In South America , in the midst of barbarism and priest-craft , Lacunza , a Spaniard and a Jesuit , found his way to the Scriptures and thus received the truth of Christ ’ s speedy return . Impelled to give the warning , yet desiring to escape the censures of Rome , he published his views under the assumed name of “ Rabbi Ben-Ezra ,” representing himself as a converted Jew . Lacunza lived in the eighteenth century , but it was about 1825 that his book , having found its way to London , was translated into the English language . Its publication served to deepen the interest already awakening in England in the subject of the second advent .
In Germany the doctrine had been taught in the eighteenth century by Bengel , a minister in the Lutheran Church and a celebrated Biblical scholar and critic . Upon completing his education , Bengel had “ devoted himself to the study of theology , to which the grave and religious tone of his mind , deepened by his early training and discipline , naturally inclined him . Like other young men of thoughtful character , before and since , he had to struggle with doubts and difficulties of a religious nature , and he alludes , with much feeling , to the ‘ many arrows which pierced his poor heart , and made his youth hard to bear .”’ Becoming a member of the consistory of Wurttemberg , he advocated the cause of religious liberty . “ While maintaining the rights and privileges of the church , he was an advocate for all reasonable freedom being accorded to those who felt themselves bound , on grounds of conscience , to withdraw from her communion .”— Encyclopaedia Britannica , 9th ed ., art . “ Bengel .” The good effects of this policy are still felt in his native province .
It was while preparing a sermon from Revelation 21 for advent Sunday that the light of Christ ’ s second coming broke in upon Bengel ’ s mind . The prophecies of the Revelation unfolded to his understanding as never before . Overwhelmed with a sense of the stupendous importance and surpassing glory of the scenes presented by the prophet , he was forced to turn for a time from the contemplation of the subject . In the
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