The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

XI. Bicheno-1260 Years From Justinian to Present Revolution

JAMES BICHENO (d. 1831), dissenting minister and schoolman, of Newberry in Berkshire and of London, was author of numerous works. His The Signs of the Times; or the Overthrow of the Papal Tyranny in France, the Prelude of Destruction to Popery and Despotism; but of Peace to Mankind was first published in 1793. With an American reprint in 1794, it had passed through its sixth edition by 1808. This was followed by his Restoration of the Jews (1800), and his Destiny of the German Empire (1801). PFF2 746.7

From the very first, Bicheno considered the awful judgments inflicted by the French Revolutionists as retribution upon the Papacy for her age long bloody persecution of the saints. Falling on the royalty, nobility, and clergy, the affliction was thus visited upon the chief abettors. So strongly did he feel this that he protested the antirevolutionary writings of others. So Bicheno discussed the papal tyranny of the past, and the judgments on popery then taking place before the eyes of men rather than attempt a systematic exposition of the Apocalypse. PFF2 747.1

1. INFIDELIC FRANCE Is TWO-HORNED BEAST

Bicheno held the standard view of the four kingdoms of Daniel 2 and 7-Babylonia, Medo Persia, Grecia, and Rome-followed by the division of Rome. The three and a half times were 1260 years, and the Little Horn was the spiritual tyranny of the Roman Empire. ³⁸ In Revelation 12 the tyranny of the dragon was that of pagan Rome and civil tyranny, and the ten-horned beast from the sea represented ecclesiastical or spiritual tyranny of the Papacyii. ³⁹ He held, further, that the two-horned beast from the earth was Louis XIV, or at least of that tyranny which the family of the Capets have exercised to the great oppression of the Christian church.” ⁴⁰ In harmony with this interpretation Bicheno sought to place the number 666 upon France, and suggested the name of Ludovicus (XIV). ⁴¹ PFF2 747.2

2. PROPHETIC PERIODS DATED FROM A.D. 529

In the prophetic time periods Bicheno extends the 2300 years from 481 B.C. to A.D. 1819, when some great event or events will take place. The 1260—, 1290—, and 1335—year periods he begins together in 529, when Justinian’s Code was first published, and consequently ends them in 1789, 1819, and 1864 respectively—the final year being the blessed one. ⁴² PFF2 747.3

3. STANDARD POSITIONS ON TRUMPETS AND VIALS

The first four trumpets are the barbarian scourges of the Western Empire, the fifth is the Saracens for 150 literal years, and the six this the Turk for 396 years (365 + 30 + 1), dated from about 1300to 1697. ⁴³ France is the tenth part of the city Babylon, and the earthquake is the French Revolution; the Apocalyptical city is not Rome as some understand it, but the anti-Christian states of Europe.” ⁴⁴ The Turk is the king of the north in Daniel 11, and the seven vials are the great judgments of God against the Pa pacy.” ⁴⁵ PFF2 748.1

4. CONSUMMATION TO FOLLOW GOSPEL PREACHING

Bicheno endorses in his conclusion the views of Dr. Hartley. ⁴⁶ He applies the climax of our Lord’s prophecy of Matthew 24 to the terrible commotions of the revolutionary times, and predicts that there would speedily come the preaching of the gospel throughout the world to heathen and to Jew, that would gather God’s elect-maintaining that the great consummation is nigh at hand. He is completely absorbed in those portions of prophecy relating to events of the present, as they were unfolding be fore the eyes of mankind. PFF2 748.2