EUREKA: AN EXPOSITION

OF

THE APOCALYPSE,

IN HARMONY WITH

"THE THINGS OF THE KINGDOM OF THE DEITY,

AND

THE NAME OF JESUS ANOINTED;"

FROM THE FOURTH TO THE ELEVENTH CHAPTERS, INCLUSIVE.

TO WHICH IS APPENDED

THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE SCRIPTURES,

AS CONTAINED IN THEIR

HISTORIC AND PROPHETIC NUMBERS AND DATES.

SET FORTH WITH THE CLEARNESS AND SIMPLICITY WHICH BELONG TO THE TRUTH;AND

EXTRICATED FROM THE UNFATHOMABLE ABYSS OF LEARNED MYSTIFICATION,

AND "SCIENCE FALSELY SO-CALLED"

BY JOHN THOMAS,

AUTHOR OF "ELPIS ISRAEL, OR THE KINGDOM OF GOD;" "ANATOLIA, OR AN EXPOSITION OF DANIEL;"

AND EDITOR OF THE HERALD OF THE KINGDOM.

VOLUME II

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"BLESSED he that knows accurately, and they who give heed to, the words of the prophecy,

and narrowly observe the things which have been written in it; for THE TIME IS NEAR." - APOC. i. 3.

"How long to the end of these wonders? * * * ‘It shall be for a time, times, and a half.’

* * * Then said I, Daniel, O my Lord, What the end of these?"

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BIRMINGHAM:

ROBERT ROBERTS, ATHENAEUM ROOMS, TEMPLE ROW.

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1875.

PREFACE

It is with no little satisfaction that the author is at length enabled to place this volume of his EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE in the hands of its subscribers. To subscribers and authors in general, the issuing of books by subscription must always be a work of anxiety; especially where, as in the instance of Eureka, the subscribers thereto have made its author the depository of nearly two thousand dollars in advance of the performance of what he had proposed in his prospectus. This was a signal act of confidence in his integrity, exceedingly gratifying to his feelings; for which he takes this opportunity of returning his sincere and heartfelt acknowledgment. It was an act of confidence also in his ability to perform the difficult work of exposition. He trusts, therefore, that now the volume is in the subscribers’ hands, and they can leisurely familiarize themselves with its contents, they will come to see that their confidence has not been misplaced.

When the prospectus was sent upon its mission, the author was far from being sanguine of success. The general indifference, and prejudice existing against the Apocalypse; the great cost of the proposed exposition; and the uncontradicted calumnies so industriously circulated by the author’s enemies, cooperated to create no little misgiving in regard to the success of the undertaking.

But, when Deity signified the Apocalypse to the apostle John, did He not intend it to be understood by His servants? Was it not revealed for their information; and especially for the enlightenment of that generation of them which might be contemporary with the denouement of the plot so skillfully laid, and admirably worked out, in all the ages and generations of the past, by "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who had prevailed to open the scroll, and to loose the seven seals thereof?" Was all this wonderful and mighty working to be lost upon this generation, and to be in regard to it as though it had never been? This, the author could not bring himself to believe. His thorough and abiding conviction was, that the Apocalypse was not only given to be understood, but also to be understood before the appearing of THE ANCIENT OF DAYS. For otherwise, how could His servants watch, and perceive the signs therein revealed, and be prepared for his coming? The apocalyptic benediction is pronounced upon "HIM who knows accurately," and upon "THEM who give heed to the words of the prophecy, and observe narrowly the things written in it." But, how can this be done by them who understand it not? And where are they to whom it is intelligible? If any such exist, why is their light under a bushel; why hath it not shone forth to all that are in the house?

Without scriptural, historic, and chronological exposition, the Apocalypse is unintelligible to the people of the nineteenth century. Some imagine that because it is a revelation, it must necessarily expound itself to the illumination of a wayfaring man though a fool. This, however, is but a poor compliment to themselves who, with all their boasted science and scholarship, are altogether in the dark concerning it. But, from the days of DIONYSIUS, "the great bishop of Alexandria," to the time of PIO NONO, the present spiritual incumbent of the tottering throne of the Roman Orb, all "the wise and prudent" declare, that without exposition the Apocalypse is an unintelligible mystery. Hence many learned and popular writers of divers of the "names and denominations" have attempted to expound it. Among these are Sir Isaac Newton, Mede, Bishop Newton, Fleming, Faber, Bickersteth, Brooks, Cunningham, Irving, Keith, Maitland, Elliott, Cumming, Lord, and so forth. But no one understanding "THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM," and the doctrine concerning "THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST," can possibly admit that they have succeeded. Believers of this gospel can come to but one conclusion, which is, that all their attempts are signal and decided failures. And, if this class of writers have failed, whither shall we look for an interpreter?

The fact is that there was none. The understanding of the gospel of the kingdom enabled the author to perceive, that the exposition of the Apocalypse was still a desideratum -- a thing to be devoutly and earnestly desired. The Apocalypse was given by Deity to Jesus Christ, that He might show it to his servants; and the reason why no exposition was extant, is, that Jesus Christ, who is the truth, had not given the ability to "the wise and prudent" of the Laodicean Apostasy. His servants and brethren were not to be taught by the wise and prudent of the excommunicated COURT OF THE GENTILES. He had "spewed these out of his mouth;" and was it likely, then, that he would confer on such the honor of being the interpreters of his apocalyptic mysteries? By no means.

