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diff --git a/18503.txt b/18503.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..72ed24c --- /dev/null +++ b/18503.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13667 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Our Day, by W. A. Spicer + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Our Day + In the Light of Prophecy + +Author: W. A. Spicer + +Release Date: June 5, 2006 [EBook #18503] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUR DAY *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Josephine Paolucci +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +OUR DAY + +In the Light of Prophecy + +[Illustration: JESUS WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM + +"If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things +which belong unto thy peace!" Luke 19:42.] + + + + +OUR DAY + +In the Light of Prophecy + + +By W.A. SPICER + + + "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our + learning, that we through patience and comfort of the + Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4. + + +SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION +NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE +FORT WORTH, TEXAS ATLANTA, GEORGIA + +Copyrighted, 1917, by +REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION + +Copyrighted in London, England +All Rights Reserved + + + + +CONTENTS + + +THE BOOK THAT SPEAKS TO OUR DAY 13 + +THE WITNESS OF THE CENTURIES 25 + +PROPHETIC OUTLINE OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY 39 + +THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 51 + +SIGNS OF THE APPROACHING END 65 + +THE LISBON EARTHQUAKE OF 1755 79 + +THE DARK DAY OF 1780 85 + +THE FALLING STARS OF 1833 93 + +THE MEANING OF PRESENT-DAY CONDITIONS 105 + +THE HISTORIC PROPHECY OF DANIEL 7 117 + +THE 1260 YEARS OF DANIEL'S PROPHECY 131 + +DAWN OF A NEW ERA 139 + +THE WORK OF THE "LITTLE HORN" POWER 145 + +THE BIBLE SABBATH 159 + +GLIMPSES OF SABBATH KEEPING AFTER NEW TESTAMENT TIMES 173 + +THE LAW OF GOD 183 + +JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH 191 + +BAPTISM 199 + +THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL 8 205 + +THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY IN TYPE AND ANTITYPE 213 + +A GREAT PROPHETIC PERIOD 219 + +THE PROPHECY FULFILLED 229 + +A WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENT 239 + +THE JUDGMENT-HOUR MESSAGE 247 + +THE ORIGIN OF EVIL 257 + +SPIRITUALISM: ANCIENT AND MODERN 265 + +LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST 275 + +THE END OF THE WICKED 287 + +ANGELS: THEIR MINISTRY 295 + +THE TIME OF THE END 303 + +THE EASTERN QUESTION 321 + +ARMAGEDDON 337 + +THE MILLENNIUM 351 + +THE HOME OF THE SAVED 361 + + + + +FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS + + +JESUS WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM _Frontispiece_ + +THE GOOD SHEPHERD 12 + +HEALING THE CENTURION'S SERVANT 16 + +CHRIST'S WEAPON OF DEFENSE--THE WORD OF GOD 19 + +ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS 24 + +THE GREAT IMAGE 38 + +BABYLON IN HER GLORY 40 + +THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL 42 + +THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST 50 + +CHRIST COMING IN GLORY 58 + +CHRIST ANSWERING HIS DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS 64 + +THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM BY THE ROMANS UNDER TITUS, A.D. 70 68 + +THE CATACOMBS NEAR ROME 72 + +LISBON FROM ACROSS THE BAY 78 + +MIDDAY AT SEA, MAY 19, 1780 84 + +THE GREAT METEORIC SHOWER, NOV. 13, 1833 92 + +THE SIGN OF FIRE 98 + +SATAN OFFERS GOLD, AND THE WORLD STAMPEDES TO ITS +DESTRUCTION 104 + +A FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT 108 + +THE SUNSET HOUR 114 + +PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH 116 + +ROME ON THE TIBER 124 + +THE INVASION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY THE HUNS 128 + +RAISING THE SIEGE OF ROME, A.D. 538 130 + +STORMING OF THE BASTILLE PRISON IN PARIS 138 + +THE TRIPLE CROWN 144 + +THE LOVE OF POWER--THE POWER OF LOVE 146 + +CHRISTIANS IN PRISON BENEATH THE COLOSSEUM AWAITING +MARTYRDOM 148 + +THE SHAME OF RELIGIOUS WARS 152 + +CHRIST AND THE SCRIBES 158 + +THE SABBATH FROM EDEN TO EDEN 168 + +CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES IN THE CORN-FIELDS 172 + +WALDENSES HUNTED BY THE ARMIES OF ROME 176 + +THE GIFT OF GOD 190 + +THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST 198 + +SYMBOLS OF MEDO-PERSIA AND GRECIA 204 + +THE CAMP OF ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS 210 + +OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST 212 + +ARTAXERXES SENDING THE JEWS TO REBUILD +JERUSALEM, B.C. 457 218 + +REBUILDING JERUSALEM 224 + +THE ANOINTING OF JESUS AT HIS BAPTISM 228 + +THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST 232 + +THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE 238 + +A CHRISTIAN MOTHER EXHORTING HER DAUGHTER TO +MARTYRDOM 246 + +LUCIFER PLOTTING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD 256 + +THE REDEMPTION PRICE 260 + +SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR 264 + +THE SALEM WITCHCRAFT 270 + +"HE IS RISEN" 274 + +LOT FLEEING FROM SODOM 286 + +PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON 294 + +JACOB'S DREAM IN BETHEL 298 + +MODERN INVENTIONS FULFILLING PROPHECY 302 + +THE HOE DOUBLE OCTUPLE PRESS 316 + +FORTIFICATIONS ON THE BOSPORUS 320 + +MODERN JERUSALEM 329 + +THE GREAT BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON 336 + +UNITED STATES BATTLESHIP "NEVADA" 340 + +MOSES VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND 360 + +THE SAINTS' ETERNAL HOME 366 + +THE MASTER AT THE DOOR 369 + + +[Illustration: "FOUNDED UPON A ROCK" + +"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. +119:105.] + + + + +FOREWORD + + +These are eventful times. With history-making changes passing rapidly +before men's eyes, the questions press upon thoughtful minds in all +lands, What do these things mean? What next in the program of +world-shaping events? + +Like a great searchlight shining across the centuries, the sure Word of +Prophecy focuses its bright beams upon Our Day. In this light we see +clearly the trend of events, and may understand what comes next in the +program of history fulfilling prophecy. + +In the Volume of the Book the living God speaks to Our Day of events of +the past that have a lesson for the present, and of things to come. +Divine prophecy fulfilled before men's eyes is God's challenge to +unbelief. The Word of Holy Writ has been the guiding light through all +the ages. It is the lamp to our feet today. + + "Steadfast, serene, unmovable, the same, + Year after year,... + Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame; + Shines on that inextinguishable light." + +[Illustration: THE GOOD SHEPHERD + +"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John 1:14.] + +[Illustration: "PEACE BE TO THIS HOUSE" + +"If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and +will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.] + + + + +THE BOOK THAT SPEAKS TO OUR DAY + + +Man may write a true book, but only God, the source of life, can write a +living book. "The word of God ... liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter +1:23. The Bible is the living word of God. We look at the volume; we +hold it in our hands. It is like other books in form and printer's art. +But the voice of God speaks from these pages, and the word spoken is +alive. It is able to do in the heart that receives it what can be done +only by divine power. + + +The Book That Talks + +Far in the heart of Africa a missionary read to the people in their own +language from the translated Word of God. "See!" they cried; "see! the +book talks! The white man has a book that talks!" With that simplicity +of speech so common to children of nature, they had exactly described +it. This is a book that talks. What the wise man says of its counsels +through parents to children, is true of all the book: "When thou goest, +it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when +thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Prov. 6:22. + +Here is companionship, faithful and true, a blessed guide and guardian +and friend. + + "Holy Bible! book divine! + Precious treasure, thou art mine!" + + +God Its Author + +The sixty-six books of Holy Scripture were written by many penmen, over +a space of fifteen centuries; yet it is one book, and one voice speaks +through all its pages. Spurgeon once said of his experience with this +book: + + "When I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, + saying, 'I am the book of God; man, read me. I am God's + writing; open my leaf, for I was penned by God; read it, for He + is my author.'" + +This book declares of itself: "All scripture is given by inspiration of +God." 2 Tim. 3:16. "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of +man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 +Peter 1:21. As the rugged verse of the old hymn puts it: + + "Let all the heathen writers join + To form one perfect book: + Great God, if once compared with Thine, + How mean their writings look! + + "Not the most perfect rules they gave + Could show one sin forgiven, + Nor lead a step beyond the grave; + But Thine conducts to heaven." + +It is the voice of the Almighty. Very different it is from the sacred +books of the non-Christian religions. In those writings it is man +speaking about God; in the Holy Scriptures it is God speaking to man. +The difference is as great as heaven is higher than earth. Here it is +not man groping in the darkness after God. In this book of God's +revelation we see the divine arm reaching down to save the lost, and +hear the voice of the loving Father calling to His children, every one +and everywhere. "Incline your ear," He calls; "hear, and your soul shall +live." Isa. 55:3. + + +The Word That Creates + +We must have something more than instruction; we must have a word of +power that is able to tell of sins forgiven, and to conduct us beyond +the grave to heaven. One of the greatest of China's sages, Mencius, +said, "Instruction can impart information, but not the power to +execute." That touches the crucial point. We must have instruction that +can come with power divine to execute. We have it only in God's words. +Christ said: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth +nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are +life." John 6:63. + +The words of God are living words. When God spoke in the beginning, "Let +there be light," lo, the light sprang out of the darkness. There was +power in the word spoken to bring forth. "Let the earth bring forth +grass," was the word of the Lord: and the earth was carpeted with its +first rich greensward. So through all the work of creation, the creative +power was in the word spoken. + +"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them +by the breath of His mouth." "He spake, and it was done; He commanded, +and it stood fast." Ps. 33:6, 9. + +Even so, when this word speaks instruction to man, there is creative +power in the word, if received, to work mightily in the soul that is +dead in trespasses and sins. Man must be born again, be re-created. That +we know; for Christ says, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man +be born again ["from above," margin], he cannot see the kingdom of God." +John 3:3. + +And the word of God--the Bible from heaven--received by faith, is the +agency by which this new birth "from above" is wrought. This is the +declaration of our text: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but +of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." +1 Peter 1:23. + +[Illustration: HEALING THE CENTURION'S SERVANT + +"Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Matt. 8:8.] + + +The Word That Works Within + +Not only does the word of God give the new birth, making the believer a +new man,--the past forgiven and a new heart within,--but the word that +re-creates abides in the believing heart that studies it and clings to +it, to work in the life with actual power that is not of the man +himself. To the Thessalonians, who had "turned to God from idols to +serve the living and true God," the apostle wrote: + +"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye +received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the +word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually +worketh also in you that believe." 1 Thess. 2:13. + +The word itself works within, and works effectually. There is nothing +mechanical about it. The mere letter profits nothing. The Bible on the +center table, unstudied and unloved, has no magic power. But God +promises to abide by His Spirit of power in the heart that listens to +His voice and trembles at His word. Jesus Himself tells us the secret of +this power of the word to work in the believing heart: + +"If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, +and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23. + +No wonder, then, that believing and receiving the word brings divine +power into the life, making it possible for transformations of character +to be wrought, for victories to be won and obedience rendered to every +command of God. + +Simply believing God's word touches the current of everlasting power, +even as the trolley arm of the electric car reaches up and touches the +current of power flowing through the wire overhead. The faith that +takes the living word brings the power divine into the heart to move all +the spiritual mechanism of life's service. + + +The Word Our Safety and Defense + +When Christ came to live as our example in the flesh, and to give His +life a sacrifice for sin, He, the divine Son of God, made Himself like +unto His brethren. "I can of Mine own self do nothing," He said. John +5:30. Tempted and tried, He found His defense in the Holy Scriptures. +When Satan came to tempt Him to sin, the Saviour said, "It is written." +He clung to the sure defense. Again the tempter came. He was met with +the word, "It is written again." The third time it was the same weapon +of defense, "It is written." Matt. 4:1-11. + +Christ found safety only in the Scriptures of truth. So the Bible is the +Christian's shield against the enemy's attacks. As Jesus studied the +Scriptures and kept the words ever in His heart for a defense against +temptation, so must every Christian study and meditate upon God's Holy +Word if its counsels and precepts are to be his defense in the moment of +sudden temptation to sin. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart," said the +psalmist, "that I might not sin against Thee." Ps. 119:11. It was the +only way for Christ, our Pattern; it is the only way for us. + + +The Bread of Life + +The word of God is the daily food for the soul. "It is written, Man +shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of +the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4. + +Who has not, in hurried times, missed a meal, working on through the +day, never thinking of the prolonged fast? But after a time there came a +sense of weakening force, a lack of physical power. What was the +trouble? At once the reason was evident--one had not taken food, and +the system was calling for a renewal of its forces. Just so the +spiritual life must needs be fed by the word of God. + +[Illustration: CHRIST'S WEAPON OF DEFENSE--THE WORD OF GOD + +"Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord +thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Matt. 4:10.] + +Do we at times feel a sense of weakening of the spiritual power, a +letting down of the vital forces of the soul? Ah, in the hurry of life +we have neglected to feed upon the living bread. We can no more sustain +spiritual vigor and health without feeding daily upon God's Holy Word +than we can maintain physical power without eating our daily bread. Eat +of the life-giving word. The taste for it grows with the partaking. + +There is life in "every word." The psalmist found the Lord's testimonies +"sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb," or, as the marginal reading +has it, than "the dropping of honeycombs." Ps. 19:10. We get the picture +of the honeycomb inverted, the cell caps broken open, the sweetness +dripping down. Just so every word of the Lord is a cell full of +sweetness and life for the soul that feasts upon the Holy Scriptures. + + +The Source of All Doctrine + +The Bible is the complete and perfect rule of faith and doctrine. Here +every doctrine of salvation is found. Inspiration has declared it in the +words of the apostle Paul to Timothy: + +"From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to +make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. +All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for +doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: +that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good +works." 2 Tim. 3:15-17. + +The divine command is, "Study." For every generation there has been a +message borne by this living word, making call to reformation of life, +or giving warning and comfort. "The Bible is not a collection of truths +formulated in propositions," said Dr. Samuel Harris, of Yale, "but +God's majestic march through history, redeeming men from sin." + +In every age God has been ruling and overruling, witnessing by His +Spirit through the living word. The experiences recorded of past ages +have their special lesson for the present time: + +"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, +that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." +Rom. 15:4. + +"Let vs therfore all with feruent desyre," as the Old English of 1549 +spelled the exhortation of Erasmus, "thyrste after these spirituall +sprynges.... Let vs kisse these swete wordes of Christ with a pure +affeccion. Let vs be newe transformed into them, for soche are oure +maners as oure studies be." + + +The Book for All Mankind + +It speaks in every tongue to the human heart. Its power to transform has +been shown through all the centuries in every clime and among every +race. One of the Gospels was put into the Chiluba tongue of Central +Africa. After a time a Garenganze chief came to Dan Crawford, the +missionary, changed from the spirit of a fierce, wicked barbarian to +that of a teachable child. Explaining his conversion, the chief said: "I +was startled to find that Christ could speak Chiluba. I heard him speak +to me out of the printed page, and what he said was, 'Follow me!'" + +Of the Bible's universal speech to all mankind, Dr. Henry van Dyke has +said: + + "Born in the East, and clothed in Oriental form and imagery, + the Bible walks the ways of all the world with familiar feet, + and enters land after land to find its own everywhere. It has + learned to speak in hundreds of languages to the heart of man. + It comes into the palace to tell the monarch that he is the + servant of the Most High, and into the cottage to assure the + peasant that he is the son of God. Children listen to its + stories with wonder and delight, and wise men ponder them as + parables of life. It has a word of peace for the time of + peril, a word of comfort for the day of calamity, a word of + light for the hour of darkness. Its oracles are repeated in the + assembly of the people, and its counsels whispered in the ear + of the lonely. The wise and the proud tremble at its warnings, + but to the wounded and penitent it has a mother's voice.... + + "Its great words grow richer, as pearls do when they are worn + near the heart. No man is poor or desolate who has this + treasure for his own. When the landscape darkens and the + trembling pilgrim comes to the valley named the Shadow, he is + not afraid to enter; he takes the rod and staff of Scripture in + his hand; he says to friend and comrade, 'Good-by, we shall + meet again,' and comforted by that support, he goes toward the + lonely pass as one who climbs through darkness into + light."--_The Century Magazine._ + +[Illustration: RAISING JARIUS'S DAUGHTER + +"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4.] + +In the days of His life on earth, Jesus was a welcome guest in humble +homes in Judea and Galilee. "The common people heard Him gladly." His +presence brought peace and comfort to the home. He is no longer with us +in bodily presence; but He is the same Saviour still--"Jesus Christ the +same yesterday, and today, and forever." Heb. 13:8. By His Spirit, +through the living word of Holy Scripture, He enters the home where +faith receives Him, and speaks again the gracious salutation, "Peace be +to this house." + + +Christ the Central Theme + +All the Bible bears witness of Christ as the Saviour of the world. He +Himself said of the Scriptures, "They are they which testify of Me." +John 5:39. "To Him give all the prophets witness." Acts 10:43. We see +Him as the coming Messiah in promise and prophecy, in type and shadow. +His is the divine, living personality standing out in every book that +makes up the Sacred Volume. As we read with loving heart, the Author +seems near in every page. + + "Reading, methinks I bend + Before the cross + Where died my King, my Friend. + The whole world's loss + For love of Him is gain." + +And having beheld Him giving His life as the divine sacrifice, and +rising in triumph over death to be our great High Priest in the heavenly +temple, as we read these Sacred Scriptures yet again, in every book, +from Genesis to Revelation, we see Him as the coming King of kings, +coming to take His children to the eternal home of the saved. The whole +book is a bright window through which we gaze on coming glory. + + "And yet again I stand + Where the seer stood, + Gazing across the strand, + Beyond the flood: + The gates of pearl afar, + The streets of gold, + The bright and morning Star + Mine eyes behold." + +"The Word of God ... liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23. "Heaven +and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." Matt. +24:35. + +[Illustration: ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS + +"Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all +the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.] + +[Illustration: THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM + +"I am God,... declaring ... from ancient times the things that are not +yet done." Isa. 46:9, 10.] + + + + +THE WITNESS OF THE CENTURIES + + +The Sure Word of Prophecy + +"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye +take heed." 2 Peter 1:19. + +The prophetic scriptures afford infallible evidence that the voice of +the living God speaks in Holy Writ. One of the distinguishing marks of +divinity is the power that foretells and records the course of history +long ages before the events come to pass. + + +God's Challenge + +God's challenge to false religious systems in olden time was this: + +"Declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come +hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." Isa. 41:22, 23. + +And all the gods of the nations were silent; for they are no gods. The +Lord alone, the one who speaks by the Holy Scriptures, is able to tell +the end from the beginning. + +"I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the +beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, +saying, My counsel shall stand." Isa. 46:9, 10. + +By this means God has borne witness of Himself through the ages, that it +might be known that the Most High rules above all the kingdoms of men, +and that men might recognize His purpose to put an end to sin and bring +eternal salvation to His people. "I have spoken it," He declares, "I +will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." + +The fulfilment of the word of prophecy in history is a fascinating +story. To the Lord, the future is an open book, even as the present. The +word is spoken, telling of the event to come; it is written on the +parchment scroll by the prophet's pen. Time passes; centuries come and +go. Then, when the hour of the prophecy arrives, lo, there appears the +fulfilment. And it is seen in matters pertaining to individuals, as well +as in the affairs of cities and empires. + + +The Word Fulfilled after Long Waiting + +In the dream divinely given to the lad Joseph, it was plainly foretold +that his brothers would one day come as suppliants before him. His +father rebuked him for telling the dream, saying, "Shall I and thy +mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the +earth?" Gen. 37:10. The brothers sold the lad into slavery, to be well +rid of him. Yet twenty years later, all unconscious of his identity, +these same brethren presented themselves before the prime minister of +Egypt, and "fell before him on the ground." Gen. 44:14. + +Again: the wicked stronghold of Jericho had been utterly destroyed. +Joshua declared: + +"Cursed be the man ... that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he +shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest +son shall he set up the gates of it." Joshua 6:26. + +The hands of angels had thrown down its walls, and its ruin was to stand +as a memorial. More than five hundred years later, when the apostate +Ahab was ruling, and Israel and Judah had departed from the Lord, Hiel +the Bethelite set out to rebuild Jericho. "He laid the foundation +thereof in Abiram his first-born." + +But accident and death may come at any time. The work on the walls went +on, no one thinking of the neglected Scriptures with their warning of +long ago. So the full account runs: + +"He laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first-born, and set up the +gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the +Lord, which He spake by Joshua the son of Nun." 1 Kings 16:34. + +The fate of some of the mightiest cities the world ever saw has borne +testimony through the centuries to the fulfilment of the prophetic word. + + +The Witness of Nineveh + +Nineveh was founded by Nimrod. He built not only his capital here by the +Tigris, but other towns round about, conceiving first of all the idea of +grouping the capital and its suburbs into one great city, the "Greater +Nineveh," as we would say in these days of Greater London and Greater +New York. At the dawn of history Nineveh was "a great city." Gen. 10:11, +12. In Jonah's day it was an "exceeding great city."