Verse 1. “And I saw an angel come down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. This angel is the Lord Jesus Christ, for none but he, hath power to bind Satan. He has “the key of the house of David; so he shall open and none shut, and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Isaiah 22:22 He it is that “liveth and was dead,” and has “the keys of hell and death,” Revelation 1:18, and he has also “spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”-See 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6.ESH 54.1

Verse 2 “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan, and bound him a thousand years.” By dragon, ser pent and satan, etc., I not only understand the old arch fiend; but the kingdoms of the world, Papal Rome, and all her followers; for he has promised to “destroy them that destroy the earth.”-Revelation 11:18. He also will “destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil.” Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8. That the kingdom of Rome will be destroyed, is very evident, from the latter part of the 19 chapter-“and the beast was taken etc.ESH 54.2

Verse 3. “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” By the “bottomless pit,” I understand the place prepared for the devil and his angels, in which there will be no end although they may be loosed for a little season; yet it in but for a little season, to unite spirit and body again, (the second resurrection,) and permit them to show their enmity to God, and his saints, by encompassing the beloved city, (or new Jerusalem,) where will be their final Judgment. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” See 14th verse. “And shut him up, and set a seal upon him,” signifies to make sore. “That he should deceive the nations no more.” The devil and his followers, have from the time Eve was tempted in the garden, unto the present day, been crying peace and safety, and promising the wicked life, and saying “thou shaft not surely die;” and in this way have the nations been deceived. But now Christ has come & destroyed them that made merchandise of the souls of men, and destroyed the earth, and the spirits of these impenitents are confined in the bottomless pit, where there can be no deceit used. But a solemn and a dread reality of all the threatnings of God’s word, they will then experience, which must last during the thousand years.ESH 54.3

Verse 4. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.” John here had a view of all the saints collected in the heavens, having crowns, and sitting on thrones. See Psalm 122:5-Revelation 3:21. “Judgment was given to the saints of the Most High,” Daniel 7:22. This is the Ancient of days, or the coming of Christ, as spoken of by Daniel; and the commencement of the Millennium. “And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God,”-John saw all the martyrs in this general assembly, those who suffered for their faith in Christ, and those who died in the defence of the truth; “and which had not worshiped the beast neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands,”-those who had not bowed down to images, and pictures of saints, and worshipped the “creature more than creator.” See Romans 1:23-25. To receive “his mark,” is to have fellowship with the beast, or receive confirmation or absolution at his hand; to mark, in the gospel sense, is to confirm, see Ezekiel 9:4, 6, or establish, Revelation 7:3. This is only the office of God, and not delegated to mortal men; yet the beast (Papal Rome) claims this prerogative as Vicegerent of God. Therefore whosoever had not fellowshipped this doctrine, were there, or who had not struck hands with her, and depended on her for forgiveness of sin; “and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” This is the resurrection of the righteous dead-for “the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16. “Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are his at his coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:22.ESH 55.1

Verse 5. “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” The wicked dead will not be raised until the end of the one thousand years; then they will be loosed for a little season.ESH 55.2

Verse 6. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” He will be blessed of God, for he will inherit all things; and holy, for he will be raised like unto Christ’s glorious body “On such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” That is, sin shall have no more dominion over them; but they shall worship God in the beauty of holiness, shall be married to the Lord, live in his sight, and enjoy the bodily presence of their dear Redeemer.ESH 55.3

Verse 7. “And when the thousand years were expired, satan shall be loosed out of his prison.” Satan, that old deceiver, with all the spirits of the wicked dead, both Gog and Magog, who were slain at the beginning of the thousand years “And death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them.” 13th verse, See Ezekiel 38th chapter.ESH 56.1

Verse 8. “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to gather to battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” The nations here spoken of, are all the wicked nations that ever lived, now in the four quarters of the globe, raised from the dead. And again they will be deceived; perhaps satan will tell them that they are raised from mortal to immortality, they surely cannot die again; or that they have suffered the full measure for their sins, and now they are restored. At any rate he will gather them together an innumerable host.ESH 56.2

