"May 11, 1725. "I am still working at the Apocalypse, and daily see more and more the coherence and harmony of its particulars, so as to suspect more strongly than ever, that if holier persons remain incurious about the signs of the times, it will fall to the lot of some very unworthy individual to discern those signs, and make them known to the world." This last declaration may be illustrated by the following, which bespeaks his sincere humility. "While I am computing the periods of sacred chronology, I feel astonished beyond measure that God should thus impart light concerning them to such feeble creature as myself; indeed, if I at all stagger about my own computations, it is only when I wonder how it at length comes to pass that I should be the person to unfold such high and holy matters to the world." a poor Having arranged to his satisfaction the chief parts of his apocalyptical system, he applied most of his leisure and strength to the completion of his critical works; though his correspondence with intimate friends, and especially with Marthius, shows that he was still endeavouring after increased knowledge upon apocalyptical subjects.* He first published upon these subjects in the year 1727, in the sixth volume of Schelhorn's Amanitates literariæ, Art. 3, under the title of "Discipuli de temporibus Monitum de præjudicio hermeneutico (dies prophet:=365 dies vulgares) accuratiorem Apocalypseos explicationem etiam nunc impediente;" or "A word from an humble disciple upon the prophetic periods; concerning the prejudice, that a prophetic day signifies a natural year; showing how that prejudice hinders any clearer elucidation of the Apocalypse." This communication was conveyed in language rather obscure, perhaps intentionally so. But shortly afterwards he expressed himself more plainly, in a brief German treatise, entitled "Principles for an accurate and unforced exposition of The Revelation of Jesus Christ." "+ This work soon drew so much attention, that he was very strongly urged from various quarters to give his views of the Apocalypse more at length; which he set about doing in a treatise consisting of two preliminary essays, which he inserted in the tenth number of a periodical conducted by J. J. Moser, of Frankfort, 1734, and entitled, "Things new and old concerning the Kingdom of God." See below, ch. xvii. 6, the extracts from his correspondence. The first essay was "On an accurate and unforced System of Interpretation for the Apocalypse:" and the second, "On the present Continuance of the Third Woe; and the necessity of giving heed to it; evinced chiefly from the twelfth and subsequent chapters of the Apocalypse." He announced in the preface, that he was preparing for publication a new version and exposition of the Revelation of St. John, from his revised Greek text; but as a considerable time would elapse before he should be able to venture such a work upon public notice, he was willing, in compliance with the wishes of some christian friends, thus to communicate a kind of specimen of it; and should any, who love Christ's appearing, find that these essays cast a single ray of light upon what remains obscure in the prophetic word of God, he hoped they would help him by prayer to derive out of the fulness of the Lamb that was slain, whatever should still appear wanting in the treatise. Meanwhile he trusted that no friends of this mind would give him credit for such impertinent and unprofitable things as had been attributed to him; much less would entertain a high notion of his performance; he having all along maintained and inquired into nothing but what Scripture had already delivered to his hand; for it was by the simple search of Scripture that he had been led into these subjects quite unexpectedly, nay, almost involuntarily. Finally, he hoped that with fervent prayer and close consideration of the prophetic book itself, they would with all needful discretion try whatever was here laid before them, and convert it to their real benefit.” The treatise first speaks of the high importance of the Apocalypse, as a book which has been mighty through God among christian believers, especially in seasons of general distress and perplexity; and which will be so again, probably at no very great distance of time. It then takes a brief survey of the whole prophecy; noticing the three first chapters as its introduction, and the other nineteen, as its main substance; the former relating "that which" the apostle "saw," and "that which is;" and the latter, "that which shall be hereafter." The fourth and fifth chapters engage our attention upon the Great Author of the prophecy, and upon its general scope; the succeeding ones give the histories of future times; the sixth containing the four first and three last seals. But before the seventh seal, is the preparation, (ch. vii.); the seven angels with seven trumpets, (ch. viii.); the four first, and the three last with the three woes, are announced here, but commence in chapter the ninth. The seventh trumpet is the most important, and displays the dragon with the two beasts; as also the kingdom of Christ in heaven and earth. Here precede, first, the preparation, in chapter the tenth; secondly, the summary contents, (ch. xi. 15, &c.;) and lastly, the account itself. In this we have, first, the adversaries; consisting of the dragon, (ch. xii.) the two beasts, (ch. xiii.) and the great harlot, (ch. xvii.); secondly, their overthrow; (which indeed begins in chapters xv. xvi.)—then, (but in an inverted order,) the harlot, (ch. xviii.) the beast and the false prophet, (ch. xix. 11,) and the dragon, (ch. xx.)