[A] Sennacherib, of +the Bible story, was its beautifier. Rawlinson says: + + "The great palace which he raised at Nineveh surpassed in size + and splendor all earlier edifices."--_"Second Monarchy," chap. + 9._ + +A description is preserved on the clay cylinder in the king's own words: + + "For the wonderment of multitudes of men + I raised its head--'the palace which has no rival' + I called its name."--_Taylor Cylinder, "Records of the Past." + Vol. XII, part 1_. + +At the preaching of Jonah the city had repented; but in later years +pride of conquest and luxury and wealth were filling it with blood. The +prophet Nahum warned it of certain doom, appealing to those who had any +fear of God to turn to Him. The message was: + +[Illustration: THE SITE OF NINEVEH + +"How is she become a desolation!" Zeph. 2:15.] + +"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth +them that trust in Him." Nahum 1:7. + +Some, no doubt, heeded the warning and turned to God for refuge. But the +city's life of sin ran on. Then the prophet Zephaniah spoke the word, +just as the stroke was to fall: + +"Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She +obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in +the Lord; she drew not near to her God." Zeph. 3:1, 2. + +Prophecies uttered against the mighty city had declared: + +"He will make an utter end of the place thereof." "The palace shall be +dissolved ["molten," margin]." "She is empty, and void, and waste." +Nahum 1:8; 2:6, 10. "How is she become a desolation, a place for beasts +to lie down in!" Zeph. 2:15. + +The Medes and the Babylonians overthrew Nineveh. The king immolated +himself in his burning ("molten") palace. Nineveh became a desolation. +Describing a battle that took place there in the seventh century of our +era, between the Romans and the Persians, the historian Gibbon bears +testimony to the fact that it has indeed become "empty, and void, and +waste:" + + "Eastward of the Tigris, at the end of the bridge of Mosul, the + great Nineveh had formerly been erected: the city, and even the + ruins of the city, had long since disappeared; the vacant place + afforded a spacious field for the operations of the two + armies."--_"The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman + Empire," chap. 46, par. 24._ + +And to this day, the site of Nineveh is pointed out across the river +from Mosul, only mounds of ruins, these almost obliterated by the +drifting sands of centuries. The word spoken is fulfilled, though at the +time it was spoken it little seemed to proud and prosperous Nineveh that +such a fate could ever be hers. + + "Before me rise the walls + Of the Titanic city,--brazen gates, + Towers, temples, palaces enormous piled,-- + Imperial Nineveh, the earthly queen! + In all her golden pomp I see her now, + Her swarming streets, her splendid festivals. + + * * * * * + + "Again I look,--and lo!... + Her walls are gone, her palaces are dust,-- + The desert is around her, and within + Like shadows have the mighty passed away." + +From Nineveh's mounds we seem to hear a voice that says: "All flesh is +as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass +withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord +endureth forever." 1 Peter 1:24, 25. + + +The Burden of Tyre + +[Illustration: TYRE BY THE SEA + +"They shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers." Eze. +26:4.] + +Tyre was the greatest maritime city of antiquity. Its inhabitants, the +Phoenicians, traded in the ports of all the known world. Ezekiel +describes the heart of the seas as its borders. "Thy builders have +perfected thy beauty," he says. He tells how all countries traded in its +marts and contributed to its wealth. And then, obeying the word of the +Lord, the prophet bears a message of rebuke and warning,--"the burden of +Tyre,"--and pronounces the coming judgment: + +"Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will +cause many nations to come up against thee.... And they shall destroy +the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her +dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a place +for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, +saith the Lord God." Eze. 26:3-5. + +The accounts of travelers bear witness that the prophecy has been +fulfilled. As to the site of the island city of Ezekiel's day, Bruce, +nearly a century ago, said that he found it a "rock whereon fishers dry +their nets." (See "Keith on the Prophecies," p. 329.) + +In more recent times, Dr. W.M. Thomson found the whole region of Tyre +suggestive only of departed glory: + + "There is nothing here, certainly, of that which led Joshua to + call it 'the strong city' more than three thousand years ago + (Joshua 19:29),--nothing of that mighty metropolis which + baffled the proud Nebuchadnezzar and all his power for thirteen + years, until 'every head' in his army 'was made bald, and every + shoulder was peeled,' in the hard service against Tyrus (Eze. + 29:18),--nothing in this wretched roadstead and empty harbor to + remind one of the times when merry mariners did sing in her + markets--no visible trace of those towering ramparts which so + long resisted the utmost efforts of the great Alexander. All + have vanished utterly like a troubled dream, and Tyre has sunk + under the burden of prophecy.... As she is now, and has long + been, Tyre is God's witness; but great, powerful, and populous, + she would be the infidel's boast. This, however, she cannot be. + Tyre will never rise from her dust to falsify the voice of + prophecy. + + "Dim is her glory, gone her fame, + Her boasted wealth has fled; + On her proud rock, alas! her shame, + The fisher's net is spread. + The Tyrian harp has slumbered long, + And Tyria's mirth is low; + The timbrel, dulcimer, and song + Are hushed, or wake to woe." + + --_"The Land and the Book," Vol. II, pp. 626, 627._ + + +The Desolation of Babylon + +Yet another city of ancient times there was, the mightiest of them all, +whose fate was a subject of prophecy, and whose history bears special +testimony for us today; for, more than any other, the Lord used that +city as a symbol of the pride of life and the exaltation of the selfish +heart against God. + +Let us study briefly the desolations pronounced upon Babylon of old. + +[Illustration: BABYLON IN THE DUST + +"Babylon shall become heaps,... without an inhabitant." Jer. 51:37.] + +While Babylon was still the mightiest city of the world, with the period +of greatest glory yet before it, the Lord revealed its ignoble end. By +the prophet Isaiah He declared: + +"Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, +shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be +inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: +neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds +make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; +and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall +dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the +islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their +pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not +be prolonged." Isa. 13:19-22. + +Never could a more doleful future have been pictured for a city full of +splendor, the metropolis of the world. About one hundred and +seventy-five years after this word was written on the parchment scroll, +the Medes and Persians were at the gates of Babylon. Her time had come, +and Chaldea's rule was ended. + + "Fallen is the golden city! in the dust, + Spoiled of her crown, dismantled of her state. + She that hath made the Strength of Towers her trust, + Weeps by her dead, supremely desolate! + + "She that beheld the nations at her gate + Thronging in homage, shall be called no more + 'Lady of Kingdoms!'--Who shall mourn her fate? + Her guilt is full, her march of triumph o'er." + +But still, under Medo-Persia, and later under the Greeks, the city +itself was populous and prosperous and beautiful. The skeptic of the +time may have pointed to it as evidence that here, at least, the Hebrew +prophet had missed the mark. + +Apollonius, the sage of Tyana, who lived in the days of Nero and the +apostles, has left an account of Babylon as he saw it, as late as the +first century of our era. Still the Euphrates swept beneath its walls, +dividing the city into halves, with great palaces on either side. He +says: + + "The palaces are roofed with bronze, and a glitter goes off + from them; but the chambers of the women and of the men and the + porticoes are adorned partly with silver, and partly with + golden tapestries or curtains, and partly with solid gold in + the form of pictures." + +And of the king's judgment hall he reported: + + "The roof had been carried up in the form of a dome, to + resemble in a manner the heavens, and that it was roofed with + sapphire, a stone that is very blue and like heaven to the eye; + and there were images of the gods, which they worship, fixed + aloft, and looking like golden figures shining out of the + ether."--_Philostratus, "Life of Apollonius," book 1, chap. + 25._ + +Evidently Babylon was still "the land of graven images," and the +desolation foretold by the prophet had not yet befallen its palaces. But +that prophetic word, written eight hundred years before, was still upon +the scroll of the Book, the sure Word of God, who sees the end from the +beginning. + +[Illustration: EGYPT'S GLORY DEPARTED + +"The idols of Egypt shall be moved." Isa. 19:1.] + +The view given us by Apollonius is perhaps the last glimpse we have of +Babylon's passing glory. Even then for centuries the walls had been a +quarry from which stones were drawn for Babylon's rival, Seleucia, on +the Tigris. And Strabo, the Greek geographer, who also wrote in the +first century, had described Babylon as "in great part deserted," +adding, + + "No one would hesitate to apply to it what one of the comic + writers said of Megalopolitae, in Arcadia, 'The great city is a + great desert.'"--_"Geography," book 16, chap. 1._ + +Already pagan writers had begun to describe its condition in the terms +of the prophecy uttered so long before. And now what is its state? The +doom foretold has fallen heavy upon the city, upon its palaces, and +"upon the graven images of Babylon." For a century and more, travelers' +accounts have frequently borne witness to the exact fulfilment of the +prophecy in the remarkable desolations of that city, once mistress of +the world. + +"Babylon shall become heaps," said the prophecy, "and owls shall dwell +there." This is what Mr. Layard, the English archeologist, found on his +visit in 1845: + + "Shapeless heaps of rubbish cover for many an acre the face of + the land.... On all sides, fragments of glass, marble, pottery, + and inscribed brick are mingled with that peculiar nitrous and + blanched soil, which, bred from the remains of ancient + habitations, checks or destroys vegetation, and renders the + site of Babylon a naked and a hideous waste. Owls [which are of + a large gray kind, and often found in flocks of nearly a + hundred] start from the scanty thickets, and the foul jackal + skulks through the furrows."--_"Discoveries Among the Ruins of + Nineveh and Babylon," chap. 21, p. 413._ + +The prophecy said, "Neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there." The +words might be construed to mean that the famous site would never become +the place of a Bedouin village. But it is literally true, say travelers, +that the Arabs avoid the place even for the temporary pitching of their +tents. They consider the spot under a curse. They call the ruins +_Mudjelibe_, "the Overturned." (See "Encyclopedia of Islam," art. +"Babil.") + +As late as 1913, Missionary W.C. Ising visited the site where Professor +Koldeway was excavating the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar's palace. He wrote: + + "Involuntarily one is reminded of the prophecy in the + thirteenth of Isaiah and many other places, which, in course of + time, have been fulfilled to the letter. No one is living on + the site of ancient Babylon, and whatever Arabs are employed by + the excavators have built their mud huts in the bed of the + ancient river, which at the present time is shifted half a mile + farther west."--_European Division Quarterly, Fourth Quarter, + 1913._ + + +Egypt and Edom + +The massive ruins by the Nile bear witness to prophecy fulfilled. When +Egypt rivaled Babylon, the word was spoken: "It shall be the basest of +the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations." +Eze. 29:15. It was not utterly to pass, as Babylon, but to continue in +inferior state. Thus it came to pass. Once populous Edom, famed for +wisdom and counsel, now lies desolate, according to the word: "Edom +shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished." +Jer. 49:17. + + +The Testimony of History + +[Illustration: RUINS OF EDOM + +"Edom shall be a desolate wilderness." Joel 3:19.] + +Thus the centuries bear testimony to the fulfilment of the prophetic +word. The panorama of all human history moves before us in these +writings of the prophets. Flinging their "colossal shadows" across the +pages of Holy Writ, as Farrar says, we see-- + + "The giant forms of empires on their way + To ruin." + +It is no human book that thus from primitive times forecasts the march +of history through the ages. + +The Lord not only spoke the word in warning and entreaty for those to +whom it first came, but it is written in the Scriptures of truth as a +testimony to all time, that the Bible is the word of God, and that all +His purposes revealed therein and all the promises of the blessed Book +are certain and sure. The prophets who bore messages from God to +Nineveh, and Babylon, and Tyre, spoke messages also for our day. + +Fulfilled prophecy is the testimony of the centuries to the living God. +The evidence of prophecy and its fulfilment is God's challenge and +appeal to men to acknowledge Him as the true God and the Holy Scriptures +as His word from heaven. + +"I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went +forth out of My mouth, and I showed them; I did them suddenly, and they +came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an +iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared +it to thee; before it came to pass I showed it thee.... Thou hast heard, +see all this; and will not ye declare it?" Isa. 48:3-6. + +Surely no one can look at the evidence in history of the fulfilment of +prophecy without seeing that of a truth the One who spoke these words +knew the end from the beginning; and finding the living God in the sure +word of prophecy, one must be prepared to listen to His voice in all the +Scriptures, when it speaks of sin and the way of salvation through Jesus +Christ. + +Further, the prophetic word also has much to say of events yet future, +of the course of history in modern times. It behooves us to give heed to +what that word speaks concerning our own times and the events that are +to take place upon the earth before the end. The apostle Peter exhorts +us to the study in these words: + +"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye +take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day +dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19. + +[Illustration: THE GREAT IMAGE + +"He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to +pass." Dan. 2:29.] + +[Illustration: DANIEL INTERPRETING NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM + +"Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great Image." Dan. 2:31.] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] "In the book of Jonah," says _Records of the Past_, "Nineveh is +stated to have been an exceeding great city of three days' journey; and +that being the case, the explanation that Calah on the south and +Khorsabad on the north were included seems very probable. The distance +between these two extreme points is about thirty miles, which, at ten +miles a day, would take the time required."--_Vol. XII, part 1, January +and February, 1913_. + + + + +PROPHETIC OUTLINE OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY + +THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL 2 + + +"There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to +the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." + +In a dream by night the Lord gave to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, a +clear historical outline of the course of world empire to the end of +time and the coming of the eternal kingdom. + +The king was a thoughtful monarch; and having reached the height of his +power, he was one night meditating upon "what should come to pass +hereafter." Not for his sake alone, but for the enlightenment and +instruction of men in all time, the Lord answered the wondering question +of the king's meditation by giving him the dream. "He that revealeth +secrets," said Daniel the prophet, "maketh known to thee what shall come +to pass." + +[Illustration: BABYLON IN HER GLORY + +"Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' +excellency." Isa. 13:19.] + +And that we may know at the beginning that there is nothing fanciful and +uncertain about this great historic outline reaching to the end of the +world, we note first the assurance with which the prophet closed his +interpretation: "The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof +sure." + +The details of the dream had been taken from the king's mind, while +conviction as to the wondrous import of it remained. This was in God's +providence, to show the folly of the worldly-wise men of Babylon, and to +bring before the king the prophet of the Lord with a divine message. The +prophet Daniel, under the inspiration of God, brought his dream again to +the king's mind: + +"Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose +brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was +terrible. + +"This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, +his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of +iron and part of clay. + +"Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote +the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to +pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the +gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer +threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was +found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great +mountain, and filled the whole earth." + +The prophet next declared the interpretation. And now follows the +history of the world in miniature. + + +Babylon + +"Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given +thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the +children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the +heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them +all. Thou art this head of gold." + +[Illustration: THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL + +"Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." Dan. +5:28.] + +The parts of the image, then, of various metals, from head to feet, +represented successive empires, beginning with Babylon; and the kingdom +of Babylon, represented by Nebuchadnezzar, was the head of gold. + +History shows how fitly the golden head symbolizes the Babylonian +kingdom. Long before, the prophet Isaiah had described it as "the glory +of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency." Isa. 13:19. And +now, in Nebuchadnezzar's day, it was the golden age of the Babylonian +kingdom. No such gorgeous city as its capital ever before stood on +earth. And Nebuchadnezzar was the great leader of its conquests, and the +beautifier and builder of its walls and palaces. "For the astonishment +of men I have built this house," one tablet reads; and hundreds repeat +the story. + + "Those portals + for the astonishment of multitudes of people + with beauty I adorned. + In order that the battle storm + to Imgur-Bel + the wall of Babylon might + not reach; + what no king before me + had done."--_East India House Inscription._ + +Thus Nebuchadnezzar's records of stone today repeat the proud boast +faithfully reported in the Scripture, "Is not this great Babylon, that I +have built?" Dan. 4:30. To the king it seemed that such a city could +never fall. One inscription reads: + + "Thus I completely made strong the defenses of Babylon. May it + last forever."--_Rawlinson, "Fourth Monarchy," Appendix A._ + + +Medo-Persia + +But the prophet Daniel, proceeding with the divine interpretation, +interrupted all such proud thoughts with the declaration, "After thee +shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee." + +Now the look was forward into the future. And the word came to pass. +Babylon's decline was swift after Nebuchadnezzar's death. Daniel the +prophet himself lived to interpret the handwriting on the wall at +Belshazzar's feast: + +"God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.... Thou art weighed in +the balances and art found wanting.... Thy kingdom is divided, and given +to the Medes and Persians." Dan. 5:26-28. + +The breast and arms of silver, in the great image, represented the +Medo-Persian kingdom, which followed the Babylonian, "inferior" to it in +brilliancy and grandeur, as silver is inferior to gold. Medo-Persia, +however, enlarged the borders of the world empire; and the names of +Cyrus and Darius are written among the mightiest conquerors of history. + +But the prophet does not stop to dwell upon the grandeur of fleeting +earthly kingdoms. The interpretation hastens on to reach the setting up +of a kingdom that shall not pass away. Following Medo-Persia, a third +power was to rise, + + +Grecia + +"And another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the +earth." + +The "third kingdom" after Babylon was Grecia, which overthrew the empire +of the Medes and Persians. And Grecia's dominion fulfilled the +specifications of the prophecy, which indicated a yet wider expansion of +empire. Its sway was to be over "all the earth," said Daniel the +prophet, foretelling its history. Arrian, the Greek historian, writing +afterward, said that Alexander of Greece seemed truly "lord of all the +earth;" and he adds: + + "I am persuaded there was no nation, city, nor people then in + being whither his name did not reach; for which reason, + whatever origin he might boast of, or claim to himself, there + seems to me to have been some divine hand presiding both over + his birth and actions."--_"History of the Expedition of + Alexander the Great," book 7, chap. 30._ + +The sides of brass in the great image represented Grecia, the brazen +metal itself being a fitting symbol of those "brazen-mailed" Greeks, +celebrated in ancient poetry and song, + + "Among the foremost, armed in glittering brass." + + +A Power Rising in the West + +While Grecia's supremacy under Alexander was disputed by none, there was +a power rising in the West that was soon to enter the lists for the +prize of world dominion. + +Some of the ancient writers say that at the time of his death Alexander +had in mind to push westward to strike down the growing power of the +city of Rome, of which he had heard. Plutarch says that this man +Alexander, + + "who shot like a star, with incredible swiftness, from the + rising to the setting sun, was meditating to bring the luster + of his arms into Italy.... He had heard of the Roman power in + Italy."