"The Age to Come"

BY JOSEPH MARSH 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., PUBLISHED AT THE ADVENT HARBINGER OFFICE 1851

TWELVE THRONES

will be prepared for the twelve apostles of the Lamb. It seems they will be intimately associated with Christ in the government of the kingdom; and will eat and drink at his table. They may constitute a part of his wise cabinet. 

Is this too literal for you? Then listen to the plain words of the Savior. Speaking to his apostles, he says: 

Matt. xix. 28. "When the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." 

Here it is clearly proved, that the apostles will sit on twelve literal thrones, as it is that Christ will actually sit in the throne of his glory. Both, doubtless, will be most literally and gloriously fulfilled. 

Luke xxii. 29, 30. "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." 

Comments on so plain and positive a promise as this, are superfluous. All that seems necessary to say relative to it is, It will not fail: for he who has made the appointment to his apostles, will not disappoint their hopes ~~ they will sit upon thrones in his kingdom, and eat at his table; it will be a glorious reality. 

Isaiah associates princes with Christ in his glorious reign. He says: 

Isa. xxxii. 1. "Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment." 

The princes, doubtless, are the apostles; to whom John refers when speaking of the commencement of the millennial reign of Christ. He says: 

Rev. xx. 4. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them." 

This testimony must suffice on this point. It incontrovertibly proves, that the apostles will be intimately associated with Christ in the government of his kingdom, in the Age to come. 

It appears, from many passages of Scripture, that the immortal saints will also, to a certain extent, take part in the work of executing the laws of the kingdom. For they are to be "unto our God, kings and priests: and reign on the earth" (Rev. v. 10; xx. 4, 6.) They are to "judge the world," (1 Cor. vi. 2.) They are to have dominion over ten, five and two cities, according to their ability to govern, (Luke xix.) In view of this high calling, the Psalmist says: 

Psa. cxlix. 5-9. "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand. 

"To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people. 

"To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron. 

"To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints." 

Finally, as this great subject presents itself, in the clear light of the Scriptures, we view it thus: 

The kingdom will be set up at Jerusalem, in Palestine, and most perfectly organized after the following manner: ~~ The Lord will come. The saints who sleep in Jesus will be raised, and, with the living righteous, be made immortal, and all be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They will come with him to the mount of Olives. Eden, or Palestine will be restored. Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Zion will be redeemed. The tabernacle of David will be raised up. The throne of David will be restored. Twelve thrones for the apostles, will be set up. The immortal saints will receive, as kings and priests, their respective appointments in the Kingdom. And when the kingdom is fully organized, and restored to Israel, then the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, to govern and enlighten the world and fill it with the glory of the Lord. 

This is not a fancy sketch, but a faint description of that which will soon be a most glorious reality. Every thing pertaining to the kingdom will be real and altogether glorious. It is vain to attempt to describe it. Soon it will be revealed, to the joy of all who are the true heirs of glory; but to the sorrow of the enemies of Christ. 

With the setting up of the kingdom, will the millennial reign of Christ commence, which will be marked with the . . . 

Destruction of All His Enemies