its known forms tested under the most favorable circumstances had failed to alleviate the condition of the masses ; that oppression and want, and consequent discontent continue to affect, and distract the millions, and therefore relief can be found only in revolution. Such is the growing conviction, not only among those most immediately interested in the propagation of the new ideas of social reform, but by the candid observers of passing events also.

Says one, "a great upheaval of the masses, it seems to be generally felt, is sure and imminent. "

A member of the British House of Lords in a speech before that body quite recently held the following language, which is more significant at this time, than when spoken, he said, *' the foundations of political faith are broken up. Notions which even a few months ago, would have been inconceivable, are now made the subject of debate. There is nothing so steadfast, and nothing so sure in the constitution that is not already a matter of question. This is a

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 13

very dangerous temper. It is a temper which before now, has been the precursor of revolutions, and those who mark the signs of the times may well look with anxiety at the dark and unknown country into which we are invited to enter. " When men who belong to an order in the state which would be most immediately and sorely affected by revolution, openly avow such opinions, it must be regarded as significant. The present foundations are giving way. Society must be organized on some other than existing platforms.

Governments, especially in Europe, are letting loose from their ancient moorings ; all will soon be adrift upon the unknown ocean of the future. What next ?

With the map of the future drawn by the pen of inspiration as a guide, we may be fully apprised as to what lies immediately before us. Though at variance with received theories, we expect to establish by proofs satisfactory and convincing to all believers in divine revelation, the following propositions as an outline of coming events :

Prop. I. The great political event imminent in the near future will be the revival of the old Roman Empire, under a new and last form of organization, atheistic in principle and composed of a confederacy of ten kingdoms, with an i??iperial head, within the geographical limits, or nearly so, of Ancient Imperial Rome.

Prop. II. In close connection with the foregoing and before the calamitous times, shall set in, which are about to come upon all the world, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, will be suddenly taken up from the earth to heaven. This is usually called the rapture of the church.

Prop. III. As a factor in the readjustment of the map of the world, the Jews as a separate people will be compelled by the spirit of persecution that shall characterize the coming great revolution, to take refuge in Palestine. They will there be organized into a distinct commonwealth.

The first and second of the above propositions, will only be fully considered in this volume. The third indirectly.

The prophecies point to these three cardinal events, as in the near future. Many other important, but subordinate events, closely connected with and contingent upon the foregoing, will occur simultaneously with them.

We do not expect to be held to a more rigid method of proof in the establishment of these propositions than is required by the nature of the subject discussed, or is demanded in analogous cases. Surely not more rigid than is demanded in the physical sciences.

We hold divine revelation to be ultimate authority in such matters — to be truth — the most exact and the most comprehensive in its scope that the human mind can take cognizance of, and that it rests for its vindication in the capacity of the mind to discern and decide upon the fitness of things, upon the ultimate and incontrovertable conclusions of consciousness and conviction.

If upon an examination of the prophecies having reference to the future, it be found that many manifestly point directly to and receive an easy and natural interpretation upon the supposition of the truth of the above propositions, such fact should have a decided influence upon the mind of the sincere and unbiased inquirer after truth.

But should we find upon a further and more careful examination of all unfulfilled prophecies, both of the Old and New Testament, that upon a fair and liberal construction, they will completely harmonize upon the assumption that the above propositions are taught in the holy scriptures ; then upon all fair principles of reasoning, these must be regarded as embodying the true import of the predictions ^aving reference to coming events.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 1 5

If on the contraryy it shall be found that of the theories that have been advanced in reference to the prophecies yet unfulfilled, but in conflict with these propositions, none are satisfactory — either so general as to be without specific application, or so vague as to be without significance — in some instances contradictory of the plainest passages, in others depriving the passages cited of their natural and obvious import — doing violence to the revealed Word itself — and thus introducing obscurity and confusion into matters which are perfectly free from complexity, upon the explanations offered in the above three propositions, then we may with reason demand that the above statements, if found true in the sequel, shall be received as conclusive.

It is so in the physical sciences. The theory that will fully explain all the phenomena, if germane to the subject and consistent in itself, is taken as the true explanation of the hidden cause or principle in nature, which may be the subject of discussion. What is called the law of universal gravitation is an illustration. Namely that all bodies are drawn toward each other with a force, which acts directly as the quantity of matter and inversely as the squares of the distances. All questions in reference to the weight of bodies either at rest or in motion can be satisfactorily explained upon this theory.

So also the theory of Copernicus, that all the planets of the solar system move around the sun as a common center. Before this theory was advanced, all things connected with planetary motions were in complete confusion. On the supposition of the truth of this theory, all the phenomena of the solar system in reference to the positions, phases and motions of the planets, are easily explained. Eclipses calculated to the minute of the time of beginning or ending, even ioo years in advance. No one at this day calls in question the truth of this theory.

Chapter II. Times Of The Gentiles

It Is deemed expedient at this place to introduce some preliminary observations respecting the period designated in the scripture as the times of the gentiles.

This is necessary to an enlightened understanding of the ways of divine Providence, in the government of the world. The times of the gentiles syncronize with the four universal monarchies, symbolized by the great metallic image described in Daniel, second chapter.

They commenced with the Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar and will continue until the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.

The attempt' of the learned Faber and others to determine, numerically, the duration of this period, has proved futile, as all such attempts must. It proceeds upon the groundless assumption, that the " seven times" (Daniel, fourth chapter and twenty-fifth verse,) must contain a mysterious symbolic number, the full elucidation of which requires the wonderful amplification of the seven times into 2,520 years, as the entire period of the times of the gentiles. Whereas the very language limits this period to Nebuchadnezzar himself, " until seven times pass over thee" and points to the duration of his insanity, and consequently of his disqualification to rule.

