ADAM AND HIS RACE, KINGS—THIS EARTH THEIR KINGDOM

The territorial dominion of Adam and his progeny, was “all the earth,” and all that was
in earth, air and sea. All was subject to him while he was subject to God; but when he rebelled
against God, the whole animate creation rebelled against man; and even the elements of
nature themselves, have become his enemy. Man lost the kingdom, and the devil obtained it.

THE GENTILES NOW HAVE THE DOMINION OF THE WHOLE WORLD

In the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, king
of Babylon, (Jeremiah 25.) began the famous 70 years’ captivity of the Jews in Babylon. In the
second year of Nebuchadnezzar, he had a dream, (Daniel 2.,) which none of his wise men could
either tell or interpret. But Daniel, being divinely instructed, did both. He said, “Thou, O king,
sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood
before thee, and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast
and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and
part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image
upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay,
the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the
summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them:
and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. The
Jews had previously enjoyed an independent government from the world; but then the Jewish
and all other governments were merged in this one government. God looked on that monarchy
as being the head and representative of all governments on the globe. The church has never,
from that hour to this, either in her Jewish or Christian form, enjoyed an independent
government, free from dependence on, or tribute to the Gentiles. Nebuchadnezzar was only
the beginning of a series of just such universal monarchies.

“Thou art this head of gold.” “After thee shall arise another kingdom (the breast and arms of
silver) inferior to thee;” (Medo Persian;) “and another third kingdom of brass, that shall bear
rule over all the earth.” This was the Macedonian kingdom, under Alexander the Great and his
successors. Here is the same universality again declared as in the Chaldean kingdom.

“The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth
all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.” This fourth kingdom is the Roman empire, and was
to succeed to the same great government of the world which its predecessors had enjoyed. And
to gain that empire, it was to break in pieces and bruise all the former kingdoms. The latter part
of the kingdom, shadowed forth by the feet and toes which were to be of iron and clay, was to
be of a divided character, partly strong and partly broken. But even in this divided and
weakened state, it was to be the great leading government still.
In its last extremity, while its feet were in existence, a stone, cut out without hands from the
mountain, was to smite the image on his feet, that were of iron and clay, and grind them to
powder; iron, clay, brass, silver and gold together, like the small dust of the summer threshing-
floors, and the wind carry them away, and no place be found for them.

The image is to be annihilated before the stone and wind; for that which has no place cannot
exist. To exist, a thing must have place. Hence, that which has no place cannot exist. The
governments of this globe, all of them being included in and shadowed forth by the image, will
be annihilated by the fall of the stone, and leave the earth vacant or destitute of government,
unless some other is provided to fill its place. The reign of these four monarchies is called by the
Saviour, (Luke 21:24,) “the times of the Gentiles;” and by Paul, (Romans 11:25,) “until the
fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

This image is to be destroyed, it should be observed, not by the rolling of the stone until it
grinds it to powder, increasing its own size as the image decreases; or in other words, rolling up
Anti-Christ, the image, into Christ, the stone, until it becomes a great mountain and fills the
whole earth; but by dashing in pieces the image, sweeping it all away; and then, by a sudden
expansion, filling the earth. This process of demolishing the image and enlarging the stone, is
thus explained in the 44th verse: “In the days of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom which shall never be destroyed; it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” But if it dashes them in pieces and annihilates the Gentile
kingdoms, and fills the earth which they now fill, then the two cannot be contemporaneous, but
must succeed each other; the last of them to endure eternally. In examining the nature of this
kingdom I shall notice—

HIS KINGLY CHARACTER AND DOMINION

1.He is the promised Son and heir of David. That Christ is David’s Son, and the Son of promise,
and his Son “according to the flesh,” is abundantly established by Peter, Acts 2:30: “Therefore
being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his
loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.” This promise and
oath to David is found, 2 Samuel 7:12, 16: “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep
with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I
will establish his kingdom. And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before
thee: thy throne shall be established forever.”
According to these strong testimonies, David’s throne and house is to be perpetuated eternally
in Christ. The temporal succession of kings of David’s line have failed. But the everlasting
succession has not failed, nor will it; this, David foresaw, and spoke before of the resurrection
of Christ, that his soul was not left in. hell, neither did his flesh see corruption. The same flesh
that went into the tomb came up, and is now in heaven. And he has “the key of David,”
(Revelation 3:7,) signifying that he only has the heirship of that house so long shut, and can
open and no man shut, and shut and no man open. That house was shut when Nebuchadnezzar
destroyed Jerusalem and carried Zedekiah captive to Babylon. God pronounced the doom thus,
by Ezekiel 21:25, 27: “And thou profane, wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when
iniquity shall have an end.” “I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and it shall be no more, until
he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.”

From Zedekiah’s captivity and the ruin of Jerusalem, there has been no king of David’s line
reigning in Jerusalem. There never will be, until he comes whose right it is, and takes the
kingdom. “The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over
the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32, 33. “Of the
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and his
kingdom, to order it, and establish it, with justice and judgment, henceforth and forever.”

The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.” Revelation 21:3. Were he, in
his peculiar kingly character, a pure spirit, like the infinite God, without body or parts, his reign
like God’s, might be a purely spiritual reign. But not so; for, although all the fulness of the
Godhead is in him, he is a man; and in his humanity consists his peculiar and everlasting kingly
character; and a period is to arrive in the history of his existence, when in some subjected sense
he is to reign as the Son, “and God be all and in all.” 1 Corinthians 15. Being then, a king
“according to the flesh,” and of David’s line, and his reign being over the saints, it must be a
personal and visible reign.

THE TERRITORIAL DOMINION OF CHRIST

It is to be all the territory now occupied by the great image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
“Wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven hath
he given into thy hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all.” Dim. ii. 38. “A stone was cut
out without hands, which smote the image.” “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver
and the gold broken to pieces together,” “like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors, and the
wind carried them away.” “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and
FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH.” Daniel 2:35. Then, in verse 44, when the explanation is given, it is
said, “In the days of these kings the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be
destroyed. It shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
The stone is to break these kingdoms, and the kingdom of God is to do it. Then the stone,
Christ, and the kingdom of God, are the same. The enlargement of the stone will be by
gathering together, in the fulness of the dispensation of times, all things in him, whether they
be things in heaven, or things in earth, or things under the earth, even in him. Ephesians 1:10.
Thus will his body be perfected and his kingdom organized. Then the meek will inherit the
earth. The second Psalm is also another testimony on this point: “Yet have I set my king on my
holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son, this day
have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the
uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” The testimony here is decisive on the point,
that the Son of God is to possess the uttermost parts of the earth. He adds, “thou shalt break
them [the heathen] with a rod of iron, and shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” This
is all the conversion of the heathen promised in the second Psalm.PREX1. 21.1

2. The Saviour himself has taught us the same thing in Matthew 25:34: “Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” There was a
kingdom prepared for and given to man as soon as he existed, and even before he was brought
into being. That kingdom or dominion was “all the earth;” and also all that earth, air, and sea
contained. Genesis 1. (See Sec. 1.) The Bible furnishes us with no hint that God ever prepared
any other kingdom for man when he laid the foundation of the world. This kingdom, then,
Christ is to restore and give to his saints.