The exposition, as well as the apocalypse given, must be His. "Let Christ dwell in your hearts by faith." These are the words of Paul; and the Spirit that anointed Jesus said through him, "I AM THE TRUTH." Hence, there can be no correct exposition of the Apocalypse unless CHRIST THE TRUTH give it. No writer on the Apocalypse can do anything aright apart from this inspiration. Unenlightened by "the truth as it is in Jesus," the most learned are as incompetent as the most ignorant. Mr. Elliott says truly: "The Apocalyptic subject is one altogether peculiar; being at once so important, so difficult, and so controverted." It is an arena upon which the foregoing extremes meet and cordially embrace. "None of the guilty shall understand." This is the irreversible decree; who can annul it?

A correct interpretation being Christ’s, it was for Christ also to provide for its publication. Such was the author’s conviction. If the work is the Lord’s, he will provide the means. And remarkably has this conviction been verified. The truth opened Lydia’s heart to attend to the things spoken by Paul. She heard them, became interested in them, and attended to them. This is termed the Lord opening her heart. Upon the same principle, He opened some of the hearts of the subscribers to the author’s exposition, that through its publication by their means, they and others afar off might come to the understanding of the things written in the apocalyptic prophecy; and that thereby they might obtain the blessing promised in chap. i. 3. The author has made personal application to none. The notice of his readiness to publish, if enabled so to do, is all the effort he has made in the premises. But the response was not encouraging; and the author came well nigh despairing of success. Christ, however, in the hearts of a few, willed otherwise; so that, by their spontaneous liberality to the amount of twelve hundred and sixty dollars, he was enabled to go to press; with the assurance also that, if he would proceed with the preparation of the third volume, the means for its publication should be promptly furnished.

This unexpected success in bringing forth so expensive a work has both rejoiced and surprised him. It is a practical attestation that he still lives in the esteem of "the excellent, in whom is all the delight of the Holy One." As one of the Holy City down-trodden in the earth, he has not escaped the efforts of the Serpent’s Seed to bruise him in the heel; but he rejoices to find that they have not fatally affected his usefulness. Their "enmity," which broke out against him while passing the first volume through the press, has coiled around him in all the labors of the second. He has, however, given but little heed to it; being assured that when this volume, the fruit of much thought and labor amid great discouragement and conflict, shall come into the reader’s hands, he will be able, by a comparison of the author’s incessant labors, with their fitful and ephemeral, but malicious, attacks upon his name, to arrive at a true and righteous verdict in the premises. The elaboration of such works as the author’s leaves no spare time for evil courses. The matter of which they are composed, firmly believed, alienates from the petty jealousies and rivalries of minds spoiled by "science falsely so-called," and by all sorts of traditions, or crotchets, which make void the truth. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Public writers and teachers can only be thus known. Their writings and discourses are their fruits. The author’s are before the world, and before "the saints who are on the earth;" and though all called saints are not "excellent," he has no apprehension of reprobation from those who are. He regards the defamatory writings of bad men and hypocrites as highly complimentary and laudatory. In the denunciations of such, the author rejoices greatly; for it is a public testimony to all concerned, that he sits not in their seat, and that "the hope of the hypocrite" is not his.

The appearance of this volume at the present crisis of human affairs is well-timed. The author believes that two years or so later would have been unseasonable, and possibly "TOO LATE." If his chronology be correct, the current epoch must be hard upon the terminus of the Papal Power, and the initiation of "THE TIME OF THE DEAD." These two crises are conterminous. Their contemporary limitation is fixed to the ending of a symbolic "FORTY AND TWO MONTHS," which is an Aeon, or cycle, of 1260 years. The signs of the times, apart from chronological computation, clearly indicate that this cycle has nearly described its course. The "DRIED UP" condition of the THE FOURTH EUPHRATEAN ANGEL-POWER, enthroned in Constantinople; and daemon-operation of the FRANCIC-FROG-POWER for the past eighteen years upon the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet -- are unmistakable signs of the speedy manifestation of THE ANCIENT OF DAYS. He comes in "as a thief." HE WAS with Moses at the Bush. HE IS at the right hand of Almighty Power; and HE IS THE COMING ONE -- the Grand Master of the situation created by events in the development of which FRENCH IMPERIALISM has been His subordinate and procreative agency. The working of this is the great sign "IN THE HEAVEN OF THE SON OF MAN." It has been wonder-working until it has brought the False Prophet into the greatest peril. The withdrawal of French protection will, doubtless, leave him a prey to the hatred of his own children, whose rebellion will rapidly develop the end.

