Chapters
EPIPHANY
STUDIES
IN THE
SCRIPTURES
"The Path of the Just is as the Shining Light,
That Shineth More and More
Unto the Perfect Day."
SERIES XVII
THE MILLENNIUM
12,000 Edition
"And he [Christ] laid hold on … Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: … and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev. 20:2-4).
——————
1956 EDITION
To the King of kings and Lord of lords
IN THE INTEREST OF
ALL HIS CONSECRATED SERVANTS
THAT FEAR HIM, BOTH SMALL AND GREAT
— AND OF —
"ALL THAT IN EVERY PLACE CALL UPON THE LORD,"
"THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH,"
— AND OF —
THE GROANING CREATION, TRAVAILING AND WAITING FOR
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD,
THIS WORK IS DEDICATED.
_____________
"To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God," "Wherein He hath
abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having
made known unto us the mystery of His will, accord-
ing to His good pleasure which He hath pur-
posed in Himself; that in the dispensation
of the fullness of the times He
might gather together in one
all things, under
Christ."
Eph. 3:4, 5, 9; 1:8–10.
_____________
COPYRIGHTED 1956
BY RAYMOND G. JOLLY
EDITOR'S PREFACE
AMONG the Author's writings in the last few years before his death are some which he desired to edit and publish in a book entitled, "The Millennium." His demise prevented this; therefore the Editor has rendered this service. Additional pertinent items from the Author's writings have been included and incorporated, such as "Man Asks and God Answers Questions," which were published in hundreds of newspapers, thus reaching thousands of people.
As we observe how "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now," and then remember that "the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:22, 21), our hearts praise and thank our great Creator and Benefactor for the promised "times of restitution of all things" for the blessing of all the families of the earth (Acts 3:21, 25) in His kingdom under Christ, with its reign of peace and righteousness (Psa. 72:3; Isa. 2:4; 9:6, 7; 26:9). The signs of the times make us rejoice, for they indicate the present-day fulfilment of Bible prophecy, showing clearly that we are living in the time when present governments are being consumed (Dan. 2:44) and God's kingdom on earth is being established (Matt. 6:10).
In view of this great transition, the great "distress of nations, with perplexity" (Luke 21:25-32), and the ever-growing conviction that fallen mankind cannot cope with the present situation or solve humanity's stupendous problems, and that therefore the only hope is in the intervention of Divine power, the message of this book should be very welcome to all who are interested in the future of the human race, including themselves. The Editor is very glad to be privileged by the Lord's providence to present to the public this, which is the most able and complete exposition on the subject he has ever seen. May God bless this book to His honor and glory and to the encouragement of all who read it and believe in the precious promises of God!
Yours in the joy of His blessed service,
RAYMOND G. JOLLY.
Philadelphia, PA.
January 3, 1956.
iii
AUTHOR'S FOREWORD
IT IS the design of this volume to discuss in considerable detail the Millennium, and related persons, prophecies, events, etc.
This subject should be of compelling interest to all, especially because of the great events that the Scriptures indicate will transpire during this period. The word millennium is a Latin adjective meaning thousand-yeared, and is sometimes used with the Latin noun regnum to mean thousand-yeared kingdom. We have taken it bodily into English, and use it as a noun, to denote the thousand-year period in which Christ and His Faithful will reign over the earth and mankind. That they are thus to reign is taught in many Scriptures, some even directly stating that it will be for a thousand years, e.g., Rev. 20:4-9; it is implied also in the names, "the day of the Lord," "the day of God," etc., applied to the Millennium, because 1,000 of our years make one day with the Lord (Psa. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:8). Thus we see that the idea underlying the word millennium (and millennial) is taught in the Bible, even though this word as such is not found there.
Since it is during the Millennium that the objects of our Lord's Return are accomplished, these two subjects are closely related. Therefore when we treat of the main objects of our Lord's Return, first in brief in Chapter I, and then in greater detail in succeeding chapters, we are at the same time dealing with the objects of the Millennium. Because of this close relationship of the Millennium and our Lord's Return, such subjects as the stages, manner and time of His Return also properly come within the scope of this treatise. In Chapters XII and XIII we have listed many Old and New Testament passages pertinent to the Millennium, and have given some appropriate comments thereon; thus our readers have them readily available in one place. The prayer of the Author is that this book will be a blessing to all who read and study it.
Your brother and servant,
PAUL S. L. JOHNSON.
Philadelphia, PA., U.S.A.
