ECF were on the whole YEC

[DignifiedResponse]

Thomas Wilson (1661) -

 

"... [page 141] 'One Day as 1000 Years] ... 2 Pet. 3.8. Such as draw this to prove the continuance of the world to be but 6000 years, according to the number of dayes in the Week, do willingly dote. ..."

 

"... [page 143] the six thousand years since the Creation of the world. ..."

 

"... [page 571] SERPENT ... 2. Satan, for his deep wiliness and craft likened to a Serpent. Rev. 12.9. That old Serpent: To the wiliness of his nature, (being exceeding crafty) Satan hath joyned the experience of some 6000 years; therefore called an old Serpent, Gen. 3.13,15. ..."

 

"... [page 617] Star-gazers ... the world having not (as yet) seen neer six thousand years ..." - A Complete Christian Dictionary: wherein the Significations and several Acceptations of All the Words mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, are fully opened, expressed, explained. ... Begun by that famous and worthy Man of God, Mr. Thomas Wilson, Minister of the Word at St. Georges in Canterbury, and one of the Six Preachers there. Continued by Mr. John Bagwell; London: Printed by E. Cotes, and are to be sold by Thomas Williams at the Bible in Little-Britain without Aldergate, M.DC.LXI. (1661); pages 141, 143, 571, 617 respectively - https://books.google.com/books?id=UVFEAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[DignifiedResponse]

Antoine Augustin Calmet (26 February 1672 – 25 October 1757) -

 

"... The Aera of the birth of Jesus Christ, A.M. 4000, three years at least before our vulgar Aera, wherein we reckon the year 1800; whereas if we take exactly the Aera of our Saviour's birth, we should reckon it 1804, or at least 1803. ..." - Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible: Historical, Critical, Geographical, and Etymological; wherein are explained the proper names in the Old and New Testaments; the natural productions, animals, vegetables, minerals, stones, gems, &c, the antiquities, habits, buildings, and other curiosities of the Jews. with A Chronological History of the Bible, The Jewish calendar, tables of the Hebrew coins, weights, measures, &c., Fourth Edition, Revised, Corrected, and Augmented: with an extensive series of plates, explanatory, illustrative, and ornamental: under the direction of Charles Taylor. In Five Volumes: Volume I. - Dictionary, A-J. London: Published by the Late C. Taylor, and sold by B. J. Holdsworth, 18, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1827.; page [PDF 77] - https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.83650/2015.83650.Calmets-Dictionary-Of-The-Holy-Bible-Vol-I#page/n77/mode/1up/

 

"... The sixth age, from the Babylonish captivity to the birth of Jesus Christ, A.M. 4000, the fourth year before the vulgar era ..." - Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible: Historical, Critical, Geographical, and Etymological; wherein are explained the proper names in the Old and New Testaments; the natural productions, animals, vegetables, minerals, stones, gems, &c, the antiquities, habits, buildings, and other curiosities of the Jews. with A Chronological History of the Bible, The Jewish calendar, tables of the Hebrew coins, weights, measures, &c., Fourth Edition, Revised, Corrected, and Augmented: with an extensive series of plates, explanatory, illustrative, and ornamental: under the direction of Charles Taylor. In Five Volumes: Volume I. - Dictionary, A-J. London: Published by the Late C. Taylor, and sold by B. J. Holdsworth, 18, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1827.; section "Ages of the world" (right hand column); page [PDF 80] - https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.83650/2015.83650.Calmets-Dictionary-Of-The-Holy-Bible-Vol-I#page/n80/mode/1up/

 

