Wandering in the Wilderness
by the late Charles Hurst

Editor’s Note: One of the truly great Bible scholars I have been privileged to know was the late Charles Hurst. He was born into the message and he remembered almost everything his father had taught him. Yet, he studied constantly and as a reward, God gave him wonderful insight. We talked often by telephone and the morning after a conversation on September 15 th , 1997, in which 2003 was a focus, he sat down and penned a letter to me that is too good not to share. Charles died a couple of years later but even he would have been astounded to view all the happenings in the Israel lands since that morning in 1997 and how they are so quickly leading to the inevitable conclusion.

The following was taken from an article written in 1961 by one of the greatest exponents of B.I. truths, namely Bernard Nicklin. Mr. Nicklin died shortly thereafter and did not live to comment at the end of his forecasts.

As we know, when God cast Israel off into punishment, it was not [to be] forever. During the period when Israel became or was reduced to the subject of a subjected race, a Divine Charter was given to four Gentile powers, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. In his book, “Light for the Last Days,” Dr. Grattan Guiness maintained that the “Seven Times” given for Israel’s abasement and Gentile Supremacy represented 2,520 years (7 x 360), which beginning with the epoch 607-587BC that saw Judah subjugated by Babylon, should expire 1915 to 1934. Although Guiness’ book was published in 1886, he foresaw 1917 would be a great year for Jerusalem, and of course, with its liberation by the English, it was, and again, that later the “Door” of Palestine would open for Jews to return there, which also proved true.

Guiness maintained that the “little horn, ” that is, “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn…” (Daniel 7:8) would occupy the second half of the times of the Gentiles, represented by Papal Rome, and showed how stages in the rise of this power had been marked “1260” years, later by stages in its decline. Guiness regarded the full development of Papal power as having been reached in 663 AD when Pope Vitalian decreed Latin as the language for Divine worship throughout Christendom. He noticed, more o ver, that this date fell at the exact bisection of the Seven Times. At the end of 1260 years from the two notable stages in the rise of Papacy, rulers in Catholic countries were responsible for debasing it – Napoleon and Victor Emmanuel are the best examples. Because of this, we wondered when Mussolini arose at the end of 1260 years from the Vitalian Decree, if he was destined to deal the death-blow. We had, however, overlooked the fact that a spectacular revival of Papal power is prophesied just prior to the end of the age, when Babylon-Rome would say in her heart, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. ” (Revelation 18:7)

Commenting on this, the Reverend E.B. Elliott, quoted the Reverend Charles Daubuz (about 1720) as having said;

“Recovered from former judgments and losses, Rome will again appear invested with very great power, and having no apprehension of her future destruction…will revive all her former pretensions; whereupon Protestants, who judge according to human wisdom only, may think what she has done she will still do. Still, until ministries…show…“She is suddenly destroyed.” (Horae Apoc. Vol. 4, page 32 published in 1851. ) Hence, true to prophecy, Mussolini played the part of restorer, for by a treaty signed February 11, 1929, the Pope received back his Temporal Power, a substantial indemnity and the right to re-establish Cannon Law in Italy.

At one time it seemed to us the consummation would come by 1934, but when that year passed it appeared that something had been overlooked, and gradually it dawned upon us that we had failed to take into account Daniel’s 1290 period for desolation. “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:11).

What does prophecy state regarding the coming destruction of Rome? In one day she shall be utterly burned with fire . (Rev. 18:19). And this will be accomplished as a result of a great earthquake (Rev. 16:18) and a great hail (Rev. 16:21). Not a literal earthquake, for it is evidently that which Haggai describes, “I will shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.” (Haggai 2:6-7)

It was not until “doodle bugs” and “V2” rockets began to fall on London and two atomic bombs wiped out two of Japan’s cities, that it dawned upon us, these arrows represent guided missiles . “Woe be unto thee, Babylon...For strong is his right hand that bendeth the bow, his arrows that he shooteth are sharp, and shall not miss, when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.” (2 Esdras 16: 1,13) and the star and all wrath nuclear bombs (2 Esdras 14:40-44) that it is by such means that modern Babylon’s desolation is to be effected.

The late F.M. Lawson, writing in the early 1900’s, drew attention to what he called a Law of Terminals operating in these Bible periods, “That circumstances at the commencement of a period were, in some way, related to circumstances at the end.” Thus, we see Britain has gone back to Rome, in three directions, politically, economically and religiously, by joining the European Union, which is based on the Treaty of Rome, while many in ecclesiastical circles are clamoring for reunion with the Church of Rome.

