Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

HABERSHON, ON THE CHRONOLOGICAL PROPHECIES

the more remarkable deliverance of the same people, which is yet to take place, from their last and heaviest captivity, &c.—It is reasonable to suppose that one period of prophecy should, in some respects, be analogous to that of another; and hence, that if in one prophecy there should be two commencements and two terminations, the same may be found to be the case also in others." (P, 123.)

The last period noticed by the author is the seventy weeks or 490 years dated from the edict of the seventh year of Artaxerxes, given to Ezra, to the death of Christ, from B. c. 457 to A. D. 33. There is nothing particularly worthy of observation noticed of this period, in a chronological point of view, excepting that, like the first and third periods brought forward, the time of its commencement could only be correctly ascertained when its termination had either actually taken place, or was approaching to it; and that the commencement of its fulfilment is not reckoned from the time the prophecy of each was given. The difficulties which attend the right application of the scriptural division of these seventy weeks are well known, by all who have at all considered or read upon the subject: we notice them for the sake of quoting a judicious observation of the Author thereupon If such difficulties still surround the true ' and proper interpretation of a 'fulfilled prophecy, which has engaged, during the whole period of the Christian era, the best attention and study of so many learned men, it ought to be no matter of surprise if equal difficulties are 'found connected with others, where, from the circumstances of their being unfulfilled, equal advantages are not enjoyed.” (P. 158.) Such are the peculiarities which

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

:

157

our Author notices: there are in. deed one or two others which he considers important, which, as they serve to keep his subsequent interpretation within a more rigid limit, it may be well to notice. There is, first, that all the events that have marked the commencement and termination of each period have formed the most important eras in history: as the call of Abraham, the Exodus, the final ruin of the kingdom of Israel, the captivity of Judah, their deliverance, the restoration of the Jewish church under Ezra, (for the importance of which era, in the view of the author, we must refer to his work,) and, finally, the death of Christ, and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Secondly, these events have always had a special respect to the affairs of the Church, and have never exclusively related to secular concerns. Thirdly, they have been characterized by change: i. e. they have marked all the great and extraordinary changes through which it hath pleased God that his church should pass whilst under the Levitical dispensation. Fourthly, they have proved the ruin of the respective nations to whom they have related, as Canaan, Egypt, Babylon, and Israel and Judah. It may farther be noticed, that a greater or less degree of obscurity rests upon each prophetical period, according as circumstances have required that they should be concealed for a greater or less time.

Such are the principles or axioms which the Author discovers; and the work is well worthy of a perusal if it be only to observe the manner in which he makes them out, and duly to consider his grounds for them. His application of these principles to unfulfilled prophecy is a different concern: the foundation on which he builds may be sound and

sufficient, even though the superstructure reared upon it should prove faulty. So far as our own opinion is concerned, we candidly confess that we are not prepared to go with Mr. Habershon in all that he advances in the way of interpretation. He appears to us in some instances to give the rein too much to his imagination, and the obvious flaws which are thus created in parts of his exposition have a necessary tendency to create in some persons a feeling of insecurity in the whole. At the same time, we are bound to acknowledge that the mass of evidence, and the remarkable coincidences with which he strengthens some of his points, amount to all but demonstration; and that the arguments adduced for the generality of his prophetic periods are worthy of the most serious consideration. We wish our limits would allow us to give an out outline of all these, but we can only enter upon two of them.

The first application of the principle is to the seven times during which Israel was to be punished and to fall under Gentile domination, and which therefore is supposed to be the same as "the times of the Gentiles." The period itself has more of plausibility than reality, and rests rather upon hypothesis than upon any rigid principle of critical investigation. Mede based it on the fact that the "time, times, and half a time" of Daniel VII. is evidently the moiety of seven times, and therefore he concluded it to have reference to such a period, and that its commencement formed the bisecting point of the seven times. Mr. Habershon considers the foundation to be farther strengthened by the frequent mention of the phrase seven times in Lev. xxvi. in connexion with the threatened punishment of Israel-"I will punish you

seven times more for your sins." The expression has not in the original, nor obviously in the translation, any thing to do with duration of time, but refers only to the increased intensity of God's chastisements. Mr. Habershon is aware of this; but his arguments for nevertheless insisting upon it are ingenious.

