The true state of the Millennium, according to Characters taken from Scripture; some mistakes concerning it, examin’d.
WE have made sufficient proof of a Millennial state, from Scripture and Antiquity; and upon that firm Basis have setled our second Proposition. We should now determine the Time and Place of this future kingdom of Christ: Not whether it is to be in Heaven, or upon Earth: for that we suppose determin’d already; but whether it is to be in the present Earth, and under the present constitution of Nature, or in the New Heavens and New Earth, which are promis’d after the Conflagration. This is to make our Third Proposition: and I should have proceeded immediately to the examination of it, but that I imagine it will give us some light in this affair, if we enquire further into the true state of the Millennium, before we determine its Time and Place.
We have already noted some moral Characters of the Millennial state; And the great Natural Character of it, is this in general, That it will be Paradisiacal. Free from all inconveniences, either of external Nature, or of our own Bodies. For my part, I do not understand how there can be any considerable degree of
Fifthly, This will be a state under a peculiar divine presence and conduct. It is not easie indeed to determine the manner of this presence, but the Scripture plainly implies some extraordinary divine presence to enlighten and enliven that state. When the New Jerusalem was come down, St. John says, And I heard a great voice out of Heaven, saying, Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men: and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people: and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And the like is promis’d to the Palm-bearing Company, Chap. 7. 15. where they are admitted to the priviledges of the New Jerusalem. When our Saviour was incarnate, and vouchsafed to dwell amongst the Children of Men, the same phrase is us’d by this same Author, Joh. 1. 14. 1 The Word was made flesh, and Tabernacled amongst us: and we beheld his glory, &c. We read it, He dwelt amongst us, but render’d more closely, it is, He set his Tabernacle amongst us. And that which the Hebrews call the Shekinah, 2 or divine presence, comes from this very word. Therefore there will be a Shekinah in that kingdom of Christ; but as to the mode of it, I am very willing to confess my ignorance.
The last Character that belongs to this state, or rather to those that enjoy it, is, that they are Kings and Priests unto God. This is a character often repeated in Scripture, and therefore the more to be regarded. It occurs thrice in the Apocalypse in formal terms, Ch. 1. 6. Ch. 5. 10. Ch. 20. 6. And as to the Regal dignity apart, that is further exprest, either by the donation of a kingdom, as in Daniel's phrase, Chap. 7. 18, 22, 27. Or by placing upon Thrones, with a judicial power; which is the New Testament style, Matt. 19. 28. Luk. 22. 29, 30. Revel. 20. 4. These two Titles, no doubt, are intended to comprehend the highest honours that we are capable of: these being the highest dignities in every kingdom; and such as were by the Ancients, both in the East and in the West, commonly united in one and the same Person: Their Kings being Priests, like Melchisedeck: or as the Roman Emperour was Pontifex Maximus. But as to the Sacerdotal character, that seems chiefly to respect the temper of the mind; to signifie a People dedicated to God and his Service: Separate from the World, and from secular affairs: Spending their time in devotion and contemplation, which will be the great employments of that happy state. For where there is ease, peace, and plenty of all things: refin’d Bodies, and purified Minds, there will be more inclination to intellectual exercises and entertainments: which they may attend upon, without any distraction, having neither want, pain, nor worldly business.
The Title of King implies a confluence of all things that constitute temporal happiness. ’Tis the highest thing we can wish any in this World, to be a King. So as the Regal dignity seems to comprehend all the Goods of Fortune, or external felicity: And the Sacerdotal, the Goods of the Mind, or internal: Both
This is a short and general draught of the Millennial state, or future Reign of the Saints, according to Scripture. Wherein I have endeavour’d to rectifie some mistakes or misconceptions about it: That viewing it in its true nature, we may be the better able to judge when and where it will obtain. Which is the next thing to be consider’d.
354:1 ἐσκήγωση.
354:2 שכינה
Maimon. Mor. Nev. par. 1. c. 25