Referring now to our final exodus, a prophecy in Micah reads, “According to the days of thy coming out the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things. ” (Micah 7:15) Importantly, this is a foreshadowing of a far greater deliverance from bondage in the last days.

It is important to note that the Reformation in England had two stages.

Political (1529-1534) when all appeals to Rome, all appointments made by Rome and all payments to the Pope were declared illegal and by the Act of 1534, the Pope’s authority in England was abolished.

Religious (1559-1564) when a Protestant prayer book was made compulsory by the Act of Uniformity, passed in 1559 and by publication of the 39 Articles in 1563, the Reformation was complete.

Now the Exodus from Egypt came at the end of two foretold periods – 400 years from one starting point —”And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years,” ( Genesis 15:13) and 430 years from another , “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:40,41). Did the two stages of the Reformation in England mark the commencement of similar periods to end in the final greater exodus? If so, both terminate AD 1959-1964. Do they?

Is it not significant that we broke from Rome in the reign of Elizabeth I, yet, the enslaving of us is being made in the reign of Elizabeth II. Still, the Bible tells us we shall be saved from this enslavement as we were from our bondage in Egypt. [Ed.- More on this later in the article]

Daniel 12: 7 reads in part, “…when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” For a long time this passage was regarded as referring to our world-wide dispersion. But, as pointed out in the National Message of April 2, 1941, according to Hebrew scholars , the words “scatter the power of the holy people” definitely relates to the breaking of Israel’s power at the end of the age.

When about to enter into his God-given inheritance and crossover into the Promised Land, the patriarch Jacob’s power was broken. News had reached him that his brother Esau, who had swo rn to kill him, was approaching with 400 men (warriors). Jacob imagined that for him and his family, it meant extermination. What could he do? He was defenceless and escape was impossible. Terrified, he spent the night in prayer; but instead of receiving help God dislocated his thigh, rendering him powerless, so that he was forced to commit himself wholly into God’s hands. Then, something wonderful happened. He was converted, became a changed man, was renamed Israel, meaning “Ruling with God,” and was at once completely protected and so, was saved. Jeremiah foresaw this incident to have been prophetic of a like experience to be passed through by Jacob’s descendants at the end of the age, when they too would be completely saved in the same way. Accordingly, we believe it applies especially to Britain, America & others of the Celto-Anglo-Saxon group. A question has to be asked, “ Does their enemy resemble Esau? I think we can now answer – very much so. ” As Esau was responsible for the terrifying experience that led to Jacob’s conversion, it would seem Esau’s modern descendants are to be responsible for the conversion of Jacob’s descendants at the end.

A period of 65 years for the breaking of Ephraim is given in Isaiah 7:8, “….and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.” . While such a period was fulfilled at the commencement of his “Seven Times” punishment, is it also to run out at the end in the final breaking of Ephraim’s power? It should be mentioned here that the prophet Isaiah also made this prophecy, “For your shame ye shall have double.” (Isaiah 61:7)

So, on the accompanying chart note the following connection. From the opening of England’s door to Rome AD 1829-1833, 130 years (a double period of 65 years) ends 1959-1964.

Britain, by forsaking her Commonwealth partners, especially the Dominions and signing the Treaty of Rome, subjecting the Queen and Parliament to the Supreme power of the European Commission, has, for all intents and purposes, ceased to be a Sovereign power. Add to this, the Queen in attending a special Service of Commemoration at Westminster Cathedral marking the Centenary of this Spiritual Centre of Roman Catholicism in Britain on November 30th, 1995, belied her declaration of declaring that “I am a faithful Protestant” as well as her Coronation Oath.

We now know from history that when the period 1959-1963 was reached, the attempt to re-unite Israel Britain with Rome was well under way, yet there was no Exodus, nor was England fully broken and delivered.