"... Epoch, a term in chronology, signifying a fixed point of time, from which to begin computation. EPOCHS OF SACRED HISTORY (A.M.) The first Epoch is the creation of the World, of the Julian period 710 (ante A.D.) 4000 ... (A.M.) 4000 The eighth Epoch, the birth of Jesus Christ. (ante A.D.) 4 ..." - Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible: Historical, Critical, Geographical, and Etymological; wherein are explained the proper names in the Old and New Testaments; the natural productions, animals, vegetables, minerals, stones, gems, &c, the antiquities, habits, buildings, and other curiosities of the Jews. with A Chronological History of the Bible, The Jewish calendar, tables of the Hebrew coins, weights, measures, &c., Fourth Edition, Revised, Corrected, and Augmented: with an extensive series of plates, explanatory, illustrative, and ornamental: under the direction of Charles Taylor. In Five Volumes: Volume I. - Dictionary, A-J. London: Published by the Late C. Taylor, and sold by B. J. Holdsworth, 18, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1827.; section "EPOCH"; page [PDF 516] - https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.83650/2015.83650.Calmets-Dictionary-Of-The-Holy-Bible-Vol-I#page/n516/mode/1up/

 

"... Jesus Christ was born ... according to our computation, he was born A.M. 4000. ..." - Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible: Historical, Critical, Geographical, and Etymological; wherein are explained the proper names in the Old and New Testaments; the natural productions, animals, vegetables, minerals, stones, gems, &c, the antiquities, habits, buildings, and other curiosities of the Jews. with A Chronological History of the Bible, The Jewish calendar, tables of the Hebrew coins, weights, measures, &c., Fourth Edition, Revised, Corrected, and Augmented: with an extensive series of plates, explanatory, illustrative, and ornamental: under the direction of Charles Taylor. In Five Volumes: Volume I. - Dictionary, A-J. London: Published by the Late C. Taylor, and sold by B. J. Holdsworth, 18, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1827.; page [PDF 660] - https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.83650/2015.83650.Calmets-Dictionary-Of-The-Holy-Bible-Vol-I#page/n660/mode/1up/

 

"... JOAZAR, high-priest of the Jews, successor to Matthias son of Theophilus, A.M. 4000, the year of Jesus Christ's birth. ..." - Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible: Historical, Critical, Geographical, and Etymological; wherein are explained the proper names in the Old and New Testaments; the natural productions, animals, vegetables, minerals, stones, gems, &c, the antiquities, habits, buildings, and other curiosities of the Jews. with A Chronological History of the Bible, The Jewish calendar, tables of the Hebrew coins, weights, measures, &c., Fourth Edition, Revised, Corrected, and Augmented: with an extensive series of plates, explanatory, illustrative, and ornamental: under the direction of Charles Taylor. In Five Volumes: Volume I. - Dictionary, A-J. London: Published by the Late C. Taylor, and sold by B. J. Holdsworth, 18, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1827.; page [PDF 756] - https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.83650/2015.83650.Calmets-Dictionary-Of-The-Holy-Bible-Vol-I#page/n756/mode/1up/

 

"... TABLE CHRONOLOGIQUE DU 1er. TOME DE L'HISTOIRE UNIVERSELLE. (Ans du monde.) 1. Creation du monde (Ans avant la naissance de J.C.) 4000. ..." - Historire Universelle, Sacrae et Profane, depuis le commencement du monde, jusqua nos jours, Par le R.P. Dom Augustin Calmet, Abbe de Senones et President de la congregation, de S. Vanne et de S. Hidulphe; Tome Premier; A Strasbourg. Chez Jean Renauld Doulssecker; M. DCC. XXV (1735), Avec Approbation.; page [PDF 46] - https://archive.org/stream/bub_gb_g81kkSnc1pEC#page/n46/mode/1up

 

"... (notation right hand column) I. Creation du monde, An du monde I. avant J.C. 4000 ..." - Historire Universelle, Sacrae et Profane, depuis le commencement du monde, jusqua nos jours, Par le R.P. Dom Augustin Calmet, Abbe de Senones et President de la congregation, de S. Vanne et de S. Hidulphe; Tome Premier; A Strasbourg. Chez Jean Renauld Doulssecker; M. DCC. XXV (1735), Avec Approbation.; page [PDF 62] - https://archive.org/stream/bub_gb_g81kkSnc1pEC#page/n62/mode/1up/

