Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-06-13
&eadina fpr the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
lOrlginal
THE MILLENNIUM.

>~~~ -
-------- ------------
lorIglnal
THE MILLENNIUM.
No one conversant with the teachings O
the Scriptures, will hesitate to admit that {
bright period is in reservation for the Churct
of God 1t would seem that many Of those
blessings which God, long ago, promised tt
bestow upon his blood-bougbt Church, have
not yet been granted. Either we do no
understand the eleventh chapter of th'
prophecies of Isaiah, or these promises have
not yet been realized. Glorious things arr
there spoken of Zion, city of our God. Ir
the twentieth chapter of the Revelation, 9
promise is made that Satan, the great deceiv
er, shall be bound for one thousand years
These, together with many other portions o.
the Scriptures, give, it is thought, just grounc
for the expectation of the millennium.
1t would be hazardous to attempt to define
what is meant by the "Millennium." Liter
ally, it means period Of one thousand years
Whether those years are to be literal years o.
three hundred and sixty-6ve days, or pro
phetic years-if any one has correct ides
of what prophetic year is-we are unable
to say.
There is little agreement, as we might vel
expect, amongst those who write and speak
about the millennium. Whenever men at
tempt to pry into unrevealed things they gel
into deep water. No doubt much that is true
concerning this milennial period-if in fac
there is to be such a peried-has been both
written and spoken but it has been done
rather accidentally. Men have told the truth
without knowing it.
Much that is said and written concerning
the millennium is not gospel, but kind o.
sensational clap.trap. Strange and startling
interpretations of Scripture are given for nc
other purpose, it does appear, than to gair
applause, attract attention, or win popular
favor. Some persons tell US that the glorious
period spoken of in the twentieth chapter o.
Revelation is past. Others say it is just ar
irving whilst others say it will arrive during
some particular year yet in the future. The
time has been, by these interpreters of proph
ecy, fixed with unerring certainty in mum
her of instances. Time rolled on and the
millennium did not come. These interpreter!
of prophecy, nothing discouraged by failure
went to work and got up new date for the
ushering in of the thousand years during
which Satan is to be bound. Some again say
that Christ is to come in person and reign fol
one thousand years on earth. One noted sen
sational preacher goes 80 far as to say that he
looks out of his window every morning to as
certain whether or not Jesus has come!
All this is wise above what is written. We
read in the Bible of two comings of our Sa
viour The first time be is to come as the
Lamb of God, and the second time he is tc
come the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to judge
the world in righteousness. He has come al
ready-come as the Lamb Of God.
We, do not claim to understand what Goo
has not designed any man to understand
We do not know when the millennium will be
ushered in, nor how long it will last neither
do we know when this world will be brought
to close and God will judge the world il
Righteousness. Still. we must be permitted tt
say that common sense teaches US some things
which leads US to conclude that neither The
millennium nor the end of the world is al
near by as some persons think. There are
some persons, and they are not young persons
who, if they ever get to Heaven, will live 8
good many years yet. 1t will take long
time to prepare them for Heaven. They, we
hope, are on the road that leads to the New
Jerusalem but they are slow travellers. Un
less marvellous change takes place, and the
gait of these creepers is quickened, they will
not reach that land of pure delight for many
days. They will be forced to stay in the vii
derness long time. Apparently, they are
not much, if any, nearer Heaven to-day than
they were fifty years ago. Of course, they
are nearer the grave-nearer the judgment
but they are no more fit for Heaven than they
were long ago. Neither do they seem to be
undergoing the transforming process which
grace effects. Just so it is with the world, OF
rather, with the visible Church 1t is not pre-
pared for the millennium. There is a vast
amount of things to be done yet, before the
millennium will be ushered in. The visible
Church has to be reformed. The millennium
will never come so long as there remains &c
much diversity of opinion among professed
Christians. Those things that are called de-
nominations, must be blotted out of existence
and instead of there being, to all intents and
purposes, multitude of churches, the plan
established by the Saviour must be adopted
He established only one church; only one
faith only one baptism but his professed
people have managed to get up number oi
churches The Church is not prepared to
adopt the same creed Gods professed people
are not prepared to erase all denominations
lines. The millennium will never come until
this is done. Without miraculous interpo
sition, it will require at least one generation
to break down sectarianism in the world
Gods Spirit, we admit, is almighty; but We
need not expect any other means except those
now in use to be brought into operation either
for the conversion of sinners, or for the sane
tifcation of believers. This being the case
we conclude that before the millennium can be
ushered in, the Church-the visible Church
must be reformed. To do this will require
years. 1t will require long time to work
some things out Of some peoples heads, and
! to ,porl, ooroo th;npe in With preat propria