—are taken out of the way; thirdly, after gradual advances, under the trumpet of the seventh angel, (ch. xi. 15; xii. 5-8; xiv. 1, 13, 14; xv. 2; xix. 1; xx. 4,) we have the final completion of Christ's kingdom, (ch. xx. 11; xxii. 5;) and then the conclusion, exactly corresponding to the introduction. The fulfilment of such parts of this prophecy as have no specification of dates or times, was to begin quickly, (èv TáxεL.) It did so, namely, in the Apostle St. John's own time it has been going on through each succeeding century ever since, and will do so unto the consummation, and end of the world. Therefore in the dates or periods here presented, we have nearly the total sum of the world's remaining duration. These periods are so important a concern in the prophecy, that its right interpretation is impossible without them. Now we find they are in the seven denominations of hour, day, month, year, season (kaipos,) time (xpóvos,) and age (aióv.) To interpret these, we must distinguish when common days and years, and when such as are prophetic or mystical, are intended: we must also find the key to their computation. Some have thought they denote only common time throughout; (as that a day here spoken of, is always a common day ;) others are for prophetic or mystical computation exclusively, and assert, that every prophetic day is a common year. To either of these acceptations there are insurmountable difficulties; the sum of which is, that a prophetic day is found to be much shorter than a common year, and much longer than a common day. So that probably the truth lies in a mean reckoning; which makes a prophetic day to be about half of a common year. We are conducted thus far, by considering merely the explanations given by former expositors. Let us now advance a step further, by means of the text itself. This, in ch. xiii. 18, invites us as follows: "Let him who hath understanding, count the number of the Beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred three score and six." Here is something to be calculated;* but we require for our calculation two numbers at the least. Accordingly this thirteenth chapter furnishes us with one other number, and only one; it is that of the forty and two months. We must therefore assume this for our second number. But before we begin to reckon, it may be proper to inquire, what noun, understood in a grammatical sense, can belong to the numeral expression 666. The answer is, that it must, according to the context, be a noun denoting computation of time. Moreover the neutral form of this numeral as found in the best Greek MSS., and its masculine form, as found in the Latin Vulgate, direct us to the word " years," as the understood noun for it to agree with. Thus the numeral expression 666, denotes 666 years; and these, as the text implies,† are common years; while the forty and two months denote likewise 666 years; and with these two expressions, we may frame the following proportion; 42:662:: 1: : x; according to which, one prophetic month is=15 common years. Thus we have the key to all the other computations. Now if it be asked which of the periods we consider mystical, and which common; we reply, that those which elapse previous to the number of the Beast, (for example, those which precede the third woe,) we consider mystical, (the number of the Beast forming as it were a connecting link, half visible and half secret ;) but those which belong to the finishing of the mystery of God we understand literally. And this decision is analogous to the manner in which other things preceding the third woe are expressed, for they are expressed figuratively; whereas, things which follow it are expressed in common language. 66 Bengel, soon after he had published this sketch of his plan, was induced to insert in the "Spiritual Reporter," (comp. xv. xxiii. p. 1235-37,) an apocalyptical article in answer to Seiz, who had determined the fulfilment of all these prophecies to as early as the year 1736. Next to this, Bengel published his Exposition of the Apocalypse." In his preface to the first edition, he states, how he had obtained the key to his computations: and that the longer he made use of it, the more clearly was this sacred book opened to him; and that in consequence of the pressing requests of friends, and the false reports circulated by ignorant or ill-designing persons respecting his method of interpretation, as also lest his conscience should be hurt by with * Yпpioάτw, "let him calculate."-Rev. xiii. 18. holding from the public what had come to his notice unsought for, he had at length resolved to publish this full "Exposition," after having heard, examined, and profited by a great variety of opinions, elicited upon his Plan by the Essay he had published in 1734, "On an accurate and unforced system of interpretation for the Apocalypse." He added, with as much modesty as integrity, that he did not wish his "Exposition" to be regarded as any infallible revelation, which he should be supposed to have been favoured with, but simply as the natural fruit and result of his honest inquiries and researches in the word of God; in which view he humbly offered it to the examination of the public. The work itself consists of a new version of the Apocalypse, with a running exposition, preceded by an introduction, which contains a general view of the whole prophecy; and followed by a conclusion divided (in the third edition) into seven sections; 1. A table of the chronology. 2. An humble attempt to determine more accurately the times of the Beast. 3. Characteristics of genuine interpretation. 4. An account of men's expectations from age to age in reference to prophecy. 5. Prophetic exposition with respect to its influence on men's actions. 6. Examination of some other prophecies. And 7. Salutary advices. The "Exposition" was intended as a distinct work from that comprised in his next publication, the "Gnomon;" as this, which was in Latin, was more particularly for matters interesting to persons acquainted with the learned languages; whereas the Exposition" set forth what might become intelligible and profitable to all; so that both may be used either together or separately. In the introduction above mentioned, is found a more copious analysis than he had before given, of the contents of the Apocalypse (see above, p. 287,) with explanatory remarks. But previously to discussing the periods, he directs the reader's attention to the following notices, deducible from the simple showing of the text;—that the first woe came to its end before the rise of the Saracen empire; that the second woe denotes the Saracen dominion; that the third, though long ago commenced, was not yet expired; and that these are fundamental matters essentially connected with a system of correct interpretation. He then proceeds to a more particular investigation of the chronological periods; resuming the inquiry he had commenced in an Essay already noticed; and speaks as follows:-"Since by U |
