The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

V. McFarland Presses on Prophetic Signs of Times

Another well-trained and influential Presbyterian expounder of prophecy at this time was ASA MCFARLAND, A.D. ¹⁶ stationed at Concord, Massachusetts. Two of his published sermons are particularly pertinent. The first, on the Signs of the Last Times, was preached in Concord on July 24, 1808, and deals with the meaning of the “astonishing convulsions” of the last fifteen years, around the turn of the century, and tells how many great and good men were studying their meaning. PFF4 90.2

1. VIALS OF WRATH POURED ON WORLD APOSTASY

Launching directly into Daniel 7, with its four world kingdoms and Little Horn that followed, which he identifies as the Papacy, he tells of its special three and one-half times of “prophetic years,” at the close of which the saints will soon be delivered. The Witnesses are in sackcloth during these 1260 years, as “all good commentators agree.” Twice this expression of general unanimity appears, indicating acquaintance with a common conviction on the basic points he stresses. Faber, he adds, places them in time from 606 to 1866.” ¹⁷ Then the Persian “Ram” and the Grecian “Goat” are followed by the exceeding great horn, which he conceived to be the Mohammedan apostasy, like wise dominant, he thought, for 1260 years-thus beginning at approximately the same time, and ending together. PFF4 91.1

2. VIAL POURED OUT IN TIME OF THE END

McFarland stresses three vital and consecutive epochs in the Christian Erathe “latter times” of the great apostasy, from about A.D. 600 onward; then the “last times,” of 2 Timothy 3:1, 2 and 2 Peter 2:3, 4; and finally the “time of the end,” when the vials are poured out, the enemies of Christ overthrown, and the former inheritance restored. PFF4 91.2

3. FLYING ANGEL Is Now ON THE WING

In Revelation 14 the first angel is seen flying a short time before Babylon is over thrown, and preaching the gospel to all. This indicates the rapidity of the mission movement, which is represented by this flying angel with the everlasting gospel ¹⁸ Here is an arresting sentence, on a point of common agreement: PFF4 91.3

“We have beheld the astonishing, though pleasing spectacle, of Christians in Europe and in the United States agreeing that this is the time designated in Prophecy to arise and build the temple of God ¹⁹ PFF4 91.4

4. DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS SOON TO COME

McFarland then draws certain “probable conclusions” respecting the “time of the night,” from the book of Revelation. The seven vials, or seven last plagues, are the last judgments. The seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials extend from apostolic times to the end. The seven vials are poured out in the “last times,” toward the close of the great papal and Mohammedan apostasies. Some believe they are already being poured out. But the sixth, involving the drying up of the Euphrates, is a symbol of the Turkish Empire, once formidable but now on the decline. The four world kingdoms, in successive rise and fall, are soon to be followed by the fifth universal kingdom, in exact fulfillment of prophecy. The heavenly judgment sits and takes away the dominion of the papal Little Horn. The evil characteristics of the “last times” are on every hand—the “tremendous day,” when Christ shall pour out the last overwhelming vial of wrath upon His enemies. The nations are being shaken. The Desire of All Nations is soon to come ²⁰ And this outline is presented in considerable detail. PFF4 91.5

5. FLYING ANGEL Is HUMAN PREACHING OF GOSPEL

The second sermon, delivered on September 1812, before the New Hampshire Missionary Society, is likewise noteworthy. With Matthew 24:14 as his text, McFarland again declares that events at the turn of the century proclaim the time of Christ’s coming near. The obvious pouring out of the vials of wrath on the apostate nations are “collateral signs.” Christ declared the gospel should be preached to the world, and the flying angel of Revelation 14 is its symbol. The trumpet is being sounded concerning the impending day of wrath. Bible and missionary societies and preachers and revivals attest it. Wars and their rumors, distress of nations, unsettled religious opinion and the propagation of error, as well as earthquakes (Matthew 24), all attest it. The intent of the angelic messengers of Revelation 14:6, 7, he says, is spiritual preachers carrying this special gospel message ²¹ So the chorus swells. PFF4 92.1