--_"Morals," chap. on "Fortune of the Romans," par. 13._ + +Lucan, the ancient Roman poet, repeats the thought: + + "Driven headlong on by Fate's resistless force, + Through Asia's realms he took his dreadful course: + His ruthless sword laid human nature waste, + And desolation followed where he passed.... + + "Ev'n to the utmost west he would have gone, + Where Tethys' lap receives the setting sun." + + --"_Pharsalia._" + +But in the prime of his years, Alexander was cut down, and Rome had yet +more time in which to develop its strength preparatory to the deciding +contest for the mastery of all the world. Sure it is that after Grecia, +there followed the Roman Empire, the strongest and mightiest and most +crushing of them all. This fourth universal empire the prophet proceeded +to describe, as represented by the legs of iron in Nebuchadnezzar's +dream of the great image. + + +Rome + +"The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh +in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, +shall it break in pieces and bruise." + +How appropriately the iron of the image fits the character of the fourth +great empire! Gibbon, the historian, calls it "the iron monarchy of +Rome." It broke in pieces the kingdoms, subduing all, just as prophecy +had declared so long before. As iron is strongest of the common metals, +so according to the prophecy--"as iron that breaketh all these"--this +fourth kingdom was to be more powerful than any before it. Strabo, the +geographer, who lived in the days of Tiberius Caesar, said, + + "The Romans have surpassed (in power) all former rulers of whom + we have any record."--_"Geography," book 17, chap. 3._ + +Hippolytus, bishop and martyr, who lived in Rome in the third +century,--under the "iron monarchy,"--wrote thus of this prophecy: + + "Already the iron rules; already it subdues and breaks all in + pieces; already it brings all the unwilling into subjection; + already we see these things ourselves."--_"Treatise on Christ + and Antichrist," sec. 33._ + +Hippolytus also saw clearly from the prophecy that the empire of his day +would be divided, and he wrote of the kingdoms that were "yet to rise" +out of it. For Daniel's interpretation explained clearly the meaning of +the mingling of clay with the iron in the feet and toes of the great +image. + + +The Kingdoms of Modern Europe + +"Whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part +of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the +strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry +clay. + +"And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the +kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. + +"And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle +themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to +another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." + +"The kingdom shall be divided." So declared the prophet of God. In the +height of its power, Rome scouted the thought that so mighty a fabric +could ever be broken up. Horace sang in his "Odes," + + "How, added to a conquered world, + Euphrates 'bates his tide, + And Huns, beyond our frontiers hurled, + O'er straitened deserts ride. + + * * * * * + + "The Goths beyond the sea may plot, + The warlike Basques may plan; + Friend, never heed them! vex thee not; + For this our mortal span + Of little wants." + + --_Book 2, Marris's Translation._ + +But the words were written on the ancient parchment in the days of +Babylon, "The kingdom shall be divided;" and true to the word of the +prophet, the Roman Empire fell apart with the mixture of nations and +peoples that swept into it. The elements did not hold together, even as +the mixture of iron and clay in the image did not cleave together. +Broken up by the invasions of fresh nations from the north, the Western +Empire was divided into lesser kingdoms, out of which have grown the +modern nations of western Europe. + +Not one word in the outline of the prophecy thus far has failed of +fulfilment. These modern kingdoms growing out of divided Rome have never +been reunited. "They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men," said +the prophecy. Nearly all the reigning houses of Europe today are related +by intermarriage; the prophecy said it would be so; but "they shall not +cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." So we see +it. No statesman, no master of legions, has been able to join these +nations together again in one great empire. Charles V had the thought in +mind, some think. Napoleon dreamed of doing it. But it was not to be. +Nevermore was there to be one universal monarchy. + +We may know that as surely as the course of world empire has followed +the exact outline of the prophecy put on the inspired record in the days +of Babylon of old, just so surely the specifications of the closing +portion of the outline will be fulfilled. + +The fourth great kingdom was to be divided. Rome was the fourth empire: +it was divided. The kingdoms of the divided empire are acting their part +before our eyes today. + + +The Next Great Event + +And what next? That is the question for us. Now the prophetic outline +that began with ancient Babylon touches the things of our own day. The +word spoken before Nebuchadnezzar so long ago is now spoken especially +to us: + +"In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, +which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to +other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these +kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. + +"Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain +without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the +clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the +king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and +the interpretation thereof sure." + +"In the days of these kings,"--these kingdoms of our own time,--the next +great world-changing event is to be the coming of Christ to begin the +setting up of his everlasting kingdom. That is the grand climax toward +which all the course of history has been tending. At last the end is to +come. + + "Down in the feet of iron and of clay, + Weak and divided, soon to pass away; + What will the next great, glorious drama be?-- + Christ and His coming, and eternity." + +As the stone, cut out of the mountain "without hands," smote the image, +so that all its parts, representative of earthly dominion, were ground +to dust and blown away, so Christ's coming kingdom, set up "without +hands," by no human power, but by the power of the eternal God, will end +all earthly dominion and bring the utter destruction of sin and sinners +out of the earth. + +"The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." + +Then may all eyes well be turned toward the next great step foretold in +the prophetic outline--the coming of Christ's glorious everlasting +kingdom, which shall not pass away. + + "Look for the waymarks as you journey on, + Look for the waymarks, passing one by one, + Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four,-- + Where are we standing? Look the waymarks o'er." + +[Illustration: PHOTOGRAPH BY MISSIONARY W.C. ISING + +Ruins of the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar, in which was the hall of +Belshazzar's Feast.] + +[Illustration: THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST + +"This same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner." Acts 1:11. + +COPYRIGHT STANDARD PUB. CO.] + +[Illustration: THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM + +"Behold, thy King cometh,... lowly, and riding upon an ass." Zech. +9:9.] + + + + +THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST + + +"Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin +unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. + +Too often the second coming of Christ is looked upon simply as a +doctrine. It is, however, more than a doctrine merely to be believed; it +is an impending event, something that is to take place on earth, and the +most stupendous, all-transcendent event for the world since Christ came +the first time to die on Calvary for the sins of men. + +This second coming of Christ, like His first coming, has been the theme +of divine prophecy from the beginning. This was emphasized by the +apostle Peter in his second recorded sermon. He pressed upon the people +of Jerusalem the fact that the things "which God before had showed by +the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer" (Acts 3:18), +had been fulfilled to the letter before their eyes. Not a word had +failed. Just so, he said, all that the prophets had spoken of His second +coming would be fulfilled: + +"He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom +the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, +which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the +world began." Acts 3:20, 21. + + +The Promise of His Coming + +As iniquity began to abound, God sent a message to the antediluvian +world, declaring that Christ's coming in glory would end the reign of +sin: + +"Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, +the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment +upon all." Jude 14, 15. + +The promise of Christ's coming was the "blessed hope" in the patriarchal +age. In Job's dark hour of trial his heart clung to the promise, and he +was kept from despair: + +"I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter +day upon the earth: ... whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall +behold, and not another." Job 19:25-27. + +The psalmist sang of it: + +"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour +before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him." Ps. 50:3. + +And the prophets of later times were unceasingly moved upon to talk of +the glory of that coming, of events preceding it, and of the preparation +for it. + +"I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold +their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not +silence." "Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, +Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, +His reward is with Him, and His work before Him." Isa. 62:6, 11. + +The message of His coming is to be heralded to the ends of the earth; +for it is "good tidings of great joy" to every one who will receive it. + +On that last night with His disciples before the crucifixion, when His +heart was sorrowful even unto death, as the burden of all our +iniquities was about to be laid upon Him, Christ's love for His own made +precious to Him the thought of His second coming to gather them home at +last, safe from all sin and trouble; and He said: + +"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. +In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have +told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a +place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that +where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3. + +In that assurance the heart finds rest. O the preciousness of the +promise, "I will come again"! "I am coming for you," is the cheering +message. "Yes, Lord," we reply, "we will wait, and watch, and be ready, +by Thy grace." + + +The Manner of His Coming + +Christ's second coming is to be visible to all the world. There is to be +nothing secret or mystical about it. The revelator says: + +"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." Rev. 1:7. + +Christ Himself described the scene to His disciples as it will appear to +the eyes of all: + +"As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the +west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:27. "Then +shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and +glory." Mark 13:26. + +The day of the Lord--the close of probation, the initial outpouring of +the judgments of God--will come "as a thief in the night," but Christ's +personal appearing will be visible to all. The heavens will open, the +earth quake, the trump of God resound, and such glory as mortal eye has +never seen will burst upon the world when He comes as King of kings and +Lord of lords. + + "He comes not an infant in Bethlehem born, + He comes not to lie in a manger; + He comes not again to be treated with scorn, + He comes not a shelterless stranger; + He comes not to Gethsemane, + To weep and sweat blood in the garden; + He comes not to die on the tree, + To purchase for rebels a pardon. + Oh, no; glory, bright glory, + Environs Him now." + +[Illustration: THE TRANSFIGURATION A TYPE OF HIS COMING + +"Behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him." +Matt. 17:3.] + + +"This Same Jesus" + +The Lord would have His children understand that this One who comes in +power and glory is the same Saviour of men who once walked by blue +Galilee. As the disciples were watching their Saviour, and ours, +ascending bodily into heaven from Olivet, until "a cloud received Him +out of their sight," suddenly two angels stood by them, who said: + +"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, +which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as +ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9, 11. + +[Illustration: CHRIST SET AT NAUGHT BY THE ROMANS + +"Behold your King!" John 19:14.] + +"This same Jesus"! It was the loving Friend and Elder Brother, Son of +man as well as Son of God, who was passing from their sight. He will +come back the "same Jesus," though in glory indescribable, having "all +the holy angels with Him." + +The prophet Habakkuk thus described Christ's glorious appearing, as it +was represented to him in vision: + + "His glory covered the heavens, + And the earth was full of His praise. + And His brightness was as the light; + He had rays coming forth from His hand; + And there was the hiding of His power." + + Hab. 3:3, 4, A.R.V. + +Surely it is the "same Jesus," and the mark of the cruel nails is the +shining badge of His power to save. + + "I shall know Him + By the print of the nails in His hands." + +As the redeemed see Him who was crucified for them coming in glory, they +will cry, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save +us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and +rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25:9. + +But that day will be a day of darkness as well as of light. The unready, +the unrepentant, will realize too late that in rejecting Christ's pardon +and love and sacrifice, they have rejected the only means by which they +might have been prepared to meet the coming King, before whose face no +sin can endure. "Every eye shall see Him," the apostle says, and he +describes the terror of that day to the unprepared: + +"The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the +chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free +man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and +said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face +of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for +the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" +Rev. 6:15-17. + +The scenes of that great day are so beyond human comprehension that it +is difficult to realize that such a time is actually before us. + + "Then, O my Lord, prepare + My soul for that great day." + + +The Purpose of His Coming + +The Scriptures make very clear the purpose of Christ's second coming and +the events of that great day. It has been the hope of the children of +God through all the ages. The apostle Paul calls it the "blessed hope." + +"The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, +teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live +soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that +blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our +Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13. + +The saints of God have fallen asleep in death with their faith reaching +forward to Christ's glorious appearing. So the veteran apostle fell, +with eyes upon "that day." + +"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. +I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the +faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, +which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not +to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. +4:6-8. + +Christ's second coming is the grand climax of the plan of salvation. Not +till then are the children of God ushered into the eternal kingdom. Then +the crowns of life are bestowed, and the saved all go together through +the gates into the city--patriarch and prophet, apostle and reformer, +and the child of God of this last generation. Of the ancient worthies it +is written: + +"These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not +the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they +without us should not be made perfect." Heb. 11:39, 40. + +What a glorious day it will be when the ransomed of all the ages, march +in together through the gates into the city! + +It is to take His children to their eternal home that Christ comes the +second time. This was His promise to the disciples: + +"I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for +you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, +there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3. + +Not in detail, but in their general order, let us follow the events of +that great day. + +[Illustration: CHRIST COMING IN GLORY + +"The Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with +Him." Matt. 25:31.] + + +The Prelude to His Coming + +as the revelator saw it and heard it in a vision of the last day: + +"There came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, +saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; +and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon +the earth,... and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon +came in remembrance before God." Rev. 16:17-19. + +"The heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every +mountain and island were moved out of their places." Rev. 6:14. + + +His Glorious Appearing + +Then bursts upon the world the glory of our Saviour's coming: + +"Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall +all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man +coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall +send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet." Matt. 24:30, 31. + +"I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like +unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand +a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a +loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap: +for the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is +ripe." Rev. 14:14, 15. + + +The Resurrection of the Just, and the Translation of the Living +Righteous + +The time to reap has come, and the wheat is gathered at last into the +garner of the Lord: + +"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in +the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall +sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be +changed." 1 Cor. 15:51, 52. + +"He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they +shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of +heaven to the other." Matt. 24:31. + +"This we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive +and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are +asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, +with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead +in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be +caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: +and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another +with these words." 1 Thess. 4:15-18. + +[Illustration: THE EMPTY TOMB + +"Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His +coming." 1 Cor. 15:23.] + +The righteous dead are raised to life as the trump of God sounds and the +voice of the Archangel calls to His sleeping saints, and the living +righteous are transformed from mortality to immortality. Then all +together, with the escort of the angels, they follow the Saviour to the +heavenly mansions that He has prepared in the city of God. + + +The Destruction of the Wicked + +Before the glorious majesty of the coming King no sin can endure; for +true it is that "our God is a consuming fire"--now, in the day of His +mercy, consuming sin out of the heart that by faith approaches the +throne of grace, but in that day consuming the unrepentant sinner with +his sin. + + "Where will the sinner hide in that day, in that day? + Where will the sinner hide in that day? + It will be in vain to call, + 'Ye mountains on us fall!' + For His hand will find out all in that day." + +It is the great day long foretold by seer and prophet. + +Again let us read the description of what it will mean to the unsaved to +see Christ coming in glory; for the terror of that day must warn us now +to keep within the refuge of the Saviour's loving grace: + +"The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the +chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free +man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and +said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face +of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for +the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" +Rev. 6:15-17. + +The same glory that transforms the righteous is a consuming fire to +those who have rejected Christ's salvation: + +"Then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with +the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His +coming." 2 Thess. 2:8. + +"When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty +angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and +that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished +with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the +glory of His power." 2 Thess. 