The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

X. Farnham-Pathfinder for Oncoming Expositions

Another discussion of new developments in prophetic fulfillment was Dissertations on the Prophecies, by BENJAMIN FARNHAM (fl. 1778-1799), school inspector of Granby, Connecticut. The preface is dated “September, 1800.” And according to the title page it dealt with the last trumpets and the last vials, the signs of the last times, the resurrection and the judgment, and the coming new heavens and new earth. The great events of the nations and the church, which have been outlined in prophecy, have been understood at the time that each major part has been fulfilled. Now, additional fulfillments were under way. PFF4 77.1

The onslaughts against the true church, or “woman” in white, by the dragon and the Beast, and the conflict with the false church, as the woman in purple and scarlet, present the historic issue. But in the end heaven interposes. The vials of divine wrath are poured out, and Babylon is overthrown. Then comes deliverance for the saints. That is Farnham’s avowed scope of study and emphasis. And the impelling motive is, “Because I am of the opinion that many of the prophecies are at present fulfilling.” ⁴⁸ His concern is over the “last things.” PFF4 77.2

1. APPROACHING END OF PROPHETIC NUMBERS

Farnham plunges into the heart of his study in his very first chapter, where he puts the prophetic question, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” (Daniel 12:6.) And he answers it by the prophet’s response that it “shall be for a time, times, and a half,” and adds that a prophetic “time” is a year. So the 3i/L times, or 1260 days, is “equal to so many years,” ⁴⁹ at the end of which the enemies of the church shall be destroyed. Some, he states, begin this period in A.D. 606. PFF4 77.3

Farnham then couples with it the 2300 days, when the sanctuary and the host shall have been trodden underfoot, until the sanctuary shall be cleansed from its transgression of desolation. And he suggests for the timing possibly 481 B.C. (the “pushing” of the ram, when Xerxes set out to invade Greece) to A.D. 1819. Then the temple shall be cleansed. In any event, he says, whether or not this is the exact date, it is evidently “in a short time, and in the present age.” This tie-in of the two periods is significant, and will become increasingly characteristic. But Farnham tells of others who have lately thought the 1260 years should rather begin with Justinian’s publication of his law establishing the papal hierarchy, in A.D. 529, and thus reaching to 1789, when the French Revolution began and the Papacy received its great setback. But there is also the 1290 years, extending thirty years beyond the 1260. And 1290, added to 529, would likewise lead to 1819. And then there is the 1335 years, which seems to lead to “the first resurrection and the reign of the saints.” ⁵⁰ So the time will not be long. PFF4 77.4

2. END OF TURK BEFORE MILLENNIUM

And along with this is to be placed the “tidings” out of the East and North, and the great conflict ensuing, as the tabernacles of the Turk are planted in the glorious holy mountain, between the seas, and he comes to his end with none to help him. This all relates, Farnham believes, to the return of the Jews and the deliverance of the Gentile church. Then comes the millennium for a thousand years. ⁵¹ PFF4 78.1

3. RAVAGES OF THE SARACENS AND TURKS

Turning back to the seven trumpets, Farnham holds that the first four were clearly the barbarian invasions of the Roman Empire, accomplishing its overthrow, but the fifth and sixth are greater “woes. “The Saracenic locusts of the fifth trumpet swarmed out of Arabia, with power to hurt men for five “prophetic months,” or 150 years-from 612 to 762, when they made their great conquests in Syria, Persia, India, Egypt, Africa, and Spain, and other parts of Europe. ⁵² PFF4 78.2

Then come the Ottoman Turks, under the sixth trumpet, with their four Sultanies on the river Euphrates, sweeping ruthlessly over Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, Babylon, Assyria, and Mesopotamia, out into Asia and Africa and then over Europe, seeming to carry all before them. And the 391 years prophesied of them (Revelation 9:15), perhaps reach from the taking of Kutahi, in 1281, to 1672, when they took Cameniec from the Poles. And the king of the North is probably Turkey, with Russia involved. ⁵³ This was all preparatory to the final drying up of Turkey, under the sixth vial. PFF4 79.1

4. ANTICHRIST IDENTIFIED AS THE PAPACY

Farnham next turns to Antichrist, the Little Horn rising out of the divisions of the Roman, or fourth, world power—the first three kingdoms being Babylonia, Persia, and Grecia. But this power is by John set forth as the Beast, similarly rising out of the sea of nations lashed by the winds of war. And in Revelation 17 the additional identification of the “seven hills of Rome” is added, and the same ten horns identify it, following Sir Isaac Newton’s list. Three horn-kingdoms make way-the dukedom of Rome, the exarchate of Ravenna, and the kingdom of the Lombards—and thus the pope is given his triple crown. Its identifying number is perhaps from Lateinos—the Latin church, with its Latin mass and prayers, Latin hymns and canons, and Latin decretals and bulls. The seven heads are the usual list, with the papal as the seventh. ⁵⁴ PFF4 79.2

5. THE TIME OF PAPAL DOMINANCE

The two-horned beast from the earth is believed to be the Roman hierarchy, with its civil and ecclesiastical powers. Elsewhere, it is called the false prophet. Arrogant, blasphemous, persecuting, she has her numerous marks of apostasy upon her. The full portrayal is made, with detailed and extended evidence. It is most convincing. The time of its spiritual dominion—the 1260 years is based on the year-day principle, as exemplified by the 70 weeks of years relating to the Messiah. It would not be dated from its later temporal dominance acquirements. Even 606, when Phocas made the pope ecumenical bishop, to 1866, seems not quite to fit the demands. Rather, he thinks, it was from 529, when Justinian established his headship over the churches by law, which would reach to 1789, the beginning of the French Revolution and the beginning of the fall of popery.’” ⁵⁵ PFF4 79.3

6. GREAT “EARTHQUAKE” HAS SHAKEN FRANCE

The even vials are the last judgments to be poured out upon the Papacy. The sixth vial, according to Farnham, was even then being fulfilled. The great earthquake of Revelation 11 had shaken France. The sixth vial was poured out, and they awaited the seventh, which will bring the last fateful time of trouble. ⁵⁶ PFF4 80.1

7. SEVENTH TRUMPET BRINGS THE END

The seventh trumpet finishes everything—the mystery of God and the deliverance of the saints. Kingdoms will totter under that final quake, and the destruction of the Beast and the nations will be accomplished. The ten horns come to hate the harlot, and burn her with fire. Then the kingdoms of the world make way for the kingdom of Christ. ⁵⁷ PFF4 80.2

8. THE LAST CONFLICT AND ETERNAL TRIUMPH

This brings us to the millennium and the reign of the literally resurrected saints with Christ. This millennial period is to succeed upon the ruins of Antichrist. Christ’s kingdom will be universal, as the prophets attest. (See Daniel 7:14, 27.) It will be the golden age, he avers. It will be a period of peace and unity, and the Holy Spirit will be poured out in fullness. ⁵⁸ PFF4 80.3

As in the days of Noah there was a great overthrow, so will it be again. Earthquakes, commotions at sea, and other signs and omens proclaim it. And then comes the final judgment, with the saints assisting. And the great conflagration will destroy the last vestige of sin, and sinners. Finally comes Paradise restored-the new heaven and the new earth, to abide forever. ⁵⁹ Farnham’s was a remarkable treatise for the time—a pathfinding statement of last events and a blending of various factors rather in advance of his day. It was a decided advance over most previous statements. It was a keen analysis of the times, an anticipation of things to come. PFF4 80.4