the end of Revelation Prophesie ch 4 5. may be discerned being all then in an undisturbed happy state in their several degrees whilst Satan is bound and sealed up in the bottomless pit that he may not tempt the nations any more till the 1000 years be ended v. 3. all remaining in an happy peace so long without being attempted against by any enemies 4. Christs Servants viz. the raised Saints chiefly will then serve him Rev. 22.3 as their business and happiness so to do ch 7.15 5. Christ will be their light to them both spiritual and visible and both glorious in whose light his Saints will then see light at the Revelation of all things probably as to Mysteries Creatures and Providences when the mystery of God is finished and the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of one day as the light of seven days Is 30. 6. The Nations of them that are then saved will walk in the light of the said great holy and beloved Jerusalem come down from God out of Heaven all the said 1000 years being the Spirits of just men before made perfect to receive then from Christ their spiritual Bodies also Rev. 21.24 7. The Kings of the Earth shall bring their Glory and Honour to it in the same v. 8. Also they shall bring the Glory and Honour of the Nations to it v. 26. 9. God will then dwell amongst them and all Tears shall be wiped from their Eyes ch 21.3 4 7 16 17. 10. All the glorious Priviledges of the Paradise of God of the Tree of Life whose Leaves are for the healing of the Nations and of the pure River clear as Chrystal proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb and all the glorious excellencies assigned and belonging to it which all those happy raised Saints will then know by experience how wonderful great and excellent they are in their Fruition thereof the said 1000 years 11. And though Satan when he is loosed will seduce his last Gog and Magog to attempt to besiedge the beloved City and the Camp of the Saints yet Christ hath afore hand resolved them that it shall onely be an attempt and the Devil and all his Agents shall then be consumed by Fire from God out of Heaven in the said attempt and the Fabrick of the world shall suddenly then be dissolved upon the sounding of the last Trumpet and the general rapture and change of all the Saints to meet Christ in the Air coming to sit upon that great white Throne at the last Judgement Rev. 20.11 From whose Face the Earth and the Heaven shall fly away and no place shall be found for them Rev. 20.11 And hath not Christ himself revealed all these things in an evident manner That may suffice all Christians and rational men of their reallity and how then should all sound serious and consciencious Christians from the consideration of these things now hinted to them with many more that might from Gods word be set before them to such purpose be stirred up to love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Apostle professed for himself with that great encouragement to all others to partake with him of a Crown of Righteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 2. To long for his said appearance when he cometh without sin having fully satisfied for that at his first coming but then onely for salvation to his People to deliver them from all their Enemies and even the inferiour Creatures with them from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 And to have their own bodies redeemed from the Prison and the corruption of the Grave and have powerful grace as the Angels in Heaven in their condition and even those also in the natural Life shall serve Christ in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of their life Luke 1.74 75. 3. And that they may love his appearance and long for it let them labour continually to be fitted for it c. and this rather because many wayes the time thereof seemeth to be near approaching not only in regard that most of the preceeding Predictions are fulfilled but also because we find the computations of years which the Holy Ghost seems to set down of the Jews great Restauration and of the destruction of the Churches Enemies are shortly to be compleated of which two in Daniel and two in the Book of the Revelations appear very considerable to that purpose which we shall endeavour here to set down as some of the Grounds and Reasons of such our Conjecture From those 4. Computations of the said mystical Numbers formerly more fully explained in our Parallel of Daniel and the Book of the Revelation and upon the ruine and desolation of the Remane Monarchy as follows The first is from the 2300. days of years in Daniel 8 26. by Palmomi or the secret Numberer seeming to refer to the end of the Jews Captivity referring to the time of the end v. 17. to the last end of the indignation viz. of God against that captivated People The like to the same purpose is also observable where Daniel declares the Roman Kingdom shall prosper till the same time viz. until the indignation shall be accomplished for saith he that that is determined shall be done Ch. 11.36 So again upon the same account The Sacrifice and Oblation shall cease for the over spreading of Abominations he shall make Jerusalem taken by Titus and Vespatian desolate even until the Consummation and that determined shall be powered out upon the desolate Dan. 9.27 See many other Reasons upon Dan. 