The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VIII. Gill-Stalwart Defender of Historic Positions

JOHN GILL (1697-1771), eminent Baptist expositor and Orientalist, was born in Northamptonshire. Ordained in 1718, and well trained and thoroughly versed in Hebrew and Latin, he settled as pastor at Horsleydown, where he preached for fifty years. A Wednesday evening lectureship was formed for him in 1729, which he held till 1756. In 1748 he was granted the D.D. degree at Aberdeen. Author of numerous works, especially ex positions on prophecy—and on Hebrew vowel points and ac cents—Gill held the outpouring of the seven vials to be still future in his day. He maintained the usual teaching on the trumpets. He also held that the kingdom of God would be established only after His enemies—including Antichrist—are destroyed, and Satan bound. The millennium will be bounded by the two literal, corporeal resurrections, and the eternal kingdom is to be on earth, not in heaven. ⁵⁴ PFF2 682.3

The swirl of current controversy over conflicting schools of interpretation, Christian and Jewish, can be felt in these clear and powerful writings. The pages are heavily and accurately documented with reliable sources. For example, the Little Horn of Daniel 7 is “not Titus Vespasian, as Jarchi; nor the Turkish empire, as Saadiah; nor Antiochus Epiphanes, as many Christian interpreters; for not a single person or king is meant by a horn, but a kingdom or state, and a succession of governors.” ⁵⁵ Thus he concludes: PFF2 683.1

“And since no other has appeared in the Roman empire, to whom the characters of this horn agree, but antichrist, or the pope of Rome, he may well be thought to be intended.” ⁵⁶ PFF2 683.2

1. INCLINES TO 1260 YEARS FROM 606-1866

Under 2 Thessalonians pagan Rome’s restraint is dwelt upon, retarding the manifestation of Antichrist’s usurpation of the seven hills until the empire’s breakup. ⁵⁷ And in his Revelation the identity of the Beast of Revelation 13 with the Man of Sin and the Little Horn is impressively portrayed—the seat (Rome) given by the removal of the capital to Constantinople. The blasphemous claims and titles of the “Romish antichrist” are recited, and the period of his power is discussed. Catholic defenses are duly noted. ⁵⁸ Concerning the 1260 year-days, we note his impressive statement: PFF2 683.3

“Hence it appears, that 1260 prophetic days, that is, years, contain the whole period of antichrist’s reign and continuance; so that could we tell where they began, it might be exactly known when his reign will end; but for want of knowing the former, the best of calculators have failed in the latter: but seeing the time when he was made universal bishop by Phocas, bids fair for the time of his open appearance, and the beginning of his reign, and of his blasphemy, which was in the year 606, to which, if we add 1260, the expiration of his reign will fall in the year 1866; so that he may have upwards of an hundred and twenty years yet to continue; but of this we can’t be certain; however, the conjecture is not improbable.” ⁵⁹ PFF2 683.4

2. 2300 YEARS REACH TO CLOSE OF SIXTH MILLENARY

Gill’s view of the 2300 days is equally succinct: PFF2 684.1

“These 2300 days may be considered as so many years, which will bring it down to the end of the sixth millennium, or thereabout; when it may be hoped there will be a new face of things upon the sanctuary and church of God, and a cleansing of it from all corruption in doctrine, discipline, worship and conversation.” ⁶⁰ PFF2 684.2