3. A text already noticed, (Revelation 11:15,) teaches the same doctrine: “There were great
voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and
his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Numerous other texts might be presented, all
showing the same thing. But these must suffice for the present.PREX1 22.2

VII. THE METROPOLIS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1. Its locality. It is Mount Zion and Jerusalem. Psalm 2:6: “Yet have I set my king on my holy hill
of Zion.” Isaiah 24:23: “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed. when the
Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”
The throne of David, which Christ is to inherit, and on which he is to reign forever, was
established there, and is forever to be there. Psalm 132:11-18: “The Lord hath sworn in truth
unto David, he will not turn from it, of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy
children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall
also sit upon thy throne forevermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his
habitation. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless
her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation; and
her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained
a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame; but upon himself shall his
crown flourish.” Nothing can be more clear and strong than this declaration of the Lord that he
will dwell there forever, and the throne of David be there, and his horn (kingdom) flourish
there.

Until that time comes, Jerusalem is to be trodden down of the Gentiles, even until the times of
the Gentiles be fulfilled; or until the great image is dashed in pieces, and no place is found for it,
and the stone fills the whole earth. Then there will be a race at Jerusalem who shall say,
“Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” They will be the redeemed from the east,
west, north and south, who shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of
God; while the unbelieving Jews will be cast out into outer darkness, where there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.PREX1 24.3

Christ is the head, and the church the body composed of the members of Christ. He is the true
vine for whom the goodly vineyard, the land promised to Abraham, and once occupied by the
men of Judah, (see Isai. 5.) was prepared, and to whose use it is now soon to be devoted; his
believing people are the branches of that vine, and with the vine and root, or good olive tree,
they will be transplanted into that holy soil, to flourish in immortal bloom and vigor forever and
ever. In the explanation of the vision of the four beasts, (Daniel 7:18,) it is said, “But the saints
of the Most High shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and
ever.” Also, in the 27th verse of the same chapter, “The kingdom and dominion and the
greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of
the Most High.” Again, (Matthew 25:34,) “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom.”
These constitute the seed of Abraham. “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs
according to the promise.” Galatians 3. These, too, constitute the house of Jacob, over whom
Jesus Christ is to reign forever and ever. Luke 1:33. They will reign with Christ as his subjects,
and assist, under him their king and head, in the government of the kingdom; and enjoy all its
immunities. The kingdom will be the same as when God originally gave it to Adam and his
family. They had dominion, but Adam, by virtue of his relation to them, was their superior and
head; but they were all children, and were to reign with him. “Let them have dominion.” Christ
is the last Adam, and sustains a similar relation to the church as Adam did to the race. Adam
gave them mortal life; Christ eternal life. Now if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him.

THE TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL BE SET UP

1. It will be when the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled. The governments of the Gentiles,
shadowed forth in the great image, (Daniel 2.) have certain predicted changes to pass through,
and cannot pass away until they have fulfilled the prediction. When they have done that, the
stone, Jesus Christ, will demolish them, and the God of heaven set up [or cause to stand] his
kingdom.
2. It will be when the seventh trumpet sounds. “The seventh trumpet sounded, and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord
and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” “Saying, we give thee thanks, O Lord God
Almighty,” “because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned; for the nations
were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and
that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, the saints, and them that fear
thy name, small and great, and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth.” Until that time
comes, Christ is not to receive the kingdom.

3. It will be when the Nobleman (Christ) who is gone into a far country to receive a kingdom,
returns. The object of the parable, (Luke 19:11-27), was to correct the false notions of those
who “thought the kingdom of God should immediately appear.” The parable taught them that
Christ, the nobleman, would first go away and receive his kingdom, and in the meantime leave
his servants in possession of his property to occupy till his return; that at his return, he would
reckon with and reward his servants if faithful, and cast them off if unfaithful: and then bring
forth and slay his enemies. Such a return of the nobleman has not yet taken place, nor have the
servants of Christ yet received their reward in his kingdom. Nor have his enemies yet been
destroyed. Then he has not yet received his kingdom or set it up.

Christ was born to be a king; but his kingdom is not of this world. That is, say some, it is not an
outward and visible kingdom; but a spiritual reign. Nay, but Christ has nowhere taught us that
his reign is spiritual; but, it is “according to the flesh” he is David’s son, and is to sit on David’s
throne. His kingdom, although to be a visible one, and on the renewed earth, yet is not of this
world, under its present organization, and while the Gentiles have the dominion of it, but in the
world to come. Christ is now exalted to his Father’s throne, to be “a Prince, and a Saviour.” He
is an heir to, and expectant of a throne; and will come to it at the time appointed of the Father.
But a prince, although an heir to a throne, is not de facto, a king. He is to set on his Father’s
throne until his foes be made his footstool. Then he will come to dash his enemies in pieces,
and give his saints the kingdom.PREX1.32.4 Prophetic Exposition Vol. 1 by Josiah Litch

ARE THE JEWS, AS SUCH, TO BE RESTORED TO THE LAND OF PALESTINE?

The land of Palestine belonging to Christ and his saints, and not the Jews,-all the unfulfilled
promises of a return of Israel to their own land, or the land God gave to Abraham, must refer to
the true Israel, in the resurrection, as they most clearly do in the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. There,
God has promised to bring up the dry bones, “the whole house of Israel,” from their graves, to
bring up flesh and sinews upon them, to cover them with skin, and to put his spirit into them
and they shall live; and he will bring them “into the land of Israel,” “their own land.”
Then, in the resurrection, Abraham and all his seed will come in possession of the land
together; and they will possess it for an everlasting possession: a thing they cannot do while
death reigns.

The seventy weeks which Gabriel informed Daniel would “finish transgression, to make an end
of sin, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the
vision and prophecy,” which Daniel had before of the four kingdoms of the earth, that should
finally be destroyed by the kingdom of the “stone cut out without hands,” William Miller’s View
Vol 1 42.3

Miller’s Works, vol. 1. Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology Rules of
Interpretation

1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible. Proof
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

2. All scripture is necessary, and may be understood by a diligent application and study. Proof 2
Timothy 3:15, 16, 17

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

3. Nothing revealed in the scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering.
Proof Deuteronomy 29:29. Matthew 10:26, 27. 1 Corinthians 2:10. Philippians 3:15. Isaiah
14:11. Matthew 21:22. John 14:13, 14. 15:7. James 1:5, 6. 1 John 5:13, 14, 15.