[DignifiedResponse]

Isaac Watts (17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748) -

 

"Bishop Fowler cites some notable traditions of the Jewish Rabbies to this purpose [that is proving the pre-existence of the Messiah]; one in an ancient book amongst the Jews called Pesikta, viz. That "after God had created the world, he put his hand under the throne of his glory, and brought out the soul of the Messiah, with all his attendants, and said unto him, Wilt thou heal and redeem my sons after 6000 years? He answered, I am willing so to do ..." [Page 201] - http://archive.org/stream/gloryofchristasg00watt#page/201/mode/1up

 

[DignifiedResponse]

Samuel Clarke (11 October 1675 – 17 May 1729) -

 

"... the Apostles could not entertain such Opinion of the World's coming to an End in Their days, is much more probable; For, the Jews, before and in the Apostles times, had a very ancient and general [page 215-216] Tradition, that the World was to continue at least six thousand Years, whereof no less than two Thousand were to be Days of the Messais; And St Peter himself, in the passage before-mentioned, seems to refer to it, when, in order to show that the Lord is not slack concerning his Promise, as some men count Slackness, he bids us not be ignorant of this one thing, (alluding, as some think, to the six Days creation,) that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day: And St Paul in several of this Epistles foretels expressly things that were to happen after a long period of time, concerning perilous Times in the last days, and great Corruptions of Manners, and a Man of Sin to be revealed after the Destruction of the Roman Empire: And our Saviour himself, even in the earliest Times of the Gospel, before his own Sufferings, and before the Apostles could have entertained any prejudice about the World's coming quickly to an End, and in that very Prophecy from whence that prejudice itself is supposed to have arisen, [page 216-217] Luke. xxi. 24. ..." - Sermons on the Following subjects' viz. ... by Samuel Clarke, D.D. late rector of St James's, Westminster. Published from the Author's Manuscript, by John Clarke, D.D. Dean of Sarum. Volume. IX. The Second Edition. London, Printed by W. Botham, for James and John Knapton, at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard. MDCCXXXI. (1731); pages 215-217 - https://books.google.com/books?id=VN1aAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[DignifiedResponse]

William Sherwin (1676) -

 

"... But because the first 6000 years appear to be also appointed by him [Christ Jesus] for the carrying on of his Design for that state in the seventh Millennium, and therefore to run parallel with the said decreed great work of the Redemption of the World, viz. both of Men and Creatures, (as we said) we shall upon this third Particular, respecting Christs carrying it on in the six first Millenniums to the seventh, consider, what proof and evidence we find from the word of God for the same, which may double the strength of the said farther remaining Proofs which we are to proceed to speak of; therefore we shall first manifest the reality thereof from scripture warrant, before we proceed to the other proofs thereof, (which will include much also of the condition of that said state from first to last) first the Holy Ghost excellently expoundeth them by his resembling of them to the six dayes of Creation, before God rested the seventh day, and to the Type of the Israelites rest in Canaan under Joshua's conduct, signifying thereby, that after 6000 years should be Christs Sabbatisme of rest from such his great work of Redemption: as the Spirit of God explains both, Heb. 3, and 4 ch. which our Saviour likewise confirmeth by his most sure Revelation interpretation thereof, and none like it.

 

And 2dly, this is also done by God's Spirit comparing 1000 years to one day; as first from Psal. 90. where 1000 years which God are said to be as yesterday, which the Apostle Peter, 2 Epist. 3. 8. sets forth with great Emphasis, and declares it to be a great point, which he would not have Christians ignorant of, that one day with the Lord, [Christ] (whose coming he there speaks of) is as 1000 years; and he puts it both wayes, saying, and 1000 years as one day; viz. in reference to his said coming, to be [left hand column to right hand column] at the end of the sixth Millennium; and our Saviour also most exactly determineth that Sabbatisme of the seventh Millennium accordingly, by 1000 years six times over, Rev. 20. 2,3,4,5,6,7. of which more afterwards, &c.

