The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

II. Librarian Winthrop-Terminates 1260 Years With French Revolution

JAMES WINTHROP (1752-1821), librarian and jurist, was graduated from Harvard in 1769. In 1770 he took over the work of librarian at Harvard and was formally appointed in 1772. Of broad learning, he spoke the leading languages of Europe. He was also postmaster at Cambridge, and in 1791 became judge of Common Pleas in Middlesex. He was founder of the Massachusetts Historical Society and promoter of the Cape Middlesex Canal. He finally became overseer of Allegany College and bequeathed his extensive library to it. PFF3 229.1

Though a layman, Winthrop’s chief literary efforts were in the field of prophecy. His earliest work was An Attempt to Translate the Prophetic Part of the Apocalypse of Saint John (1794). His leading treatise was A Systematic Arrangement of Several Scripture Prophecies Relating to Antichrist; With their Application to the Course of History (1795). His An Appendix to the New Testament (1809) was a combination of three of his previous works. Winthrop’s chief interest lay in the location of the time periods of Daniel and of Revelation. PFF3 229.2

1. 1260-YEAR PERIOD OF ANTICHRIST’S PROSPERITY

Discussing the time period of Antichrist’s dominance, Winthrop contends that the “two equal periods of twelve hundred and sixty years” in Revelation 12 and 13 are identical and are “assigned for the prosperity of that power.” ⁸ He also places with them the similar period of the oppression of the Two Witnesses. ⁹ PFF3 229.3

2. OTHER PERIODS LEAD TO JUDGMENT AND MILLENNIUM

He then alludes to the 1290 years as leading up to the judgment, with the 1335 years reaching to the millennium-the 2300 years also probably terminating about the same time. ¹⁰ Twice mentioning the 391 years, Winthrop terminates them in 1775. ¹¹ The precise basis for this timing is not explicitly given. PFF3 229.4

3. TEN HORNS CONTEMPORARY WITH SEVENTH HEAD

The seven heads and ten horns of Revelation 12 and 13 are said to be “seven successive governments, and the horns to be ten contemporary states,” the last head having his power along with the ten horns. ¹² PFF3 230.1

4. 1260 YEARS DATED FROM 532-1791

Winthrop dates the rise of Antichrist about 532, when “the first horn received its power by the union of the French Monarchy.” ¹³ He dates the close of “popish prosperity” about 1791, when France declared herself “independent of Rome.” ¹⁴ He likewise begins the 1290 years in 532, allowing thirty years to complete the judgment of Antichrist. ¹⁵ The joint beginning of the two was to become common a little later. PFF3 230.2