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Verse:“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” —Daniel 12:4
Through the centuries, many Bible expositors have studied the apocalyptic prophecies of Scripture. But no other single event in modern times generated more interest in that topic than the imprisonment of Pope Pius VI on February 15, 1798, by French troops led by General Louis-Alexandre Berthier.
Concerned about the French Revolution that was crushing Christianity in France, the pope condemned the revolution and even supported a league against it. In response, French soldiers conquered Rome, deposed the pope from his temporal authority, and even escorted him as a prisoner to various locations.
He died in the citadel of Valence on August 29, 1799. Not until 1929 would the Vatican State be fully reinstated. Bible expositors saw the imprisonment of the pope as the end of the 1,260 year-days of papal supremacy (Revelation 11:3; 12:6; cf. Daniel 7:25; Revelation 11:2; 12:14; 13:5) and the beginning of “the time of the end” (Daniel 8:17; 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9; cf. 8:19). That striking event generated major interest in Bible prophecies. The two sealed time prophecies in the book of Daniel—the 2,300 symbolic evenings and mornings (Daniel 8:14, 19, 26, 27) and the “time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 12:4–7)—were finally unveiled. From then on, time would be no longer just regular time (Greek, kronos) but rather eschatological time (Greek, eschaton).
Thus, the time had become solemn, and there was a growing awareness of it. Preachers around the globe emphasized the fulfillment of both the time prophecies and the cosmic signs of Christ’s soon return (Matthew 24:29–31; Luke 21:25–28).
But He did not return as soon as expected. And today, “the time of the end” has already been prolonged for more than two centuries.
As foretold in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), the bridegroom’s delay would cause all of the virgins to slumber and sleep. But the parable assures us that the bridegroom’s coming was only delayed, not canceled. If that glorious event was somewhat near more than two hundred years ago, it is much nearer now. If in those days Advent believers already lived in eager anticipation, today we should live with even more expectancy. We must not, at this late date, give up our blessed hope.