I have given much thought on the time period 1959-1963 realizing that somewhere we got side-tracked. Then it occurred to me where Nicklin was on track as far as it went, another factor had to be considered. It dawned on me that after Moses led the children of Israel safely out of Egypt across the red Sea into the Sinai desert [the First Exodus] they received the Divine Laws and were now ready to go into the land of Canaan. Moses was instructed by the Lord to send men to spy out the land of Canaan. They came back after 40 days and brought back an evil report, that is, all except Caleb and Joshua. The people rebelled against Moses & Aaron, the whole congregation and for this God pronounced Judgment on them – it being 40 years wandering in the wilderness. I believe this time period of extra punishment applies also to latter day Israel. See Numbers Chapter 14 for more detail. So, t oday we are wandering in a wilderness of economic, political and religious confusion with the result that our deliverance and entrance into the Promised Land is postponed . The judgment preceding the Kingdom of God on Earth has been delayed by 40 years, the same time period inflicted on our father’s for their rebellious acts.

Editor’s Notes:

I’ve written before of how the period 1959-1963 has such significance and a quick review will reflect how that period falls within the above hypothesis. Charles’ first chart refers to the Times of the Gentiles. Nebuchadnezzar ascended his throne in 607BC and Jerusalem fell in 603BC. Seven times or 2,520 years were given Nebuchadnezzar’s throne and it interesting that the terminal points were 1914 & 1918. Of course, in 1914, WWI broke out, the American Federal Reserve was established and soon, huge debt and taxes became a great burden on Israelites and lessened their independent natures. 1918 saw the fulfillment of Daniel 7:9, “I beheld until the thrones were cast down” as the thrones of the Babylonian succession, that is Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and some smaller ones, were disbanded in 1918.

It’s easy to see the Hand of God in this prophecy, the numbers are so accurate. Yet, it is equally fascinating to see His Hand in subsequent time periods. Consider this, according to Bullinger. the number “fifteen” refers to acts wrought by the energy of Divine Grace. Now, consider how God employs this number in his Great Plan. First, let’s examine the 15 year periods as they relate to 1914.

1914 plus 15 years—The 1929 Great depression stripped much of the wealth of Israelites.

1929 plus 15 years—1944-Bretton Woods Conference to establish United Nations, the establishment of International Monetary Fund and Bank.

1944 plus 15 years—1959 - Israel Britain Prime Minister Harold McMillan establishes committee comprised of senior people from top cabinets to, among other things, to review overseas policies. MacMillan was an internationalists seeking European union and opted to disband Commonwealth.

Then, to look at 1918 on the same basis.

1918 plus 15 years –1933—Roosevelt enacts legislation to confiscate all the gold owned by Americans, ironically 2520 years from Nebuchadnezzar confiscating all the treasures of the Jerusalem Temple and King’s Palace. Hitler comes to power.

1933 plus 15 years—1948-Ephraim Britain leaves Palestine, modern Israeli State is born. America gives up mandate over Korea. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious instruction in public schools is unconstitutional.

1948 plus 15 years—1963—Harold MacMillan delivers Winds of Change speech which spells the end of British Commonwealth, Canada elects internationalist Lester Pearson as Prime Minister, preparing the way for abandonment of Israelite rights, the elimination of protection of the red Ensign and an internationalist agenda. In America, the Civil Rights legislation was introduced and J.F. Kennedy tries to introduce interest free money but is assassinated before program has any impact.

Mr. Hurst demonstrates that 40 years from the 1959-63 period, judgment is to be brought upon the Israel nations, as well as other nations in the world. Perhaps you will refer to the editorial in this issue for more information.

Turning very quickly to Daniel 9: 24-27, this was applied to the nation of Judah but many scholars believe it has to have a dual fulfillment on the House of Israel as well, primarily the Anglo-Saxon people. If the seventy weeks began in 1517 (the beginning of the Reformation), then the 70th week would begin in the year 2000 AD. In Daniel 9:26 we are told the messiah is cut off after 3 1/2 years but confirms the Covenant for one week (7 years). Christian writer Stephen Jones and Pastor Jory Brooks have both written good articles demonstrating that the 3 1/2 years represents the Baptism of Christ and the crucifixion takes place at the end of seven years. I also wrote on this in my book, The Mystery of the Seventh Millennium. Anyway, applying this to the years 2,000, we would arrive at 2003 as a beginning of final judgment and 2007 as the exodus, as depicted by Guiness and Nicklin (with Mr. Hurst’s revision to take advantage of the forty year wilderness.)

One final point, I have often thought of the 65 year prophecy in Isaiah 7:8 applying to Israel Britain from 1938 to 2003, the 1938 being the first capitulation by Britain in the post Elizabeth 1st era when Chamberlain gave in to Hitler over Czechoslovakia.