8.26 In our Summary of Daniels Visions This Computation of 2300 years was from the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzers Army then carrying the Jews captive to Babylon to their great Restauration at Christs appearance is by Scripture and Chronology thus computed at Babylon 70. years under the Medes and Persians about 80. years till Daniels 70. weeks when the Edict went out for building the City Jerusalem about 3549 when is reckoned by their Kings Reigns to be about 80 years more and Daniels weeks to the end of the half week when Christ had finished his Sacrifice of himself for our sins which was in all 640 years more and from thence to about that year which we reckon will be 1700. will so be made up 2300. years Secondly For the 2335. years in Dan. 12. from the effectual taking away of Sacrifice in Julian the Apostate Emperours time when not only many Heathen Idolatries were encouraged by him but he also in opposition to Christian Religion allowed the Jews out of the publick charge to Rebuild their Temple for Sacrifice whereupon Historians Record that God by miraculous Tokens of his displeasure by Fire Tempest Earthquakes c destroyed such as were employed in the said work and not only burnt up the very Tools they wrought with But cast out the very Stones which they had laid
years and for the ruine of the last Gog and Magog after the said thousand years Our blessed Saviour hath most orderly exactly and strongly confirmed the same in those many circumstances thereof in the following part of this Chapter when the last Enemy death will be destroyed and the Devil cast into the Firy Lake and I hope no Conscientious knowing Christian of any rank will dare to deny or gainsay any particular in this great Foundation so explained carried on and applied all along in the word of God c. of which much more is said in our Everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15 And Enochs Vision of the first Act of Christs Judgement Jude 14. also confirms the same as it is explained by Daniel 7.7 8 9. when the Judgement is said to be set and the Books opened to give the body of the Beast to the burning flame which will be at the beginning of the said thousand years as also Gogs the Turks destruction Ezekiel 38. and 39. before the setting up of the New Jerusalem chap. 40. to the end of that Book with the taking away others that do offend then Mat. 73.41 when also he will judge the Saints with reward Rev. 11.19 so judging both the quick and dead then 2 Tim. 4.1 and likewise Revelations 20.7 8 c. is contained Christs last proceeding in his Judgement after the 1000 years against the last Gog and Magog as by Christs Revelation is here explained to judge those quick and then the dead when their Judgement is said again to be set and the books opened first by declaring the absolution of the Saints written in the book of Life and pronouncing against all the wicked a Sentence of condemnation to eternal death c. Of the first Act of Judgement also Balaam speaks Numbers 24. when the Romane Kingdom should perish for ever explained again by our Saviour Revel 17.8 when in the last Head it should go into predition whereby an utter end will be put to the four mettle Kingdoms or the Gentiles Dominion and so this Prophesie passeth in the same course with the former as another Confirmation of the same Truth How Christ will eminently at the beginning and fully at the end of the said thousand years break the Serpents Satans Head c. And these are strong and clear evidences from Gods Word of Christs taking away the Enemies of himself and his Church in those times and that state of things shortly coming on to these we might add the Type of Abrahams subduing the five Kings and rescuing Lot And of Davids overcoming all his Enemies at last and leaving his Kingdom to Solomon his Son in a peaceable condition c. and as the Enemies destruction will be a great matter of the Saints Praise and Rejoycing at their first said blessed Resurrection so will also their enjoyment of the happy Vision of Christs Glory in his Davidical Kingdom then be given to them as John 17.24 with the happy communion with him and one with another and their inheriting all the promised Mercies of that time and state of the New Jerusalem Revel 21. and 22. by the Divine promised Seed of the Woman who shall then prolong his days in the world and abundantly see his own Spiritual Seed so that he will therein be satisfied when the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand as foretold Esa 53. namely when all Saints are come in at the general Rapture and change of them all 1 Cor. 15.51 52. And that the earth might continue to be the stage for all such actings of God in the world God upon his smelling a sweet savour from Noahs offering through Christ to come makes a Covenant with him after the Flood for all Creatures to that happy time and that then there should be the greatest fruitfulness in it his word is clear and as in Noah as a Type was signified how Christ would be the safe Ark of his Church in the beginning and after the end of the said 1000 years and also by his Prophesie of the Gentiles Japhets Posterities mercies at their foresaid first and second Call and Fulness which last will be performed in the said 1000 years when Jews and Gentiles shall both rejoyce together when all those many