June 15, 1950.
iv
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
THE MAIN OBJECTS OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
A LIST OF SCRIPTURES REFERRING TO MESSIAH'S SECOND STAY ON EARTH. POST- AND PRE-MILLENNIALISM DEFINED. POST-MILLENNIALISM EXAMINED. SEVEN MAIN OBJECTS OF OUR LORD'S RETURN: HE GATHERS AND DELIVERS THE LITTLE FLOCK; CLEANSES AND DELIVERS THE GREAT COMPANY; DEVELOPS THE YOUTHFUL WORTHIES; OVERTHROWS SATAN'S EMPIRE; ESTABLISHES GOD'S KINGDOM ON EARTH; MINISTERS RESTITUTION OPPORTUNITIES; TESTS AND REWARDS THE NON-ELECT. 7
CHAPTER II
SEVEN SAVED CLASSES
JOEL 2:28, 29 AND CONTEXT EXAMINED. "THE SERVANTS." "THE HANDMAIDS." "YOUR OLD MEN." "YOUR YOUNG MEN." "YOUR SONS." "YOUR DAUGHTERS." THE REPENTANT FALLEN ANGELS. 31
CHAPTER III
SATAN—HIS NATURE AND EMPIRE
SATAN A PERSONAL BEING. LUCIFER CREATED PERFECT. OTHER DESCRIPTIVE NAMES. LUCIFER'S FALL FROM PERFECTION. SATAN'S EMPIRE—HOW CONSTITUTED. ITS FOUNDATION PRINCIPLE. ITS SUPPORTING DOCTRINES. THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. 53
CHAPTER IV
THE OVERTHROW OF SATAN'S EMPIRE
HOW CHRIST ATTACKS SATAN'S EMPIRE. UNDERMINING THE FOUNDATION ERRORS. UNDERMINING THE SUPPORTING ERRORS. CONSERVATIVES AND RADICALS. SATAN'S METHOD OF DEFENSE. THE WORLD WAR (PHASES I AND II). ITS RESULTS. THE WORLD REVOLUTION. ANARCHY. "JACOB'S TROUBLE." FINAL RESULTS OF THE OVERTHROW OF SATAN'S EMPIRE. 67
v
CHAPTER V
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
THE WORD "KINGDOM" AS USED IN THE BIBLE. THE EMBRYO KINGDOM. THE REIGNING KINGDOM. ITS CREATION. ITS INVISIBILITY. ITS EARTHLY REPRESENTATIVES. ITS TWO PHASES. ITS EARTHLY PHASE VISIBLE. ITS PURPOSES. ITS SUBJECTS. RESULTS OF ITS REIGN. 87
CHAPTER VI
IS THERE HOPE FOR ANY OF THE UNSAVED DEAD?
ARE ANY SAVED THROUGH IGNORANCE? GOD'S PROMISE ASSURES HOPE. JESUS' RANSOM SACRIFICE FOR ALL. REASONS FOR DELAY OF RANSOM BENEFITS. SINS TO BE FORGIVEN IN WORLD TO COME. GOD'S CHARACTER A BASIS FOR HOPE. ELECT SELECTED TO BLESS NON-ELECT. TWOFOLD EXPERIENCE OF THE NON-ELECT. FACTS PROVE OUR PROPOSITION. THE CHRIST'S OFFICIAL NAMES. EVERY PART OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. CURSE TO BE REMOVED GRADUALLY. DOES "ALL" (1 TIM. 2:6) MEAN EVERYONE? UNIVERSAL REDEMPTION OR SALVATION? REV. 20:4, 5 EXAMINED. WILL THE "UNJUST" BE RESURRECTED? WILL THE SAME BODIES BE RAISED? OTHER PROOFS NOTED. 127
CHAPTER VII
THE JUDGMENT DAY
THE CREEDAL VIEW. VARIOUS MEANINGS OF THE WORD "JUDGMENT." AS INSTRUCTION. AS TESTING. AS CHASTISEMENT FOR CORRECTION. AS PRONOUNCING SENTENCE. THE LENGTH OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. ITS IDENTITY WITH THE MILLENNIUM. OTHER JUDGMENT DAYS INDICATED. NECESSITY OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. THE CHARACTER OF THE JUDGES. ITS TYPES. ITS RESULTS. ITS JOYOUS ANTICIPATION. 179
CHAPTER VIII
THE MANNER OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
CREEDAL VIEWS EXAMINED IN THE LIGHT OF PROPER PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION, REASON AND FACTS. DIRECT STATEMENTS OF THE BIBLE. "AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT." "THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST." "AS WERE THE DAYS OF NOAH." "AS THE LIGHTNING COMETH OUT OF THE EAST." "EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM." "IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO." ST. PAUL'S LOGICAL ARGUMENT. TWELVE PROOFS THAT JESUS IS NOW A SPIRIT BEING. "WITH A SHOUT." "IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE." 201