And how greatly is that end to be desired by all true believers! And how intensely interesting must be the proof of its extreme nearness to all such! It is indeed true, that "THE TIME OF THE DEAD, that they should be judged," and that "the reward" so long promised should be given to "the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear the name of the Coming One, small and great" -- is it indeed true, that this "Day of Vengeance and Year of the Redeemed," is at the very door? The author believes, that this volume will assist the reader greatly in his endeavour to acquire a satisfactory solution of this highly important and interesting problem. THE TIME OF THE DEAD is contemporary with a time of angry excitement among the nations -- "the nations were angry, and thy wrath came and the time of the dead, that they should be judged" (Apoc. xi. 18). Their anger is excited against ROME; which when the Apocalypse was given, was styled, "that Great City having dominion over the kings of the earth" (Apoc. xvii. 18). She had it then; and but for the working of the revolutionary Frog-Power, would still manifest it to a greater extent than at present appears.

The approaching belligerency of the nations is an important element of THE ROMAN QUESTION. They are to "hate the Harlot, and make her desolate and naked, and to eat her flesh, and burn her with fire" (Apoc. xvii. 16). THE PAPAL DEITY OF THE ROMAN ORB a refugee from his capital, or a captive in revolutionary bonds, may evolve an unclean, wonder-working, daemon spirit, from his mouth, which will go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole habitable, including the American Continent, and gather them to a conflict for the suppression of the approaching EUROPEAN REVOLUTION, and the re-establishment of the PAPAL THRONE, which will signally accomplish the desolation of the Harlot. The Convention between the French and Italian powers of September 15, 1864 contains the elements of this coming struggle between DESPOTISM and the REVOLUTION. Within two years of this date, Rome is to be evacuated by the French, and "THE GOD OF THE EARTH" left to his own resources. The 15th Sept., 1866, is the fatal limit of the Franco-Italian Convention. May it not also be that at this date will be found the terminus of the FORTY AND TWO MONTHS allotted to the Papal Power to practise -- poiesai? Forty and two months of years ago carry us back to A.D. 606, into the Phocal Epoch. At this time the Bishop of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople were contending against each other for the Pontifical Supremacy of the Roman Orb. The only authority that could confer this Pontificate was the Emperor reigning in Constantinople. Maurice, the predecessor of Phocas, was in favor of the Patriarch; but a revolution set him aside, and elevated Phocas to the Imperial Throne. This sanguinary usurper favored the aspirations of the Bishop of Rome, known as BONIFACE THE THIRD. In compliance with his request, he confirmed the right acquired by John II, from Justinian seventy-five years before; and constituted "the See of the Roman and Apostolic Church THE HEAD OF ALL CHURCHES." This was "giving the saints into the hand" of the Episcopal Constituent of the Little Horn; and authorizing him to practise. Thus, by imperial authority "was given unto the beast a MOUTH speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to practise forty and two months" (Apoc. xiii. 5). It was only by foreign secular power contributing its support, that the Pontiff-King of Rome has been enabled to eke out an existence to the present crisis. But for the French in "the Eternal City," the Papal Kingdom would have been numbered with the dead some twenty years before its time. The Deity sent the French to Rome in 1849 to strengthen it, that its Pontiff might be enabled to practise imperially to the end of the 1260 years for which its license was divinely granted. That cycle of pre-eminent lawlessness and blasphemy has nearly described its appointed course. A few months more will probably complete it; and the loss of power to practise, will be the death knell of the Papacy, and the deliverance of the saints; the giving to them the honor of executing "the judgment written" to the subversion of all thrones; and the final abolition of this sanguinary pontificate from the earth.

Such a crisis, then, being just upon the world, how interesting and important must that work be which treats of the things, whose course has been long tending thereto. It is the purpose of this volume to unfold that series of events which has been consecutively evolved from the time the Apocalypse was given to the formation of the present situation. The labor bestowed on its elaboration has been itself a pleasure; and the author earnestly hopes, that in reading it its subscribers will find much advantage; or at least, have no cause to regret the pecuniary expenditure incurred in causing it to see the light.

In conclusion, the author would invite the attention of the reader particularly to the CHRONIKON HEBRAIKON,* which he has appended to this volume. He believes that it is a correct extrication of the chronology of the Scriptures. But, if these are not reliable, then all chronological inquiries pertaining to antiquity may be abandoned in despair. The Scriptures, however, are the most authentic chronological records extant; and only require to be understood to excite the admiration of the student at the ingenuity and accuracy of their details. The study of these is highly useful and improving; and calculated to fix firmly and methodically in the mind the events and testimonies of the word.

The Author intends to publish a small edition of his CHRONIKON apart from Eureka. It will be issued in a paper cover, at a price not exceeding seventy-five cents, including postage.

As to the THIRD VOLUME OF EUREKA, the author will proceed to its elaboration with all diligence, working while it is called today; for "the night cometh when no man can work." His earnest desire is, that a celestial visitant may find him thus engaged; and by divine authority serve upon him notice to quit; and forthwith to report himself for judgment in the presence of THE KING. But if such an event as this should not transpire so soon as he anticipates; and time should be afforded for the completion of the work, the author will in that case give due notice to the purchasers of the second volume, that they may in like manner possess themselves of the third.

January, 1866. A.M. 5956. THE AUTHOR.

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* Chronikon Hebraikon is not included in this edition of Eureka Vol. II.