Promises concerning that state of the Gentiles happiness in the whole book of God will take their full effect And as surely by vertue of Gods Covenant with Abraham shall all his spiritual seed through that his own divine seed Christ then enjoy the many Promises still remaining in Old and New Testament to be made good to them in the natural life then whether circumcised or uncircumcised and such raised Saints then that are interessed therein will also enjoy by the same Covenant that happy New Jerusalem state in that City prepared for them then Heb. 11.10 16. and also all the spiritual seed of Isaac and Jacob with them in all the priviledges and benefits belonging to the same which the said Saints shall then be raysed to inherit c. as the spiritual seed of Abraham and I doubt not but the greatest part of the Promises in Old and New Testament made to God's people as the spiritual seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob both circumcised and uncircumcised will chiefly have their fulfilling in that state and time wherein all such their natural race will have the greatest share and such promises as are made to all Israel or to Ephraim or Joseph joyntly with Judah do especially refer unto though not only unto them of which if duly considered a large volume might profitably be written And if lastly we look to that last sure foundation of Davids sure mercies concerning his Throne and Kingdom which Christ the Son of David should enjoy as the dayes of heaven upon earth or as long as the Sun and Moon shall endure though Davids natural race had forfeited their interest before Mic. 2.10 yet God laid sure foundations for the other 2 Sam. 7.8 9. to the end and Psal 89. with multitudes of Scripture evidences to the same purpose and all Believers as Esay shews shall also have their part in the same sure mercies of David Chap. 55.3 appertaining then to that time and state and very many other Promises were made to that end likewise And the interest of Christs said Davidical Kingdom seen by Daniel a long time past in Vision to be at the end of the fourth Kingdom chap. 7.13 14. which at this time Christ continues in heaven to receive and then to return Luke 19.17 it is that that contains in it eminently all the other said mercies to all suffering Saints that must then reign with Christ the said thousand years and joyntly enjoy all the happiness thereof and thence forth and for ever whatsoever things God hath provided for them which eye hath not seen nor ear heard c. though the things of this state may mostly be both heard and sten as decyphered by Gods Word Concerning which I conceive sufficient hath
State that Portion and Lot in this sure mercies of David Isa 55.3 In the fourth Millen or 1000 Years TOwards the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth Millen We may place what concerns both David and Solomon whose Buildings of the Temple is reckoned by Vsher to be about the 3000th year of the world and about the middle of the time of the first 6000 years though haply the little space of Satans loosing after the seventh Millen may be allowed to make up some part of the sixth before it yet there are some differences by several learned Persons discovered in Chronology both under the Old and New Testament And therefore Chronological Conjectures ought to be in some probable Latitude c. Come we then in the next place to Davids Kingdom not as it was given him as the Son of Jesse specially appointed thereunto by Gods peculiar designment to be Anointed by Samuel But as by a new divine Character it was by Nathans Message confirmed for ever through his one divine seed Christ 2 Samuel 7.8 9. to 17. and accordingly by Davids Faith Thankfulness and Prayer afterwards improved from v. 16. to the end of the Chapter which we largely considered in our seventh Foundation of Faith which great and most excellent confirmation was after Davids grievous fall in the matter of Vriah and his Repentance and his many Scourges suffered upon that account for a long time for the freeness and seasonableness of such Gods promised mercy to David ought to be well observed by us as in all the former said Examples given from time to time for the glory of Gods divine Wisdom Mercy Truth and Faithfulness to be then manifest throughout all Ages and Generations of the world until the Saints especially in those times when they shall see and enjoy all their greatest accomplishments both praising Gods holy name for the same and exceedingly rejoycing in them in their several conditions of both such saved and newly raised Saints Therefore by Nathans said Message to David God took occasion upon Davids good puopose to build God an house when David injoyed peace after his former troubles which God well accepted of as to the matter intended but yet for some Reasons he assigned that work over to Solomon his Son yet I say took occasion thereupon to make to David the largest Charter and to give the greatest assurance of Davids sure mercies in respect of the several States of his Kingdom for ever that was ever given to any mortal man in many respects there observable as we shewed the one was conditional for his immediate natural Seed his Son Solomon if he stood upright who was to build that same glorious Temple at Jerusalem which after he did being therein a Type of Christ yet afterwards