The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

I. Rhodes and Nichols—Produce Earliest Sabbatarian Chart

Ardent and energetic SAMUEL W. RHODES ² of Oswego, New York, was one of the publishing committee of five responsible for the Advent Review issued throughout 1850. More than that, he has the distinction of designing the first illustrated prophetic chart on the symbols of Daniel and the Revelation, issued by the Sabbatarian Adventists. He showed it to the Whites in August, 1850. They were highly pleased with it, and encouraged its publication. ³ So this early venture had representative backing. PFF4 1071.1

Then OTIS NICHOLS, ⁴ engraver of Dorchester Massachusetts, a Boston suburb, published this first pictorial chart to be brought out after the Disappointment. Lithographed at Boston in December, 1850, ⁵ it differs but little in general outline from the positions of the Millerites taught during the seventh month movement except in the expanded treatment of the sanctuary and the flight of the third angel. About 30 by 40 inches, it is arranged in four vertical columns. The second column, which is rather narrow, is confined to chronological data, while the three larger ones dial systamatically with the symbols. (Facsimile reproduction appears on opposite page.) PFF4 1071.2

Picture 1: THE EARLIEST PROPHETIC CHARTS ISSUED BY SABBATARIAN ADVENTISTS
Page 1073

Here were its features: The metallic image of Daniel 2, at the left, is matched on its right by the four beasts of Daniel 7 (both symbolizing the prophetic series of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and pagan Roman empires). The Little Horn of Daniel 7 is “papal Rome,” with its 1260 years terminating in “1798-9,” “just 1290 years after paganism lost its CIVIL POWER.” Then appear the three flying angels of Revelation 14:6-12 (respectively dated 1837, 1843, and 1844), followed by the coming of Christ in the clouds with a sickle in hand. An angel issues from the temple crying, “Thrust in Thy sickle and reap,” while a second angel comes with a sickle, and a third bears the commission to gather the grapes of wrath for the wine press of God. There is also inserted a pictorial diagram of the two apartments of the sanctuary and their appurtenances, as “TYPES of the Ministration of our great High Priest in the heavenly holy places.” PFF4 1073.1

The second column begins with the “7 times” beginning in 677 B.C., previously stressed by the Millerites. Then follow the 2300 years, beginning jointly with the 70 weeks in 457 B.C.; the league between the Jews and the Romans (still mistakenly given as 158 B.C.); the cross, in the “midst” of the seventieth week, dated A.D. 31, and the related close of the 70 weeks placed in A.D. 34; the “daily” taken away in A.D. 508, and the Papacy set up in 538, with the papal dominion taken away in 1798; and the 2300 years ending in 1844, with the close of the first phase of Christ’s ministration, that in the holy place. PFF4 1073.2

The third column begins the 2300 years in the time of the Persian ram, followed by the Grecian goat, with the exceeding great horn that developed as Rome in its pagan and papal phases. Then follow the seven-headed great red dragon of Revelation 12, pagan Rome, and the ten-horned beast from the sea, papal Rome. But the two-horned beast from the earth is here called the “image of Papacy.” Its two horns, originally designated as “papist and protestant,” are revised to “REPUBLICANISM & PROTESTANTISM.” ⁶ The “666,” however, is still curiously represented as connected with the second beast, with reference to the enforcement of its mark, which is not here explicitly defined. PFF4 1073.3

In the last column are pictured the three angels heralding the three woe trumpets. The first—involving the “Mahometans”—dated 1299 to 1449; and the second woe as the Ottoman supremacy for 391 years and 15 days, extends to August 11, 1840. The second woe being past, the third woe would come quickly, following 1844, which woe would, in turn, bring on the seven last plagues. And then the kingdoms of this world would become the kingdom of Christ the Lord. PFF4 1074.1

The closing explanation pertains to the year-day principle; a “prophetic year or time is 360 days denoting, years”—the “7 times” are 2520 years, and the three and one half times constitute 1260 years. The seven times of the Gentiles (2520 years) are again dated from 677 B.C. to A.D. 1843, and the “daily” is recorded as ending in “508-9” (which also dates the beginning of the 1290 years). And after an interval of 30 years, the 1260 years are noted as leading to “1798-9,” with the additional 45 years (of the 1335 years) from “1798-9” to 1844. ⁷ PFF4 1074.2

Produced in this formative transition hour, this Rhodes-Nichols chart reflected certain still doubtful dates and periods which were soon dropped-such as the “seven times,” 158 B.C. for the date of the league between the Jews and the Romans, and particularly the number “666” as covering the two beasts. But it was the first attempt, and served all the Sabbatarian Adventist preachers for a time. Corrections came gradually in a work of this kind. PFF4 1074.3