The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

Concerning what is represented in this Post-millennial vision by the "beloved city" and the
"camp of the saints," we will find it interesting to compare the views of some of the
expositors. Mr. Lord comments on these matters, saying:
"The beloved city is the New Jerusalem, which is the symbol, as will be shown in the
exposition of the next chapter of the glorified saints in their relations to unglorified men, of
priests and kings, as great Babylon is the symbol of the priests and rulers [governmental
powers] of the apostate hierarchies."
Concerning who or what is represented by the "camp of the saints," he says: "They
probably represent the subordinate, unglorified rulers of the obedient nations."
Mr. Russell's interpretation is very much the same as the above. His comment is that "the
'beloved city' is the New Jerusalem, the Church in glory, not the Church in the flesh." His
thought with regard to the "camp of the saints," is somewhat similar to Mr. Lord's, only
more clear and definite because of his clearer apprehension of that feature of the Divine
Plan concerning the earthly phase of the Millennial Kingdom or Judgment Day.
"At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed, that he may go forward to test the
people that are on the earth, to manifest to what extent their hearts are loyal to God and to
the principles of righteousness. The result of this test will be that some will fall away.--
Rev. 20:7-10.
"We read, 'And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the
saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven, and
devoured them.' (Rev. 20:9.) The 'beloved city' is the New Jerusalem, the Church in glory,
not the Church in the flesh. The rebellion incited by Satan will be not only against the
earthly princes, but also against The Christ.
"By that time having reached perfection of organism and powers, the people will assert
themselves in thus going up to encompass the camp of the saints. That the Church cannot
be meant is evident from the fact that human beings could not attack an unseen force of
spirit beings, as the Church will then be."
"We do not expect that the communication between the spiritual rulers [the glorified
Church] and their earthly subjects will be after this manner [as in Old Testament times]
during the Millennium; for we find that God has made provision that a certain class of
humanity, already tried (during the period before the Gospel Age) and found worthy of
perfection and everlasting life, shall throughout the. Millennial Age serve as the
intermediaries between the spiritual Kingdom, the saints, and their subjects, mankind.
"These intermediaries, while not the Kingdom in the proper sense of the word, will be so
fully the representatives of it amongst men that they will be recognized as the Kingdom by
men; they will represent the Kingdom before men and be the only visible representatives
of it. Hence we have termed these 'the earthly phase of the Kingdom,' visible among men.-
-Luke 13:28.