1:7-9. + + +The Climax of Human History + +Thus the second coming of Christ brings the resurrection and translation +of the righteous, the death of the wicked, and the end of the world. The +resurrection of the wicked does not then take place, but only that of +the just; save for some of the wicked dead who had a special part in +warring against Christ,--"they also which pierced Him" (Rev. 1:7). These +are raised to see His coming, necessarily to fall again before the +consuming glory of His presence. + +The righteous are taken to reign with Christ in the heavenly city for a +thousand years, and during the same period the earth lies in desolation +and chaos, uninhabited by man, a dark abyss, the dreary prison house of +Satan. Of the two resurrections, first of the just and then of the +unjust, we are told: + +"They [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. +But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were +finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that +hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no +power." Rev. 20:4-6. + +It is at the end of the thousand years that the resurrection of the +wicked takes place. Then the city of God descends, "the holy city, New +Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven," and the wicked come +forth to condemnation and the second death, from which there is no +waking. + + +"Now is the Accepted Time" + +Now is the day of salvation, when by Christ's grace we may prepare for +that great day. To be found among His redeemed ones in that day will be +of infinitely greater worth than anything this world can give, of +pleasure, or possessions, or honor. Nothing will count then but the +blessed hope. + +Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, found the personal Saviour in the days +of the Methodist revival in England. All her wealth and all her social +influence were devoted to Christ, even though titled friends took +umbrage at her close association with the poor and the humble who gave +heed to the message of the hour, and pressed into the kingdom. She wrote +of her joy in being numbered with the children of God: + + "I love to meet among them now, + Before Thy gracious throne to bow, + Though weakest of them all; + Nor can I bear the piercing thought, + To have my worthless name left out, + When Thou for them shalt call. + + "Prevent, prevent it by Thy grace. + Be Thou, dear Lord, my hiding place + In that expected day. + Thy pardoning voice, O let me hear, + To still each unbelieving fear, + Nor let me fall, I pray." + +One night, at a royal ball, the Prince of Wales asked a titled lady +where the Countess of Huntingdon was. "Oh, I suppose she is praying with +some of her beggars somewhere!" was the flippant answer. "Ah," said the +crown prince, "in the last day I think I should be glad to hold the hem +of Lady Huntingdon's mantle." True it is that the greatest gift of grace +now, as it will be then, is to be numbered among the obedient children +of God. + + "Let me among Thy saints be found, + Whene'er the Archangel's trump shall sound, + To see Thy smiling face; + Then joyfully Thy praise I'll sing, + While heaven's resounding mansions ring + With shouts of endless grace." + +[Illustration: CHRIST ANSWERING HIS DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS + +"When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, +and of the end of the world?" Matt. 24:3.] + +[Illustration: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE FORETOLD + +"There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be +thrown down." Matt. 24:2.] + + + + +SIGNS OF THE APPROACHING END + +OUR SAVIOUR'S GREAT PROPHECY + + +Part I + +Christ had spoken of the coming desolation of the sacred temple at +Jerusalem. The disciples were astonished. "Master, see," said one, "what +manner of stones and what buildings are here!" The Saviour replied: + +"Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone +upon another, that shall not be thrown down" Mark 13:2. + + +"What Shall be the Sign?" + +As soon as they were alone on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city, +the disciples came to Jesus, saying: + +"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy +coming, and of the end of the world?" Matt. 24:3. + +Replying to this question, the Saviour spoke first of the fall of +Jerusalem; He foretold in a sentence the experiences of His church +through dark ages to follow; then He described the events of the latter +days, the signs showing His second advent near at hand; and, finally, He +pictured the scenes of His own glorious appearing in the clouds of +heaven. The fullest record of the discourse is found in the +twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. + + +A Striking Parallel + +The first portion of the prophetic discourse (verses 4-14) deals with +general conditions that were to prevail both in the last days of the +Jewish state, and on a yet larger scale in the course of history leading +to the last days of the world. There was so close a parallel between +these times that Christ, in one description, answered both questions +asked, When shall these things come upon Jerusalem? and, What shall be +the signs of the end of the world? + +The prophetic word foretold the rise of false Christs, the coming of +wars, famines, and earthquakes in "divers places." The believers saw +these things fulfilled in that generation before Jerusalem fell; but as +we read the prophecy, we see the wider application and yet larger +fulfilment through the course of history since that day, these +calamities increasing in the earth as the end draws near. Before the end +of the Jewish state, the believers carried the gospel to all the known +world of their day. (See Col. 1:23.) In these latter days we are seeing +the yet wider proclamation of the gospel, as foretold in the fourteenth +verse, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world +for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." + + +The Last Days of Jerusalem + +We may note briefly some of the events of Jerusalem's last days. Christ +had forewarned the believers: + +"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, +saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." + +Having rejected the true Christ, the nation was open to deception by the +false. We catch just a glimpse of the fulfilment in the book of Acts; in +secular history the full story is told. Ridpath says: + + "Never was a people so turbulent, so excited with expectation + of a deliverer who should restore the ancient kingdom, so fired + with bigotry and fanaticism, as were the wretched Jews of this + period. One Christ came after another. Revolt was succeeded by + revolt, instigated by some pseudo-prophet or pretended + king."--_"History of the World," Vol. I, p. 849 (Part III, + chap. 19)._ + +During the Saviour's life and ministry a divine hand had to a great +extent held the elements of violence in check, but as the light was +rejected more and more, the spirit of evil came to hold sway +unrestrained. Dr. Mears well describes the changed conditions in these +words: + + "The narrative of the evangelists presents a tranquil scene, a + succession of attractive pictures, in striking contrast to the + bloody and tumultuous events which crowd each other in the + pages of Josephus."--_"From Exile to Overthrow," pp. 256, 257._ + +Thus the events led rapidly on toward the day of Jerusalem's fall, so +long foretold by the prophets. + + +The Sign to the Believers + +The disciples had asked for a sign, and Christ gave them a token by +which they might know when the time to flee from Jerusalem had come. +Here Luke's Gospel gives the fullest record: + +"When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the +desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the +mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let +not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the +days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." +Luke 21:20-22. + +[Illustration: THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM BY THE ROMANS UNDER TITUS, +A.D. 70 + +"When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the +desolation thereof is nigh." Luke 21:20.] + +The unbelieving in Jerusalem and Judea could not conceive that their +city, so long protected and favored of God, could be destroyed. Not even +the appearance of the Roman armies could shake their blind +self-confidence. But at the first sight of the encircling armies, the +Christians knew that the time for flight was at hand. But how to flee +was the question, with the compassing lines drawn close about the city. +Moreover, the Zealots, the furious war party in power, would be little +likely to allow any number to pass out to the Roman forces. + +Just here God's providence made a way of escape. Cestius, the Roman +commander, after having partially undermined one of the temple walls, +suddenly decided to defer pushing the attack. "He retired from the +city," says Josephus, "without any reason in the world." (See "Wars," +book 2, chap. 19.) And the Zealots flew out after the retiring Romans, +furiously attacking the rear guards. + +Then those watching Christians knew that the time for quick flight had +come, according to Christ's prophecy uttered many years before. They +fled out of the city and out of the country round about. + +Through all the years, Christ's prophecy had exhorted them, "Pray ye +that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." +Matt. 24:20. The prayer was answered, for it was in the autumn and on a +week day that the flight was made.[B] Watching for the sign, and +instantly obeying, they were delivered. + +Thus it was that when the Romans returned later to the siege, never to +give up till the city fell, none of the Christians were overwhelmed in +its destruction. Even so are we to watch the signs of our own times, +that we may escape those things that are coming upon the earth, and be +ready to "stand before the Son of man." + + +The Prophetic Word Fulfilled + +Christ had declared that the temple, the pride of the nation, would be +utterly destroyed. In the last siege, the Roman commander tried to spare +the magnificent pile. When the Jews made it their chief fortress, +because of its massive strength, Titus remonstrated with them, saying: + + "If you will but change the place whereon you fight, no Roman + shall either come near your sanctuary, or offer any affront to + it; nay, I will endeavor to preserve you your holy house, + whether you will or not."--_Josephus, "Wars of the Jews," book + 6, chap. 2._ + +But the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. The people seemed +possessed with fury. The hardened Roman pagans were astonished at their +suicidal rashness. Titus's efforts to save the temple failed, and it +went down in ruin, as Christ had foretold. + +[Illustration: A PANEL FROM THE ARCH OF TITUS + +Showing the golden candlestick and other sacred vessels of the temple +being carried in triumph through the streets of Rome.] + +The disciples of Christ had called His attention to the immense blocks +of stone that composed the temple walls. "See, what manner of stones," +one said. When Titus examined these same stones, after the fall of the +city, he is said to have declared: + + "We have certainly had God for our assistant in this war, and + it was no other than God who ejected the Jews out of these + fortifications."[C]--_Id., book 6, chap. 9._ + +Rather, we would say, in the light of Scripture teaching, the +destruction that came upon the city was but the fruit of its own way. +God's guardian care had long protected the city of David. When His +protection was finally thrust aside and the people put themselves in the +power of the great destroyer, divine justice could no longer save the +city from the judgments that were bound to fall upon persistent +transgression against light. + +The lesson is one of those written "for our admonition upon whom the +ends of the world are come." Jerusalem, in that generation of great +light and high privilege, fell because it knew not the time of its +visitation. Still Christ's sad lament bears its warning to the ears of +men: "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the +things which belong unto thy peace!" Luke 19:42. + + +Part II + +Having foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, and given to the believers +signs by which they might find deliverance in the day of its overthrow, +Christ yet more fully answered the second part of the disciples' +question, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the +world?" Matt. 24:3. + +[Illustration: THE CATACOMBS NEAR ROME + +In these underground passages persecuted Christians found a hiding +place, held their services, and buried their dead.] + + +The Period of Tribulation + +Quickly He passed to the events of the latter days. But first He +sketched, in a few words, the tribulations through which His church was +to pass during the intervening centuries. Daniel the prophet had written +of this experience, foretelling the long period during which the papal +power was to "wear out the saints of the Most High." Dan. 7:25. Of these +times, Christ said in His prophetic discourse: + +"Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of +the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days +should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's +sake those days shall be shortened." Matt. 24:21, 22. + +It is evident that Christ referred to the time of tribulation foretold +by Daniel, not to the trials attending the flight of the Christians from +Jerusalem, for their flight was a deliverance of the elect from trial. +However much the weak may have suffered temporarily in fleeing from +their homes, the great suffering of that time came upon the unbelieving, +who had no shelter. + +This prophecy given by our Saviour presents the picture of a +long-continued persecution of His own elect, and foretells the +shortening of the allotted time. God was to intervene in some special +way to save His people. And it was even so. The elect did suffer all +through the centuries of intolerance, until the rise of the Reformation +and the spreading abroad of God's Word broke the power of +ecclesiasticism, thus shortening the days of bitter tribulation. + + +The End Drawing Near + +According to Daniel's further prophecy, the period of trial and +persecution was to reach "even to the time of the end." Dan. 11:35. +Naturally, then, we should look for the signs of the latter days to +begin to appear following these days of tribulation. And so we find the +next words of Christ's discourse introducing the topic of His second +coming. From now on the prophetic outline deals with events leading +down to the end of the age. + +First the Saviour utters a warning against false ideas concerning His +second coming. That no theories of a secret coming or of a mystic coming +might deceive the unwary, He says in plain words: + +"If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it +not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall +show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they +shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore +if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: +behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the +lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so +shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:23-27. + +Today we see the need of this warning. Some of the most subtle +deceptions are found in the teaching that Christ has already come, +secretly, or that He comes in the chamber of death, or in the +spiritualistic seance. Against all these errors we are forewarned, as +well as against any agencies that may come showing marvelous signs and +wonders. The close of human probation, the coming of the day of God, +will be as a thief in the night; and Christ's coming itself will +overtake the unwatchful all unprepared. Nevertheless, when He comes, +"every eye shall see Him," and all the glory of heaven will burst upon a +quaking world. + + +Signs in the Heavens and the Earth + +Now the Saviour's outline of prophecy presents the signs which were to +show when the coming of the Lord was near. Referring again to the days +of tribulation foretold by the prophet Daniel, Christ says: + +"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be +darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall +fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and +then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." Matt. 24:29, +30. + +In Luke's record of the same prophetic discourse, additional signs are +given, describing conditions in the earth as Christ's coming draws near. +His account reads: + +"There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and +upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the +waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after +those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven +shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a +cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to +pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth +nigh." Luke 21:25-28. + +Yet again, the prophet John, in the Revelation, foretells these signs in +the sun and moon and stars, as they were presented to him in a vision of +the last days. But his record shows that this series of signs was to be +preceded by a great earthquake. He describes the order of events as +follows: + +"I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great +earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon +became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a +fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty +wind." Rev. 6:12, 13. + +In these scriptures four great signs of Christ's approaching advent are +listed for our study, as follows: + + 1. The great earthquake. + 2. The darkening of the sun and moon. + 3. The falling of the stars. + 4. Distress of nations, and other signs. + + +The Time When the Signs Begin + +Christ's prophecy points out approximately the time when the first of +the signs that He gave, the darkening of the sun, should +appear,--"immediately after the tribulation of those days." And the +"great earthquake" of John's vision was to precede this sign in the +heavens. + +The Reformation of the sixteenth century began to cut short the days of +tribulation; but some countries shut out the liberalizing influences of +the Word of God, and there the persecution continued. + +Even as late as near the end of the seventeenth century, in 1685, France +revoked the Edict of Nantes, that had granted toleration, and +persecution raged as of old. The church was driven again to the desert. +Speaking of the early decades of the eighteenth century, Kurtz says: + + "In France the persecution of the Huguenots continued.... The + 'pastors of the desert' performed their duties at the risk of + their lives."--_"Church History," Vol. III, p. 88._ + +There was severe persecution of the Moravians in Austria, in these +times, many of the persecuted finding refuge in Saxony. It was in 1722 +that Christian David led the first band of Moravian refugees to settle +on the estates of Count Zinzendorf, who organized through them the great +pioneer movement of modern missions. + +But by the middle of the century, the era of enlightenment and the force +of world opinion, in the good providence of God, had so permeated the +Catholic states of Europe that general violent persecution had ceased. +One incident will suffice as evidence of this. + +The scene was in France, where alone, of all the Catholic states, there +were any great numbers of Protestants. In 1762 a Huguenot of Toulouse, +unjustly charged with crime, was put to torture and to death, under the +pressure of the old persecuting spirit. Many Huguenots thought the +persecutions of former times were reviving, and prepared to flee to +Switzerland. But Voltaire took up the matter, and so wrought upon public +opinion that the Paris parliament reviewed the case, and the king paid +the man's family a large indemnity. + +This shows that by the middle of that century the days of any general +persecution had ceased. In the nature of the case, we may not point to +the exact year and say, Here the days of tribulation ended. + +From these times, then, we are to scan the record of history to learn if +the appointed signs began to appear. As we look, we find the events +recorded, following on in the order predicted: + + 1. The Lisbon earthquake, cf 1755. + 2. The dark day, cf 1780. + 3. The falling stars, cf 1833. + 4. General conditions and movements betokening the end. + +"There shall be signs," the Saviour said. We are to study the record of +events, watching to catch the signs of the approaching end as earnestly +as the mariner watches the beacon lights when he nears the longed-for +haven on a dark and stormy night. + +[Illustration: AN ANCIENT FLOUR MILL + +"Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and +the other left." Matt. 24:41.] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[B] It was in the autumn that the army of Cestius closed in upon +Jerusalem. According to the careful record of Graetz, the Jewish +historian, it was evidently on a Wednesday that the Roman army retired, +pursued by all the forces of the city. This was the instant for the +flight of the Christians. Next day "the Zealots, shouting exultant war +songs, returned to Jerusalem (8th October)."--_"History of the Jews," +Vol. II, p. 268._ The day before was the time for unhindered flight. + +[C] Apollonius, the friend and counselor of Titus, left a similar +testimony to the latter's conviction that there was something +supernatural about the forces of destruction let loose upon Jerusalem: +"After Titus had taken Jerusalem, and when the country all round was +filled with corpses, the neighboring races offered him a crown: but he +disclaimed any such honor to himself, saying that it was not he himself +that had accomplished this exploit, but that he had merely lent his arms +to God, who had so manifested His wrath."--_Philostratus, "Life of +Apollonius," book 6, chap. 29._ + + +[Illustration: LISBON FROM ACROSS THE BAY + +The scene of the great earthquake and tidal wave, Nov. 1, 1755, when in +six minutes sixty thousand people perished.] + + + + +THE LISBON EARTHQUAKE OF 1755 + + +"Lo, There Was a Great Earthquake" + +The first of a series of signs of the approaching end is thus described +by the revelator: + +"I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great +earthquake." Rev. 6:12. + +[Illustration: THE LISBON EARTHQUAKE + +"There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers +places." Matt. 24:7.] + +The verses immediately preceding this scripture plainly describe the +days of persecution of the saints of God, and the era of protest and +reform that cut short that time of tribulation. Then this first sign +appears. This is in harmony with Christ's statement that the signs of +His second coming should begin to appear following the tribulation of +those days. + +Just about the close of the days of tribulation occurred the Lisbon +earthquake, as it is called, though its effects reached far beyond +Portugal. Prof. W.H. Hobbs, geologist, says of it: + + "Among the earth movements which in historic times have + affected the kingdom of Portugal, that of Nov. 1, 1755, takes + first rank, as it does, also, in some respects, among all + recorded earthquakes.... In six minutes sixty thousand people + perished."--_"Earthquakes," pp. 142, 143._ + +"Lo, there was a great earthquake," the revelator said. It was indeed "a +great earthquake," and great was its influence. In all the world, men's +hearts were mightily stirred. James Parton, an English author, says of +it: + + "The Lisbon earthquake of Nov. 1, 1755, appears to have put + both the theologians and philosophers on the defensive.... At + twenty minutes to ten that morning, Lisbon was firm and + magnificent, on one of the most picturesque and commanding + sites in the world,--a city of superb approach, placed + precisely where every circumstance had concurred to say to the + founders, Build here! In six minutes the city was in ruins.... + Half the world felt the convulsion.... For many weeks, as we + see in the letters and memoirs of that time, people in distant + parts of Europe went to bed in alarm, relieved in the morning + to find that they had escaped the fate of Lisbon one night + more."--_"Life of Voltaire," Vol. II, pp. 208, 209._ + + +The World Set to Thinking + +This earthquake set men to thinking of the great day of God. Voltaire, +the French philosopher, was "profoundly moved" by it, we are told. "It +was the last judgment for that region," he wrote; "nothing was wanting +to it except the trumpet." More than a month afterward, while still the +perturbations of the earth were continuing, this skeptic wrote a poem +upon the problem presented, voicing the sentiment: + + "My heart oppress'd demands + Aid of the God who formed me with his hands. + Sons of the God supreme to suffer all + Fated alike, we on our Father call.... + Sad is the present if no future state, + No blissful retribution mortals wait, + If fate's decrees the thinking being doom + To lose existence in the silent tomb. + _All may be well_; that hope can man sustain. + _All now is well_; 'tis an illusion vain. + The sages held me forth delusive light, + Divine instructions only can be right. + Humbly I sigh, submissive suffer pain, + Nor more the ways of Providence arraign." + + --"_Poem on the Destruction of Lisbon,_" + _Smollet's translation; Works, Vol. XXXIII, ed. 1761._ + +Just at the time, plans were under way for the opening of a theater at +Lausanne for the special performance of some of Voltaire's rationalistic +dramas. But the enterprise was deferred. One writer says: + + "The earthquake had made all men thoughtful. They mistrusted + their love of the drama, and filled the churches + instead."--_Tallentyre, "Life of Voltaire," p. 319._ + +So, in an age of rationalism and unbelief, men's thoughts were turned +toward God, and human helplessness and earth's instability were +recognized. + + +Extent of the Lisbon Earthquake + +As to the extent of the earthquake, a writer of the period shows that it +was felt in Sweden and in Africa and in the West Indies, adding: + + "The effects were distributed over very nearly four millions of + square English miles of the earth's surface, and greatly + surpassed anything of the kind ever recorded in + history."--_"History and Philosophy of Earthquakes" (London, + 1757), p. 333._ + +The commander of an English ship, lying off Lisbon at the time, thus +described the scene in a letter to the ship's owners: + + "Almost all the palaces and large churches were rent down, or + part fallen, and scarce one house of this vast city is left + habitable. Everybody that was not crushed to death ran out into + the large places, and those near the river ran down to save + themselves by boats, or any other floating convenience, + running, crying, and calling to the ships for assistance; but + whilst the multitude were gathered near the riverside, the + water rose to such a height that it overflowed the lower part + of the city, which so terrified the miserable and already + dismayed inhabitants, who ran to and fro with dreadful cries, + which we heard plainly on board, that it made them believe the + dissolution of the world was at hand; every one falling on his + knees and entreating the Almighty for His assistance.... By two + o'clock the ships' boats began to ply, and took multitudes on + board.... The fear, the sorrow, the cries and lamentations of + the poor inhabitants are unexpressible; every one begging + pardon, and embracing each other, crying, Forgive me, friend, + brother, sister! Oh! what will become of us! neither water nor + land will protect us, and the third element, fire, seems now + to threaten our total destruction! as in effect it happened. + The conflagration lasted a whole week."