A CONTRAST

The gospel warns men by faith to flee from the wrath to come; but he would trifle, who, in the millenial day, should preach the terrors of the holy law, seeing every soul will have the comfortable assurance, that it is born in the millennium! Who is so blind that he will not see?HDM 51.2

The gospel cheers men in sore troubles with the words of the apostle: through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. But this must be obsolete in the millennium, when the whole race seems to enter the kingdom by natural generation.HDM 51.3

Our Lord in his gospel says, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Whence then comes this new saying, “In this world ye shall not see tribulation for a thousand years?” Eve learned that she might eat and not die; but the serpent deceived her, and beguiles the church now, under cover of plausible pretences.HDM 51.4

The gospel requires believers to come out from the world and be separate: but this will be nullified in the millennium, for then all mankind are to run in the heavenly race together, neck and neck.HDM 51.5

The gospel requires men to turn to the service of the living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven: but the doctrine of the millennium abates the latter part of that; for it is naturally impossible for mortals to wait, or expect, or look for an event, certain not to transpire until after their day a thousand years.HDM 51.6

Christian faith from the blessed Master down the track of ages has been known solemnly to renounce the pride of this world, its riches, pomp, and glory, as a poor inheritance, fleeting, vain, and perishable: on the contrary, the millenial notion offers this world, its riches, power, and glory, as an object of worthy and certain attainment, and of lasting possession; “even all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them”-for a thousand years. This very offer was made to our Lord 1800 years ago, on certain terms; but he rejected both the tempter and the offer. Now, the church has a mind to accept the offer, it is worth while to search and see whether in heart also she be not consenting to the terms accompanying the offer: “If thou will fall down and worship me.” Should it prove so, the good Lord help his beloved, heartily to respond his own indignant words, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”HDM 51.7

Faith looks for the Lord from heaven in his parousia, or personal coming: on the contrary, the “fable” looks for Christ in this world spiritually to engross the government of this world.HDM 52.1

Faith sojourns with Abraham in pursuit of the heavenly Canaan, and the Jerusalem above: on the contrary, the “judaizing notion” looks for the Jerusalem that is in bondage with her children, to become the seat of universal empire, and her natural children its royal princes.HDM 52.2

Faith puts off the carnal man with his lusts, to walk inconformity with the sufferings of Christ: on the contrary, the “judaizing notion” promises deliverance from all suffering, and seems also to offer a full satisfaction of the natural appetites.HDM 52.3

Faith is the good fight of a Christian against well-known enemies: but of the millenial heresy it is no fight at all; having neither danger nor adversary to encounter; having Satan bound, the world converted, and all “peace and safety” a thousand years, more.HDM 52.4

Faith overcomes the world by severe conflicts: but in the millennium, having overcome the world, faith seems to rest from its labors, and to leave sight and sense in full possession of the spoils of victory, without any competitor.HDM 52.5

Now, by faith we stand, and are exhorted to take heed lest we fall: but in the fabled millennium men may be high minded with the most perfect security all around.HDM 52.6

Now, men become the children of God by faith of Jesus Christ: but then they are to become his children, being in fact born an untold multitude in the millennium.HDM 52.7

Now, are they heirs of righteousness which is by faith: but then heirs of righteousness by natural descent, as of Abraham.HDM 52.8

Now, must they examine, whether indeed we be in the faith: but then in as a matter of course, and full of ease in Zion.HDM 53.1

Through faith the saints have subdued kingdoms, wrought miracles, and obtained a good report: but through the millennium, they are to have a good report beyond all controversy.HDM 53.2

In this way is fully manifested the entire contrast between the “judaizing notion,” and the faith once delivered to the saints; a palpable, essential, indisputable, perfect contrast, Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal not being more opposed to each other. The “fable” claims to itself this world; and this world fondly embraces the fable, and returns the loving claim: while faith totally disclaims this world, and its millennium: faith turns her back on them, and journeys onward, looking steadfastly to Jesus, whose tribulation was in the flesh, and whose triumph was in the resurrection from the dead, and whose glory is in the world to come.HDM 53.3

Many abominations have obtained footing in the holy place; but never one with basilisk eyes, like this Jewish fable, to charm the holy people out of the life of faith, and turn them into stone; to entice them with a syren’s voice, from the hope of the Lord’s appearing, to hope for a time of extraordinary felicity, when men will be naturally delivered from the wrath to come, and filled with blessings in this present evil world. Well did the ancient church reject and reprobate it; well did the great reformers of Germany and England stigmatize and crop it, and also condemn those who circulate it, and brand it on the forehead “a fable,” “a judaizing notion,” to forewarn the faithful against its seducing spirits, its sorceries, its sweet singing serpents, and doctrines of devils.HDM 53.4