4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know;
then let every word have its proper influence, and if you can form your theory without a
contradiction, you cannot be in an error. Proof Isaiah 28:7-29. 35:8. Proverbs 19:27. Luke 24:27,
44, 45. Romans 16:26. James 5:19. 2 Peter 1:19, 29.

5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to
expound it to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his
sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed or wisdom is my rule,
not the Bible. . Proof Psalm 19:7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105.
Matthew 23:8, 9, 10. 1 Corinthians 2:12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Ezekiel 34:18, 19. Luke 11:52. Malachi
2:7, 8.
6. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables, and in this way the same
things are oftentime revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures, and
parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. Proof Psalm
89:19. Hosea 12:10. Habakkuk 2:2. Acts 2:17. 1 Corinthians 10:6. Hebrews 9:9, 24. Psalm 78:2.
Matthew 13:13, 34. Genesis 41:1-32. Daniel 2:7 and 8. Acts 10:9-16.

7. Visions are always mentioned as such Proof 2 Corinthians 12:1

8. Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy, to represent
future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning
kingdoms.

Waters, meaning people. Proof Daniel 2:35, 44. 7:8, 17. Revelation 17:1, 15. Psalm 119:105.
Ezekiel 4:6.

Lamp, meaning Word of God.

Day, meaning year.

9. Parables are used as comparisons to illustrate subjects, and must be explained in the same
way as figures by the subject and Bible. Mark 4:13. See explanation of the ten virgins, Miller’s
Lectures, No.xvi.

10. Figures sometimes have two or more different significations, as day is used in a figurative
sense to represent three different periods of time. Proof Ecclesiastes 7:14.1. Indefinite. 2.
Definite, a day for a year. 3. Day for a thousand years. If you put on the right construction it will
harmonize with the Bible and make good sense, otherwise it will not. Proof Ezekiel 4:6. 2 Peter
3:8.

11.How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes good sense as it stands, and does
no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not,
figuratively.

Proof Revelation 12:1, 2. 17:3-7.

12. To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and
where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no
further, if not, look again.

13. To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfilment of a prophecy. If you
find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you
may know that your history is the true event. But if one word lacks a fulfilment, then you must
look for another event, or wait its future development. For God takes care that history and
prophecy doth agree, so that the true believing children of God may never be ashamed. Proof
Psalm 22:5. Isaiah 45:17, 18, 19. 1 Peter 2:6. Revelation 17:17. Acts 3:18.

14. You must have faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and, if tried, would give up
the dearest object on earth, the world and all its desires, character, living, occupation, friends,
home, comforts, and worldly honors.

Daniel chapters 2: 44,45 and 7: 13,26,27, Revelation 11: 15,16,17,18 foretells the history of the
world. We see the four empires and their ultimate destruction by God’s eternal kingdom. On
that day, “the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people,
the saints of the Most High.” Their kingdom, His kingdom, will be an everlasting kingdom.

Daniel 7 has one final and crucial similarity to Daniel 2. That earlier chapter ends with dominion
being taken from all the earthly powers and being given “forever” to the kingdom that God
establishes. Likewise, the vision of Daniel 7 concludes with the assurance that the kingdom God
establishes will be “an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the
one which shall not be destroyed” (v. 14).

History confirms the accuracy of the prophetic picture Daniel painted.

When publishing “Facts of Faith,” in 1864, Mrs. White included in that little volume matter that
carried the story of Israel beyond the days of David. In the seventies she wrote quite fully on
the restoration of the Israelites from Babylon, dwelling in detail on the experiences of
Nehemiah. In articles, and in the bound volumes of “Testimonies for the Church,” she often told
and retold the story of Solomon, of Elijah and Elisha, of Isaiah and Jeremiah, of Daniel and the
Hebrew worthies, and of the return of the exiles under Zerubbabel and Joshua and Ezra. “Facts
of Faith” has long been out of print, the matter contained therein having been largely
incorporated, with many additions, in the later volume, “Spirit of Prophecy,” Volume 1 (1870),
and finally in “Patriarchs and Prophets” (1890). When “Patriarchs” was completed, Mrs. White
hoped soon to go on with the story from the close of David’s reign, and publish in connected
form that which she had Closing Labors 347 been enabled to write through the years
concerning the experiences of Solomon and divided Israel, and their final restoration to divine
favor as one united people,—a type of spiritual Israel, the church of God on earth today, to
whom will finally be fulfilled all the covenant promises.

Most premillennialists cooperate on the basic program for the church at this time, as Hamilton
remarks with regard to the premillennialists and amillennialists. For those of both Futurist and
Historicist persuasion agree on the condition of the church and the world, with its wheat and
tares continuing together until the advent, as well as on the introduction of the reign of Christ
through direct divine intervention, and on the church’s great task of proclaiming the good news
of salvation by grace through faith in the all-sufficient atonement of Christ, not a program of
politico-social regeneration of the world. American premillennialists are by no means all
pretribulationists, Futurists, and Dispensationalists, or extreme Literalists, although some
writers who attack premillennialism ignore this fact. The Adventist bodies descended from the
old Historicism, and many individual expositors of many faiths refuse to allow themselves to be
bound by rules of Literalism that would ignore the historical and literary setting of the Bible
prophecies, and their figurative and spiritual application, or to deny to the church the heritage
of fulfilled prophecy.

The early Christians accepted their status as heirs according to the promises made to the true
Israel. And just as they interpreted the Old Testament prophecies (including the book of Daniel)
historically, so they expected the fulfillments of the Apocalypse to take place in the unfolding
events of history during the new Christian Era, which they recognized as having already begun
in their day. The difference between them and the later Historicists was chiefly that they
expected the fulfillments to be completed in a much shorter time. They did not, like the
modern Futurists, take the prophecies away from the church by leaving a gap from the time of
Christ’s first advent until after His second appearing.

APPENDIX G - THE MASTER CHART AND THE PILOT AT THE PORT

Uriah Smith’s view of the relationship of the Spirit of prophecy to the Bible, the Master Chart
for man and the church, appeared in a Review and Herald editorial, here given in digest form:

Envision an ocean vessel starting for a faraway foreign port. The owner provides the captain
and crew with a master chart, giving full instruction and direction for the voyage—the course,
mileage, speed, currents and cross currents, and a host of other details. The chart covers the
long voyage from the port of sailing to the port of destination. It is the indispensable guide. It
locates the islands and continents to be passed, and marks out the ports of call. It gives ocean
soundings, and shows the general contour of the coast, indicates major rocks and reefs, as well
as the clear channel into the harbor at last.