--_Thomas Hunter, + "Historical Account of Earthquakes" (Liverpool, 1756), pp. + 72-74._ + + +Recognized as a Sign + +Looking down through the ages, the prophet of the Revelation saw the +coming of the latter days, when signs of the approaching end were to +begin to appear. Just there he beheld "a great earthquake." The terrible +event was noted by inspiration as a sign of the coming of the final +judgment. Earthquakes there had been before, and increasing earthquakes +were to follow after,--"earthquakes in divers places,"--as Christ +foretold, speaking of the signs of His second coming. But as befitted +this first of the series of signs of the approaching end, a conviction +from God seemed to come into the hearts of men in that generation, that +this was indeed a token to remind the world of a coming day of doom. + +In the year of the disaster, an English poet, John Biddolf, published a +book of verse, pointing some of the lessons of the hour, from which we +quote a few descriptive stanzas: + + "Calm was the sky; the sun serenely bright + Shot o'er the sea long dazzling streams of light. + Through orange groves soft breathing breezes play'd + And gathered sweets like bees where'er they stray'd. + In fair relievo stood the lofty town, + Set off by radiant lights and shadows brown. + + "Ill-fated city! there were revels kept; + Devoid of fear, they ate, they drank, they slept. + No friendly voice like that of ancient Rome + Was sent to give them warning of their doom: + No airy warriors to each other clung, + Such as 'tis said o'er destin'd Sion hung, + But like a nightly thief their dreadful fate + Unlooked for came and undermined their state.... + + "Lo, what a sudden change! On ruin's brink + The proud turn humble, and the thoughtless think. + Dark, gloomy sadness overclouds the gay, + And hypocrites for once sincerely pray.... + But let it not be thought their horrid deeds + Had pulled this dreadful judgment on their heads, + Or that for crimes too horrible to tell, + Like guilty Sodom, thunderstruck they fell.... + + "Who can with curious eyes this globe survey, + And not behold it tottering with decay? + All things created, God's designs fulfil, + And natural causes work His destined will. + And that eternal Word, which cannot lie, + To mortals hath revealed in prophecy + That in these latter days such signs should come, + Preludes and prologues to the general doom. + But not the Son of man can tell that day; + Then, lest it find you sleeping, watch and pray." + +Thus this first of the predicted latter-day signs bore its message to +men. Its immediate scene was set in the Old World, but its warning was +world-wide. The next sign foretold was to appear in the New World, but +like the Lisbon earthquake, its message of warning was for all men. + +[Illustration: THE FLOOD + +"So shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:39.] + +[Illustration: MIDDAY AT SEA MAY 19, 1780 + +"Between one and two he was obliged to light a large candle to steer +by." See p. 89.] + +[Illustration: SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS + +"Can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. 16:3.] + + + + +THE DARK DAY OF 1780 + + +"The Sun Shall be Darkened" + +We recall that in the vision of latter-day signs given to the prophet +John, he saw the "great earthquake" followed by a sign in the heavens: + +"The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as +blood." Rev. 6:12. + +Of this event our Saviour spoke, in giving the signs of His second +coming which were to begin to appear following the cutting short of the +days of persecution. We repeat His words: + +"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be +darkened, and the moon shall not give her light." Matt. 24:29. + + +The Prophecy Fulfilled + +True to the order of the prophecy, following the great earthquake of +1755 in Europe, there came, in America, the second sign of the +approaching end, the wonderful darkening of the sun, known in history as +"The Dark Day." + +This sign appeared at the time indicated in the prophecy, "immediately +after the tribulation of those days;" or as Mark has it, "in those days, +after that tribulation." On May 19, 1780, the sun was darkened, and the +following night the moon did not give her light. Whatever explanation +men may have to offer as to the cause of the phenomenon, the fact +remains that when the time of the prophecy came, the sign appeared. + +The first volume of the "Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and +Sciences," published in Boston in 1785, contains a paper entitled, "An +Account of a Very Uncommon Darkness in the States of New England, May +19, 1780. By Samuel Williams, A.M., Hollis Professor of Mathematics and +Philosophy in the University at Cambridge [Massachusetts]." + +Of the extent, duration, and degree of darkness on that occasion, this +scientific observer said: + + "The extent of this darkness was very remarkable.... From the + accounts that have been received, it seems to have extended all + over the New England States. It was observed as far east as + Falmouth [Portland, Maine]. To the westward, we hear of its + reaching to the furthest parts of Connecticut, and Albany. To + the southward, it was observed all along the seacoasts. And to + the north as far as our settlements extend.... + + "With regard to its duration, it continued in this place at + least fourteen hours: but it is probable this was not exactly + the same in different parts of the country. The appearance and + effects were such as tended to make the prospect extremely dull + and gloomy. Candles were lighted up in the houses; the birds + having sung their evening songs, disappeared, and became + silent; the fowls retired to roost; the cocks were crowing all + around as at break of day; objects could not be distinguished + but at a very little distance; and everything bore the + appearance and gloom of night." (See pages 234-246.) + +Whittier has commemorated it in the poem, "Abraham Davenport:" + + "'Twas on a May day of the far old year + Seventeen hundred eighty, that there fell + Over the bloom and sweet life of the spring, + Over the fresh earth and the heaven of noon, + A horror of great darkness.... + + "Birds ceased to sing, and all the barnyard fowls + Roosted; the cattle at the pasture bars + Lowed, and looked homeward; bats on leathern wings + Flitted abroad; the sounds of labor died; + Men prayed, and women wept; all ears grew sharp + To hear the doom blast of the trumpet shatter + The black sky." + +The words of the poet are substantiated by the plain prose of the +dictionary maker. In the department explanatory of "Noted Names," +Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (edition 1883) says: + + "_The Dark Day_, May 19, 1780--so called on account of a + remarkable darkness on that day extending over all New + England.... The obscuration began about ten o'clock in the + morning, and continued till the middle of the next night, but + with difference of degree and duration in different places.... + The true cause of this remarkable phenomenon is not known." + + +Cause Unknown + +At the time, some explained the darkness as being due to smoke from +forest fires, others to the exceptional rise of vapors and atmospheric +dust in the warm spring following the melting of unusually heavy winter +snows. But forest fires were not of extraordinary occurrence in these +regions, and many a springtime since has seen the melting of heavy +winter snows and the rise of vapors; yet May 19, 1780, still stands +unique in the annals of modern times as "the dark day." However +observers and writers disagreed as to the nature of the mantle of +darkness that was drawn over New England that day, they were _one_ in +recognizing the extraordinary character of the event. + +The facts are fully covered by the statement in the dictionary, "The +true cause of this remarkable phenomenon is not known." + +What we do know is that the Saviour's prophecy declared, "Immediately +after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the +moon shall not give her light." And when the time for it came, the sign +appeared. + + +Contemporary Records + +Though the comparatively small-sized newspapers of the day were crowded +with news of the progress of the Revolutionary War, then raging, no +little space was given to reports and discussions of this remarkable +darkening of the sun. + +A correspondent of the Boston _Gazette and Country Journal_ (of May 29, +1780) reported observations made at Ipswich Hamlet, Mass., "by several +gentlemen of liberal education:" + + "About eleven o'clock the darkness was such as to demand our + attention, and put us upon making observations. At half past + eleven, in a room with three windows, twenty-four panes each, + all open toward the southeast and south, large print could not + be read by persons of good eyes. + + "About twelve o'clock, the windows being still open, a candle + cast a shade so well defined on the wall, as that profiles were + taken with as much ease as they could have been in the night. + + "About one o'clock a glint of light which had continued to this + time in the east, shut in, and the darkness was greater than it + had been for any time before.... We dined about two, the + windows all open, and two candles burning on the table. + + "In the time of the greatest darkness some of the ... fowls + went to their roost. Cocks crowed in answer to one another as + they commonly do in the night. Woodcocks, which are night + birds, whistled as they do _only_ in the dark. Frogs peeped. In + short, there was the appearance of midnight at noonday. + + "About three o'clock the light in the west increased, the + motion of the clouds [became] more quick, their color higher + and more brassy than at any time before. There appeared to be + quick flashes or coruscations, not unlike the aurora + borealis.... About half past four our company, which had passed + an unexpected night very cheerfully together, broke up." + +Of the night following, this gentleman (then at Salem) wrote: + + "Perhaps it never was darker since the children of Israel left + the house of bondage. This gross darkness held till about one + o'clock, although the moon had fulled but the day before." + +The Boston _Independent Chronicle_ of June 8 quoted from Thomas's +_Massachusetts Spy_: + + "During the whole time a sickly, melancholy gloom overcast the + face of nature. Nor was the darkness of the night less uncommon + and terrifying than that of the day; notwithstanding there was + almost a full moon, no object was discernible, but by the help + of some artificial light, which when seen from the neighboring + houses and other places at a distance, appeared through a kind + of Egyptian darkness, which seemed almost impervious to the + rays. + + "This unusual phenomenon excited the fears and apprehensions of + many people. Some considered it as a portentous omen of the + wrath of Heaven in vengeance denounced against the land, others + as the immediate harbinger of the last day, when 'the sun shall + be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.'" + +Not only over the land, but out at sea also, the unnatural darkness of +the day and night of May 19, 1780, was observed. In the _Independent +Chronicle_ of June 15, 1780, a correspondent, telling of interviews with +various observers, said: + + "I have also seen a very sensible captain of a vessel, who was + that morning about forty leagues southeast of Boston. He says + the cloud which appeared at the west was the blackest he ever + saw. About eleven o'clock there was a little rain, and it grew + dark. Between one and two he was obliged to light a large + candle to steer by.... Between nine and ten at night, he + ordered his men to take in some of the sails, but it was so + dark that they could not find the way from one mast to the + other." + + +Thoughts Turned to the Judgment + +This writer commented as follows concerning the feelings awakened by the +event: + + "Various have been the sentiments of people concerning the + designs of Providence in spreading the unusual darkness over + us. Some suppose it portentous of the last scene. I wish it may + have some good effect on the minds of the wicked, and that they + may be excited to prepare for that solemn day." + +The _Independent Chronicle_ of June 22, 1780, printed a letter from Dr. +Samuel Stearns, who had been appealed to because of his knowledge "in +philosophy and astronomy." First, he disposed of one suggestion that had +been made: + + "That the darkness was not caused by an eclipse is manifest by + the various positions of the planets of our system at that + time; for the moon was more than one hundred and fifty degrees + from the sun all that day." + +Then, in the rather heavy language of the science of that period, this +writer told how the action of the sun's heat was continually projecting +into the atmosphere particles of earthy matter; and in his opinion it +was some "vast collection of such particles that caused the late +uncommon darkness." But as to the real accounting for the phenomenon he +wrote: + + "The primary cause must be imputed to Him that walketh through + the circuit of heaven, who stretcheth out the heaven like a + curtain, who maketh the clouds His chariot, who walketh upon + the wings of the wind. It was He, at whose voice the stormy + winds are obedient, that commanded these exhalations to be + collected and condensed together, that with them He might + darken both the day and the night; which darkness was, perhaps, + not only a token of His indignation against the crying + iniquities and abominations of the people, but an omen of some + future destruction." + +Thus men's minds were exercised by this sign "in the sun, and in the +moon." + +The early records of New York City tell of the interest excited there, +though evidently the darkness was not so marked as it was farther north. + + +In the Connecticut Legislature + +President Timothy Dwight, of Yale College, a contemporary, left the +following account of one of the historic incidents of the day: + + "The legislature of Connecticut was then in session at + Hartford. A very general opinion prevailed that the day of + judgment was at hand. The house of representatives, being + unable to transact their business, adjourned. A proposal to + adjourn the council [a second legislative body called the + Governor's Council] was under consideration. When the opinion + of Colonel Davenport was asked, he answered, 'I am against an + adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching or it is + not. If it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment; if it + is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that + candles may be brought.'"--_Barber, "Connecticut Historical + Collections," p. 403._ + +It was this striking incident that Whittier described with the poet's +pen: + + "Meanwhile in the old Statehouse, dim as ghosts, + Sat the lawgivers of Connecticut, + Trembling beneath their legislative robes. + 'It is the Lord's great day! Let us adjourn,' + Some said; and then, as with one accord, + All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport. + He rose, slow cleaving with his steady voice + The intolerable hush. 'This well may be + The day of judgment which the world awaits; + But be it so or not, I only know + My present duty, and my Lord's command + To occupy till He come. So at the post + Where He hath set me in His providence + I choose, for one, to meet Him face to face,-- + No faithless servant, frightened from my task, + But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls; + And therefore, with all reverence, I would say, + Let God do His work, we will see to ours. + Bring in the candles.'" + +Thus, in a manner that arrested the attention of men and put awe and +solemnity into their hearts, with thoughts of the coming of the great +day of God, the first of the predicted signs in the heavens was +revealed. + +At a later time, when students of the Bible seemed moved upon +simultaneously, in both Europe and America, to give attention to the +doctrine of Christ's second coming, it was more generally understood +that these signs had come in fulfilment of prophecy. + +As we look to the past, we see how truly the tokens of the coming King +began to appear as the church of Christ emerged fully from the long, +dark period of tribulation. A new era was dawning, in which the Lord was +to fill the earth with light before His second appearing, according to +His word to Daniel the prophet: + +"Thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time +of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be +increased." Dan. 12:4. + +At last the time of the end was at hand, and the signs of the latter +days had begun to appear in the earth and in the heavens. The Lord was +preparing to send to all the world the closing gospel message of +Christ's soon coming in glory. + +[Illustration: THE GREAT METEORIC SHOWER NOVEMBER 13, 1833 + +"The stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her +untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." Rev. 6:13.] + +[Illustration: A STAR HERALDS HIS FIRST ADVENT + +"We have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Matt. +2:2.] + + + + +THE FALLING STARS OF 1833 + + +"The Stars Shall Fall from Heaven" + +A great impetus was given to the study of divine prophecy by the events +of the closing years of the eighteenth century. Observers had seen the +papal power receive a "deadly wound" in the events and effects of the +French Revolution; and it was understood that the world was entering a +new era of enlightenment and liberty. + +Bible students began to see more clearly the lesson of the great +outlines of historic prophecy, and hearts were stirred with the +evidences that the coming of the Lord was drawing near. In Europe and +America, in the early decades of the nineteenth century, there was the +beginning of a revival of the study and preaching of the advent idea. + + +Another Sign in the Heavens + +Just here appeared another great sign in the heavens, foretold by the +word of prophecy. Of the sign that was to follow the darkening of the +sun and moon, Christ's prophecy says: + +"The stars shall fall from heaven." Matt. 24:29. + +The prophet John beheld the spectacle in a vision of the last days, and +described it in these words: + +"The stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her +untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." Rev. 6:13. + +On Nov. 13, 1833, came the wondrous celestial exhibition of falling +stars, which is listed as one of the most remarkable phenomena of the +astronomical story. + +Meteoric displays, swarms of shooting stars, have been observed at +various times all through the ages; but this phenomenon, coming in the +order given by the prophecy, that is, following the darkening of the +sun, constituted the sublime display answering to the pen-picture of the +Apocalypse,--as if all the stars of heaven were falling to the earth. + +The essential thing about a sign is that it shall be seen, that the +circumstances of its appearance shall fasten attention. Not in America +alone, but equally in all the civilized world, as a topic of study, this +sign in the heavens commanded the attention of men. + +An English scientist, Rev. Thomas Milner, F.R.G.S., wrote: + + "The attention of astronomers in Europe, and all over the + world, was, as may be imagined, strongly roused by intelligence + of this celestial display on the Western continent."--_"The + Gallery of Nature" (London, 1852), p. 141._ + +This writer called it "by far the most splendid display on +record."--_Id., p. 139._ + +Another English astronomical writer of more recent date says: + + "Once for all, then, as the result of the star fall of 1833, + the study of luminous meteors became an integral part of + astronomy."--_Clerke, "History of Astronomy in the Nineteenth + Century," p. 329._ + +This same work describes the extent of the display as follows: + + "On the night of Nov. 12-13, 1833, a tempest of falling stars + broke over the earth. North America bore the brunt of its + pelting. From the Gulf of Mexico to Halifax, until daylight + with some difficulty put an end to the display, the sky was + scored in every direction with shining tracks and illuminated + with majestic fireballs."--_Page 328._ + + +The Spectacle Described + +The closest scientific observations were made by Prof. Denison Olmsted, +professor of astronomy at Yale, who wrote in the _American Journal of +Science_: + + "The morning of Nov. 13, 1833, was rendered memorable by an + exhibition of the phenomenon called shooting stars, which was + probably more extensive and magnificent than any similar one + hitherto recorded.... Probably no celestial phenomenon has ever + occurred in this country, since its first settlement, which was + viewed with so much admiration and delight by one class of + spectators, or with so much astonishment and fear by another + class. For some time after the occurrence, the 'meteoric + phenomenon' was the principal topic of conversation in every + circle."--_Volume XXV (1834), pp. 363, 364._ + +Prof. Simon Newcomb, the astronomer, declares this phenomenal exhibition +of falling stars "the most remarkable one ever observed." (See +"Astronomy for Everybody," p. 280.) + +This was not merely a display of an unusual number of falling stars, +such as Humboldt observed in South America in 1799, or such as we find +recorded of other times before and since. It was a "shower" of falling +stars, just such a spectacle as one must picture from the words of the +prophecy, "And the stars of heaven fell." + +The French astronomer Flammarion says of the density of the shower: + + "The Boston observer, Olmsted, compared them, at the moment of + maximum, to half the number of flakes which we perceive in the + air during an ordinary shower of snow."--_"Popular Astronomy," + p. 536._ + +This affords us a better idea of the scene than the estimate of 34,640 +stars an hour, which was made by Professor Olmsted after the rain of the +stars had greatly abated, so that he was able to make an attempt at +counting. + +Dr. Humphreys, president of St. John's College, Annapolis, said of the +appearance at the Maryland capital: + + "In the words of most, they fell _like flakes of + snow_."--_American Journal of Science, Vol. XXV (1834), p. + 372._ + +Nothing less than this could have presented the counterpart of the +prophetic picture. + +Thoughtful hearts were solemnized by the unwonted spectacle. Prof. +Alexander Twining, civil engineer, "late tutor in Yale College," giving +his views as to the nature of the flaming visitants from space, wrote: + + "Had they held on their course unabated for three seconds + longer, half a continent must, to all appearance, have been + involved in unheard-of calamity. But that almighty Being who + made the world, and knew its dangers, gave it also its + armature--endowing the atmospheric medium around it with + protecting, no less than with life-sustaining, properties.... + + "Considered as one of the rare and wonderful displays of the + Creator's preserving care, as well as the terrible magnitude + and power of His agencies, it is not meet that such occurrences + as those of November 13 should leave no more solid and + permanent effect upon the human mind than the impression of a + splendid scene."--_American Journal of Science, Vol. XXVI + (1834), p. 351._ + +Multitudes felt that the great Creator had spoken to men in this notable +wonder of His heavens. Again and again in the records and reminiscences +of that time, testimony is borne to the fact that observers were +impressed with the likeness of the scene to that described in the divine +prophecy as one of the signs of the end of the world. + + +The Prophetic Picture Reproduced + +The New York _Journal of Commerce_ emphasized the exactness of detail +with which the prophecy described the scene as it appeared in 1833. This +is the apocalyptic picture, as the ancient prophet saw it in vision: + +"The stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her +untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." Rev. 6:13. + +A correspondent of the _Journal of Commerce_ draws the picture as it was +seen nearly eighteen centuries later, the likeness to the prophetic +description being emphasized in every line: + + "No philosopher or scholar has told or recorded an event like + that of yesterday morning. A prophet eighteen hundred years ago + foretold it exactly, if we will be at the trouble of + understanding stars falling to mean falling stars."