Verse 9. “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city.” Here we have a sample of the enmity of the natural heart, and an evidence that punishment can never change the natural beat of the human will; for although they have been punished a thousand years for their hard speeches, and ungodly deeds; and have known the pains of a guilty conscience, during a long dark night of dismal howlings, of dread despair and woe-and this too for persecuting the saints of the living God,-see Revelation 6:10, yet no sooner are they let loose, than they go up from the very borders of the carth, to “encompass the camp of the saints about.” But God ever mindful of his chosen flock, interposes before they attempt to scale those adamantine walls, or force the golden gates of that beloved city. “Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”ESH 56.3

Verese 10. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Here is a representation of the second death, and last doom of the final impenitent. The remaining verses of the chapter disclose another vison of the same thing, which has before been revealed, to wit, the judgment day.ESH 56.4

Verse 11. “And I saw,” that is, John had another view; “a great white throne, and him that sat on it,’-Jesus Christ on the throne of his glory, or coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory; “from whose face the earth and the havens fled away; and there was found no place for them.”-Daniel 2:35. At the coming of Christ, the present earth will be changed cleansed by fire. See 2 Peter 3:7 to 12 inclusive. And the “heavens,” the present dispensation of God with his church, will be changed and the ordinances of the gospel will be blotted out. Faith will be lost in vision, and hope will be swallowed up in fruition, and sin will be finished, death conquered, and the kingdom of Christ completed.ESH 56.5

12th verse. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books were opened, and another book was opened which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Small and great standing before God. This shows the universality of God’s judgement. “The books were opened.” This shows that all tho’ts words and actions, are brought to remembrance. “And mother book was opened.” This shows that Jesus Christ will be there to justify his people, and while the Christian will be judged by the low of faith, the unbeliever will be Judged by, the law of works.ESH 57.1

Verse 13. “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in theme and they were judged every man according to their works.” In this verse, I suppose we have a particular description of the second resurrection of the wicked dead; for the 14th verse says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire”-that is, those persons delivered up by death and hell, were cast into the lake of fire. And it proved that the same bodies will come forth that were sown in death; or else, what need would there be for the sea to give up its dead, and even the dissolved particles represented by “death,” and the dust or grave, represented by “hell,” to give up their several parts; if the same bodies were not coming forth to be finally judged in the flesh? And these same bodies, given up, etc. will be cast into the lake of fire; “this is the second death; “that is, their bodies will be cast into a lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For the 15th verse says, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire,” plainly showing that persons; not inanimate things, or qualities as some vainly suppose, are “cast into a lake of fire.” There is the last we know of the children of the wicked one. “But the fearful,” those who are ashamed to own Christ; “and unbelieving,” who will not believe the record God has given his Son; “and the abominable,” those who blaspheme, and lake the name of God in vain; and murderers that shed innocent blood, or persecute the children of God; and whoremongers; those who seek their own gratifications, rather than obey the commands of God; and sorcerers, those who lead the people from the truth, and follow the traditions of men, and doctrines of men, to aggrandize themselves, rather than honor God; and Idolaters, those who love the present evil world, and things of the world, more than they love God; and all liars, who speak not the truth in soberness, including tatters, talebearers, etc.-“shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: this is the second death.” Revelation 21:8: Remember, oh remember, my dear reader, that the hour is near at hand when he that is filthy will be filthy still. Prepare to meet God.ESH 57.2

Christ in all his instructions to his disciples, gave them this comfortable assurance, that although in this world they should have tribulation, yet he would come and receive them unto himself; and directed their faith to his coming as the termination of the persecution and distress, which they should endure in the world. “And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:22.ESH 57.3

In the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25th chapter, beginning at the 31st verse, he plainly refers to the suffering and afflictions of his people, and their conduct to those, who were hungry, thirsty, naked, strangers, sick, and in prison, as evidence of their inheritance in the kingdom into which he then introduces them, which he says was prepared for them from the foundation of the world. Had some of his sheep enjoyed a peaceful reign on the earth of a thousand years, where they were all righteous, and no tempting devil, where there was nothing to hurt or annoy, how came these to be hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and in prison? For certainly one half or more of the whole church must have been born or lived during this happy period. Unhappy they must be, for they have no marks of sheep-they have not “come through much tribulation.” They have not been hated by the world, nor slain for the word of God, and the testimony which they held. They were not seen by the prophet John, having their robes made white in the blood of the Lamb.-For those “came through much tribulation.”ESH 58.1

