Elpis Israel by John Thomas
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Elpis Israel By John Thomas (Fourteenth Edition - Revised [1990]) • Publisher's Preface • Biographical Notes • Author's Preface • Publisher's Notes Part I The Rudiments of the World • Chapter 1 -- The Necessity of a Revelation • Chapter 2 -- The Creation of the Earth and Man • Chapter 3 -- God's Law, and How Sin Entered into the World • Chapter 4 -- The Sentence of Death - The Ruin of the Old World and the Preservation of a Remnant • Chapter 5 -- Immortality - Religion - "Clergy" and "Laity" • Chapter 6 -- The Present World in Relation to the World to Come Part II The Things of the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ • Chapter 7 -- The Gospel of the Kingdom in Relation to Israel and the Gentiles • Chapter 8 -- The Gospel Preached to Abraham: His Faith and Works • Chapter 9 -- The Gospel Preached to Isaac and Jacob: The Scripture Doctrine of Election • Chapter 10 -- The Gospel in Relation to the Mosaic Economy • Chapter 11 -- Things Concerning the Name of Jesus Christ Part III The Kingdoms of the World and Their Relation to The Kingdom of God • Chapter 12 -- Nebuchadnezzar's Image - The Hand of God in Human History • Chapter 13 -- Roman Babylon and the Resurrection of the Witnesses • Chapter 14 -- "Vials of the Wrath of God" - Armageddon • Chapter 15 -- The Eastern Question Before Christ • Chapter 16 -- The Eastern Question in "the Time of the End" • Chapter 17 -- The Resurrection of Israel - The Second Exodus - The Millennium - "The End" PUBLISHER'S PREFACE ELPIS ISRAEL was written over 100 years ago: it was a pioneer work. As appears from the Biographical Notes which follow the "Contents" page, it was written at the request of those who had heard Dr. Thomas's lectures on the Bible, and particularly on Bible prophecies, while he was on a visit from The United States to get a closer view of the stirring events of 1848 and to lecture on the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. It is a testimony to Dr. Thomas's extensive knowledge of The Bible that he was able in four months, away from his books and lexicons, to write a work - massive in its understanding of the revealed purpose of God. At the time it was written, frank speech expressed in robust language was indulged in without offence, and in this matter, the book reflects its age. The forthrightness of the writer is seen in the vigour of his words and modern readers must make some allowance for this. The main substance of the book has stood the test of study by four generations of believers in God's Word. In the edition of 1903 some minor blemishes were removed, as explained under the heading of Publisher's Notes. As the title implies, great emphasis is given to the doctrine of the Kingdom of God, while the doctrine of the Atonement receives what might appear to be only incidental reference. Those who may criticize the balance of the work should bear in mind the conditions of the time when it was written. The doctrine of the Kingdom was neglected or misinterpreted; on the necessity of the Cross there was general agreement even though atonement was distorted into the appeasing of an angry Deity. The disproportionate emphasis in Dr. Thomas's work is the converse of that prevailing at the time, and met a contemporary need. Were Dr. Thomas writing in the present conditions of widespread unbelief, he would doubtless respond to the current needs with no less vigour of mind. In judging this work his immediate object must he kept in view. The third part of the book deals with prophecy in relation to world affairs. Here understanding was influenced by an expectation of the Lord's early advent, which proved premature, and much that has now to he treated with reserve derived from this outlook. Whilst some things looked for came to pass others did not; but it must be recognized that the world is conforming in general, to the pattern expected, even though on a larger scale than was looked for 100 years ago. The whole world is knit together by modern means of communication; yet it is clear that as a result of the stresses of two world wars, the world is divided into two groups which might in general terms be called the land-mass group and the maritime group of nations. This is what was expected, and the impending clash of the rival forces, equipped as they are with unimagined powers of destruction, will inevitably take place in the near East. Shining brightly amidst the general distress and perplexity is the rise of the State of Israel. This is a landmark. clear and unmistakable, which shows that we are nearing the end of Gentile times. The book is reprinted as in the 1903 edition. The seeker for truth will find much to help, and in view of the times