But this same master chart, which reveals all this, indicates that when the ship nears the final
harbor a pilot will be provided, who will give special help on riding in on the tide, steering the
vessel around the shifting sand bars, avoiding hidden reefs, jutting rocks, sunken ships, or other
local obstructions, or conditions—all in harmony with the general course outlined on the
master chart. Thus the harbor will be safely entered.
When at last the land of destination is in sight and its general contour can be checked as
corresponding to that outlined on the chart, there is gladness and certainty on the part of the
ship’s officers. The port of desire is clearly at hand. But there are many hazards attendant on
entering the harbor—stormy weather, the run of the tide, tricky sand bars, sunken ships,
shallows, and the like. But just at the time and place indicated, the pilot’s craft appears, and
soon he is received aboard. What, then, if some of the crew rise up and say, “We have the
master chart, and our instructions that have brought us in safety all the way from the distant
port of embarkation. We see the harbor before us, and do not need or want this pilot. We will
simply follow the master chart. That is ample for us.”

But are such protesters, who would now reject the special services of the pilot foretold and
provided in accordance with that chart, actually heeding the master chart? The answer is
obvious. Similarly, the Spirit of prophecy was given to help pilot the ship of Zion through the
perilous tides and shoals, and the rocks and bars and storms of the last times, by indicating the
clear, safe channel for the church, as well as by pointing out the lurking perils that are marked
out in general on the Master Chart—the Bible—as existent near the harbor. And the guidance
of the living pilot is based upon, and is simply the detailed application of, the over-all outline of
basic Bible prophecy. Through acceptance of this provision, the ship will come safely to dock in
the harbor of destination.

APPENDIX H - CHRIST’S MASTER PROPHECY OF Matthew 24 1(Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers Volume 4,
1240.6)

Picture 1: The Chronological Sequence of Events of Matthew 24

In tracing the detailed specifications of Jesus’ matchless outline of the centuries,
recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, we find the same general pattern
that marks the structure of the outline prophecies of Daniel and of John the
revelator—that of repetitive lines, covering the Christian Era again and again for
emphasis and amplification. Daniel and John both begin the revelation of things
to come with their own day and carry the reader with rapid strides across the
centuries, with the unfolding events reaching to the end of the Christian Era. And
Christ’s hearers are exhorted to read and understand Daniel’s prophecies
(Matthew 24:15). The following diagram analyzes the obvious scheme of the
prophecy by showing the repetitive lines for cumulative emphasis. PFF4 1240.6

Picture 1: The Chronological Sequence of Events of Matthew 24

1. THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PREDICTION

Christ’s great prophecy, covering the Christian Era from the destruction of
Jerusalem down to the end of the age, is recorded by all three synoptists—
Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 2 Though the phrasing varies slightly, the intent and
the outline is clearly identical. After discoursing on the terrible days of
“tribulation,” which hundreds of learned expositors in Europe and America have
recognized as the great papal persecution of dissentient Christians, particularly
from the thirteenth century onward to the eighteenth, Christ plainly states that
unless the persecution of those days should be shortened, all His faithful
witnesses would be blotted out. The period of the Papacy’s spiritual dominance,
according to the testimony of a large number of expositors—whose records have
already been examined, particularly in Volumes III and IV—extended from
Justinian in the sixth century until the French Revolution at the close of the
eighteenth, 3 with many placing it specifically from 538 to 1798. PFF4 1241.1

Then follows Christ’s express declaration that, after this special period of
persecution should largely be brought to an end, two separate celestial signs
would appear as harbingers of the approaching advent—first, the sun and moon
would be abnormally darkened; and second, “the stars shall fall”—obviously
meteoric showers, as they are the only “stars” that “fall.” And these signs were to
be real, not imaginary. Then follows the description of Christ’s glorious second
advent, thus showing the sequence and relationship. They were to appear
between the close of the tribulation and the advent. The apostle John likewise
describes the same scene, with other details, under the sixth seal (Revelation
6:12-17).

The gospel records of Christ’s great prophecy show it to be clearly literal, not
symbolic, as a scanning of the respective chapters clearly indicates. And John’s
depiction of this feature, in the sixth seal, is likewise literal, though in the
Revelation the literal is often interspersed with the symbolic. But here the entire
description is manifestly literal. So, the predictive expression is, “The stars shall
fall.” And John’s later prophecy adds this further description— “even as a fig tree
casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Stars, falling
simultaneously, by the hundreds of thousands! These are the predictions,
obviously referring to one and the same celestial phenomenon. The darkening of
the sun and moon is discussed elsewhere. Thus, the series is fixed in sequence.
Their timing is clearly after the great “tribulation” and before the second advent.

2. EVENTS OF THE CENTURIES IN CONSECUTIVE OUTLINE

Christ, the Fountain head of prophecy, in this incomparable outline prophecy,

portraying the vicissitudes of the Christian church in the midst of the conflicts of
the centuries, led His hearers, in Matthew 24:4-14, onward from their own day.
He took them past the coming of deceiving false christs, then the “wars and
rumours of wars,” obviously the breakup of the Roman Empire repeatedly
predicted by Daniel, giving the caution that “all these things must come to pass,
but the end is not yet” (verse 6). So the “end” was far away from those early days.
Then Jesus tells, of how nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom, this being accompanied by “famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes,
in divers places” (verse 7), and He adds, “all these” are but the “beginning of
sorrows” (verse 8). PFF4 1242.3

Next, Christ comes to the period of the great affliction, when His true followers
would be killed and “hated of all nations,” among which they were scattered, and
would be betrayed (verse 10). And false prophets would arise that would “deceive
many” (verse 11). Then, because iniquity would abound, the love of many would
“wax cold” (verse 12). Thus Christ brought his hearers down to the proximity of
the end, for He declares that “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall
be saved” (verse 13).
And now comes the first worldwide and supreme sign of the end of the time or
age—“this gospel of the kingdom [a special emphasis upon the imminent
establishment of the prophesied kingdom of God] shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (verse 14).
Thus, in rapid strokes, the Master has given the grand outline of the centuries,
with their chief characteristics, and closes with a worldwide sign that takes us up
to the end, which climaxes in the second advent.
The Larger Aspects of Prophecy PTOPHETIC FAITH OF FATHERS p 1138
Ellen White did not write a connected commentary or exposition as such, on either Daniel or the
Revelation. But scattered through her writings there are illuminating comments on major aspects of the
great outline prophecies and their related time periods. It is to be particularly noted, however, that in
basic prophetic interpretation, as with fundamental Bible doctrine, Seventh-day Adventists did not
receive a single major exposition of prophecy originally through the writings of Mrs. E. G. White. The
counsel given through this channel was never intended to take the place of personal investigation or
group study of the prophetic Scriptures. They never wrested from men the privilege of initiative. And
never did Mrs. White run ahead of such Biblical research. Rather, she followed after, either to sustain an
interpretation already discerned or to point out a fallacy in some reasoning pursued or conclusions
reached—to foster unity and establish a right understanding. That was exemplified in the 1848 Sabbath
conferences, and thenceforward throughout her lifetime. Certain of Mrs. White's utterances did,
however, serve as clues to initiate a study of new aspects of prophecy, such as her 1845 statement on
the overlooked "time of Jacob's trouble" as a still future event, to take place shortly at the second
advent' It is well to keep this relationship in mind, for Adventists are fundamentally Protestant. r James
White, A Word to the "Little Flock," p. 22,