And yet this must be the coming of Christ. See Matthew 25:21, 32. “When the son of man” (this must mean Christ, for neither the Father, nor the Holy Spirit, is any where called Son of Man,) “shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” He has told us how they shall be divided in Matthew 23:31. “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” And again the Apostles tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of an arch-angel, & with the trump of God; & the dead in Christ shall rise first.” Then; will antichrist be destroyed. “For when they shall say peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape.” “And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in faming fire, taking vengeance on those that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8.ESH 58.2

Here then will the church be freed from her outward foes, and her antichristian enemies. And how the idea could ever be entertained a moment, that the church should enjoy a thousand years of glorious rest, and reign as kings and priests on earth, before the destruction of Antichrist, I could never tell. But one thing is certainly true, the church is no where promised deliverance, until the revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven our Great High Priest, our typified Joshua. And then will he come the second time without sin unto salvation; then, “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Then too “we shall bear the image of the heavenly.” “Now, this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die) but we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51. And the above mystery will be finished when the seventh trumpet shall sound. “But in the days of the voice of the Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants, the prophets.” Revelation 10:7. And then, and not until then, “will the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.” Revelation 11:15. So the reader will plainly see that there is no room for the Millennial reign, until we are changed and our inward foes all slain. “Then will be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” Now let the reader compare the 25th chapter of Isaiah with the passage above referred to, and he will see that the reasoning is correct, and previous to our millenial glory or blessedness, we must obtain this victory over outward and in word foes.ESH 58.3

The next thing which I shall attempt to show is, that the captivity of the children of God, must be restored, before the church will be led into millennial blessedness. That the captivity of the Jews, in ancient and literal Babylon, is a type of the captivity of the church under mystical Babylon, I think none will deny. And the same causes that produced the one, have and will produce the other. The chief and principal cause why the ancient Jews were permitted to be led captives into Babylon was thear idolatry. They sought to conform themselves to the religious worship of other nations, which God had forbidden. They made high places like Babylon, and set up the gods of Baal in every grove, they sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, and bowed down with the sons of Belial. They regarded not the Sabbath, and changed their ordinances. For these things were the children of Israel sent into bondage, and led captives into Babylon, and the land enjoyed her sabbaths seventy years. After these years were accomplished, the Lord raised up a Cyrus to give command for the return of the Jews, and Zerubbabel (a beautiful type of Christ,) led the people of Israel from Babylon to Jerusalem, and Ezra says, 3:1, “They gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.”ESH 59.1

Now let us see the antitype in the captivity of spiritual Israel in mystical Babylon. The church soon after the ascension of her Lord became corrupted by false teachers, and blending pagan, and Jewish rites and ceremonies with christian worship, until they were sharply reproved by the Apostles, especially by Paul, Peter and John; by whom, they were then informed that antichrist or mystical Babylon was already in the world, and had begun its deadly influence in the church. Some taught a community of wives; others that the resurrection was already past; (and so say some at the present day) others to eat things sacrificed to idols, and in this manner drew them into idolatry; others taught that they must be circumcised and. keep the whole law of Moses, and by this made them change the ordinances of God’s house; but not until after the church became connected with the kingdoms of this world, did she wholly loose sight of the principles of her holy and separate religion. But in the days of Constantine, when religion became a political stepping stone to power, and authority, then how quick and how sudden were the false religions of the heathen mixed with the truth, poisoning and contaminating the breath of piety, until Antichrist took her seat, and religion and piety fled into the wilderness to be nursed only in some humble cottage, or obscure corner of the earth. From this time until very lately; the true followers of the word of God have been driven into caves and dens, and have wandered from one place to another, plainly declaring to the world that they have no continuing city, but that they seek one to come, viz. the beloved city, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down from God out of heaven, and when the time shall be fulfilled that the prophets have told us of, when two thousand three hundred years shell have passed by, then say we look for Jesus the spiritual Zerubbabel, who laid the foundation of this house, to finish it, and bring in the cap stone, crying grace, grace unto it. Then the children of God, of every clime, among all nations, wherever they may be, whether sleeping in the dust, or on their beds, living in heaven, or on earth, will God bring with him, and in one general assembly, as one man, (being one in Christ,) shall they enter the new Jerusalem, the beloved city-and live and reign with Christ a thousand years-“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.ESH 59.2

