The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

VII. Scott-Solemn Appeal to a Drowsy, Dreaming Church

The urgency that gripped men as they came to the year 1844 is illustrated by the Scottish minister JAMES SCOTT, ⁸⁶ in A Compendious View of the Scriptural System of Prophecy (1844). After noting the slight disparity among chronologers, he cites the calculations of Cuninghame of Lainshaw, and Bickersteth, who date the 2300 years from 457 B.C. to A.D. 1843, or at most from 433 B.C. to A.D. 1867. ⁸⁷ Scott notes some who prefer the terminals 453 B.C. and A.D. 1847. But in any case 1847 is only three years distant, and 1867 only twenty-three years hence. Scott also notes the 391 years, dated by Whitaker and others from 1453 to 1844, and observes that “a few short months” will test the accuracy of that. ⁸⁸ PFF3 653.2

1. UNANIMOUS CONVICTION PERIODS NEARING CLOSE. Scott makes this sweeping statement:

“Almost all writers on prophecy agree that the prophetical dates given us, terminate between this present time and the year 1868, beyond which period there is no date extends, if we make the deduction of a hundred and fifty-one, or a hundred and thirty-two years, the uncounted period during the time of the Judges. PFF3 653.3

“From whatsoever date we may reckon, or whatever interpreter of these dates we may consult, after making the necessary additions according to established facts and times which have by many been taken no account of, we cannot but conclude, that it is almost the unanimous opinion of those who have most closely investigated, and who best understand these periods, that we are drawing very near to the conclusion of the mystery of God, and the end of the world, and the glorious rest which remains for Christ’s people.” ⁸⁹ PFF3 654.1

2. POPULAR CHURCHES NOT EXPECTING ADVENT

Scott then turns to the general abandonment by popular Christendom of belief in the premillennial advent of Christ, and observes, “The visible churches of Christendom are at this time apparently as little expecting any coming of the Lord, as the antediluvians were expecting the deluge.” ⁹⁰ PFF3 654.2

3. CHALLENGE TO POSTMILLENNIAL DREAMS

But the signs of the times intensify, and the revival of the papal Antichrist is marked. Soon there will be a universal combination of antagonists against Christ and His people-and then will come Armageddon and the advent of the Lord. ⁹¹ No prophetic periods extend beyond those whose end is awaited. Inasmuch as the Lord’s advent will be sudden and unexpected, as a thief in the night, Scott observes appealingly: PFF3 654.3

“What a solemn and awful call is this to a drowsy church, dreaming of millennial days of prosperity, and to a world lying in wickedness, to awake and flee to Christ.” ⁹² PFF3 654.4