 

3. Christ's carrying on that said work of Redemption for his Universal True Church, as that work which his Father gave him to do, in that respect, in his execution of his three great Offices in the time of his Mediatorship in the World, which was first in his eminent Prophetical Office in 4000 years to his first coming; and secondly in his eminent Priestly Office in the New Testament, in the next 2000 years, before the period of his eminent Kingly Office for his said Universal true Church will begin, in that following state in that world to come: (as is largely proved in our Treatise on Gen. 3. 15). …" - Euangellion Aionuon Tes Oukoumenes Tes Mellouses: or the Saints First Revealed and Covenanted Mercies, Shortly Approaching. by William Sherwin, Minister of the Gospel., London, Printed in the Year 1676.; section The Introduction to our Scheme or short Prospective View on the most strong and clear evidence of the blessed state of the 1000 years, Rev. 20. as is manifest in our late Works. Shewing; page (3) - https://books.google.com/books?id=ag03AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[DignifiedResponse]

Richard Challoner (Roman Catholic Bishop; reviser of the Douay Rheims (Jesuit) Bible and noted commentator) (1691–1781) -

 

"... the world has not yet lasted six thousand years ..." - Think Well On't or Reflections on the Great Truths of the Christian Religion, for every day in the month., by Bishop Challoner, and Thirty Days' Prayer; Clefton, Bristol. Printed and Published by G. Bowen. Sold also by S. Gilbert, 26, Paternoster Row; F.A. Little, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden; Rockliff & Ellis, Liverpool; Spencer, Bath; Clark, Southampton; Lellim Newport, Isle of Wight; and all Booksellers. MDCCCXLI. (1841)- page 52 - https://books.google.com/books?id=J6M0AQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[DignifiedResponse]

John Gill (23 November 1697 – 14 October 1771) -

 

"... However, the numerous rock layers that are the supposed proof for these ages, were mainly laid down by Noah's flood. In Exo_20:11 we read of a literal six day creation. No gaps, not even for one minute, otherwise these would not be six normal days. Also, in Rom_5:12 we read that death is the result of Adam's sin. Because the rock layers display death on a grand scale, they could not have existed before the fall of Adam. There is no direct evidence that the earth is much older than six thousand years. However, we have the direct eyewitness report of God himself that he made everything in six days. Tracing back through the biblical genealogies we can determine the age of the universe to be about six thousand years with an error of not more than two per cent. ..." - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, section Genesis 1:2; [PDF page 7] - https://ia600204.us.archive.org/23/items/JohnGillsCommentaryOnTheBible.doc/John Gill's Commentary on the Bible.doc.pdf

 

"... among the Jews, that, answerable to the six days of creation, the world will continue six thousand years. It is a tradition of Elias (u), an ancient Jewish doctor, that

 

"the world shall stand six thousand years, two thousand void, two thousand under the law, and two thousand, the days of the Messiah.''

 

And Baal Hatturim (w) observes, there are six "alephs" in the first verse of this chapter, answerable to the six thousand years the world is to continue: and R. Gedaliah says (x), at the end of the sixth millennium the world shall return without form and void, (to its former condition, "tohu" and "bohu",) and the whole shall be a sabbath: and very particular is another writer (y) of theirs concerning these six days of the creation, who having spoken of the day of judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the world to come, observes, that the six days' work is an intimation and sign of these things: on the sixth day man was created, and the work was perfected on the seventh; ..." - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, section Genesis 1:31; [PDF page 32] - https://ia600204.us.archive.org/23/items/JohnGillsCommentaryOnTheBible.doc/John%20Gill%27s%20Commentary%20on%20the%20Bible.doc.pdf

 

"... Thus they say (a),

"in the time to come, which is in the last days, on the sixth day, which is the sixth millennium, when the Messiah comes, for the day of the holy blessed God is a thousand years.''
 

