The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

VI. Anderson-Sixth Seal Began at French Revolution

WILLIAM ANDERSON (1799-1873), Scotch Presbyterian minister and author, was born at Kilsyth. He served as pastor of the John Street Presbyterian congregation of Glasgow almost continuously from 1822 to 1873, receiving an LL.D. degree from the University of Glasgow in 1850. ¹¹³ He was a strong advocate of the separation of church and state. An entire column of entries of his books appears in the British Museum catalogue. His Apology for Millennial Doctrine (1830) entreats its readers to take heed, holding that the sixth seal began its work of terror at the French Revolution. ¹¹⁴ He carried a heavy burden for others, that they might be heirs of the first resurrection, believing that the sealing of the servants of God was under way. PFF3 597.2

1. MULTIPLE EVENTS MARK SECOND ADVENT

Anderson’s Apology was written when he was serving as minister of the Relief Church, Glasgow. He begins by declaring that the destruction of the powers of Europe, the desolation of the Turkish Empire, and the destruction of popery will accompany the second advent. He declares, further, that the two literal resurrections, first the righteous and then the wicked, bound the millennial period. And then the earth will be renovated, rectified, and beautified forever. ¹¹⁵ This, he declares, will begin to come to pass “when the Image of which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed shall be broken in pieces, Satan enchained, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven given to the Son of Man. ¹¹⁶ PFF3 597.3

2. SEVENTH VIAL SOON TO BE OUTPOURED

Lifting his voice in warning of coming upheavals, he adds that “at the opening of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12), the French Revolution commenced its work of terror,” citing Cuninghame on the seals and trumpets. ¹¹⁷ He contends, moreover, that the sealing work is effected by that angel having the everlasting gospel to preach to all nations, followed by the next angel announcing the fall of Babylon. ¹¹⁸ Then he adds: PFF3 598.1

“The vial of wrath, the seventh, the last, the most woeful, is brimming high ready to be outpoured; and presently the season of peace shall have closed, for the recording of the names of those who shall be heirs of the First Resurrection.” ¹¹⁹ PFF3 598.2

3. PRIMITIVE MILLENNIAL VIEW REVIVAL

Calling the roll of the centuries, Anderson cites the blighting influence of Cerinthus, who perverted the early millennial view. The abuse spread until it became a curse. Then came other perversions under the apostate church. ¹²⁰ At last the millennial truth that had been depressed for centuries sprang up again at the Reformation, along with the revival of the study of the Revelation. ¹²¹ PFF3 598.3

4. FIFTH EMPIRE OF Daniel 7 IMPENDS

In his closing section Anderson gives this terse exposition of Daniel 7: PFF3 598.4

“The Vision recorded in the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel, terminates in the same manner as does the Dream recorded in the second chapter. The four empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome,- respectively symbolized by the Lion, the Bear, the Leopard, and the Monster,-having been overthrown and destroyed, the Fifth empire in the succession is the Kingdom of Heaven.” ¹²² PFF3 598.5