This period then of seven times has two special peculiarities: viz. first, that it admits of a double application, (i. e. to the kingdom of Israel, and also to the kingdom of Judah,) and secondly, that each of these applications has a double commencement and double termination. The first two-fold application to the kingdom of Israel he dates from its final destruction to its restoration; which he calculates as follows: from B. C. 727, when Shalmaneser carried away Israel into captivity, to A. D. 1793; and again from B. c. 677, when Esarhaddon finally extinguished the kingdom, to A. D. 1843; each of which periods are of 2520 years. duration. Besides this, the Author conceives the probability still farther increased by a chronological correspondence which he imagines he perceives between the great national shocks which preceded, portended, and hastened Israel's and Judah's fall and captivity, and those which portend to hasten their deliverance and the downfal of the nations by which they have been oppressed. This he points out in six particular instances; (see p. 204.) but for the proof of these, and for the signs of the times which are very strikingly, impressively, and practically set forth, we must refer to the work itself.

The second application of this period to the kingdom of Judah is dated from the dethronement of the house of David, and again from the destruction of the kingdom of Judah, to the Millennium: i. e. from B. c.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

HABERSHON, ON THE CHRONOLOGICAL PROPHECIES.

677 to A. D. 1843; and from B. c. 602 to a. D. 1918; both periods again continuing for 2520 years. In regard to the first period the Author observes, "that as the perpetual grant of the land secures the restoration of Is'rael as an united people to their country; so the perpetual grant of 'the throne, confined to the tribe of Judah, (2 Sam. vII. 13, 16; Psalm LXXXIX. 3, 4, 35-37) secures to 'the house of David the restoration ⚫ of all its royal honours and dignity. It is to this that the prophecy of ""seven times" must have a reference as it regards Judah; because, for purposes essentially connected 'with the first coming of Christ, it 'cannot have a reference to their dispersion, as they were, after 70 years captivity in Babylon, restored to their own land for above 500 years." He considers therefore that the perfection of calamity, as applied to the tribe of Judah, consists, in addition to their other complicated sufferings, in the loss of their regal honours, which after 2520 years shall be again restored.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

We pass by the 2300 years of Daniel VIII. which he dates from the edict of the seventh year of Artaxerxes given to Ezra, B. c. 457, to the cleansing of the sanctuary which he supposes will be A. D. 1843,and notice finally the great prophetical period of 1260 years, which under different expressions is mentioned no less than seven times in the prophecies of Daniel and St. John. These various expressions Mr. Habershon conceives to be significant, and supposes them to relate to separate and distinct subjects, all of which are nevertheless involved in the period of 1260 years. He considers it therefore under three distinct aspects: the first, which is thrice expressed by THREE TIMES and a half, having respect to Popery, as it appears under the actual

159

dominion of the Pope himself;-the second, twice expressed by FORTY TWO MONTHS, having reference to the tyrannical dominion of the ten papal kingdoms;—the third, which is twice expressed by 66 ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THREE-SCORE DAYS," having reference to the depressed condition of the church of Christ. He further considers, that the mention of 1290 days, and 1335 days, in Dan. xı. 11, 12, in apparent connexion with, and as an apparent extension of, the 1260 days, indicates that this period has three durations assignedto it. And to these he adds a double commencement and a double corresponding termination; the necessity for which, will be apparent in those instances in which the commencement of the 1260 years corresponds with the latter moiety of the 2520 years. For if the whole seven times has two commencements and two terminations, so must either half of that period correspond with it.

He dates the first then, from the giving the saints into the hands of the papal power, a. D. 533, to the inchoative fall of that apostasy a. D. 1793; and again from the formation of the ten papal kingdoms a. D. 583, to their destruction, which he expects will be in 1843; both which periods contain 1260 years. And from the latter epoch, viz. a. D. 583 he dates the 1290 years expiring in 1873, and the 1335 years, which will expire A. D. 1918, which is the same date as the expiration of his fifth period, in its application to the throne of David and the tribe of Judah.

We regret that our limits preclude us from entering into farther particulars, and have compelled us to be so brief in what we have brought forward. We could have wished else to have exhibited the Author's view of the seals, which symbol he conceives is itself to be considered

as having a meaning, and to refer to events to which is attached the seal of empire, indicated by some signal decree or marked incident declarative of the ratification of the event by imperial power. He confines himself to events of this nature; and embraces in his treatment of the subject most of the principal decrees which have been brought forward by expositors of prophecy. This feature of the book we should have brought forward, not as approving or disapproving, but for the

sake of better acquainting the Reader with the character of Mr. Habershon as an expositor; for which purpose likewise, some two or three other novelties in the work ought to have been adduced. But whatever impression these might have made upon him (and some of them we consider, as we have intimated, to be defects, rather than beauties,) yet are they but as a few cracked panes of glass in a large window, which nevertheless admits much light and is otherwise useful.

New Publications.