--_New York + Journal of Commerce, Nov. 14, 1833._ + +In this connection was noted by the same writer the special +appropriateness of the prophet's figure of the fig tree casting the +green figs in a mighty wind: + + "Here is the exactness of the prophet. The falling stars did + not come as if from _several_ trees shaken, but from _one_. + Those which appeared in the east fell toward the east: those + which appeared in the north fell toward the north; those which + appeared in the west fell toward the west; and those which + appeared in the south (for I went out of my residence into the + park) fell toward the south; and they fell not as ripe fruit + falls; far from it; but they _flew_, they were _cast_, like the + unripe fig, which at first refuses to leave the branch; and + when it does break its hold, flies swiftly, straight off, + descending; and in the multitude falling, some cross the track + of others, as they are thrown with more or less force." + +Professor Olmsted's long and carefully elaborated account in the +_American Journal of Science_, gave a report from a correspondent in +Bowling Green, Mo., as follows: + + "Though there was no moon, when we first observed them; their + brilliancy was so great that we could, at times, read + common-sized print without much difficulty, and the light which + they afforded was much whiter than that of the moon, in the + clearest and coldest night, when the ground is covered with + snow. The air itself, the face of the earth as far as we could + behold it, all the surrounding objects, and the very + countenances of men, wore the aspect and hue of death, + occasioned by the continued, pallid glare of these countless + meteors, which in all their grandeur flamed 'lawless through + the sky.' + + "There was a grand and indescribable gloom on all around, an + awe-inspiring sublimity on all above; while-- + + "'The sanguine flood + Rolled a broad slaughter o'er the plains of heaven, + And nature's self did seem to totter on the brink of time!' + + "... There was scarcely a space in the firmament which was not + filled at every instant with these falling stars, nor on it + could you in general perceive any particular difference in + appearance; still at times they seemed to shower down in + groups--calling to mind the fig tree, casting her untimely figs + when shaken by a mighty wind."--_Volume XXV (1834), p. 382._ + +[Illustration: THE SIGN OF FIRE + +"As this sign of fire in the watchtower was a signal to God's people +anciently to flee from the coming danger (see Jer. 6:1), so the signs +appearing now in the heavens and in the earth are God's signals of +warning to the people of our day."] + + +A Sign to All the World + +It was not in North America alone, but in all the civilized world, that +the attention of men was called to the prophetic word by the discussions +of this event. Thus the English scientific writer, Thomas Milner, +writing for the British public, spoke as follows of the profound +impression made: + + "In many districts, the mass of the population were + terror-struck, and the more enlightened were awed at + contemplating so vivid a picture of the apocalyptic image--that + of the stars of heaven falling to the earth, even as a fig tree + casting her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty + wind."--_"The Gallery of Nature" (London, 1852), p. 140._ + +So the sign in the heavens made its solemn appeal to all the world. It +brought to the multitudes who saw it, thoughts of God and the last great +day. An observer living at the time in Georgia, wrote, "Everybody felt +that it was the judgment, and that the end of the world had come." +Another, in Kentucky, wrote, "In every direction I could hear men, +women, and children screaming, 'The judgment day is come!'" + +Rather, it was a signal that the hour of God's judgment was drawing +near. The signs so long foretold were appearing, one by one, to register +their enduring mark on the record of fulfilling prophecy. + +Immediately following these times, there began an awakening concerning +the vital Bible doctrine of the second coming of Christ, which has grown +into the definite advent movement that is carrying the gospel message of +preparation for the coming of the Lord to every nation and tongue and +people. + + +The Sign of 1833 Emphasized by Other Displays + +We have mentioned the fact that Humboldt had observed an extraordinary +fall of meteorites in South America, thirty-three years, before, in +1799. And he reported at the time that the oldest inhabitants there had +a recollection of a similar display in 1766. + +From these reports, scientists deduced the theory that these showers +were to be expected every thirty-three years. Hence in 1866 they were +watching for a repetition of the 1833 display. + +That there was a measure of truth in the deduction was made evident by +an unusual fall of meteorites Nov. 14, 1866. This time Europe was the +scene of the display. But the event was not to be compared with that of +1833. This appears plain from the account of observations made by Sir +Robert Ball and Lord Rosse, the British astronomers. + +Sir Robert Ball says that when the meteorites began to fall, he and Lord +Rosse went out upon the wall of the observatory housing Lord Rosse's +great reflecting telescope: + + "There, for the next two or three hours, we witnessed a + spectacle which can never fade from my memory. The shooting + stars gradually increased in number until sometimes several + were seen at once."--_"Story of the Heavens," p. 380._ + +Grand as the spectacle was, it was but a reminder, apparently, of the +star shower of 1833, when not "several" meteorites fell at a time, nor +many, merely, but, as it appeared, "the stars of heaven fell unto the +earth." + +However, the spectacle of 1866, which was observed over a great part of +the Old World,[D] served to direct renewed attention to the incomparable +event of 1833, as well as to the prophetic descriptions of the "wonders +in the heavens" (Joel 2:30) which were to appear as the end drew near. + +[Illustration: CHRIST'S PROMISE TO RETURN + +"I will come again, and receive you unto Myself." John 14:3.] + +Textbooks and astronomical works thereupon began to count it as fully +established that every thirty-three years the displays would be +repeated. It was confidently predicted that 1899 would witness a +repetition, possibly on the scale of 1833. + +Professor Langley's "New Astronomy" (published in 1888) said: + + "The great November shower, which is coming once more in this + century, and which every reader may hope to see toward 1899, is + of particular interest to us as the first whose movements were + subject to analysis." + +Chambers's Astronomy, published in 1889, said: + + "The meteors of November 13 may be expected to reappear with + great brilliancy in 1899."---_Volume I, p. 635._ + +But the November date passed in 1899, and the years have passed; and the +wondrous scene of 1833 has not been repeated. Clerke's "History of +Astronomy in the Nineteenth Century" says: + + "We can no longer count upon the Leonids [as the meteorites of + 1833 were called, because they seemed to fall from a point in + the constellation of Leo]. Their glory, for scenic purposes, is + departed."--_Page 338._ + + +The Lord's Signal to Watch + +Thus the wisest astronomical predictions made shortly before 1899, based +upon the apparently recurrent regularity of the phenomenon, failed; but +the predictions of the sure word of prophecy, set down on the sacred +record eighteen centuries before, were fulfilled to the letter. + +At the close of the days of the predicted tribulation of the church, the +signs began to appear--the sun was darkened, the moon withheld its +light, and the stars of heaven fell. + +The series began at the time specified, the signs came in the order +given in Christ's prophecy. The record of history bears witness that the +prophecy was fulfilled. + +It may be that on a yet more awful and universal scale these phenomena +will be seen again in that last shaking of the powers of heaven which is +to attend the rolling back of the heavens as a scroll, the immediate +prelude to Christ's glorious appearing. But Christ's prophecy, at this +point, was not giving a description of events at the very end of the +world, but signs by which it might be known when the end was drawing +near. + +As the signs should be recognized, the Saviour intended that those who +loved His appearing should be quickened with hope, and inspired to +hasten to the world with the gospel message preparing the way of the +Lord. The Lord's word for His children was, + +"When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your +heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28. + +Long ago these signs began to come to pass. Now may the Lord's believing +children well look up and rejoice, knowing that the day of eternal +redemption is indeed nigh at hand. + + +He Will Come for His Own + + In the glad time of the harvest, + In the grand millennial year, + When the King shall take His scepter, + And to judge the world appear, + Earth and sea shall yield their treasure, + All shall stand before the throne; + Just awards will then be given, + When the King shall claim His own. + + O the rapture of His people! + Long they've dwelt on earth's low sod, + With their hearts e'er turning homeward, + Rich in faith and love to God. + They will share the life immortal, + They will know as they are known, + They will pass the pearly portal, + When the King shall claim His own. + + Long they've toiled within the harvest, + Sown the precious seed with tears; + Soon they'll drop their heavy burdens + In the glad millennial years; + They will share the bliss of heaven, + Nevermore to sigh or moan; + Starry crowns will then be given, + When the King shall claim His own. + + We shall greet the loved and loving, + Who have left us lonely here; + Every heartache will be banished + When the Saviour shall appear; + Never grieved with sin or sorrow, + Never weary or alone; + O, we long for that glad morrow + When the King shall claim His own! + + --_L.D. Santee._ + +[Illustration: SATAN OFFERS GOLD, AND THE WORLD STAMPEDES TO ITS +DESTRUCTION + +"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come +upon you." James 5:1.] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[D] The display was most brilliant, apparently, in Western Asia. The +veteran missionary, Dr. H.H. Jessup, of the Presbyterian Missionary +College, of Beirut, describes the scene in his "Fifty-Three Years in +Syria:" "On the morning of the fourteenth [November], at three o'clock, +I was roused from a deep sleep by the voice of one of the young men +calling, 'The stars are all coming down.' ... The meteors poured down +like a rain of fire. Many of them were large and varicolored, and left +behind them a long train of fire. One immense green meteor came down +over Lebanon, seeming as large as the moon, and exploded with a large +noise, leaving a green pillar of light in its train. It was vain to +attempt to count them, and the display continued until dawn, when their +light was obscured by the king of day.... The Mohammedans gave the call +to prayer from the minarets, and the common people were in +terror."--_Volume I, pp. 316, 317._ + + +[Illustration: THE MISER + +"Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." James 5:3.] + + + + +THE MEANING OF PRESENT-DAY CONDITIONS + +"THERE SHALL BE SIGNS ... UPON THE EARTH" + + +From the specific signs in the heavens, which were to herald the coming +of the latter days and awaken the church to look for its coming Lord, +our Saviour's prophecy passed on to designate certain general conditions +in the world which were to continue until the great day of God comes: + +"There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and +upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the +waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after +those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven +shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a +cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:25-27. + +Among the developments here foretold, and which contribute to the +"distress of nations, with perplexity," we may list the following: + +[Illustration: THE ARMING OF THE NATIONS + +"Prepare war,... beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning +hooks into spears." Joel 3: 9, 10.] + + +1. Political Unrest--the Arming of the Nations + +Following on closely with the signs in the heavens, there appears also +the awakening to national aspirations and rivalries in Europe, out of +which has grown the arming of the nations. The beginning of the modern +race of armaments may be dated from those stirring and eventful years of +1830 to 1848. We have seen the resources of the soil and the inventive +genius of man devoted to preparations for war on a scale never before +thought of. The prophet Joel foretold these conditions in the last days: + +"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles ["the nations," R.V.]: Prepare war, +wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come +up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into +spears: let the weak say, I am strong.... Let the heathen be +wakened.... Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision [or +"cutting off"]: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of +decision." Joel 3: 9-14. + +[Illustration: READY FOR THE CONFLICT + +"For the day of the Lord is near." Joel 3: 14. + +PHOTO FROM UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] + +Another prophecy forewarns of the "peace and safety" cry that is to be +heard as the end draws near. We are told that many people in the last +days will be saying that swords are to be beaten into plowshares, and +that the nations will cease from war (Isa. 2:3, 4); but the actual +conditions are repeatedly described in prophecy as warlike and perilous. +Thus the revelator saw the closing days: + +"The nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the +dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldst give reward +unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear +Thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the +earth." Rev. 11: 18. + +[Illustration: A FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT + +"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Matt. +24: 42.] + +What we see then among the nations proclaims the approaching end. + + +2. Signs in the Social World + +A New Testament prophecy of the latter days says: + +"In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of +their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to +parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, +false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, +traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of +God." 2 Tim. 3: 1-4. + +The "perilous times" have come, when, as never before, the world is +pleasure mad. + +"Unrestrained passion for pleasure," said M. Comte, editor of the French +_Relevement Social_, writing just before the European war, is bringing a +terrible train of evils into modern society. Along with it he put "the +hunt for money without regard for means," adding: + + "This is the theme which manufacturers, business men, men in + the public administration, continually harp on with ever the + same conviction and ever the same wealth of proof. + + "The note is ever the same, and the conclusion identical: _Nous + sommes perdus!_ [We are lost!]"--_Quoted in Record of Christian + Work, July, 1914._ + +Many agencies for social and temperance reform are rendering the +greatest human service; but for lost humanity the only hope is Christ, +the divine Saviour. With an urgency born of the last call, His gospel is +sounding to a world on the verge of eternity. Yet with divine love +longing to save, the world sweeps on, less and less mindful of eternal +interests. Christ's prophecy foretold it as it is: + +"As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. +For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and +drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe +entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them +all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24: +37-39. + +Who can look out upon mankind today without the conviction that this +scripture is being fulfilled? The drift is strong toward the world and +away from God; but we are bidden to watch and pray, lest the coming day +find us unprepared. + + +3. Signs in the Industrial World + +Industrial conditions today add their contribution to the "distress of +nations, with perplexity." Through the word of prophecy the Lord long +ago foretold these conditions, with a warning to the careless rich, and +a warning to the laborer and the poor, not to be drawn into contention +over the things of this world, for the Judge is at the door. The +prophecy, it will be seen, refers specifically to latter-day conditions. + +[Illustration: "AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?" + +A night scene on the Thames embankment, London.] + +"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come +upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. +Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a +witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have +heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the +laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by +fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into +the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, +and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of +slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist +you. + +[Illustration: THE RICH YOUNG MAN + +"Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure +in heaven." Matt. 19: 21.] + +"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, +the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath +long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye +also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth +nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: +behold, the Judge standeth before the door." James 5: 1-9. + +There is no need to argue that the issues with which the prophecy deals +are pressing upon the world with ever-increasing perplexity. We quote +but two statements, by men not engaged in agitation, but calmly and +thoughtfully setting down the signs of the times. + +The late Lord Avebury (Sir John Lubbock) wrote a few years ago in the +_Review of Internationalism_: + + "The religion of Europe is not Christianity, but the worship of + the god of war.... Unless something is done, the condition of + the poor in Europe will grow worse and worse. It is no use + shutting our eyes. Revolution may not come soon, not probably + in our time, but come it will, and as sure as fate there will + be an explosion such as the world has never seen." + +Of the rapid growth of discontent and its propaganda, Mr. Frederick +Townsend Martin, of New York, wrote: + + "Fifty years ago there was scarcely a voice of protest; indeed, + there was hardly anything to protest against. Twenty-five years + ago the protest was clear and distinct, and we understood it. + Ten years ago the protest found expression in a dozen weekly + publications, but today the protest is circulated not by + hundreds or thousands of printed copies of books, pamphlets, + magazines, and newspapers, but actually by the million. + + "This propaganda of protest has its daily papers that are + distinctive and published for that purpose, and that purpose + only. It has its magazines and tens of thousands of weekly + papers. Only a fool sneers at such a volume of publicity as + that.... + + "The warnings that hundreds of us are uttering may be ignored. + The squandering may go on, the vulgar bacchanalia may be + prolonged, the poor may have to writhe under the iron heel of + the iron lord--the dance of death may go on until society's E + string snaps, and then the Vesuvius of the underworld will + belch forth its lava of death and destruction."--_Hearst's + Magazine, September, 1913._ + +Thus hearts grow faint "for looking after those things which are coming +on the earth." But while the increasing "distress of nations, with +perplexity," abounds, the Lord sends the steadying, assuring message +that soon Christ will come to end the reign of sin and strife. He would +have His children keep the gospel light glowing, and wait patiently for +Him. + + +4. The Great Missionary Movement + +The Saviour's prophecy of the signs of His second coming places the work +of world evangelization as the culminating sign. This in itself is a +joyful token of the approaching end, a bright signal of hope in a +suffering world. He said: + +"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a +witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24: 14. + +Before the end, the light of the gospel was to shine into every dark +corner of the earth. True to the sure word of prophecy, when the latter +days began,--"the time of the end,"--there sprang up the great movement +of modern missions which has been one of the leading characteristics of +the last century. Here are a few facts showing the missionary +developments of a single century: + + "In 1800 the foreign missionary societies numbered seven. In + 1900 they numbered over 500. + + "In 1800 the income of seven societies amounted to about + $50,000. In 1900 the income was over $15,000,000. + + "In 1800 the number of native communicants enrolled in + Protestant mission churches was 7,000. In 1900 there were + 1,500,000 native communicants. + + "In 1800 the adherents of Protestant churches in heathen lands + were estimated at 15,000. In 1900 they numbered 3,500,000. + + "In 1800 only one fifth of the human family had the Bible in + languages they could read. In 1900 nine tenths of the people of + the world had the Word of God in languages and dialects known + to them." + +Since 1900 the missionary movement has remarkably increased in extent +and activity. It is estimated that now there are about 22,000 foreign +missionaries in the fields, with many thousands of trained native +evangelists and helpers. + +The prophecy is fulfilling before our eyes. It is not the conversion of +the world that Christ's words foretold, but the evangelization of the +world; and when all the world has heard the gospel of the kingdom, "then +shall the end come." + +Another prophecy--that of Rev. 14: 6-14--shows that the closing phase of +this world-wide missionary movement is to be the proclamation of the +special gospel message of preparation for the coming of the Lord, +calling all men to worship God and keep His commandments, and warning +them against following the traditions of men that make void the Word of +God. + +[Illustration: THE SUNSET HOUR + +"The work that centuries might have done Must crowd the hour of setting +sun."] + +With the coming of this generation there has come just such a message, +in the rise and progress of the advent movement, the burden of the +message being expressed in the very language of the prophecy--"Fear God, +and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." Rev. 14: +7. And the movement is spreading rapidly "to every nation, and kindred, +and tongue, and people." Thus in vision the prophet on Patmes heard the +message given; and when its warning cry had reached all nations, he saw +Christ coming in the clouds of heaven to reap the harvest of the earth. + + +"Even at the Doors" + +Of the beginning of the special signs of the last days, Christ said: + +"When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your +heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21: 28. + +But of the time when these signs should all be seen fulfilled or in +process of fulfilment, the Saviour said: + +"Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender, and +putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when +ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. +Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these +things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words +shall not pass away." Matt. 24: 32-35. + +In this generation we see these things. All about us the signs have +appeared. We know, then, by the word that shall not pass away, that the +generation has at last appeared that is to see the Saviour coming in +power and great