The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

V. Imrie Reprint-Looks for Great Events About 1794

Prominent among the American reprints of books on prophecy was the Letter of DAVID IMRIE, minister of St. Mungo. Annandale, Scotland, on The Speedy Accomplishment of the great, awful and glorious Events which the Scriptures say arc to be brought to pass in the Latter Times (1756). ³³ This treatise declares that “the answer of many prayers is at hand,” the “stone” is soon to become the “great mountain,” and the kingdom of God established. ³⁴ Threading his way through the “labyrinth of scripture prophecies relating to the latter times,” Imrie sets forth the “destruction of the Romish Antichrist” as one of the events to be accomplished. ³⁵ PFF3 193.3

Dreadful days will come before the “blessed period” commences, though the precise year cannot be determined. ³⁶ The numbers of both Daniel and the Revelation declare it. ³⁷ Imrie agrees with Fleming, Newton, and Mede, whom he cites, and looks for the “great day” somewhere about the year 1794, ³⁸ placing the 2300 years from the first of Medo-Persia, or 538 B.C. He appeals to others to pray for their speedy accomplishment. ³⁹ The 1756 American reprint, in an “N.B.,” at the close cites Imrie as mentioning the recent earthquakes as “preludes of more prodigious ones,” and believing that the French will be involved in accomplishing the predicted judgments. ⁴⁰ PFF3 194.1

Another English pamphlet, by ISAAC AMBROSE (1604-1664), entitled Christ in the Clouds Coming to Judgment ⁴¹ frequently reprinted in America-between 1729 and 1814-was a further reflection of the times. It deals with the approaching day of doom, Christ coming to judgment, and the signs that precede. The second advent is held to be personal, visible, and accompanied by the literal resurrection of the dead. ⁴² PFF3 194.2