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CHAPTER IX
THE STAGES OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
CHRIST'S "PAROUSIA," OR PRESENCE. "PAROUSIA" AS THE REAPING PERIOD. "PAROUSIA" AS THE ENTIRE HARVEST. "PAROUSIA" AS THE ENTIRE MILLENNIUM. CHRIST'S "EPIPHANEIA," OR MANIFESTATION. THE BIBLICAL USE OF THE WORD "EPIPHANEIA." OCCURRENCES OF THE VERB "EPIPHAINO." OCCURRENCES OF THE NOUN "EPIPHANEIA." THE "EPIHANEIA" AS AN ACTION. THE "EPIPHANEIA" AS A PERIOD, OF TIME. CHRIST'S "APOKALUPSIS," OR REVEALING. OCCURRENCES OF THE VERB "APOKALUPTO." OCCURRENCES OF THE NOUN "APOKALUPSIS." CHRIST'S "BASILEIA," OR KINGDOM. 235
CHAPTER X
THE TIME OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS. "THE LAST ONE OF THE DAYS." "IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS." THE CHURCH'S PART IN THE WORK. "THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES." ISRAEL'S EXPERIENCES WERE PROPHETIC. THE JUBILEE PROPHECY. THE PROPHETIC DAYS OF DANIEL. SIGNS OF THE TIMES. PYRAMID CORROBORATIONS. "BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM." WHOM DO THE FOOLISH VIRGINS REPRESENT? "AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT." 261
CHAPTER XI
SIGNS OF THE TIMES ON OUR LORD'S RETURN
EXPOSURES OF EVIL. THE INCREASE OF TRAVEL. THE INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE. GREAT CALAMITIES. ISRAEL'S RECOVERY FROM BLINDNESS. ISRAEL'S RETURN TO PALESTINE. WAR PREPARATIONS AND WORLD WAR. CONFLICT BETWEEN CAPITAL AND LABOR. BUNDLING OF THE TARES. GREAT UNREST. A WORLD-WIDE UNMANAGEABLE CRISIS. BEGINNING OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION. GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM PREACHED. UNBELIEF AND FALSE BELIEF. THE ABOUNDING OF INIQUITY. SCOFFING AT JESUS' PRESENCE. A GREAT FALLING AWAY. FALSE CHRISTS AND FALSE PROPHETS. FEDERATING OF THE CHURCHES. EXPECTATION CONCERNING THE KINGDOM. CLARIFICATION OF THE TRUTH. THE GOSPEL-AGE HARVEST WORK. CLEANSING AND TESTING THE CONSECRATED. MANIFESTATION OF UNFAITHFUL CHRISTIANS. THE PROPHET ELIJAH'S COMING. THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. 289
CHAPTER XII
OLD TESTAMENT TESTIMONIES — (Pg. 313)
CHAPTER XIII
NEW TESTAMENT TESTIMONIES — (Pg. 359)
CHAPTER XIV
MAN ASKS AND GOD ANSWERS QUESTIONS
THE BIBLE. GOD. MAN. SIN. SIN'S PENALTY. THE FIRST HELL. SPIRITISM AND OCCULTISM. THE SECOND HELL. THE RESURRECTION. 429
vii
EARTH'S COMING BLESSINGS
Soon shall restitution glory
Bring to earth a blessed rest;
And the poor, and faint, and weary
Shall be lifted up and blest.
Just beyond the Time of Trouble
See the reigning Prince of Peace!
Lo! God's kingdom now is coming,
And oppression soon must cease.
Sing! O sing! ye heirs of glory,
Shout the tidings as you go!
Publish wide redemption's story—
All, its healing balm should know.
Tell how Eden's bloom and beauty
Once again shall be restored,
Making all man's wide dominion
As the garden of the Lord.
Tell how Satan's dark dominion
Shall at once be overthrown,
And from out death's gloomy prison,
All earth's loved ones soon shall come.
O yes, sing, ye heirs of glory,
Shout your triumph far and near,
Let the notes of praise and singing
Sweetly fall on sorrow's ear.