On certain themes, such as the mystery of the Godhead, she said, "Here silence is eloquence." ' So also
with obscure aspects of prophecy. She maintained, furthermore, that some things will not be
understood this side of the kingdom to come.' Such matters, she counseled, we had best hold in
abeyance. (a state of temporary disuse or suspension."matters were held in abeyance pending further
inquiries") PFOF 1139 2E. G. White, Ms. 56, 1896. 3 E. G. White, Ms. 13, 1889; Counsels to Writers and
Editors, pp. 30, 31. 4E. G. White, Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 279

“Peregrinus” writes again (November, 1803, and January, February, and August, 1804), giving “An
Explanation of the Prophecy of Daniel.” There is further detailed discussion of the four prophetic
symbols of Daniel 2 and 7, the Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman powers, but especially of
the Roman fourth, which is declared to be identical with the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13, with its
ten divisions corresponding to the toes in Daniel 2. The Little Horn is declared to be the papal
Antichrist, persecuting and blaspheming for its allotted period, and the judgment scene is the grand
finale, followed by Christ’s peaceful and righteous reign on earth, and His glorious and everlasting
kingdom in heaven. . PFF4 136.2

Romeyn outlines the four world monarchies of Daniel—Babylonia, Persia, Grecia, and Rome—
followed by the ten divisions of Rome, as the northern barbarians established themselves within its
borders. These, he adds, now include Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Germany south of the
Danube, Hungary, Italy, Britain, Belgium, and Holland. Romeyn then describes the “spiritual empire of
the church of Rome” which arose “under the emblem of the little horn of the fourth beast” of Daniel
7, and which he thought was likewise symbolized by the two-horned beast from the earth,
in Revelation 13 36 Then “this grand apostasy—this spiritual empire of Rome,” guilty of a whole
category of false doctrines and practices, including persecutions, cruelties, and the Inquisition,
directed against God and His followers—is to be overthrown, as those whom she has deceived will
turn upon her. Texts are cited in proof from Revelation 17 and 18. The kingdoms of this world will
then become the kingdoms of our Lord. The end will come suddenly, though the preparatory events
have begun in the wars and revolutions already under way. Of this Romeyn logically declares, “These
seem to have begun; for, if the time of her end cannot be far off, the causes to produce that end must
be in existence 37

The prophecies of Daniel relating to the last times, he adds, were not generally recognized until they
actually came into view. The Mohammedan power, or Turkey, foretold in the latter part of Daniel 11,
will come into conflict with Russia on the north, and the Eastern Antichrist will be brought to ruin. The
Western, or papal Antichrist is to fall about the same time. Then Michael will stand up, amid a time of
unprecedented trouble will follow, ending in deliverance for God’s people-the restoration of the
scattered children of Israel to the Holy Land. Following this will come, after an unknown interval, the
general resurrection and the final judgment. PFF4 100 .Jedediah Morse, Signs of the Times, p. 4. (See
also 0. W. Elsbree, op. cit., p. 129.)

In 606 both Mohammed at Mecca and the pope at Rome—the Eastern and Western Antichrists—started
on their wonted missions at approximately the same time, and will doubtless be overthrown at about
the same time, probably near at hand [1866?], when they will shake all nations by their fall. Then will
follow the restoration of the Jews, the conversion of the Gentiles, and Christ’s kingdom. Various latter-
day prophecies will be fulfilling at the same time. The world will be visited by terrible judgments, with
the darkest part yet to come. But at the same time many are running to and fro, every species of useful
knowledge is being increased, and extraordinary efforts are being made to spread the light of the
gospel. Even in the tragedy being enacted in Europe many will be purified and made white and
tried. PFF4 101.1

While we perceive a deluge of troubles about to overwhelm the world, we should lift up our warning
voice, and do what we can to persuade all, over whom we have influence, to enter into the ark, that
they may be safe 45 PFF4 101.2

“Many are the prophetic signs, which declare the rapid approach of that day. Babylon the great is fallen.
The false prophet is hastening to perdition. That wicked one hath appeared, whom the Lord will destroy,
by the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming. The day of his vengeance is wasting the
earth. The last vial of the wrath of God is running. The angel having the everlasting gospel to preach to
men has begun his flight, and with trumpet sounding long and waxing loud, is calling to the nations to
look unto Jesus and be saved. Soon will the responsive song be heard from every nation, and kindred,
and tongue, and people, as the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the
voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluiah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth 49 PFF4 103.1

7. OPENING OF WORLD TO GOSPEL TO FULFILL PROPHECY.— Columbus cites the prophecies of the Old
Testament, particularly the Psalms, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. He believed that the whole Gentile world must
have the knowledge of the Lord, and many nations gather to Mount Zion, and Jerusalem come under
the sway of the Redeemer." He expressly believed the discovery of these lands, and the opening of
these pagan 'countries to the teachings of the gospel, in which he had a part, was a direct fulfillment of
prophecy. "Our Redeemer said that before the consummation of this world all that was written by the
prophets is to be accomplished. . . . "The greatest part of the prophecies and [of] the Holy Scriptures is
already finished. .. . "I said above that much remained for the completion of the prophecies, and I say
that-there are great things in the world, and I say that the sign is that Our Lord is hastening them; the
preaching of this gospel in so many lands, in recent times, tells it to me." 45 Columbus, Libro de las Prof
ecias?in Scritti, vol. 2, pp. 81-83 There seemed to Columbus to remain only the recovery of Jerusalem
and Mount Zion for the completion of prophecy and the end of the world. In his report to the king and
queen, on his third voyage, Columbus expressed his conviction that the project was more than merely a
human venture."46 Jane, op. cit., in Voyages of Christopher Columbus, p. 28.Columbus, Libro de las Prof
ecias?in Scritti, vol. 2, pp. 81-83. 40 Jane, op. cit., in Voyages of Christopher Columbus, p. 28.

It was this faith that made Columbus a discoverer. Near the end of a letter to Raphael Sanchez,
describing his first voyage, he says: "Let Christ rejoice upon Earth as He rejoices in Heaven, as He
foresees that so many souls of so many people heretofore lost are to be saved." 47 First Letter of
Christopher Columbus to the Noble Lord Raphael Sanchez, dated Lisbon, March 14, 1493.

43Translated from Columbus, Libro de las Piofecias, in Scritti, vol. 2, pp. 81, 83; see Humboldt's
paraphrase of this translated in Harrisse, op. cit., pp. 158, 159.

44Thacher, op. cit., vol. 2, pp. 567, 568; see Columbus, letter to the king and queen, describing his third
voyage, in Select Letters, p. 106.