glory. "Of that day and hour knoweth no man," but we may +know "that it is near, even at the doors"--the day for which the saints +of God have hoped through all the ages. + +[Illustration: PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH + +"Understandest thou what thou readest?" Acts 8:30.] + +[Illustration: THE ROYAL PALACE OF BABYLON + +"The God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and +glory." Dan. 2:37] + + + + +THE HISTORIC PROPHECY OF DANIEL 7 + +FOUR GREAT UNIVERSAL EMPIRES + + +Part I + +So important is it that we understand the events leading on to the end, +that repeatedly the "sure word of prophecy" outlines the course of this +world's history, and sets up waymarks along the highway to the +everlasting kingdom. + +In the light of prophecy we see the hand of God guiding and overruling +through all history, shaping events for the carrying out of His purpose +to end the reign of sin and to bring in the reign of eternal +righteousness. His prophetic word foretells events of history, that we +may know that He is the living God over all, and that we may understand +that the divine purpose will surely be fulfilled. Above a wicked world +there is a God in heaven, waiting only the appointed time for the +accomplishment of His purposes. + +"I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the +beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, +saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.... I have +spoken it, I also will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also +do it.... My salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in +Zion." Isa. 46:9-13. + +In the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, recorded in the second chapter of +Daniel, the Lord revealed in brief but graphic outline the course of +history from the days of Babylon to the end of the world. The four great +universal monarchies,--Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome--were +represented by the various parts of the metallic image. That prophecy +described particularly the division of the Roman Empire into the +kingdoms of western Europe. "In the days of these kings," declared the +word of the Lord, the God of heaven was to set up His kingdom, bringing +an end to all earthly powers. + +In the seventh chapter we are taken over the same course of history, in +Daniel's vision of the four beasts. Here also chief attention is devoted +to the fourth great kingdom; and especially to its divided state; for +the events taking place at this time are of the deepest eternal interest +to all men. + +In this vision Daniel saw four universal empires represented by great +beasts. One after another the symbolic beasts arose, did their work, and +gave place to the next scenes in the history. The angel clearly +explained to Daniel the meaning of the vision: + +"These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise +out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall take the +kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." + +Of necessity, then, it is a repetition of the story of the four +universal monarchies dealt with in the second chapter, and ending with +the setting up of the everlasting kingdom. + +Let us place the view given the prophet in vision alongside the record +of history. + +First, however, a word as to the manner in which the great beasts +appeared to the prophet: + +"I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven +strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, +diverse one from another." + +Again and again, in the figurative language of Scripture, winds are used +as the symbol for wars; and the sea, or waters, for nations or peoples. +(See Jer. 25:31-33; Rev. 17:15.) The prophet saw the clashing of the +nations in war, and out of these conflicts arose the kingdoms described +in the prophecy. + +[Illustration: THE FIRST BEAST + +"The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings." Dan. 7:4.] + + +Babylon + +Note the prophetic picture of the prophecy and the corresponding +representation in history. + +_Prophecy._--"The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld +till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the +earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was +given to it." + +_History._--As the lion is king of beasts, it was a fitting symbol of +Babylon, "the glory of kingdoms." Isa. 13:19. The eagle's wings suggest +rapidity of movement and far-reaching conquest. The prophet Habakkuk +said of it, "Their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the +eagle." This was the characteristic of Babylon under the earlier kings, +but especially under Nebuchadnezzar. Berosus, the ancient Chaldean +historian, wrote of him: + + "This Babylonian king conquered Egypt, and Syria, and Phenicia, + and Arabia; and exceeded in his exploits all that had reigned + before him in Babylon." (See Flavius Josephus "Against Apion," + book 1, par. 19.) + +[Illustration: THE SECOND BEAST + +"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear." Dan. 7:5.] + +But now, at the time of Daniel's vision, degeneracy had come; the empire +was tottering. The lion heart was gone, the eagle's wings were plucked, +and within three years from the time the vision was given, Babylon was +overthrown. + + +Medo-Persia + +As the dominion passed from Babylon to the next great power, the prophet +says: + +_Prophecy._--"Behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it +raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it +between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much +flesh." + +_History._--The Medes and Persians overthrew Babylon. Medo-Persia was a +dual kingdom, lifting itself up on one side, first the Median branch the +stronger, then the Persian, under Cyrus and his successors, rising +higher. This two-sided characteristic, noted as a distinguishing mark in +the prophecy, was emphasized by the ancient writers also. AEschylus, the +Greek poet, who lived in the time of Persia, wrote: + + "Asia's brave host, + A Mede first led. The virtues of his son + Fixed firm the empire.... + ... Cyrus third, by fortune graced, + Adorned the throne." + + --"_Persoe._" + +The word spoken in the vision, "Arise, devour much flesh," describes the +history from the time when the Persian side rose uppermost. Rawlinson +says, "Cyrus proceeded with scarcely a pause on a long career of +conquest." + +An alliance against Persia was formed by Lydia, Egypt, and Babylon +(Herodotus 1:77); and as these three great provinces were subdued, they +may well be represented by the three ribs in the mouth of the +Medo-Persian bear. + + +Grecia + +Yet another kingdom was to follow, and strikingly the symbol pictures +the characteristics of the Greek conquest. + +_Prophecy._--"After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which +had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; and the beast had also +four heads; and dominion was given to it." + +_History._--The third kingdom was Grecia. Under Alexander the Great, the +Greeks swept into Asia with the quickness of the leopard's spring. And +the four wings on the leopard must represent astonishing fleetness. +Plutarch speaks of the "incredible swiftness" of Alexander's conquests. +Appian wrote: + + "The empire of Alexander was splendid in its magnitude, in its + armies, in the success and rapidity of its conquests, and it + wanted little of being boundless and unexampled, yet in its + shortness of duration it was like a brilliant flash of + lightning. Although broken into several satrapies, even the + parts were splendid."--_"History of Rome," preface, par. 10._ + +[Illustration: THE THIRD BEAST + +"After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard." Dan. 7:6.] + +Thus the ancient Roman writer pictured the career of Grecia just as +represented by the prophetic symbol--the fleetness, the great dominion +given it, the division of the empire into satrapies, as suggested by the +four heads of the leopard. Out of the conflicts following Alexander's +death, there came the fourfold headship of the empire. Rawlinson says, +"A quadripartite division of Alexander's domain was recognized." (See +"Sixth Monarchy," chap. 3.) The real situation is best represented, as +Dr. Albert Barnes says, by "one animal with four heads," just as the +prophetic symbol described it centuries before. + +Thus the course of empire followed the outline of the "sure word of +prophecy" from age to age. + + "Armies were ranged in battle's dread array: + They fought--their glory withered in its bud; + They perished--with them ceased their tyrants' sway; + New wars, new heroes came--their story passed away." + +There was to be no abiding kingdom till the time came for God's glorious +kingdom to be set up. + +[Illustration: THE FOURTH BEAST + +"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, +dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly." Dan. 7:7.] + + +Rome + +As the prophet watched the moving panorama of history, foretold in +symbols, he said: + +_Prophecy._--"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth +beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great +iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue +with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were +before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, +there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were +three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this +horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great +things." + +[Illustration: ROME ON THE TIBER + +The palace of the Caesars appears high on the hill at the left.] + +_History._--As the iron of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream fitly +represented the "iron monarchy of Rome," so here the dreadful beast, +with its iron teeth, can be none other than Rome, which followed Grecia +in world dominion. It was the most powerful, the most dominating, of all +the beasts in the prophetic series. A Roman Catholic writer, Cardinal +Manning, compresses into a paragraph the correspondence of history to +the likeness of the prophecy: + +[Illustration: BATTLE OF ZAMA, B.C. 202 + +By which Rome broke the power of Carthage, its rival, and "began the +conquest of the world."] + + "The legions of Rome occupied the circumference of the world. + The military roads which sprang from Rome traversed all the + earth; the whole world was, as it were, held in peace and in + tranquillity by the universal presence of this mighty heathen + empire. It was 'exceedingly terrible,' according to the + prophecies of Daniel; it was as it were of iron, beating down + and subduing the nations."--_"The Temporal Power of the Pope" + (London, 1862), p. 122._ + +Thus far every symbol of the prophet's vision finds its exact and clear +counterpart in history. A writer living in the third century, in the +days of imperial Rome, rejoiced to see how exactly the prophecy was +being fulfilled. Hippolytus (counted a saint by the Catholic Church) +wrote: + + "Rejoice, blessed Daniel! thou hast not been in error! All + these things have come to pass. After this again thou hast told + us of the beast, dreadful and terrible. It has iron teeth and + claws of brass; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped + the residue with the feet of it. Already the iron rules; + already it subdues and breaks all in pieces; already it brings + all the unwilling into subjection; already we see these things + ourselves. Now we glorify God, being instructed by + thee."--_"Treatise on Christ and Antichrist," sec. 33._ + +Now the prophetic outline comes to the time of the division of the Roman +Empire, introducing events of deepest personal interest to us today. + + +Part II + +The Fourth Kingdom and the "Little Horn" + +It was the fourth great monarchy, Imperial Rome, and the events to +follow it, that engaged the anxious inquiry of the prophet. He says: + +"Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from +all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his +nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue +with his feet; and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the +other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that +had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more +stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the +saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and +judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came +that the saints possessed the kingdom." + +The prophet wanted to know the truth about it; and the angel told him +the truth. First, the angel said: + +"The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be +diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall +tread it down, and break it in pieces." + +The fourth kingdom, as we have seen, was Rome. As Cardinal Manning said +of the empire, "It was 'exceeding terrible,' according to the prophecies +of Daniel; it was as it were of iron, breaking down and subduing the +nations." + +Of the ten horns that arose out of this fourth great empire, the angel +said: + +"The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and +another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, +and he shall subdue three kings." + +We look to the history of the Roman Empire, and what do we see?--Just +the picture of the prophecy. We see the original Roman Empire of the +West divided into lesser kingdoms. We see the barbarian peoples of the +North sweeping down upon the empire, breaking it up, and establishing +within its boundaries the various kingdoms that are to this day +represented by the kingdoms of western Europe. + +And as we watch the history at this point, we surely see "another little +horn," another land of power, rising among the horns representing the +kingdoms of divided Rome--a kingdom, yet a kingdom "diverse" from the +others. The work of this power riveted the attention of the prophet; and +it is of the greatest importance that we also should watch closely to +catch the lesson of the divine prophecy. + + +Prophetic and Historic Pictures of the "Little Horn" + +This is plainly the picture presented by the prophet, as we look again, +observing details more closely. + +The prophet beheld the division of the Roman Empire into lesser +kingdoms. Then, springing up among these kingdoms, he saw the +little-horn power subduing three of the ten kingdoms, speaking great +words, and making war with the saints of God. It was to be a religious +power, then, ruling among the kings of the earth, and asserting +religious dominion over the faith and consciences of men. "The same horn +made war with the saints, and prevailed against them." + +[Illustration: THE INVASION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY THE HUNS + +"We see the barbarian peoples of the North sweeping down upon the +empire, breaking it up, and establishing within its boundaries the +various kingdoms that are to this day represented by the kingdoms of +Western Europe."--_Page 127._] + +We look to history, and this is what plainly appears: + +We see, as described in the prophecy, a time when ten contemporaneous +kingdoms filled the territory of the original Western Empire. Just there +we see an ecclesiastical kingly power rise to religious supremacy--the +Roman Papacy. We see, through its influence, three of the ten kingdoms +overthrown, "plucked up by the roots"--three Arian or heretical +kingdoms. And as we watch the history, we find this power making "war +with the saints" and prevailing against them through long ages. + +A Roman Catholic writer describes it in a paragraph: + + "Long ages ago, when Rome through the neglect of the Western + emperors was left to the mercy of the barbarous hordes, the + Romans turned to one figure for aid and protection, and asked + him to rule them; and thus, in this simple manner, the best + title of all to kingly right, commenced the temporal + sovereignty of the popes. And meekly stepping to the throne of + Caesar, the vicar of Christ took up the scepter to which the + emperors and kings of Europe were to bow in reverence through + so many ages."--_Rev. James P. Conroy, in American Catholic + Quarterly Review, April, 1911._ + +Yet again we look at the picture presented in prophecy. Then we turn to +history; and precisely where and when the prophet saw the "little horn" +coming up, we see the Roman Papacy rising to supremacy. We see this +ecclesiastical power wielding a kingly scepter among the kingdoms of +divided Rome, exalting itself above them, with a look "more stout than +his fellows." We hear it speaking great words, and we see it carrying on +warfare against the saints. + +Clearly, there was no other power in history, rising at that time and in +that place, which suggests the slightest correspondence to the prophecy. +In every detail the Roman Papacy does correspond to it. + +The prophetic outline has brought us to the rise of the great apostasy, +so fully dealt with in the New Testament prophecy; but there are further +specifications in this prophecy of the seventh of Daniel which demand +brief study. + +[Illustration: RAISING THE SIEGE OF ROME, A.D. 538 + +The crushing defeat of the Goths by the armies of Justinian, who placed +Vigilius in the papal chair under the military protection of his famous +general, Belisarius.] + +[Illustration: ST. PETER'S AND THE VATICAN + +The magnificent headquarters of the papal system.] + + + + +THE 1260 YEARS OF DANIEL'S PROPHECY + + +Compressed into forty-four words, the age-long story of the workings of +the Roman Papacy is thus told by the angel who interpreted Daniel's +vision of the little horn: + +"He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out +the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and +they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the +dividing of time." Dan. 7:25. + +The spirit of this apostasy was abroad in apostolic days. "The mystery +of iniquity doth already work," said the apostle Paul. 2 Thess. 2:7. And +this power is to continue to work until the end, when it will be +destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming. Verse 8. + + +A Prophetic Period + +But according to the word of the angel to Daniel, there was to be a +period during which, in a special sense, the Papacy was to hold +supremacy over the saints and the times and the laws of the Most High. + +"They shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the +dividing of time." In the Scriptures the word "time," used in this +manner, means a year: "at the end of times, even years." Dan. 11:13, +margin. Therefore a time (one year) and times (two years) and the +dividing of time (half a year) means three years and a half. The same +period is mentioned twice in the twelfth chapter of Revelation, once +(verse 14) as "a time, and times, and half a time," and again (verse 6) +as "a thousand two hundred and threescore days." + +[Illustration] + +But in the symbolic representations of time in prophecy, a day stands +for a year (see Eze. 4:5, 6, and other scriptures). Thus the prophecy +foretold a long period of 1260 years during which papal supremacy would +continue. + +Now we may ask, When was this supremacy to begin? what would mark the +rise of the Papacy to acknowledged supremacy? and what events mark the +ending of the 1260 years? + + +A Pivotal Point in History + +The answer of history to the voice of prophecy is clear. + +The sixth century was a pivotal period in the history of the world. The +bishops of Rome had been asserting the claims of that seat (or "see") +above all others. Justinian was emperor of the East. Of Justinian and +his time Bury says: + + "He may be likened to a colossal Janus bestriding the way of + passage between the ancient and medieval worlds.... His + military achievements decided the course of the history of + Italy, and affected the development of Western Europe;... and + his ecclesiastical authority influenced the distant future of + Christendom."--_"History of the Later Roman Empire," Vol. I, + pp. 351-353._ + +Of this turning point in the world's history, Finlay says: + + "The changes of centuries passed in rapid succession before the + eyes of one generation."--_"Greece under the Romans," p. 231._ + +Just here we find the Papacy lifted definitely into acknowledged +supremacy. Imperial Rome had already left its ancient seat to the +Papacy, the imperial throne being no longer maintained at Rome. The +Bishop of Rome was left the chief figure in the ancient seat of the +Caesars. The prophecy of Rev. 13:2 had said of the relation of the old +imperial power to the Papacy, "The dragon gave him his power, and his +seat, and great authority." The seat was given, and now imperial Rome +was to give to papal Rome the definite recognition of its supreme power +and "great authority." + + +Papal Supremacy Officially Recognized + +In A.D. 533 the emperor Justinian promulgated a letter, having +the force of an imperial decree, recognizing the absolute headship of +the Bishop of Rome over the churches. It declared: + + "We have been sedulous to subject and unite all the priests of + the Orient throughout its whole extent to the see of Your + Holiness.... For we do not suffer that anything which is + mooted, however clear and unquestionable, pertaining to the + state of the churches, should fail to be made known to Your + Holiness, as being the head of all the churches. For, as we + have said before, we are zealous for the increase of the honor + and authority of your see in all respects."--_Cod. Justin., + lib. 1, title 1, Baronii "Annales Ecclesiastici," Tom. VII, an. + 533, sec. 12 (Translation as given in "The Petrine Claims," by + R.F. Littledale, p. 293)._ + +From this decree (for such it really was) the Roman authorities date the +official recognition of the supremacy of the Papacy. Some have taken a +later decree by Emperor Phocas (A.D. 606) as a starting point. +But Dr. Croly says: + + "The highest authorities among the civilians and annalists of + Rome spurn the idea that Phocas was the founder of the + supremacy of Rome; they ascend to Justinian as the only + legitimate source, and rightly date the title from the + memorable year 533."--_"The Apocalypse of St. John," pp. 172, + 173._ + + +The Sword of Empire Cleaves the Way + +The "great authority" had been recognized. But at this time heretical +Arian powers compassed the papal seat about. The Arian Vandals were +persecuting Catholics in Africa, Corsica, and Sardinia, and an Arian +Gothic king ruled Italy from Ravenna, his capital. The imperial arms, +however, were at the service of orthodoxy. In 533-534 Justinian's +famous general, Belisarius, uprooted the Vandals. The war for the faith +and the empire was carried into Italy also, against the Arian Goths. In +536 Belisarius, unopposed, entered Rome at the invitation of the Pope. +But the next year the Goths rallied all their forces to retake the city. +It was a crisis in the struggle for Italy. "If a single post had given +way," says Gibbon, "the Romans, and Rome itself, were irrecoverably +lost." The Goths withdrew, defeated, in 538; and this defeat, says +Hodgkin, dug "the grave of the Gothic monarchy in Italy." + +[Illustration: THE POPE ENTERING ST. PETER'S FROM THE VATICAN + +The famous statue of St. Peter may be seen on the right.] + +Though the conflict went on for years before the Goths were rooted up, +this defeat of 538 was a crucial hour in their history. Finlay says: + + "With the conquest of Rome by Belisarius, the history of the + ancient city may be considered as terminating; and with his + defense against Witiges [538] commences the history of the + Middle Ages."--_"Greece under the Romans," p 295._ + +Roughly speaking, the Middle Ages and the age of papal supremacy and +power were the same. + + +A New Order of Popes + +[Illustration: THE VATICAN + +A bird's-eye view from the dome of St. Peter's. COPYRIGHT BY UNDERWOOD & +UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] + +Not only was there this telling stroke by the imperial sword in 538, +helping to clear the way before the Papacy, but at this same time the +first of a new order of popes was placed upon the papal throne by the +imperial arms. Pope Silverius, accused of sympathy with the Goths, was +deposed by Belisarius in 537. The emperor intervened, and the question +of the validity of his deposition was held up by the emperor until 538. +In that year, as Schaff says: + + "Vigilius, a pliant creature of Theodora, ascended the papal + chair under the military protection of Belisarius + (538-554)."