The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2
IV. Berlenburg Bible-2300 Years Reach to Christ’s Kingdom
The eighteenth century was marked by a quest for truth and further enlightenment. Many, not satisfied with the dogmatism of the established churches, searched diligently the pro phetic word, which yielded increasing treasures to the reverent student. The result was a spiritual awakening that found its expression under different forms, as the Pietism of Spener and Francke, the Moravian Brethren under Zinzendorf, Quakerism in England, and Jansenism among the Catholics in France. Movements with a more mystical or even theosophical bent also sprang into existence. Among the most noteworthy are the Philadelphian groups, in England and Germany. In the latter country their chief sponsor was Count Casimir of Seyn Wittgenstein and Berleburg, under whose protection a most remarkable work was completed, the so-called Berlenburger Bibel. It is an eight-volume work, edited by theologians like Haug, Scheffer, Seebach, and Edelmann, who produced the German version and added numerous highly helpful notes, which indicate a good insight into the prophetic elements of the Bible. This Bible encountered much opposition from orthodox circles, but on the other hand it was cherished among many, even outside the Philadelphian groups. It is interesting to note how its influence reached to America. PFF2 702.1
A German, Christopher Saur, imported many Bibles from Germany, among them numerous copies of the Berlenburg Bible, which were much preferred by the Ephrata Mystics, the Dunkers, and the Mennonites. He began to print the Scriptures, using the Berlenburg Bible as the principal pattern. It went to press in 1743, in Pennsylvania. So before an English Bible was printed in the New World, the Berlenburg Bible was reprinted in German town. 23 PFF2 702.2
1. 2300 YEARS END AT KINGDOM’S ESTABLISHMENT
In the notes on Daniel, on the exceeding great horn of Daniel 8:9, Antichrist is recognized, which exalted itself above God and cast down truth to the ground. The notes indicate that there is more than one reason to believe that the 2300 year-day period refers not only to Antiochus but to the whole time of the great conflict between the powers of darkness and the people of God from the time of Daniel to the end of the world. 24 God’s people will be suppressed, persecuted, and tormented during the new dispensation, first “by the rule of the pagan dragon, and then by the ten-horned beast, and finally most cruelly, spiritually and physically, by Antichrist and his followers.” But when the 2300years expire, “then shall the sanctuary of God come to its own, which will become a reality in the glorious kingdom of Christ.” If the 2300 years begin with the time of Daniel’s vision, the grand terminus will come in 1748. 25 PFF2 703.1
2. 70 WEEKS CONNECTED WITH THE 2300 YEARS
Tied into “the great line of time”—the 2300 years—are the “seventy year—weeks reaching to the death of the Messiah.” In the discussion of Daniel 9 these statements occur, which recognize fulfillment in natural years: PFF2 703.2
“Without doubt Daniel is shown here the beginning of the great time-period of the 2300 years of which the 70 weeks would carry us to the death of the Messiah.... PFF2 703.3
“In reckoning these 70 weeks as year weeks we get the sum of 490 years. There is no reason to presume a different kind of years than those of 365 days as it is generally understood by the Scriptures.” 26 PFF2 703.4
3. CROSS IN FOURTH YEAR OF 70TH WEEK
Asserting that the 70 weeks “came to an end in the fourth year after Christ’s violent death,” to make reconciliation and to establish righteousness, the Berlenburg note says: PFF2 703.5
“They [70 weeks] are exactly measured off, that nothing could be added or subtracted nor that the measure given could be any longer or shorter according to the Divine decision. PFF2 704.1
“[are determined] upon thy people and thy city from which you came and who are so dear to your heart. It is generally understood that this is the period which God had set apart for the Jews during which they should re main a people and Jerusalem be rebuilt. Within this period, more precisely at the end of it some one should appear to resist transgression, to check and consume it.... At that time Christus should appear to destroy the works of the Devil. 1 John 3:8.” 27 PFF2 704.2
4. SEVENTY WEEKS DATED FROM ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS
The decree beginning the period is limited to Artaxerxes Longimanus, thus: PFF2 704.3
“It cannot be the command of Cyrus; there should be more weeks or else they would end too early ... for the same reason it cannot be the command of Darius Hystaspis, because from the time of his decree to the death of Christ are 50 to 60 years more than the 70 weeks or 490 years comprise. The latter would end before the birth o£ Christ. PFF2 704.4
“Therefore, it is understood by a more thorough investigation, which certainly comes closer to the purpose, that it is either the order of Artaxerxes Longimanus which Ezra received in the 7th year of Artaxerxes’ reign and which bestowed many privileges upon the Jews as can be seen in Ezra 7:7, 8, 11 or that of the 20th year of Artaxerxes given to Nehemiah, (Nehemiah 2:1-5) permitting to build walls around the city and therewith making it again a city. Sir. 49:15. And even if the reign of Artaxerxes should have started nine years earlier, so that he should have reigned in the lifetime of his father or that the latter should have died earlier, from his 20th year to the 30th year of Christ would be 483 years and only one week of seven years is left for the suffering, death, and resurrection.” 28 PFF2 704.5
5. CHRIST’S MINISTRY FIRST HALF OF 70TH WEEK
The seventieth week is delineated in this way: PFF2 704.6
“This week began when Jesus was baptized in His 30th year and began His ministry. Luke 3:23. This ministry He continued for three and a half years until His death. After His death the disciples continued the work for another three and a half years, while He had already ascended to His Father and sat down at His right hand.” 29 PFF2 704.7
6. LESSER PERIODS BEGIN A.D. 412; 1335 ENDS 1748
The commentators in the lierlenburg Bible began the 1260, 1290, and 1335 year-days about A.D. 410. Therefore the last period, the 1335, would end synchronously with the 2300 years, in 1748. 30 They are clear and strong on the literal resurrection at the ad vent, and stress the glorious appearing of Christ at the end of the world, when the resurrection of the just will take place. This great Bible exerted a potent influence. PFF2 705.1