"Behold, the kingdom of Babylon shall not endure, and shall not ex-, ercise rulership over Israel; the
kings of Media shall be killed, and the mighty men of the worshipers of the stars and constellations shall
not prosper. The Romans shall be destroyed, and they shall not gather rakings from Jerusalem [i.e., they
shall not profit from the destruction of Jerusalem.— Translator's note.] "And I lifted up my eyes, and I
saw, and behold, four kings. And I said to the angel who was speaking with me: What are these? And he
said unto me: These are the kingdoms which scattered the men of Judah and Israel and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem. . . . These are the kingdoms which scattered the men of Judah and did not permit them to
walk upright, and these came to terrify them, to break the kingdom of the nations which lifted up
weapons against the land of the house of Judah to exile it." 26 Translated from Targum Jonathan, on
Hab. 3:17, in Mikraoth Gedoloth im Lamed Beth Perushim (The Great Scriptures, with the Thirty-two
Commentaries) Part 10, Ezekiel and the 12 Minor Prophets, p. 281; see also Charles Maitland, op. cit., p.
83 27Translated from Targum Jonathan, on Zech. 2:1-4 (A.V., Zech. 1:18, 19), p. 326; see also Charles
Maitland, op. cit., p. 83. 28Farrar, op. cit., pp. 442, 443.

1. ELIEZER—MESSIANIC KINGDOM FOLLOWS FOURTH EMPIRE.—[5] The Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer (The
Chapters of Rabbi Eliezer), an eight- or ninth-century Midrash

Previously, the four kingdoms had been sketchily set forth from Daniel 2—with the monarchs
Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Alexander named. The stone kingdom is declared to be that of "King
Messiah, who, in the future, will rule from one end of the world to the other"—citing Daniel 2:35,
concerning the stone, which became a great mountain and "filled the whole' earth." PFOF p 199
On Daniel 2, Rashi makes the usual Jewish application to the four kingdoms by name,' followed by
Rome's weakness and division. It is while these kingdoms are still in existence, he contends, that the
eternal Messianic kingdom—the fifth—will be set up, and it will consume all others." 34 Rashi, comment
on Daniel 2, in Nebiim Ukethubim im Perush Rashi Uperush Mikrae Kodesh Cha-Rav Meir Loeb Malbim.
(The Prophets and Hagiographa With Rashi's Commentary) and the Commentary "Mikrae Kodesh"
Which is by Rabbi Meir Loeb Malbim, vol. 10, pp. 9, 10.

FOUR KINGDOMS FOLLOWED BY GOD'S. "FIFTH MON- - ARCHY."—Early in 5415 A.M. (1655 c.E.)
Manasseh published his treatise on the Glorious Stone which smites the image of Nebuchadnezzar. In
the dedicatory letter he states that this prophecy of Daniel 2 is the "most easily understood" and
explained of all Daniel's prophecies, manifesting the foreknowledge of God without any ambiguity, with
the four world powers followed by the "fifth monarchy.' Naming the temporal monarchies as "the
Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans," he speaks of the "Messiah (who is the stone)
[who] will destroy with temporal and earthly power all the other monarchies," whose dominion will be
"eternal according to this infallible interpretation of Daniel." " In this exposition the Midrash and the
Targum are cited, together with individual interpreters such as Rabbi Simeon ben Levi, Abravanel,
Eliezer, and others."

PARALLELS DIVISIONS OF STATUE WITH HORNS OF BEAST. —Of the establishment of the fifth monarchy
Manasseh says: "When the fourth monarchy ends, declares Daniel, as he saw the fifth given to the
Messiah the King, descendant of the House of David, therefore he (the Messiah) must succeed
immediately to the empire of the world." Manasseh then parallels the climax of Daniel 2 and 7 in these
words: "I. 'These great beasts, which are four, are four kings.' It is described by all its circumstances, and
its type was the image of Nebuchadnezzar. II. That the fourth monarchy should be divided into two
nations, of diverse laws, whose division would bring about the little horn Mahomet, and that they are
the two legs of the statue. III. That this Roman empire would be divided into ten kingdoms, which are
the ten horns which arise from this beast, and the ten toes of the feet of the,statue. IV. That when these
kingdoms come to their end and are destroyed, the monarchy of Israel will follow, which constitutes the
people of the saints and the stone that becomes a great mountain that fills the whole earth."
"Translated from Manasseh ben Israel, Piedra Gloriosa, pp. 4, 5 PFOF p. 237

Thus wavering Protestants and determined Catholics were confronted with evidence that the Protestant
Historical School of interpretation was truly the interpretation of the early church, and that instead of
being innovators, true Protestants had simply revived and carried forward the primitive positions

“Prophecy is one of the best evidences of a divine revelation. And it is a peculiar glory of our Bible that it
contains a regular series of prophecies from the earliest times to the consummation of all things 1 PFF4
110.1

Then, tracing the utterances of inspired prophecy from the days of Enoch, Noah, and Moses onward, the
compiler makes this classic statement concerning the grand outline covering the entire Christian Era:
PFF4 110.2
“The succeeding prophets, each in clearer and fuller language, described the events of future and
distant ages—the various revolutions of empires and states-and some of them even fixed the times in
which their words should be accomplished. The New Testament completes and illustrates the Old. Our
Lord and his apostle Paul added many valuable particulars; the former as to the close of the Jewish
economy, and the latter with respect to the corruptions since brought into the Christian church. But the
REVELATION of St. John, or rather of Jesus Christ to him, contains the most full and important series of
prophecies ever bestowed on mankind; extending from the close of the first century of Christianity,
about which time it was written, to the end of time; and may be considered as an inspired comment on
the predictions of Daniel, referring in great measure to the same events

That the church of Ephesus, represents the church in the apostolic age 2. that of Smyrna, the time of the
ten early persecutions, and to the days of Constantine 3. That of Pergamos, the church from that period
during the rise of popery 4. That of Thyatira, the dark ages of the church preceding the reformation 5.
That of Sardis, the reformed church 6. That of Philadelphia, Christ’s spiritual reign—and the 7th and last,
that of Laodicea, a state of remarkable declension expected to follow the latter period, and immediately
precede the end of the world 4 PFF4 11.1

In the notes on Daniel and Revelation, Scott seems to be given the principal place. Prominent also are
Bishop Newton (often cited through Scott) and Woodhouse. It is interesting to note that this
commentary occasionally cites an American writer, such as Griffin or Ethan Smith. The influence of the
Comprehensive Commentary would also be in the direction of the prevalent postmillennialism of the
time—the expectation of the world’s conversion and universal peace before the second advent and the
judgment. PFF4 126.1

