The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

III. Cox-Opposers Crushed Ere Kingdom Established

JOHN Cox (1802-1878) was a dissenting Baptist minister of Woolwich. He wrote A Millenarian’s Answer of the Hope That Is in Him (3rd ed., 1832), and Thoughts on the Coming and Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ (2nd ed., 1839). In the latter book Cox notes with regret the “strong tide of prejudice” against the pre-milleimial coining of Christ, the first resurrection, the reign of the saints with Christ, and the renovation of creation-so strong that “many good people will scarcely hear these things mentioned.” ⁵⁹ Throughout his pages Cox alludes frequently to Cuninghame, Way, Begg, Bickersteth, and other expositors. PFF3 626.3

1. POPERY MUST FIRST BE OVERTURNED

This work, strongly and conclusively maintaining the premillennial view, is devoted largely to the “events which must occur previous to the setting up of the kingdom of Christ.” ⁶⁰ First, “Popery must be entirely destroyed.” ⁶¹ Denominating the Papacy “Satan’s masterpiece,” ⁶² Cox surveys the various symbols, be ginning with the appellation of “Babylon,” in Revelation 17. ⁶³ PFF3 627.1

It is also the little horn of Daniel 7, subduing three kings, and wearing out the saints for a period of 1260 years.” ⁶⁴ It is the second beast of Revelation 13-the first being the Roman Empire-and is the same as the false prophet of Revelation 19. Then the infidelic upheaval of the French Revolution is noted in Revelation 11. ⁶⁵ But it is after the career of the Papacy that the Son of man comes in the clouds, as indicated in Daniel 7, Matthew 24, and other scriptures, especially 2 Thessalonians 2. ⁶⁶ PFF3 627.2

2. MOHAMMEDANISM MUST NEXT BE DESTROYED

Second, Mohammedanism must also be destroyed. ⁶⁷ Revelation 9 de scribes “the character and actions of the dreadful power”-the Saracens in verses 1-11, and the Turks in verses 12-21. Some consider its destruction also indicated in Daniel 11:36-45. ⁶⁸ Cox mentions the difference of view regarding the horn of Daniel 8, some holding it to be Mohammedanism. But the clearest reference of all is in Revelation 16. The “sixth trumpet calls the Turks into political existence,” and the “sixth vial exterminates their power from the prophetical earth.” ⁶⁹ The Euphrates in both instances stands for the Turkish power. PFF3 627.3

3. DESTRUCTION OF TEN KINGDOMS PRECEDES

The destruction of the ten kingdoms is the next major pre-millennialevent Cox marshals. In this he enumerates the four powers of Daniel 7-Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome, which latter still continues in the nations of Europe. ⁷⁰ And in Daniel 2the same outline terminates with the stone smiting the toes of the image, and filling the earth. ⁷¹ Armageddon will occur at this time. ⁷² And as is customary with virtually all English writers of this period, Cox includes the return of the Jews. ⁷³ PFF3 628.1

4. BINDING OF SATAN PRECEDES MILLENNIUM

Lastly, Coxlists the “binding of Satan.” This event will not take place in the present dispensation, but at the beginning of the next. ⁷⁴ “Such is the prophetic picture painted by Cox in discussing the coming and kingdom of Christ. PFF3 628.2

5. BEAST’S DESTRUCTION AND THE FIRST RESURRECTION

In his Millenarian’s Answer of the Hope That Is in Him, Cox sets forth, as the first proposition of his premillennial hope, the destruction of Antichrist, “with all its abettors and helpers,” andthe crushing of all tyrannical governments-particularly those “which constitute the last Beast of Daniel, or the Roman Empire.” ⁷⁵ He holds that the resurrection of the righteous will pre cede, and the general resurrection follow, the thousand years. ⁷⁶ These points he elaborates. PFF3 628.3

6. PROPHETIC DEPICTION OF PAPACY

In discussing Daniel 7, Cox declares it to be a “history of the prophetic earth,” from Babylon on to the establishment of the kingdom of Christ. The same four powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome, the ten divisions, and the little horn, with its period of three and a half times, draws this comment: “It is allowed on all hands that the papacy is clearly pointed out in this description.” ⁷⁷ PFF3 628.4

7. DESOLATION OF KINGDOMS AND RUIN OF TURK

The second personal advent of Christ will accompany the desolation of earthly kingdoms, “including the papal power whose abominations are the grand cause of this destruction.” ⁷⁸ And the power of the latter part of Daniel 11:1 may be the Turk, which will come to his end with none to help. ⁷⁹ PFF3 629.1

8. PROPHETIC EVENTS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND ADVENTS

The prophecy of the seventy weeks, leading to the first advent with its attendant features, is duly noted, and then the prophecies of the second advent. ⁸⁰ Next, the numerous passages bearing on the events clustering around the second advent and the millennium are discussed at length. ⁸¹ PFF3 629.2

9. PREMILLENMALISM Is HISTORIC HOPE OF CHURCH

The last part of the pamphlet traces the history of pre-millennialism from the early centuries onward. In order to show the sentiments of the Reformers, Cox cites the Catechism of the Church of England, of 1553, which declares the stone is not yet he wed out of the mountain to bring to nought the image of Daniel 2, and Antichrist is not yet. slain. ⁸² Similarly the Baptist Confession of 1660 is quoted in support of pre-millennialism. ⁸³ PFF3 629.3

From there he passes on to the time of Mede, Twisse, Ussher, Isaac Newton, Goodwin, Hussey, Gill, Top lady, and many others. In other words, premillennialism was “received by the primitive church, and has been espoused by the wisest and best of mankind.” And now the leading topic of the faith ful is that “he will come again to set up a kingdom, to avenge his church, and reign with his saints,” despite the doubts of the scoffer and the contrary assertions of false stewards. ⁸⁴ So Cox was an undeviating premillennialist. PFF3 629.4