The scriptures represent them blessed and happy who have part in this first resurrection: and why? Because they shall cease from their labors, and enter into that rest that remaineth for the people of God. This rest I suppose to be the Millennial blessedness; for it is certainly a state of rest and blessedness, as expressed in the 20th chapter of Revelation, which is the only place, that a millenium can be proved in the whole word of God.ESH 60.1

Some writers and divines have supposed that the “first resurrection” spoken of in Revelation 20:9, is regeneration, or the new birth. If it is so, the language will warrant us in applying it. Let us examine.-We will begin with the 4th verse? and the reader will permit me to use the words most appropriate to convey the meaning of such Divines. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God.” And what was done to these souls? or what did John see them do? Divines, “He saw them regenerated or born again.” Quere. What! after they were beheaded as witnesses of Jesus? Again, he saw them “which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hinds.” And what did these do? Divines. “They were raised from dead works to serve the living God.” What! these souls who had worshiped the true God, instead of the beast, who had separated themselves from the world, (who were wondering after the beast,) and who had no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness? If these have need of being regenerated from dead works, where shall we find any lively stones at the present day? But what says the Apostle John? he says, “And they lived.” But what does he mean by “lived,” he means they lived “again” in the body, that although they had been beheaded or slain, for the witness of Jesus, yet now they have come off conquerers over death and the grave; therefore death hath no more dominion over them. And now they will live a thousand years, which man in his natural state could never attain: yes, and after that forever and ever. “And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” “But the rest of the dead,”-what dead? Divines tell us, Sinners who are, dead in trespasses and sins “lived not again.” Then they once lived before or why say “again” Some Divines may answer, they had fallen from grace; but a little sabbath school child, would answer, That those who were not raised in the first resurrection, would not be raised “until the thousand years were finished.” This I have seen tried, and have often admired the saying of Paul, 1 Corinthians 1:27, “And God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise.”ESH 60.2

Then if these passages in Revelations, which we have quoted, mean the resurrection of the body,(and of this every reader is capable of judging for him or herself,) the point for which we are contending is gained. For no person will contend that Christ, does not comes personally at the resurrection, and does not reign personally with his people after the resurrection. Therefore I feel perfectly willing to leave the issue here, and if there is any other place in the whole word of God where a millenium can be proved, I will acknowledge say ignorance, and confess my folly.ESH 60.3

I know there are many places in the prophecies, which people suppose can only be applied to such a day as they in their minds, have fancied the millenium to be; but I know of no passage, where such a state of things is spoken of as would or could not be realized in a state of immortality, but what has or can be fulfilled in the present gospel day. For instance, some, in reference to the passages in Isaiah 2:4. Micah 4:3, “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” argue that it cannot be fulfilled at the present day, because they do learns war; neither can it be in a state of immortality, for they will not need plowshares nor pruning books in the new Jerusalem. I agree as they think, the conclusion is just. But yet, by reading the connexion, and comparing with other scriptures, we shall see that it hath already been fulfilled.ESH 61.1

The first visible people that God had in the world, were the Jews; and these were established by the use of the sword and spear. The Jews were commanded to exterminate and drive out all the Canaanites by the sword. But Christ when he came into the world, established a kingdom of grace, mercy and peace, and taught his followers, that “his kingdom was not of this world, else would his servants fight.” He taught them to put up the sword into its sheath; and the gospel, in all its commands, shows plainly that Christ taught to do evil to no man, to render good for evil, and labor diligently in the peaceful occupation of husbandry and the arts. The prophets who lived in the days of the Jews, having a view of this gospel, of its peaceful and merciful design towards all men, and its increase and spread among all nations,-make use of the above expressions in view of the effects the gospel would have upon the warlike disposition of individuals and nations, which in our day, as well as before has been realized.ESH 61.2