And a little after,
 

""the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, a woman shall compass a man". This is in the time of the Messiah which is in the sixth day.''
 

And elsewhere (b),
 

"the sixth degree is called the sixth day, the day of the holy blessed God is a thousand years. And in that day the King Messiah shall come, and it shall be called the feast of gathering, for the holy blessed God will gather in it the captivity of his people.''

So they call the sabbath, or seventh day, the seventh millennium, and interpret (c).

""the song for the sabbath day", Psalm 92:1 title, for the seventh millennium, for one day of the holy blessed God is a thousand years.''

To which agrees the tradition of Elias, which runs thus (d);

"it is the tradition of the house of Elias, that the world shall be six thousand years, two thousand years void (of the law), two thousand years the law, and two thousand years the days of the Messiah;''

for they suppose that the six days of the creation were expressive of the six thousand years in which the world will stand; and that the seventh day prefigures the last millennium, in which will be the day of judgment, and the world to come; for

"the six days of the creation (they say (e)) is a sign or intimation of these things: on the sixth day man was created; and on the seventh his work was finished; so the kings of the nations of the world (continue) five millenniums, answering to the five days, in which were created the fowls, and the creeping things of the waters, and other things; and the enjoyment of their kingdom is a little in the sixth, answerable to the creation of the beasts, and living creatures created at this time in the beginning of it; and the kingdom of the house of David is in the sixth millennium, answerable to the creation of man, who knew his Creator, and ruled over them all; and in the end of that millennium will be the day of judgment, answerable to man, who was judged in the end of it; and the seventh is the sabbath, and it is the beginning of the world to come.''

(z) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 8. fol. 7. 3. Vajikra Rabba, sect. 19. fol. 160. 2. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 216. 1. Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 20. 1. Zohar in Exod. fol. 60. 1. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 157. 1. & Nishmet Chayim Orat. 1. c. 5. fol. 12. 1.((a) Zohar in Gen. fol. 13. 4. (b) Ib. fol. 16. 1.((c) Bartenora in Misn. Tamid, c. 7. sect. 4. (d) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 97. 1. & Avoda Zara, fol. 9. 1.((e) Ceseph Misna in Maimon. Hilchot Teshuva, c. 9. sect. 2." - http://biblehub.com/2_peter/3-8.htm

[DignifiedResponse]

Edward Gibbon (Bible skeptic, religious critic, records the almost universally accepted belief of the 6 millenniums) (8 May 1737 – 16 January 1794) -

 