and circumstances of the book's origin, will bear with the imperfections time has revealed. The Biographical notes (pages xiii-xvi), the extracts from the Author's Prefaces (pages xvii-xxiv), and the Publisher's notes (pages xxv-xxvi) are as printed in the 1924 edition. The reader should remember, especially when reading the Third Part of the work, that the references to recent events or existing institutions are to what were recent or existing in 1849, when the book was first written. In order not to interfere with the author's argument, these passages are left unaltered, but this note is made here to prevent misunderstanding. Examples are to be found on pages 372, 384, 407, 413,428,435, 442. Birmingham, 1958. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES JOHN THOMAS was born in Hoxton Square, London, on April 12th, 1805. Information concerning his ancestry is meagre, and interest centres more in his work than in his extraction. He studied medicine at an early age in Chorley and London, and contributed to The Lancet occasionally as far back as 1830. His English degree, of that year's date, is M.R.C.S., his M.D. being an American degree of date 1848. Some insinuations of unfriendly critics have been met by the brief statement of facts that appears in The Christadelphian for April, 1886, page 152. In 1832 Dr. Thomas emigrated to America, making the passage as surgeon to the ship Marquis of Wellesley. The vessel ran ashore on Sable Island, and it was supposed she would be lost with all hands. Dr. Thomas was naturally exercised as to the future state, and finding himself in a state at hopeless ignorance on the matter, resolved, if his life should be spared, that he would end the uncertainty and search out the truth upon the matter. On getting safely ashore he did not forget this resolution and in the course of his travels, having been introduced to Mr. Walter Scott, of "Campbellite" associations, and by him convinced of the necessity of baptism, he submitted to immersion as an ordinance appointed of God. From this time onward he became involved with Campbellism and theological expositions and discussions which were altogether distasteful to him, and from which he would fain have escaped. But it was not to be. At Wellsburg, Va., in 1833, he made the acquaintance of Alexander Campbell, and was by him constrained to speak in his meeting-place which he did, on Daniel's prophecies, and on the subject of The Apostasy spoken of by Paul. From this time forth wherever he went he was in demand in this connection. At Baltimore, Md., and at Philadelphia, Pa., he was likewise constrained to set forth what he then believed to be the truth. At Philadelphia he set up as a medical practitioner; but his practice was somewhat hampered by the Biblical studies and speaking in which he had become involved. In 1834 Dr. Thomas started a monthly magazine called The Apostolic Advocate, in the pages of which he manifested an understanding of the Scriptures, and especially of the Apocalypse, that was rare in those times (and, indeed, in any), and gave promise of the fruit of after years, of which Elpis Israel is a good sample. About this time, by the growing influence of "the Word", Dr. Thomas was rapidly becoming "wiser than his teachers", and trouble ensued. He perceived that the knowledge and belief of the gospel must in God's appointments precede baptism, and was thereupon re-immersed upon the belief of what he then supposed to be the gospel, and which was certainly much nearer to it than the very rudimentary belief with which he had been immersed a few years previously. Upon this there naturally arose a cry against what Alexander Campbell and his followers called "Anabaptism". Mr. Campbell controverted Dr. Thomas in The Millennial Harbinger, and he replied vigorously in The Apostolic Advocate, in which, in December 1835, he published an article in all good faith under the heading, "Information Wanted ", putting forward a series of 34 questions intended to elucidate the Scriptural doctrines of eternal life, the Kingdom of God, and related topics. This was treated by Campbellism as heretical speculation, and a rupture followed which was never healed. In 1839, becoming tired of theological strife, Dr. Thomas migrated westward into the State of Illinois, and settled at Longrove upon some 300 acres of land and took to farming, with experiences of an arduous and sometimes amusing character. 1841 found him editing a weekly newspaper at St. Charles, and in 1842 a monthly magazine called The Investigator. About this time a taste of Job's experience befell him, for, having removed to Louisville, Va., and determined to sell the farm in Illinois, he intrusted the sale to an agent who absconded with the proceeds, leaving Dr.