And again in the 65th chapter of Isaiah, some have supposed that the new heavens and new Earth spoken of, in that chapter cannot be fulfilled in the gospel day-or in the present day; but let us examine. In the first verse of the chapter an allusion is made to the Gentiles seeking after God. “I am sought of them that asked not for me,” etc. From the 2nd verse to the 7th, God is, (by the mouth of the prophet) reproving the Jews for their rejection of the gospel, for their corrupting the laws and institutions of his house, their hypocrisy, and iniquities. In the 8th verse an allusion is made to the elect among the Jews and they were called the “new wine;” 9th verse, he speaks of bringing forth this elect few, and that they should “inherit it,” and “dwell there.” Where? in the gospel field, in the valley of trouble, there shall be a place for his flocks to repose in. From the 11th to the 15th verses inclusive, the prophet is showing the Jews their rejection of the gospel, their final dispersion from Jerusalem, and that his people should be called by another name, “they were called Christians first at Antioch.” The 16th verse shows that his people, should now worship God in spirit and in truth, because the ceremonial law, which they, nor their fathers were able to bear, would be done away, 17. “For behold I create new heavens and a new Earth; and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind.” Now it is very evident that Christ and his Apostles, did all speak of a new kingdom, did publish and preach a new manner or form of worship. It is also evident that they all taught, that the subjects of this new kingdom must be born again, “created a new in Christ Jesus,” or they cannot belong unto it And that this new creation is performed in the gospel day, none can reasonably doubt.ESH 61.3

I suppose then, the prophet is bringing into view the time when this new creation takes place, not when it is consummated in glory. And is showing the effect this new creation would have on the hearts of his people, as in the 18th and 19th verses. That they would joy in God, and rejoice in the rock of their salvation. And that the child of God would have no occasion to cry or weep, seeing all things work together for good,” etc. See Romans 14:17, Galatians 5:22, 1 Peter 1:8.ESH 62.1

20 verse. “There shall be no more thence an infant of days.” That is, this new kingdom, would not be built on the same principle that the Jewish kingdom was. Infants would no more be received because they were eight days old; but a new birth would make them heirs at once. “Nor on old man that hath not filled his days.” This expression has an allusion to an expression that is used at the close of the lives of Abraham, Isaac, David and Job “died being old and full of days,” meaning something more than old age, else it would be a repetition only; but as it is never applied only to good men, and men of God, I understand this passage to mean, that no old man would be permitted to be there unless he became a good or godly man, his days filled with wisdom, in one word unless he was born of God. Jeremiah uses a similar expression 6:11. For the child shall die an hundred years old;” For this is the reason he will be a child of God, if he has been born of God, though he should until be were an hundred years, as days cannot give the inheritance; neither will a hundred years destroy it. But the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” No age not even an hundred years without being created a new in Christ Jesus, will entitle anyone to the blessings of the new covenant. 21st verse compare with the 9th it has a similar meaning, the new born souls will form churches, and enjoy the fellowship thereof. 22, They shall not build churches, and another (of different views) inhabit. They shall not plant (fellowship) and other (of different experience) eat: “For as the days of a tree,” planted by the water courses, shall the Churches of Christ stand, and the Elect of God shall enjoy them. 23 verse. “They shall not labour in vain.” Did the Apostles and those who went every where preaching the word, labor in vain? Do the dear missionaries of the cross at the present day, labor in vain? No, truly they have much fruit, “nor bring forth for trouble.” Paul, John and others, had great joy in seeing their gospel children walk in the truth. “For they are seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off spring with them.” That is, those who are brought forth or born again, are the seed of Christ, he being the blessed of the Lord, and their children can only be brought forth in the same way. “Think not to say you have Abraham for your father,” etc. The 24 verse, no christian will deny, but that has been fulfilled to the very letter, in the Apostolic age, and in all ages of the church since. The 25the verse shows, that the different tempers of men and all clashing interests, shall be brought to harmony under the gospel. And also the serpentine dispositions of men shall he cast out and trodden underfoot, “put off the old man with his deeds.” And that they shall not hurt or destroy in all his holy kingdom. See Mark 16:18, Luke 10:19, Acts 18:19. “Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing by any means shall hurt you.” Thus saith the Lord to his disciples-I can see no impropriety in applying this whole chapter to the gospel day.ESH 62.2