"... The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. As the works of the creation had been finished in six days, their duration in their present state, according to a tradition which was attributed to the prophet Elijah, was fixed to six thousand years. [i.] BY the same analogy it was inferred, that this long period of labour and contention, which was now almost elapsed, [j.] would be succeeded by a joyful sabbath of a thousand years; and that Christ, which the triumphant band of the saints and the elect who had escaped death, or who had been miraculously revived, would reign upon earth till the time appointed for the last and general resurrection. So pleasing was this hope to the mind of the believers, that the New Jerusalem, the seat of this blissful kingdom, was quickly adorned with all the gayest colours of the imagination. A felicity consisting only of pure and spiritual pleasure would have appeared too refined for its inhabitants, who were still supposed to [page 93-94] possess their human nature and senses. A garden of Eden, with the amusement of the pastoral life, was no longer suited to the advanced state of society which prevailed under the Roman empire. A city was therefore erected of gold and precious stones, and a supernatural plenty of corn and wine was bestowed on the adjacent territory; in the free enjoyment of whose spontaneous production, the happy and benevolent people was never to be restrained by any jealous laws of exclusive property. [k.] The assurance of such a Millennium was carefully inculcated by a succession of fathers from Justin Martyr [L.] and Irenaeus, who conversed with the immediate disciples of the apostles, down to Lactantius, who was preceptor to the son of Constantine. [m.] Though it might not be universally received, it appears to have been the reigning sentiment of the orthodox believers; and it seems so well adapted to the desires and apprehensions of mankind, that it must have contributed in a very considerable degree to the progress of the Christian faith. ..." - The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. by Edward Gibbon, Esq. In Eight Volumes. Volume II. London: Printed for T. Cadell; C. and J. Rivington; J. Cuthell; J. Nunn; Longman, Rees, and Co.; J. and W. T. Clarke; J. and A. Arch; J. Richardson; J. M. Richardson; Jeffery and Son; W. Ginger; Hatchard and Son; S. Bagster; R. Scholey; Baldwin and Cradock; J. Bohn; W. Joy; Hamilton, Adams, and Co.; J. Duncan; G. B. Whittaker; W. Mason; Simpkin and Marshall; Parbury, Allen, and Co.; Saunders and Hodgson; Lloyd and Son; J. A. Hessey; T. Holdsworth; T. Bumpus; Black, Young, and Young; W. J. and J. Maynard; Whitmore and Fenn; J. Bain; R. Templeman; J. Wicksteed; R. Steel; W. H. Ainsworth; T. Griffiths; R. Mackie; J. Parker, Oxford; and J. and J. Deighton, Cambridge: and A. Black, and J. Fairbarin, Edinburgh. 1828.; pages 93-94 - https://books.google.com/books?id=MQo_AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[DignifiedResponse]

Robert Clayton (1751) -

 

"... However when we speak of these Events in general, and in round Numbers, we may suppose they will come to pass about the 6000th Year of the Age of the World. Which wonderfully coincides with an ancient Tradition that prevailed among the Jews above the 1700 Years ago. Which Tradition is to be found in the Talmud, under the Head Rosch Haschana, and in the Section that begins Tom Tob, and is to this Purpose: That * this World is to last 6000 Years, in its present State, and after one millinary more, it shall be destroyed; as it is said, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day, that is, in the seventh Millinary. According to which Tradition the Jews then asserted that the Messiah was to come at the End of 6000 Years from the Creation of the [page 37-38] World, that the Manner in which God is said by Moses to have created the World, by making it in six Days, and appointing the seventh to be a Sabbath of Rest to Man and Beast; also his appointing every seventh Year to be a Sabbath of Rest unto the Land, in which they should neither plow nor sow; and every seventh Sabbath of Years, to be a * Jubilee, in which Liberty should be proclaimed throughout all the Land, unto all the Inhabitants thereof, was a Type of this seventh Millinary. Which + Tradition the Jews then made use of in Argument against the Christians, when these last upon the Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, by Titus, and the actual ceasing of the Oblation and Sacrifice, insisted upon it, that according to the Prophecies contained in the Hebrew Bible, the Messiah must be come. To which the Jews thought it sufficient to reply, that the World was not yet 6000 Years old.

 

Whence it appears that the Jews had a Tradition of the Coming of the Messiah at [page 38-39] the End of 6000 Years. But if we consider they disposed of these six thousand Years, we shall then find that they had also a Tradition that the Messiah was to come at the End of four thousand Years. Which Tradition is to be found in the Talmud, under the Head Shanedrim, Section Helec; as also in Havoda Zara, Section Liphne Edehen, to this Purpose, that * this World is to last six thousand Years, two thousand Years of which may be reckoned as the Age of Vanity or rather of Inanity; two thousand the Age of the Law; and two thousand the Age of the Messiah.

 

Whence it is plain that according to this Tradition the Messiah ought to have been come above 1700 Years ago, or even according to the Calculations of the Jews themselves above + 1500 Years ago. And therefore in order to reconcile these two Traditions, we are not to suppose there are to be two Mes- [page 39-40] siah's, as some of the Jews have vainly imagined, for the Scriptures positively declare that there shall be but one Messiah; for thus faith the Prophet Ezekiel, when speaking in the Name of God, || I will set up ONE Shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my Servant David, he shall feed them, and he shall be their Shepherd.

