PREFATORY REMARKS

DEAR BROTHER HIMES: — I send you a few thoughts for publication on the text, Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;” with a dissertation on the 1260 days of Daniel and John. On this latter article I have nothing to say, except to invite the critical examination of the students of prophecy who oppose the theory I advocate, and to show, if they can, that these prophetic periods did not end in 1798.DTIS ii.1

My object in the first article, you will readily perceive, is to try, if possible, to get some of our brethren of the spiritual reign, and also those of the English view, to look at the promises of God in their proper light; and, if possible, to save some of them from preaching a doctrine which flatters the carnal heart with the idea of a future peace and safety, and prevents many a careless and unwary soul from seeing the awful danger they are in, promising themselves a long time to come, when sudden destruction is at the door.DTIS ii.2

Two ideas I hope our brethren will weigh well before they go about deceiving souls, as I do most solemnly and sincerely believe their doctrine is calculated to do.DTIS ii.3

1. Is this promise made to all the redeemed; or only to those who may live in some age of the present evil world? I hope some of the advocates of the spiritual reign, will answer this question honestly and fairly. Did the disciples who heard Christ, do right in believing in this promise for themselves? or did they understand the Savior to refer to some of the meek who might live in some after age? And, if so, would it not be right to apply all the promises of this chapter to the people living in one age only? Again, if the meek are only to inherit the earth, how can the carnal Jew, and the as carnal heathen, inherit it at the same time? I cannot believe that those wicked Jews will be joint heirs with Christ and the meek.DTIS iii.1

I would also inquire if this inheritance is not at the same time that Daniel speaks of, when the saints possess the kingdom, under the whole heaven. Daniel 7:22, 27: “Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. And 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, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”DTIS iv.1

2. If the text, Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” is to be understood as belonging to the millennium day before the resurrection, then all the promises contained in Matthew 5:3-12, must be construed to mean the same time, by the same rule. If so, how can the promise, Matthew 5:10, 11, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake,” be fulfilled? Can there be persecution for righteousness’ sake, when the saints possess the kingdom under the whole heaven? Will men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for Christ’s sake, in this millennium? No. Then if these persecuted brethren had died before this day came, how can they possess the kingdom on earth, except they rise from their graves? Who, then, can claim this promise? Not those who live in this millennium; for they are not persecuted. Nor those who live before this day; for they are dead. Who, then, shall possess the kingdom of God, under the whole heaven? and who are the meek, to inherit the earth?DTIS iv.2

I boldly and fearlessly say, such a millennium as our opponents of the second advent present, is impossible to be realized in the earth, before Christ’s coming, and the resurrection of the just. I challenge the world to show us how these things can be.DTIS v.1

If Christ is at the door, and the time has come when “he will thoroughly purge his floor,” and when he “will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire,” will it not be an immense detriment to the world of mankind to flatter them with a long time of peace and safety, when sudden destruction is coming upon them? O ye servants of the Most High, beware what you teach!DTIS v.2

Where has Christ taught such a millennium as you teach? Put your finger on the place, and tell me where? I ask one text, one passage; in the name of my Master, I ask you where? Give me none of your great men as authority, none of your wise sayings, no vain philosophy, no commandments of men; but the plain word of God. Where is your proof? Souls are hanging upon your skirts; you cannot slumber safely. There has a cry gone forth: “Watchman! what of the night? Watchman! what of the night?” We adjure you by the living God, that you tell us the truth. You profess to be teachers; O teach us with the wisdom of God, and not of men. You call yourselves pastors; feed us, then, with the rich promises of God, rather than vain traditions received from the fathers.DTIS v.3

We ask for “bread;” give us not “a stone.”

WM. MILLER.
Boston, Jan. 1, 1842.