did by his grievous fall also cut off that long intayl of his Kingdom otherwise to his natural race which was soon after divided by the loss of ten Tribes in his Son Rehoboams time being then engaged in Idolatry upon politick accounts the Cause of the misery and speedy captivity which afterward was in both parts by the succeeding provocations of others taken away from Israel first and after from Judah also But the second was absolute to Davids divine spiritual Seed Christ the Son of God that was to become man in an extraordinary way and most wonderful manner by being born of that blessed Virgin that was to come of Davids Race who as the Angel told her at his birth should sit on the Throne of his Father David Luke 1.32 as the Prophet Isaiah had foretold that there should be no end of the encrease of his Government and Peace upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with Judgement and with Justice for ever as he had promised in the said Message by the Prophet Nathan to the end of the World or as in Psal 89.29 That his said Divine Seed shall continue for ever and his Throne as the days of heaven and that in the greatest extent over Sea and Land with the highest Exaltation many ways illustrated as for Gods first born higher then the Kings of the Earth ver 25 27 c. and to be then the Prince of the Kings of the Earth as he is styled Rev. 1.5 And though for the successive great provocations of others also of Davids natural Seed and especially of Manisseh and Zedekiah from whom that Crown was then last taken away with a manifold Declaration of Gods heavy displeasure against him the last of Davids said natural Seed as the prophane wicked Prince of Israel saying by Ezekiel ch 21. Remove the Diadem take away the Crown this shall not be and I will overturn overturn overturn till hethat is Christ the spiritual Seed of David come Whereupon was that long interim or interruption of Davids Kingdom in the four Monarchies following revealed to Daniel twice ch 2. and ch 7. during the Gentiles Dominion all that time probably for the space of 2300 years Dan. 8.26 for which observe the Reasons in our summary of Daniel yet God did also there declare himself even when the Tabernacle of David was falling mindful of Davids sure mercies in and by his said blessed Seed Christ to come when all the said four mettle Kingdomes at once shall pass away as the chaffe of the Summer threshing floor Dan. 2.35 saying further by the Prophet Ezekiel with whom all other Prophets some wayes concur in the same matter when he whose right it is shall come namely Christ that he would give it him who is now gone to Heaven to receive it Luke 19. and when the 〈◊〉 long interim of the said four Monarchies is passed of which now but little remains he will return and the fallen Tabernacle of David shall in him be raised up again as the Prophet James applyed the Prophesie of Amos ch 9.11 at that famous Counsel at Jerusalem Acts 15. with reference to the Gentiles great fulness under Christs said Kingdom then to come in also By whose first coming to take mans nature in a Tabernacle of our Flesh for at that time God according to his prediction Dan. 2.28 set up the spiritual Kingdom of the Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands in the first State of it in the time and height of the Roman Dominion being one and the last of the said four Gentil Kingdoms which by Daniel and Christs one Revelation was thence to continue above sixteen hundred years wherein Gods said spiritually powerful and prevailing Kingdom of the Stone should Divinely in the said time of the Dragon and Beast after to come and continue to act their parts so long proceed powerfully by degrees to bring on the ruine of that said last of the four Monarchies viz. the Romane and therewith all the broken parts of the three former which shall be certainly performed at Christs appearance and Kingdom as the Apostle Paul plainly declares 2 Tim. 4.1 And then all
come upon that account when Jews and Gentiles shall both rejoyce together according to Moses's Prophesie Deut. 32.43 which the Apostle Paul applies Rom. 15. with other texts respecting the same time and state pointing out the truth of God therein for the truth of God saith he to confirm the promises made to the Fathers v. 8. how will the knowledg of that foundation fitted to the top-stone of Gods performance then affect Gods Saints with joy and redownd to his own praise And was not Baalams Parable clear in many things forenamed which in part have been fulfilled as respecting the Ships of Chittim Dan. 11.30 and others namely setting forth the rise of the last Oppressor of the Jews that should perish for ever or go into Perdition Rev. 17. as we shewed and other things in the 1000 years which Gods word witnesseth shall then be fulfilled which the Saints will also rejoyce in and render unto God his due praise for them And what in Melchisedeck was shadowed as a type towards faithful Abraham that had the Promises will really and compleatly be fulfilled in Christ to faithful Abraham and all his spiritual Seed according to Gods word to the praise of the glory of his grace But especially to Abraham and all his spiritual Seed with him and also to Isaack and Jacob according to Gods Promises and Covenants made to them and their spiritual Seed through their one Divine Seed