“Peregrinus” writes again (November, 1803, and January, February, and August, 1804), giving “An
Explanation of the Prophecy of Daniel.” There is further detailed discussion of the four prophetic
symbols of Daniel 2 and 7, the Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman powers, but especially of
the Roman fourth, which is declared to be identical with the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13, with its
ten divisions corresponding to the toes in Daniel 2. The Little Horn is declared to be the papal
Antichrist, persecuting and blaspheming for its allotted period, and the judgment scene is the grand
finale, followed by Christ’s peaceful and righteous reign on earth, and His glorious and everlasting
kingdom in heaven. . PFF4 136.2

October, 1813, in Nos. 3 and 4 of a series called “Important Discovery,” the four world powers of
prophecy-Babylonia, Persia, Grecia, and Rome-symbolized by the four parts of the great metallic
image of Daniel 2, are paralleled by the four symbolic beasts from the sea in Daniel 7. The “stone”
kingdom of Christ, growing in the earth since Christ’s day, is discussed in No. 5, in November. The
portrayal closes with these words: “The way in which this stone is to grind the image, and become a
great mountain and fill the whole earth, is described in the seventh chapter of Daniel, and will be
terrible to the enemies of God and the Lamb. The day is not far off when these glorious and terrible
things will take place, to the joy of the righteous, and the confusion of all who are enemies to this
kingdom. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Amen 26 PFF4 147.2
TERRIBLE EVENTS PRECEDE KINGDOM’S ESTABLISHMENT.

The proximity of the terrible closing events, outlined as the fall of the Turks, the return of the Jews,
preceding the earthly kingdom of the saints, is stressed in No. 6 of “Important Discovery.” Before
Christ takes the kingdom, “things the most terrible will take place, as everything contrary to that
kingdom must be removed.” Smith then makes this solemn forecast: PFF4 149.1

“The present commotions in the world are the beginnings of sorrow to all who are opposed to the
‘kingdom of God;’ and we have reason to believe that the present shaking among the nations will
never end until everything that can be shaken will be taken away, and that those things which cannot
be shaken may remain 29 PFF4 149.2

II. Miller-Drying of Euphrates Is Withdrawal of Support

Between 1803 and 1808 WILLIAM F. MILLER, M.A., 18 pastor of the Presbyterian-Congregational
church at Windsor, Connecticut, issued several tractates on prophecy—Signs of the Times; or, The
Sure Word of Prophecy; A Dissertation on the Prophecies of the Sixth and Seventh Vials (1803); Christ
the Rod of Iron Upon Antichristian Kings and Nations (1804); and A Dissertation on the Harvest of
Mystical Babylon (1808). Though rather wordy and repetitious, their essence is this: The first treatise
sets forth the French Revolution, and subsequent events, as a fulfillment of the sixth vial—the drying
up of the figurative Euphrates, or the French monarchy, the source of the wealth, power, and
influence of mystical, or papal, Babylon. The Papacy, says Miller, rose in three stages under the
trumpets, and will similarly diminish in three distinct stages. In this he leans heavily on Lowman, but
cites other expositors—Doddridge, Lightfoot, Newton, et cetera. PFF4 186.1

Miller sees the standard four kingdoms in Daniel 2, and the ten horns of the fourth beast as Rome’s
divisions, with the Papacy as the Little Horn. The present (1808) is the great day of God Almighty,
reaping the harvest of papal and Mohammedan nations by the conquering sword of war. This is the
judgment of Daniel 7:9, 10. In Revelation 12, Miller sees the “woman” as the church down through the
centuries, particularly now in Britain and “the American wilderness” . PFF4 188.1

SYMBOLS OF DANIEL AND PROPHECIES OF CHRIST

The four world powers of Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 are interpreted as the Babylonian, Medo-Persian,
Graeco-Macedonian, and Roman. Rome’s tenfold division (the ten toes and the ten horns) is brought
about by the northern invasions. The smiting by the Stone the kingdom of God 34 is the coming death
blow to all kingdoms. And Burwell refers to the “premonitory signs” of the establishment of that
kingdom, in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, really based on Daniel, which Christ admonished all students of
the prophetic Word to understand. These signs, Burwell asserts, have had remarkable fulfillment
“within the last half century.” 35 . PFF4 312.2

4. HAVE ENTERED LAST PHASE OF PROPHECY

Most of the seven vials are yet future; hence their course of fulfillment must still be conjectural. But
we have entered “upon this part, of scripture prophecy.” The first vial begins with the French
Revolution, the fifth will be darkness upon the “seat of the beast” either Rome, the seat of the papal
two-horned beast, or “civil darkness” of the beast empire; and the sixth will pertain to the Turkish
Empire. Armageddon will see the great destruction, under the outpouring of the seventh vial,
and then comes the time of harvest. It is the time of the mountain phase of the stone kingdom, and
the millennium. 59 PFF4 319.2

Scott contends that before the second coming of Christ the “great river Euphrates” (Mohammedanism
Persia and Turkey) must be dried up, the Jews from the West and “scattered Israel from the East” will
return to Canaan, divide the land, build a temple, and worship the God of Israel (not Christ).
Armageddon will impend as the “great army comes up from the North Country.” Then suddenly Christ
will appear, seen by every eye, and in one rotation of the earth will raise the dead saints, change the
living saints, and catch them up to Him in the air. Then He will descend with ten thousand of His saints
to stand upon the Mount of Olives. And the effect of Jesus’ personal, visible coming will be to convert
the children of Israel; He will destroy the attacking armies, sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem, and rule
the twelve tribes through the twelve apostles. Thus will be brought about the millennial blessedness
foretold. 6559 PFF4 321.4

this was the belief of the early church Fathers, he added, and of such Church of England
contemporaries as M’Neile, Noel, Bickersteth, and others. The destruction of Antichrist, preparatory
to the millennial age, will be affected by “the personal presence and coming” of Christ. (2
Thessalonians 2.) Daniel presents this destruction in chapter 7. And John tells of the seven vials of
wrath to be poured out previous to the thousand years. The harvest is to be reaped and the vintage
gleaned before the reign of Christ. The world continues on in a state of wickedness up to Messiah’s
appearance. Both wheat and tares grow together until the harvest. 2 PFF4 351.1

1. STANDARD HISTORICAL VIEWS OF Daniel 2 and 7

The structure of prophecy, Hinton held, is built around the four great empires of the prophetic outline
—the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman-and finally the fifth empire, Christ’s kingdom,
or the church, first persecuted and finally triumphant. 13 Here are details: Daniel 2 and 7 are parallel
prophecies, the three ribs in the mouth of the Persian “bear” being Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt. On the
four divisions of Alexander’s empire—Macedonia, Thrace, Syria, and Egypt—he makes an extended
citation from Lardner to sustain his position. And Syria and Egypt are declared to be the kings of the
North and South, in Daniel 11—north and south of Judea. 2 PFF4 354.2

