V. Simpson-1260 Years Accomplished Before Our Eyes

DAVID SIMPSON (1745-1799), theologian and religious writer, was born in Yorkshire and educated at St. Johns College, Cambridge, from which he received an M.A. He was successively curate of Ramsden in Essex, Buckingham, and Old Church in Macclesfield. In all three charges his alleged Methodism gave offense, and in the last place he was silenced by the Bishop of Chester. However, friends erected Christ Church for him at Macclesfield, where he officiated until his death. His numerous writings included Key to the Prophecies (1795-with a third edition in 1812), and A Plea for Religion and the Sacred Writings (first published in 1797 with numerous later editions). On the title page it appears that this latter volume was “Addressed to the Disciples of Thomas Paine, and Wavering Christians of Every Persuasion.”PFF2 775.1

1. COMPREHENSIVE SKETCH OF LITTLE HORN

Simpson sketches Daniel 7-the ten divisions of the Roman Empire, the arising of the Little Horn among the ten, subduing three of the ten and usurping their dominion, and increasing in power until it had obtained a peculiar kind of power and jurisdiction overall the seven other horns. ^{33David Simpson, A Plea for Religion, p. 134.} This dominion was to continue three and a half times (a time being a year of 360 days) or a total of1260 years, at the end of which it would be destroyed. Then he traces the accomplishment—the Roman Empire was dismembered, the bishop of Rome arose, and three of the ten states(“the senate of Rome, the kingdom of Lombardy, and the exarchate of Ravenna; three governments all in Italy”) were sub dued, the pope assuming a triple crown. ^{34Ibid., pp. 134, 135.}PFF2 775.2

2. 538 BEGINNING ACCORDS WITH 1798 ENDING

Simpson next discusses the dates fixed by some for beginning the 1260 years—606 (from Phocas), 666 (the apocalyptic number), and 756 (when the pope became a temporal prince). The time of Gregory I is also mentioned. But he adds this footnote:PFF2 775.3

“There is some reason, from the present appearances of things, to suppose, that the 1260 prophetical years must be calculated from a period somewhat earlier than the commencement of the seventh century. The year of our Lord 538 accords with the downfall of the Pope’s temporal do minion A.D. 1798.” ^{35Ibid., p. 138.}PFF2 776.1

3. FULFILLING THIS DAY BEFORE OUR EYES

Referring then to the signs of the approaching end, Simpson asks pointedly:PFF2 776.2

“Are not abundance of these predictions fulfilling at this day before our eyes?...PFF2 776.3

“Does it not seem that those 1260 years are upon the point of expiring?” ^{36Ibid., pp. 164, 165.}PFF2 776.4

4. BEAST’S CLAWS CUT AND TEETH DRAWN

Expatiating on the prophesied changes that had taken place, and on how the nations that “for so many ages had given their power unto the Beast” were to “turn against that Beast, and use means for its destruction,” Simpson then asks:PFF2 776.5

“Is not this part of the prophecy also, in a good degree, fulfilled at the present moment? Have not all the CATHOLIC powers forsaken his HOLI NESS of Rome in the time of his greatest need? And is not He, who, a few ages ago, made all Europe tremble at the thunder of his voice, now become weak like other men? Are not the claws of the Beast cut, and his teeth drawn, so that he can no longer either scratch or bite? Is he not already, in our own day, and before our own eyes, stripped of his temporal do minion?” ^{37Ibid., p. 165. (There is frequent footnote reference to such expositors as Hartley, Tillot-son, Newton, Hurd, Hallifax, Clayton, Lowman.)}PFF2 776.6

5. PRESENT FULFILLMENT POWERFULLY CONFIRMS TRUTH

Now comes this climactic declaration:PFF2 776.7

“Is it not extremely remarkable, and a powerful confirmation of the truth of Scripture prophecy, that just 1260 years ago from the present 1798, in the very beginning of the year 538, Belisarius put an end to the empire of the Goths at Rome, leaving no power therein but the Bishop of that Metropolis?PFF2 776.8

“Read these things in the prophetic Scriptures; compare them coolly with the present state of Europe, and then, I say again, deny the truth of Divine Revelation, if you can. Open your eyes, and behold these things accomplishing in the face of the whole world. This thing is not done in a corner.” ^{38Ibid., p. 166.}PFF2 776.9