Christ But the mercy seems to be chiefly invested in Abrahams Covenant in seven Gradations as we shewed in our Key who is thereupon probably stiled the Father of the Faithful and Heir of the world Rom. 4.13 whose natural Seed failed in their first Covenant and polluted their rest in the Typical Canaan which therefore cast them out with a fore Destruction Mich. 2.10 But the spiritual Seed of Abraham by that one Divine Seed Christ whose day he saw by Faith Joh. 8. by Gods undertaking for them the conditions of this New Covenant which then will be manifest to the great glory of his so wonderful free Grace made known and the benefit from that Foundation derived to them as both his faithful Seed circumcised and uncircumcised will evidently know and find the happy experience of in the New Jerusalem state then both filling their souls with joy and making them break forth into praise unto God But for Davids Promise and Covenant upon whose interest the Title of Christs Kingdom then doth immediately depend and who must enjoy it as the days of Heaven upon earth all the 1000 years though what he promised conditionally as respecting Davids Kingdom in his natural Race was forfeited by them upon the fall of whose Tabernacle the Interim or Interruption of his Kingdom took place in the four Gentile Kingdoms for probably 2300 years yet the sure mercies of David in Christ his Divine spiritual Seed all will be performed for the the meek faithful up right spiritual Children of David who shall then have their sure mercies of David also Esa 55.3 in being then joynt heirs with Christ in that blessed Kingdom when they upon that account and foundation shall Reign with Christ in that state of the New Heavens and New Earth wherein will then dwell Righteousness to the superabundant glory of God and happiness of all those Saints who shall have their portion then therein with the representative living Wights and 24 Elders to exult as they Rev. 5.10 not only that in other respects they have been or shall be Kings and Priests unto God through the Lambs Blood but that they then will with them joyntly Reign upon earth when Davids Tabernacle before fallen for the Sin of his natural Seed shal by his Divine one Seed Christ be restored for himself and all his spiritual Seed in that so blessed state and condition to continue the said 1000 years and after remain to the Saints so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure Psal 89.36 37. though once attempted against in vain and after probably be translated into perpetual felicity and were but the spiritual eyes and understandings of men exercised in these things from the grounds of them so Divinely and graciously laid down in the Word and did they but labour by Prayer and due means to acquaint themselves with the same by degrees I doubt not but God would really teach in some good measure all rightly teachable spirits of men by Faith to believe them and apply them to themselves as finding if they walk uprightly with him their own peculiar interest therein with all his Saints that then shall have their Lots there with them both to be freed from all enemies to serve him without fear of any in holyness and righteousness before Christ then if they be in the natural life and walk in the light of the New Jerusalem or if raised Saints then such his servants will serve him Rev. 22.3 it will be found as well their happiness as their business so to do God hath not made so great provision for the marriage of the Lamb his only beloved Son that the Wedding be without Guests yea which is more that the Wedding be without the Bride the Lambs Wife What a reproach would some men by ignorance and unbelief cast upon God the Master of the Feast as if his great design to honour them who before had honoured him in the World should then be frustrate and utterly in vain which must needs be if those who are only capable of such happiness for time and blessedness in both should not then have it viz. the raised Sts. in the New Jerusalem state with those that walk shall then in the light thereof probably not fitted then to enjoy the same with them neither could the Saints departed before be capable thereof were they not in their spiritual bodies prepared for the same and how many sorts of Arguments might be drawn from every of the said Foundations particularly let serious and judicious Christians consider when I formerly found from Gods word what would be before in and after the 1000 years I was satisfied that such things should be in their due time and order fulfilled in 36 particulars in the first Argument of the Word Written But it hath pleased God by this Divine Key Rev. 20 c. to shew me that the chief drift of all his Revealed Promises pitch upon such a state so revealed by himself wherein all his Sts. interests and concernments concur for the best ends respecting God themselves all Creatures in that state in so many and great things as we have manifested from the Word of God whence I am as it were enforced to do that by Faith in my present employment that I assuredly from the same word know those raised Saints with others will then do in the fruition thereof affectionately desiring to set forth Gods special mercy like the Woman in Samaria for others use and benefit also For then the faithful Seed of Adam and Eve that had no other Promise will