Seventh Day Baptist Expositor Is Postmillennialist

1. STONE HAS NOT YET SMITTEN PROPHETIC IMAGE

Like many other postmillennialists, Burdick championed the standard view of Daniel 2 and 7—namely,
the four beasts, the Chaldean, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires, with the subsequent
divisions of Rome, and the papal Little Horn, that is still opposing the “rise and progress of Christ’s
kingdom.” But the saints will take over universal dominion. Christ’s present stone kingdom is to
overcome and destroy all opposing powers and literally fill the earth. Burdick continues, “It is in vain
to say, this prophecy has been fulfilled in any general spread of the gospel-past or present.” The stone
has not yet become the mountain. And he explains that the image will be destroyed by the stone
before it becomes the mountain. Burdick also, looking for the return of the Jews, observes that we are
still in the “times of the Gentiles,” which are not yet completed. 25 PFF4 357.2

2. Two SCHOOLS OF PREMILLENNIALIST INTERPRETATION

For some reason the dominance of postmillennialism lasted longer in America than in England, but the
influence of the British Literalists was strongly felt on this side of the Atlantic before 1840. The two
schools of premillennialists, the Literalists and the Millerites, worked together because they were
united on the two principal points that had come down from the early church—(a) the premillennial
personal advent, with the kingdom set up by direct divine intervention, and (b) the Historicist
interpretation of prophecy. Thus they stood together on the belief that the Bible societies and world
missions would not convert the whole world, but that conditions of evil would prevail until Christ
comes to bind Satan, resurrect the saints, and then begin His millennial reign. PFF4 415.2

1. UNDERSTANDING THE FIGURES OF PROPHECY

Miller formulated some fourteen “Rules of Interpretation.” Certain of these are worth noting
carefully, as they show his processes and procedures in the study of prophecy, and in reaching his
conclusions. Observe seven examples: PFF4 469.3

“IV. To understand doctrine, bring all the Scriptures together on the subject you wish to know; then
let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you
cannot be in error. Proof, Isaiah 28:7-29; 35:8. Proverbs 19:27. Luke 24:27, 44, 45. Romans
16:26. James 5:19. 2 Peter 1:19, 20. PFF4 470.1

“V. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound
to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or
to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed or wisdom, is my rule, and not the Bible.
Proof, Psalm 19:7-11; 119:97-105. Matthew 23:8-10. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16. Ezekiel 34:18, 19. Luke
11:52. Matthew 2:7, 8. PFF4 470.2

“VI. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables; and in this way the same
things are often time revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures and
parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. Proof, Psalm
89:19. Hosea 12:10. Habakkuk 2:2. Acts 2:17. 1 Corinthians 10:6. Hebrews 9:9, 24. Psalm
78:2. Matthew 13:13, 34. Genesis 41:1-32. Daniel 2nd, 7th & 8th. Acts 10:9-16.” PFF4 470.3

“VIII. Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy to represent future
things, times and events,—such as mountains, meaning governments, Daniel 2:35, 44; beasts,
meaning kingdoms, Daniel 7:8, 17; waters, meaning people, Revelation 17:1, 15; day, meaning year,
8cc. Ezekiel 4:6.” PFF4 470.4

“X. Figures sometimes have two or more different significations, as day is used in a figurative sense to
represent three different periods of time, namely, first, indefinite, Ecclesiastes 7:14; second, definite,
a day for a year, Ezekiel 4:6; and third, a day for a thousand years, 2 Peter 3:8.” PFF4 470.5

“XII. To learn the meaning of a figure, trace the word through your Bible, and when you find it
explained, substitute the explanation for the word used; and, if it make good sense, you need not look
further; if not, look again. PFF4 470.6

“XIII. To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfilment of a prophecy: If you find
every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know
that your history is the true event; but if one word lacks a fulfilment, then you must look for another
event, or wait its future development; for God takes care that history and prophecy shall agree, so
that the true believing children of God may never be ashamed. Psalm 22:5. Isaiah 45:17-19. 1 Peter
2:6. Revelation 17:17. Acts 3:18.” 11

A Message for Our Times Jan/2024

GOD knows the future, and He has a set “time there for every purpose and for
every work.” (Acts 15:18; Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17) He has also pledged Himself to do
nothing “that vitally concerns this world ” but He reveals His secret unto His
servants the prophets” beforehand (John 15:14, 15; Psalm 25:14; Amos 3:7), and
then He holds His servants responsible for warning the world (Ezekiel 33:1-8).
They are watchmen on the walls of Zion, who should be able to read the signs
on God’s prophetic clock, so they can tell the time and give the warning at the
hour of crisis (Isaiah 21:11, 12; 2 Peter 1:19; Romans 13:11; Matthew 16:2, 3);
and when God’s hour strikes, He has His agencies in readiness to carry His
message to the world. https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/945/toc

The Prophetic History of the World

THE prophecies of the Bible are not difficult to understand, if we follow the rules
laid down in Scripture for interpreting prophecy. These rules are few in number,
and they are not complicated. When used in connection with prophetic
symbols, “sea,” or “waters,” stand for “multitudes” of people (Revelation 17:15;
Isaiah 8:7; 17:12; Jeremiah 6:23); “wind ” stands for “war ” (Jeremiah 4:12, 13;
25:31, 32); “beasts” stand for “kingdoms” (Daniel 7:23); and “days” for “years”
(Ezekiel 4:6).

The prophet Daniel saw in vision four winds of war, which strove upon the great
sea of people, and four great beasts, or kingdoms, came up one after the other.
“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings.” Daniel 7:2-4. In Jeremiah
49:19, 22, 28, a lion is used to symbolize the kingdom of Babylon (606-538 B. c).
The second beast was like a bear (Daniel 7:5), and denoted Medo-Persia, the
next world empire (538-331 B. C.). The ” three ribs in the mouth of it ” were the
three chief countries which it conquered, Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.

The Prophetic History of the World

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/945.175#175

THE prophecies of the Bible are not difficult to understand, if we follow the rules
laid down in Scripture for interpreting prophecy. These rules are few in number,
and they are not complicated. When used in connection with prophetic symbols,
“sea,” or “waters,” stand for “multitudes” of people (Revelation 17:15; Isaiah 8:7;
17:12; Jeremiah 6:23); “wind ” stands for “war ” (Jeremiah 4:12, 13; 25:31, 32);
“beasts” stand for “kingdoms” (Daniel 7:23); and “days” for “years” (Ezekiel 4:6).

The prophet Daniel saw in vision four winds of war, which strove upon the great
sea of people, and four great beasts, or kingdoms, came up one after the other.
“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings.” Daniel 7:2-4. In Jeremiah 49:19,
22, 28, a lion is used to symbolize the kingdom of Babylon (606-538 B. c). The
second beast was like a bear (Daniel 7:5), and denoted Medo-Persia, the next
world empire (538-331 B. C.). The ” three ribs in the mouth of it ” were the three
chief countries which it conquered, Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.