 

And therefore since it is manifest that the Prophet * Isaiah speaks of the Messiah as in a State of Affliction and Distress, we may suppose these two thousand Years of the Day of the Messiah, which the Tradition reckons as Part of the six thousand Years, to be his State of Humiliation; since it is allowed on all Hands both by Jews and Christians, that the Messiah hath not yet appeared in his State of Exaltation.

 

And correspondent thereto is the Tradition of Rabbi Abija, in that Part of the Talmud before quoted, viz. in Rosch-Haschana, in the Section that begins Tom Tob. Wherein he asserts that after two Milliniaries then shall come one of Refreshing, in Proof of which he quotes the Prophet Hosea, where he says, + After two Days he will revive us, in the [page 40-41] third Day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his Sight. Which undoubtedly alludes to the two Millinaries of Years, during which Time the Kingdom of the Messiah is to be in its depressed State, whereas in the third it shall be raised into a State of Glory. And therefore the Probability is that the grand Jubilee of the seventh Millinary will be honoured by the Appearance of the Messiah in a State of Triumph and Glory; when the Kingdom and Dominion, and the Greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall be given to the People o the Saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all Dominions shall serve and obey him. Which, says the Prophet Daniel, is the End of the Matter. ..." - An Enquiry into the Time of the Coming of the Messiah, and the Restoration of the Jews: in a Letter from Robert, Lord Bishop of Clogher, to an Eminent Jew. London: Printed for J. Brindlev, Bookseller to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in New-Bond-Street. 1751; pages 37-41 - https://books.google.com/books?id=BqgOAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[DignifiedResponse]

Adam Clarke (b. 1760–1762, d. August 28, 1832) -

 

“... [Daniel 2:45 commentary] 9. The duration of the kingdom of the mountain upon earth. The world has now lasted nearly six thousand years, and a very ancient tradition has predicted its termination at the close of that period. Its duration has been divided into three grand periods, each comprising two thousand years, which should be closed by a period without terminating limits; and these have been supposed to have their types in the six days’ work of the creation, and the seventh day, called Sabbath or rest.

 

1. There have been two thousand years from the creation without any written revelation from God; this was called the patriarchal dispensation.

 

2. There have been two thousand years under the law, where there has been a written revelation, a succession of prophets, and a Divine ecclesiastical establishment. This has been termed the Mosaic dispensation.

 

3. One thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine years have passed since the true epoch of the nativity of our blessed Lord; and this is called the Gospel or Christian dispensation, which is now within one hundred and seventy-one years of closing its two thousand!

 

According to the ancient tradition there were,

 

1. Two thousand years void; that is, without the law.

2. Two thousand years under the law. And,

3. Two thousand years under the Messiah.

 

And at the termination of the third the endless Sabbath should commence. The comments on this ancient tradition go on to state, that at the termination of each day’s work of the creation it was said, The evening and the morning were the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth day; but when the Sabbath is introduced, and God is said to rest from his work, and to have hallowed this day, there is no mention of the evening and the morning being the seventh day. That is left without termination; and therefore a proper type of the eternal Sabbath, that rest which remains for the people of God.

 

And are we indeed so near that time when the elements of all things shall be dissolved by fervent heat; when the heavens shall be shrivelled up like a scroll, and the earth and all it contains be burned up? ...” - The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments. The Text carefully printed from the most correct copies of the present Authorized Translation. Including the Marginal Readings and Parallel Texts. with a Commentary and Critical Notes, designed as a help to a better understanding of the Sacred Writings. By Adam Clarke, LL.D. F.S.A. M.R.I.A., Volume IV. New York: Printed and Published by Abraham Paul, No. 72 Nassau-Street. 1825.; Daniel 2:45 Commentary - https://books.google.com/books?id=h2U7AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false