III. Lisbon Earthquake Recognized as Sign of Approaching Advent

As previously noted, contemporary recognition of prophesied epochs or events, as rapidly as they have been fulfilled, has characterized the centuries. Both the middle and the close of the eighteenth century record such an attesting witness. The first was the Lisbon, Portugal, earthquake, of 1755, and the second was the French Revolution, which resulted in the ending of the papal 1260 years through the stroke of the arms of France. We here note the first.PFF2 674.1

1. CALLED HERALD OF APPROACHING END

The Lisbon earthquake was definitely recognized at the time of its occurrence as a harbinger of the approaching advent. “A.B.,” for example, in The Gentleman’s Magazine (London), February, 1756, declares that this “tremendous judgment and dreadful catastrophe” corresponds to Luke 21:25, 26, and is set forth as a herald of the “glorious kingdom of the millennium. ^{18“A.B.” in The Gentleman’s Magazine (London), February, 1756, p. 69.} Asserting that it can not fail to “awaken the world to serious and devout contemplations,” and to “compare it with the prophecies relating to, and now fulfilling in this its last days, ^{19Ibid., p. 68.} he denominates it “one of the infallible omens,” a “signal from the King of heaven.” Calling attention to the fact that Lisbon is inhabited by perhaps the most bigoted zealots of the Roman faith, and that it was where “the most dreadful tribunal of the inquisition emitted the infernal flames with the greatest fury and hottest violence,” A.B. makes this remark:PFF2 675.1

“For my own part, I do really suppose, from the present condition of Europe compared with Luke 21:25, 26, that this is surely nothing less than the outstretched arm of God prepared to break the earth in pieces with a rod of iron, and to cleanse and purify it from all pollutions and filthiness both of flesh and spirit, to make way for the glorious kingdom of the millennium; like the voice of the first angel (chap. 14, 5, 6, 7.) to call all nations every where to repent while it is day, and make all pious men now look up, for their redemption draweth nigh; when he shall appear again with healing in his wings. ^{20Ibid., p. 69.}PFF2 675.2

2. DAY OF FASTING CELEBRATED ON ANNIVERSARY

Asserting it was “seemingly supernatural, as if it came to pass by the direction of a particular providence, to confound the wisdom, and silence the audacious infidels of the age; such as show plainly, that the Lord was in the earthquake, and that it was his angel that troubled the waters, ^21Ibid. A.B. makes reference to the appropriateness of a fast day, with appropriate prayers on the part of Protestants. And that such a day of fasting was appointed and carried out in the Anglican Church is attested by a remarkable packet of pamphlets and sermons bound together, and lodged in the British Museum. They were prefaced by a hand written index listing the twenty-one sermons comprising this special volume of sermons preached in connection with this fast day of February 6, 1756.PFF2 675.3

The names on this roster are impressive a bishop, seven M.A.’s, five D.D.’s, two LL.B.’s, and a chaplain to the king, making up fifteen of the twenty-one. A Discourse Preparatory to the Religious Observance of the Day of Publick Fasting and Humiliation, Appointed by Authority, to Be Kept on Friday the Sixth of February 1756, on the Occasion of the Late Earthquakes Abroad, and Particularly at Lisbon (1756) was prepared by Henry Stebbing, D.D., chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty. Thomas Alcock, preaching at Plymouth, stated:PFF2 676.1

“The affrighted Inhabitants of Lisbon, and of many other Places, thought the Lord was come to smite the Earth with a Curse—thought the great and terrible Day of Judgment was at Hand, in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great Noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent Heat: The Earth also and all the Works that are therein shall be burnt up. ^{22Thomas Alcock, A Sermon on the Late Earthquakes, More Particularly That at Lisbon, p. 40.}PFF2 676.2

3. FULFILLMENT OF OUR LORD’S PROPHECY

Then follows this observation on the meaning of the catastrophe:PFF2 676.3

“Nor was it without Reason, that they entertained these Apprehensions: As there were Signs almost sufficient to make them expect that Catastrophe. For our Saviour has foretold; that there shall be Wars and Rumors of Wars, Nation shall rise against Nation, and great Earthquakes shall be in divers Places, and Famines, and Pestilences, and fearful Sights, the Sea and the Waves roaring; Mens Hearts jailing them for fear, and for looking after those Things which are coming on the Earth: For the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken: That these shall be the Beginnings of Sorrows, and some of the previous Signs of his Coming. And though the Lord still delayeth his Coming, yet seeing all these Things most certainly shall be dissolved, we know not how soon, what Manner of Persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness! Looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God! ^23Ibid.PFF2 676.4

4. HUMBLE HEARTS WHILE AWAITING FULFILLMENTS

Bishop Lavington of Exeter preached a sermon on the general fast day, which was published at the request of the mayor and chamber. Declaring “this Event is the greatest Call in its Kind which has been known in the Memory of any Person living, or (I think) recorded in History,” the bishop appealed for a humbling of heart and a true spirit of contrition. ^{24George Lavington, A Sermon Preached in the Cathedral-Church of Exeter, on the General Fast-Day, February 6, 1756, p. 19.} After refer ring to Luke 21 and the signs of the second advent, including great earthquakes, the bishop said:PFF2 677.1

“I do not think that we have Light enough in these Matters to pin down this Prophecy to these Events; nor to determine how near or how far off Christ’s second Coming may be. There seem to be other Prophecies not yet accomplished, which must be accomplished before this comes to pass. But, as the Resemblance between what we now see, and what shall be seen, when the last Catastrophe comes, naturally connects them together in our Thoughts; so it will always be our Wisdom, when we see such Signs as these, so far to be apprehensive that the End of all Things is at Hand, as to be sober and watch unto Prayer. ^{25lbid., pp. 20, 21.}PFF2 677.2

Then he called for the gathering of the people (Joel 2:16) to plead with God to spare the people, and to put away disaffection, and apathy, and compromise with the “Great Apostasy.” He concluded by declaring none can put “any stop to the Fore runner of the Lord’s Coming, ^{26Ibid., p. 26.} though the precise day and hour is known to no man.PFF2 677.3