"COME AND SEE."-The Publication announced in our last under this Title as suspended, will still be proceeded with if the Writer can obtain a sufficient number of Subscribers to warrant the Publication; but a Pamphlet having been published already by another person under the above Title, it has been necessary to change the title of this, which will be- "VISIONS OF THE ISLE; or, Original Studies of the Revelation of St. John." The work is by the writer of the articles signed H. S. L. in the former volumes of the Investigator, and will be about 4s. 6d. in price. We shall be happy to send orders for the work, or any communication calculated to strengthen the writer's hands, if addressed to us, post paid, through our Publishers. The view of H. S L. respecting the Two Witnesses may be consulted as one specimen of the system of interpretation to be adopted see the Investigator, Vol. III. p. 217 and 311.

:

Recently Published.

On the Chronological Characters marking the Year 1836 as a great Era, and as a probable termination to the Times of the Gentiles, &c. -By W. CUNINGHAME, Esq. of Lainshaw. Lond. Nisbet & Co. 1s.

A Sight for the Church of God, &c. Number 666, or year 1836. Lond. Seeleys. Price 9d.

England: The Sound of the Trumpet, or the Signs of the Times; being a prophetic alarm to Great Britain.-By the same Author.

The Seventh Vial poured out. Lond. Rivingtons. 1s.

The Prophecies delivered by Christ himself, &c. applied to the present state and future prospects of the Church of God.By the Rev T. MYERS; Chaplain to Visct. Lorton. Lond. Nisbet. 5s.

Prophecy with its Fulfilment.-By the Rev. B. BOUCHIER, Lond. Parker. Is. 6d.

Lectures on Prophecy.- By C. N. DAVIES, Independent Minister at Norwood. Lond. Tegg. 4s.

The Table of Abydos corroborative of the Sacred Chronology.-By J. LAMB, D.D. Lond. Parker. 2s. 6d.

Preliminary Observations to an Essay on the FEAST OF TABERNACLES. Lond.

Nisbet. 8vo. 1s. 6d. **We particularly recommend the above work to the notice of our Readers. It is written by a Friend who has contributed several able papers to our Work, and it was now intended for our pages, could we have published it entire. The work when complete will be about 5s.-Orders may be sent for the whole work, or for the Preliminary Essay,

Original Essays.

INTERPRETATION OF THE APOCALYPSE.

(Continued from page 144.)

THE THINGS WHICH MUST BE HEREAFTER."

Having already considered the two first parts of the three-fold division of the Apocalypse made by our Lord, chap. 1. 19, viz. the manifestation of himself to the Apostle John; and the hortatory epistles addressed to the seven churches of Asia; we are now arrived at the third, last, and most considerable portion of the book, and that which alone, strictly speaking, can be called prophetic, as is indicated by its particular title, "the things which must be hereafter,' -òr rather, according to the literal rendering of the words, "what must be after these things," or will succeed in point of time to the then present condition of the churches referred to in chapters 11 and 111.

We have already found in the preceding epistles a broad and striking recognition of the two characters of Christ as Priest and King, these being made respectively the peculiar subjects of the fifth and sixth. And we find it again in the portion of the book now about to be consider ed; for it consists of two distinct parts,-first, that having reference to the regal character of Christ as the Creator and Governor of the world, viz. the history of the kingdoms of this world, or of the Roman empire, (as distinguished into its Western and Eastern branches ;)— and, secondly, that having reference to his character as Priest and Redeemer, viz. the history of the Church, distinguished also during its first period, (that is as long as the eastern church existed,) into the separate histories of the eastern and

No. 4 New Series. (Vol. v. No. 46.)

western churches. Of these two great prophetic subjects, (viz. the civil and the ecclesiastical histories of the Roman empire,) the former will be found to occupy chapters IV. to x. 7, together with xv. xvi. and XVII. to XXI. 8; and the latter to occupy the remainder of the Apocalypse, viz. chapters x. 9 to xiv. xv. xvI. and xxI. 9 to the end; each consisting of a principal history, (including the common supplement of chaps. xv. XVI.) followed by an explanation, or addition of further particulars given by the attendant angel. Thus this interesting volume, so simple in its objects and construction, resembles some of our best general histories, in which that of each kingdom, or territorial division, and the political and ecclesiastical subjects, (perhaps also the legal, commercial, &c.) are treated of separately. We shall find moreover that as prophecy is but history anticipated, so the laws and principles of all other historical writings are maintained in this book; the first and most important of which is that of chronological arrangement, from which there is no deviation otherwise than, as it sometimes happens in the history of past events, that matter which cannot for some cause be conveniently introduced into the body of a work, is placed at the end of it in the form of a note or supplement; the chronological principle being in fact still maintained by a reference being made to it where it is to be introduced into the main body of the history. Of this we October, 1836.

Y

« AnteriorContinuar »