Times and seasons are in the power of the Father, and he will make them known at maturity.

Into such mysteries man has no warrant to push his inquiries.

All interpreters-^f prophecy, ancient and modern, as well as those of all the different sects of Christians, are agreed that the great metallic image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, described in Daniel, second chapter, symbolizes the times of the gentiles.

Beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, as the head of the first universal empire of the gentiles, * ' Thou art this head of gold."

Following the Babylonian, rose the Medo-Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great. After this came the third or Macedonian under Alexander the Great, and his successors. And lastly the Roman Empire.

All these have passed into history, except the fragments of the last.

The fourth or Roman Empire, characterized in the vision of the prophet, as in appearance ** dreadful and ten-ible and strong exceedingly" is the most remarkable of all. This power growing up from a small beginning, gradually acquired strength and importance, and finally attained to universal empire — then began to decline, was divided into the eastern and western empires, symbolized by the lower extremities of the metallic image, and finally disintegrated and divided up, its elements blending in a manner with the invading hordes from the north, forming out of the fragments, several nominally independent powers, from which have sprung the present nations of modern Europe, symbolized by the toes of the metallic image. These nations are not composed of homogeneous elemen ts, but antagonistic, and therefore contain the germs of revolution, for "they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not /nixed with clay. " And they are furthermore, the last of the times of the gentiles, for in the days of these kings, the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom. We find therefore our stand point, l8 ROMAN EMPIRE REVIVED.

as located upon the great chart of prophecy. Under whatever form of administration the kingdom of the God of heaven shall exist, it will be set up in the latter times, in the last days of the times of the gentiles. It will supplant all existing earthly kingdoms and be a ruling power on earth and its sway universal. " For the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth."

The symbols of the four beasts of Daniel, seventh chapter, and verses i to 8 inclusive, run parallel with the different parts of the metallic image and point out the same four universal monarchies.

' ' In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and\.o\& the sum of the matters.

2 ' ' Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens strove upon the great sea.

3 ' ' And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

4 "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings; I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

5 * l And behold another beast, a second, like unto a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it : and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

6 " After this I beheld, and lo, another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl ; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

7 "After this \ saw in |he njght visions, and beheld a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth : it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it : and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it \ and it had ten horns.

8 "I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots : and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things."

What filled the prophet with most astonishment was the appearance of the fourth beast, — strong exceeding, its great iron teeth and its destructive and domineering conduct. It stamped the residue under its feet. This beast had also ten horns, and among them there arose another little horn, manifesting great intelligence. It had eyes like man.

A horn is the symbol of a kingdom, as is explained further along in this same chapter.

The ten kingdoms symbolized by the ten horns of this fourth beast, belong to the same period and are identical with the ten kingdoms pointed out by the ten toes of the great metallic image. They belong to the last age of the times of the gentiles. The little horn points to the revival of Imperial Rome before the end.

The times of the ge?itiles therefore which commenced with the Babylonian monarchy will continue until the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom on earth. The restitution of all things, the gathering in of the out-casts of Jacob — the restoration of Jerusalem — the rebuilding of Mount Zion, the joy of the whole earth. " For Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the gentiles until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled."

God's relation to the world during the times of the gentiles is that of an abdicated sovereign. He abdicated the throne of the world in favor of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and his successors, and removed his throne from earth to heaven. The visions of the dying Stephen, and of John the revelator, on the Isle of Patmos, show us that the throne of God is in heaven. He is no longer styled the God of the earth, but the God of heaven. In Abraham's time, He was styled the God of all the earth. He has abdicated that title until the time of the gentiles shall be fulfilled.

The prophet says of Nebuchadnezzar, "Thou, O king art a king of kings : for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand and hath made thee ruler over them all." Dan. 2 : 37, 38.

God in His supreme sovereignty, as the creator of all things declares that He has a right to dispose of them according to His own good pleasure; and therefore, He says, "I have given all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, my servant."

' ' I have made the earth, the man and the beasts that -are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

6 "And now have I given all these lands into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant : and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

7 " And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come : and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves pf him,

8 " And it shalLoome to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the Lord, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand." Jeremiah 27; 5, 8.

The supreme authority on earth having thus been conferred upon Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the head of the first universal gentile monarchy, the times of the gentile domination commenced. . The sovereignty of the world having been transferred to the gentiles, God removed his throne from Jerusalem to heaven. For the Jewish form of government, at first, was a theocracy, and Jehovah was king. The prophet Ezekiel gives the reasons why God removed from the midst of His ancient people — their idolatry.

The Shekinah, the emblem of the divine glory, and the evidence of the divine presence in the Holy of Holies, which graced and sanctified the first temple, built by king Solomon, never appeared in the second temple, which was built under the auspices of the gentiles.

Ezekiel assigns the reason why the glory of the God of Israel forsook Jerusalem, "that I should go far away from my sanctuary," Ez., 8 : 6. The whole city was filled with the abomination of idolatry. Ez. 8 : 9, 10, it, 12, 16.

The prophet describes his vision of the departure of the divine glory; he represents it lingering first upon the threshold of the holy house, as if loath to depart. The glory of the Lord then departed from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim, and the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth. And they went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city — upon the Mount of Olives, from which our Lord ascended and unto which he will return. ' ' This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner, as ye have seen Him go into heaven."