But say some, do you not believe in a millenium? I do; see my explanation of Revelation 20th. Ah that is after the resurrection: but do you believe in the spiritual reign of a thousand years, when a large proportion of the world will become Christians, and Satan will be chained and the wicked will have no rule? I believe that the gospel will be preached in all the world as it was in the apostles days. And I see no reason to dispute but that it is already fulfilled. I believe that satan will be chained; but not until Christ shall come for he only, has the power to bind him, he it is, that has the keys of death and hell. I believe the day is coming “that shall burn as an oven;” and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Then, and not until then will the wicked cease from doing wickedly. “I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the born spake; I beheld, even until the beast was slain and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”-Daniel 7:11.ESH 63.1

I know nothing about a spiritual reign, except we have enjoyed it for 1800 years past, since the descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost. Every passage of scripture that I find alluding to a thousand years rest of the church, seems to be after she has conquered all her enemies, even death, the grave, and satan himself, and then always represents it, as living in his sight; with him, etc. And speaks, of his glory, and glorious rest as in Isaiah 11:10, “And his rest shall be glorious.” Again Isaiah 24:23, “And the Lord shall reign before his ancients gloriously;” and the reader can see that the 4th chapter of Isaiah, also 2 Thessalonians 1:10, “Then be shall come to be glorified in his saints;” and again, “At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” Therefore I have concluded that there can be no happy reign proved, until we reign with him in glory, in the immortal state. For in this state we are represented as being strangers and pilgrims, and as coming through much tribulation,-as having no continuing city-being few in number-a scattered and a pealed people-hated by the world-despised by all the world calls great-trampled upon-wounded and torn, and only living by faith, on Jesus Christ, on his promise that he would come and receive us to himself.ESH 63.2

Then his kingdom will be completed, and the saints shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years, between the two resurrections. The resurrection of the saints at his coming and the resurrection of the wicked in the end of the thousand years. At his coming, and during said time, the wicked is represented as being destroyed-burnt up-ashes under the feet of the saints, etc. The reader will now perceive, that I believe this 1000 years, is the same as the scriptures call the great day; day of the Lord judgement day; and the rest spoken of in scripture. And in the morning of that day, the righteous will be raised which the following indicate, Psalm 30:5,“For his anger endureth but for a moment, in his favor is life; weeping may endure for night but joy cometh in the morning.” 46:5,“God in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her when the morning appeareth.” (See marginal reading) Jeremiah 21:12, “Thus saith the Lord, execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor,” are also 7th chapter of Ezekiel. The wicked will be raised in corroboration of the text in the 10th of Revelation in the evening, see Psalm 59:6 & 14. “And at evening let them, return and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.” Compare this with Revelation 20:9. “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saint’s about, and the beloved city.” Also 22:15, “For without are dogs,” etc. Again compare Isaiah 17:11-14, “In the day shalt thou make thy plant grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish; but the harvest shall be removed in the day of inheritance, and there shall be deadly sorrow. Woe to the multitude of many people which make a noise like the noise at the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of many waters. The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters; but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee afar off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountain before the wind, and like the thistle down before the whirlwind.-And behold at the evening time, trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” With the 20th of Rev. “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished,” etc. It is also a tradition among the Jewish Rabbies, that the righteous would rise in the morning and the wicked in the evening. And their law was, that when any criminal was hung on a tree cursed of God, his body should remain until evening. Christ also implies two resurrections, John 5:29. “They that have done good to the resurrection of life: and they have done evil to the resurrection of damnation.”ESH 63.3

But without doubt, the reader will see, that all the argument and positions, laid down in this work, go directly or indirectly, to do away the modern idea of the millenium; yet the writer has no intention of attacking others systems, or theories; but to exhibit what he supposes to be the truth, object and design, of the inspired writers; and he believes, that the exhibition of truth, is the only proper way of doing away error, he does not believe that any of the Revelation, is to be kept hid, or clothed in sackcloth for fear the same may be injured by fanatical and visionary men. The ancients in their paintings represented error, by veiling, but truth was presented naked; and if there is a practical truth in the world, this is one. “They dare not come to the light because their deeds are evil,” is a sentiment advanced by one who has never erred.ESH 64.1

And now my dear reader, I will leave you to search diligently for the truth; and if I have found it concerning these passages which have been under consideration, then “what is it?”ESH 64.2

CHAPTER V