--_"History of the Christian Church," Vol. III, p. + 327._ + +[Illustration: THE FAMOUS SACRED STAIRWAY IN ROME + +Here Luther, climbing the stairway on his knees, heard the message, "The +just shall live by faith."] + +With him begins a new order. Though personally he was humiliated by the +emperor's demands, and the Papacy itself was brought into a state of +subjection that it had not known even under heretical Gothic kings, yet +this very arbitrary use of the papal prerogative by Justinian, +strengthened the idea that the Pope of Rome was the supreme authority +in religion, to speak for the universal church. In Bemont and Monod's +textbook on "Medieval Europe," page 120, we read: + + "Down to the sixth century all popes are declared saints in the + martyrologies. Vigilius (537[E]-555) is the first of a series + of popes who no longer bear this title, which is henceforth + sparingly conferred. From this time on the popes, more and more + involved in worldly events, no longer belong solely to the + church; they are men of the state, and then rulers of the + state." + + +A Persecuting Power + +Following Vigilius came Pelagius I (556-560), who ascended the throne by +"the military aid of Narses," then the imperial general in Italy. And +Pelagius, who had been set in the papal see by imperial power, began to +demand that the sword of the empire should be used against bishops or +members in the church who did not give way to the authority of the Pope. +His letters on this subject "are an unqualified defense of the +principles of persecution." (See "Dictionary of Christian Biography," by +Smith and Wace, art. "Pope Pelagius.") + +The prophecy declared that the Papacy would be given special supremacy +during a period of 1260 years. + +In A.D. 533 came the memorable imperial declaration recognizing +that supremacy, and in A.D. 538 came the stroke with the sword +of Rome, cleaving the way; and there began the new order of popes--"men +of the state, and then rulers of the state." + +Thus decisive events clearly mark the beginning of the prophetic period +of the 1260 years. And just 1260 years from the decree of 533, in +recognition of the papal supremacy, came a decree, in 1793, aimed +against that supremacy; and just 1260 years from that stroke with the +sword at Rome in behalf of the Papacy, came a stroke with the sword at +Rome against the Papacy. + +[Illustration: STORMING OF THE BASTILLE PRISON IN PARIS + +An event in the French Revolution which marked the ending of the old +autocratic order.] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[E] The exact date should be 538, as given in the quotation from +Schaff's history. "From the death of Silverius [June, 538] the Roman +Catholic writers date the episcopacy of Vigilius."--_Bower, "History of +the Popes," under year 538._ + + +[Illustration: TAKING THE POPE PRISONER + +This was accomplished by Berthier, the French general, in 1798.] + + + + +THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA + +THE END OF THE 1260 YEARS + + +As the generation in which the papal power rose to supremacy was a +turning-point in the history of the world, so, too, was the generation +in which the 1260 years of its supremacy came to an end. + +This measuring line of prophecy does more than run from date to date. It +connects two great crises in human history, the events of the first +tending to establish the papal rule over men, the events of the second +signalizing a breaking of those bands. + + +A Crisis in History + +Papal supremacy came at that time of which Finlay says, "The changes of +centuries passed in rapid succession before the eyes of one generation." +The measuring line of 1260 years runs on through the centuries till, lo, +its end touches another time of crisis,--Europe in the convulsions of +the French Revolution, when again changes, ordinarily requiring +centuries, were wrought out before the eyes of men within the space of a +few years. Lamartine wrote of that time: + + "These five years are five centuries for France."--_"History of + the Girondists," book 61, sec. 16 (Vol. III), p. 544._ + +And the events of these times proclaimed the prophetic period of papal +supremacy ended at last. + +Thus, in A.D. 533 came the notable decree of the Papacy's +powerful supporter, recognizing its supremacy; and then the decisive +stroke by the sword at Rome in A.D. 538, cleaving the way for +the new order of popes--the rulers of state. + +Exactly 1260 years later, in 1793, came the notable decree of the +Papacy's once powerful supporter, France,--"the eldest son of the +church,"--aiming to abolish church and religion, followed by a decisive +stroke with the sword at Rome against the Papacy, in 1798. + + +Significant Events of the French Revolution + +Of the decree of 1793, W.H. Hutton says:-- + + "On Nov. 26, 1793, the Convention, of which seventeen bishops + and some clergy were members, decreed the abolition of all + religion."--_"Age of Revolution," p. 156._ + +The frenzy of the days of the Terror presented the spectacle of outraged +humanity, goaded to desperation by centuries of oppression in the name +of religion and divine right, rising up and madly breaking every +restraint. Because in the minds of the people the Papacy stood for +religion, they blindly struck at religion itself, and at God, in whose +name the papal church had done its cruel work through the centuries. + +In the prophecy of Rev. 11:3-13 these events of the wild days of the +French Revolution are specifically referred to as coming at the close of +the prophetic period of the 1260 years. The prophetic picture was so +clear that over a hundred years before the time, Jurieu, an eminent +French student of prophecy, wrote that he could "not doubt that 'tis +France," the chief supporter of the Papacy, that would give the shock +as of an earthquake to the great spiritual Babylonian city. He wrote of +France, one of the ten parts of divided Rome: + + "This tenth part of the city shall fall, with respect to the + Papacy; it shall break with Rome, and the Roman + religion."--_"The Accomplishment of the Prophecies" (London, + 1687), part 2, p. 265._ + +And so it came to pass. Far beyond France the movement reached. Canon +Trevor says of the wave of revolt against absolutism that passed over +Europe: + + "It is worthy of observation that only those nations which + eschewed popery were able to resist the tide. Every throne and + every church, without exception, that owned the supremacy of + Rome, was prostrated in the dust."--_"Rome and Its Papal + Rulers," p. 436._ + +The decree of the French Convention in 1793 was followed by the stroke +with the sword at Rome in 1798. The full history is told in fewest words +by a Roman Catholic writer, Rev. Joseph Rickaby, of the Jesuit Society: + + "When, in 1797, Pope Pius VI fell grievously ill, Napoleon gave + orders that in the event of his death no successor should be + elected to his office, and that the Papacy should be + discontinued. + + "But the Pope recovered. The peace was soon broken; Berthier + entered Rome on the tenth of February, 1798, and proclaimed a + republic. The aged pontiff refused to violate his oath by + recognizing it, and was hurried from prison to prison in + France. Broken with fatigue and sorrows, he died on the + nineteenth of August, 1799, in the French fortress of Valence, + aged eighty-two years. No wonder that half Europe thought + Napoleon's veto would be obeyed, and that with the Pope the + Papacy was dead."--_"The Modern Papacy," p. 1 (Catholic Truth + Society, London)._ + +These events of the French Revolution marked the ending of the prophetic +period of papal supremacy. A "deadly wound" had been given the Papacy. +And the blow with the sword at Rome was struck in 1798, just 1260 years +from the year 538, when the sword of empire struck that decisive blow +against the Goths at Rome, and prepared the way for the new order of +popes, the kingly rulers of church and state. + +Of the condition of the Papacy at this time Canon Trevor says: + + "The Papacy was extinct: not a vestige of its existence + remained; and among all the Roman Catholic powers not a finger + was stirred in its defense. The Eternal City had no longer + prince or pontiff; its bishop was a dying captive in foreign + lands; and the decree was already announced that no successor + would be allowed in his place."--_"Rome and Its Papal Rulers," + p. 440._ + +"No wonder that half Europe," the Jesuit writer says, "thought +Napoleon's veto would be obeyed, and that with the Pope the Papacy was +dead." But he adds that "since then the Papacy has been lifted to a +pinnacle of spiritual power" unreached before. + +The stroke dealt the Papacy by the French Revolution was not to be the +ending of it, by any means, according to the prophecy. These events +proclaimed the ending of the prophetic period of special supremacy. +Another prophecy distinctly indicates that following the deadly blow +there would come a revival of the Papacy's influence, just as the +Catholic writer describes it. The prophet John, speaking of this same +power, says: + +"I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly +wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.... And +they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is +able to make war with him?" Rev. 13:3, 4. + +We see the healing process still going on, with evidences multiplying +that the world is more and more wondering after the papal power. + + +A New Era of Liberty and Enlightenment + +With the ending of the 1260 years of papal supremacy, a new order was +ushered in. The Papacy had stood for absolutism in state as well as +church. Now the power of absolutism was broken. "Absolute monarchy," +Edmund Burke said at the time, "breathed its last without a struggle." +There came the dawn of an era of greater religious liberty and +enlightenment, that has spread blessings over all lands. + +The prophecy had said of the Papacy, that the saints and the times and +laws of the Most High were to be "given into his hand" for 1260 years. +As foretold in Christ's prophecy (Matt. 24:22), these days of the +tribulation of God's saints were "shortened." The power of the +Reformation weakened the oppressing hand, even before the prophetic +period ran out. And when the full 1260 years closed, the world saw the +grip of that papal hand yet further loosened, and God's providence at +work preparing the way for a world-wide proclamation of His gospel, +bearing witness against the perversions of the papal apostasy, and +restoring to men the Word and laws of the Most High. + +The record of history witnesses that this time prophecy of the 1260 +years of papal supremacy was exactly fulfilled. The Lord speaks in +prophecy that men may know that He is the living God. In these time +prophecies of His Word, He gives assurance not only that this troubled +world has not escaped from the hand of its Maker, but that its times are +in His hand also; and that when the time of His divine purpose fully +comes, He will surely cut His work short in righteousness, and end the +reign of sin on earth. + +As the prophetic period of Dan. 7:25 meets its fulfilment in the history +of the Papacy, even so, we shall see, the work of the Roman Church +answers to the further specifications regarding the doings of this +"little horn" of Daniel's prophecy. + +[Illustration: THE TRIPLE CROWN + +The Pope's Tiara, from a photograph taken in the Vatican at Rome.] + +[Illustration: HUGUENOTS IN PRISON FOR THEIR FAITH + +"Others had trial ... of bonds and imprisonment." Heb. 11:36.] + + + + +THE WORK OF THE "LITTLE HORN" POWER + + +The prophetic picture of the rise and work of the "little horn" finds +its exact counterpart in the history of the Roman Papacy: + +_The Place._--The little horn was seen by the prophet rising in the +field of the Roman Empire. That was the very place where the great +kingdom of the Papacy appeared, taking the name of Roman. + +_The Time._--The rise of the ecclesiastical kingdom of the little-horn +power in the prophecy followed the breaking up of the Roman Empire into +the ten kingdoms. Just so the ecclesiastical kingdom of the Roman Papacy +rises to view in history immediately following the division of the +empire. + +_The Period of Supremacy._--The prophecy allotted 1260 years to the full +supremacy of this power. History responds that from the beginning of the +papal supremacy, in the days of Justinian, a period of 1260 years brings +us into the stirring events of the last decade of the eighteenth +century, that gave to the Papacy a deadly wound. + +[Illustration: THE LOVE OF POWER + +"He shall speak great words against the Most High." Dan. 7:25. + +THE POWER OF LOVE] + +One further set of specifications remains for study: + +_The Work._--Of the nature and work of the power represented by the +little horn, the prophecy declares: + +"He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out +the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and +they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the +dividing of time." Dan. 7:25. + +Do we find in the record that the Church of Rome has fulfilled these +specifications also? The Scripture prophecy is absolutely a +word-photograph of the workings of the papal church. Look at the main +features: + + 1. Speaking great words against the Most High. + 2. Wearing out the saints of the Most High. + 3. Thinking to change the times and the laws of the Most High. + +Every count in the indictment may be clearly proved, and that by +testimony from Roman Catholic sources + + +"He Shall Speak Great Words Against the Most High" + +As Daniel observed the little-horn power, he heard it speaking "very +great things." The angel declared that these great swelling words were +really against the Most High. And what could be more against the honor +of the Most High than that to mortal man should be ascribed the titles +and attributes of divinity? Here are some of the "great words:" + + "All the names which are attributed to Christ in Scripture, + implying His supremacy over the church, are also attributed to + the Pope."--_Bellarmine, "On the Authority of Councils," book + 2, chap. 17._ + +This ruling has been actually applied through the ages. Says Elliott: + + "Look at the Sicilian ambassadors prostrated before him [Pope + Martin IV] with the cry, 'Lamb of God! that takest away the + sins of the world!'"--_"Horae Apocalypticae," part 4, chap. 5, + sec. 2._ + +[Illustration: CHRISTIANS IN PRISON BENEATH THE COLOSSEUM AWAITING +MARTYRDOM + +"And shall wear out the saints of the Most High." Dan. 7:25.] + + "The Pope is of so great dignity and excellence, that he is not + merely man, but as if God, and the vicar of God (_non sit + simplex homo, sed quasi Deus, et Dei vicarius_). The Pope alone + is called most holy,... divine monarch, and supreme emperor, + and king of kings.... The Pope is of so great dignity and power + that he constitutes one and the same tribunal with Christ + (_faciat unum et idem tribunal cum Christo_), so that + whatsoever the Pope does seems to proceed from the mouth of God + (_abore Dei_)."--_"Prompta Bibliotheca" (Ferraris), art. + "Papa;" Ferraris's Ecclesiastical Dictionary (Roman Catholic), + art. "The Pope." Quoted in Guinness's "Romanism and the + Reformation," p. 16._ + +These are no merely extravagant adulations of the Dark Ages, to be +repudiated by the moderns; these terms express the unchanging doctrinal +claims of the Roman Church, that put man in the place of God. The modern +Pope Leo XIII, in an encyclical letter dated June 20, 1894, repeated the +claim: + + "We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty."--_"The + Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII" (New York, Benziger + Brothers), p. 304._ + +Thus does the Papacy "speak great words against the Most High." + + +"And Shall Wear Out the Saints of the Most High" + +All through the Dark Ages we catch glimpses of the ruthless hand of Rome +laid upon simple believers in God's Holy Word; but plans for wholesale +wearing out of the saints of God were devised as the Waldenses and +others rose to a widespread work of witnessing, heralds of the dawn of +the coming Reformation,-- + + "These who gave earliest notice, + As the lark + Springs from the ground the morn to gratulate; + Who, rather, rose the day to antedate, + By striking out a solitary spark, + When all the world with midnight gloom was dark-- + The harbingers of good whom bitter hate + In vain endeavored to exterminate." + + --_Wordsworth._ + +Pope Innocent III gave orders concerning them as follows: + + "Therefore by this present apostolical writing, we give you a + strict command that, by whatever means you can, you destroy all + these heresies and expel from your diocese all who are polluted + with them. You shall exercise the rigor of ecclesiastical power + against them and all those who have made themselves suspected + by associating with them. They may not appeal from your + judgments, and, if necessary, you may cause the princes and + people to suppress them with the sword."--_Quoted from Migne, + 214, col. 71, in Thatcher and McNeal's "Source Book for + Medieval History," p. 210._ + +As the truth spread, so also the papal church redoubled its efforts by +sword and flame. The historian Lecky says: + + "That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any + other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be + questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of + history. The memorials, indeed, of many of her persecutions are + now so scanty that it is impossible to form a complete + conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite + certain that no powers of imagination can adequately realize + their sufferings."--_"History of the Rise and Influence of the + Spirit of Rationalism in Europe," Vol. II, p. 32._ + +Motley, in his "Rise of the Dutch Republic" (part 3, chap. 2), tells how +Philip II of Spain--who declared that he would "never consent to be the +sovereign of heretics"--sent the Duke of Alva to take over the +Netherlands: + + "Early in the year the most sublime sentence of death was + promulgated which has ever been pronounced since the creation + of the world. The Roman tyrant [Nero] wished that his enemies' + heads were all upon a single neck, that he might strike them + off at a blow; the Inquisition assisted Philip to place the + heads of all his Netherlands subjects upon a single neck for + the same fell purpose. Upon February 16, 1568, a sentence of + the Holy Office condemned all the inhabitants of the + Netherlands to death as heretics. From this universal doom only + a few persons, especially named, were excepted. A proclamation + of the king, dated ten days later, confirmed this decree of the + Inquisition, and ordered it to be carried into instant + execution, without regard to age, sex, or condition. This is + probably the most concise death warrant that was ever framed. + Three millions of people, men, women, and children, were + sentenced to the scaffold in three lines." + +Roman Catholic writers admit that the papal church has sought to +exterminate what it calls heresy, by the power of the sword. + +The _Western Watchman_ (St. Louis), Dec. 24, 1908, says: + + "The church has persecuted.... Protestants were persecuted in + France and Spain with the full approval of the church + authorities. We have always defended the persecution of the + Huguenots, and the Spanish Inquisition. Wherever and whenever + there is honest Catholicity, there will be a clear distinction + drawn between truth and error, and Catholicity and all forms of + error. When she thinks it good to use physical force, she will + use it." + +Prof. Alfred Baudrillart, rector of the Catholic Institute of Paris, +says: + + "The Catholic Church is a respecter of conscience and of + liberty.... She has, and she loudly proclaims that she has, a + 'horror of blood.' Nevertheless, when confronted by heresy, she + does not content herself with persuasion; arguments of an + intellectual and moral order appear to her insufficient, and + she has recourse to force, to corporal punishment, to torture. + She creates tribunals like those of the Inquisition, she calls + the laws of the state to her aid, if necessary she encourages a + crusade, or a religious war, and all her 'horror of blood' + practically culminates into urging the secular power to shed + it, which proceeding is almost more odious--for it is less + frank--than shedding it herself. Especially did she act thus in + the sixteenth century with regard to Protestants. Not content + to reform morally, to preach by example, to convert people by + eloquent and holy missionaries, she lit in Italy, in the Low + Countries, and above all in Spain, the funeral piles of the + Inquisition. In France under Francis I and Henry II, in England + under Mary Tudor, she tortured the heretics, whilst both in + France and Germany during the second half of the sixteenth and + the first half of the seventeenth century if she did not + actually begin, at any rate she encouraged and actively aided, + the religious wars."--_"The Catholic Church, the Renaissance + and Protestantism" (London, Kegan Paul, Trench, Truebner & Co., + Ltd., 1908), pp. 182, 183._ + +She has done it--the Church of Rome has worn out the saints of the Most +High. The prophet in vision saw an ecclesiastical kingly power rise +among the kingdoms of the divided Roman Empire. Its look was more stout +than its fellows, and the prophet heard it speaking "very great things," +and saw it wearing out the saints of the Most High through the long +centuries. + +[Illustration: THE SHAME OF RELIGIOUS WARS + +Christ viewing the battle fields of history, where millions of His +followers have been slain in His name.] + +"Guilty!" is the clear verdict of history, against the Church of Rome on +these two counts of the prophetic indictment. + + +"And Think to Change Times and Laws" + +The power that was to speak great words against the Most High, and to +wear out the saints of the Most High, was further--in its self-exalting +opposition to God--to assume to lay hands upon times and laws, evidently +the times and the laws of the Most High; for to say that such a power +would lay hands on the laws of men, changing or setting aside human +legislation, would signify less than the preceding counts. This third +specification states a climax in the indictment--the self-exalting, +persecuting power was to lay hands upon the very law of the Most High. +It is clearly the same power that the apostle Paul said would rise to +dominion after his time: "Then shall be revealed the lawless one." 2 +Thess. 2:8, A.R.V. + + +God's Law Unchangeable + +Just as the laws of a government express its character, so the law of +God is a reflection of the divine character. "The law of the Lord is +perfect." Ps. 19:7. "Wherefore the law is holy," said the apostle, "and +the commandment holy, and just, and good." Rom. 7:12. + +Jesus declared, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is +within My heart." Ps. 40:8. And He maintained the unchangeable, enduring +integrity of that law: "Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth +pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all +be fulfilled." Matt. 5:18. + +But in Daniel's prophecy is foretold the rise of this power that was to +_think_ to change the times and the laws of the Most High. + +Here, again, the evidence points straight to the Church of Rome; for it +is a fact that the Papacy has laid violent hands on the law of God--upon +the precept, too, that deals with sacred time--and has _thought_ to +change it. + +In a volume to be seen in the British Museum, dated 1545, the following +comment on Dan. 7:25 is attributed to Philipp Melanchthon, the Reformer, +associate of Luther (reproduced with the old English spelling): + + "He changeth the tymes and lawes that any of the sixe worke + dayes commanded of God will make them unholy and idle dayes + when he lyste, or of their owne holy dayes abolished make worke + dayes agen, or when they changed ye Saterday into Sondaye.... + They have changed God's lawes and turned them into their owne + tradicions to be kept above God's precepts."--_"Exposition of + Daniel the Prophete," Gathered out of Philipp Melanchthon, + Johan Ecolampadius, etc., by George Joye, 1545, p. 119._ + +This is exactly what the power represented by the little horn was to +assume to do. The commandment of God is plain: + +"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, +and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy +God: in it thou shalt not do any work.... For in six days the Lord made +heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the +seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed +it." Ex. 20:8-11. + + +A Change in Practice + +But in general practice there has been a change--the first day is +commonly observed instead of the seventh day, which the Lord declares he +blessed and made holy. The Roman Catholic Church points exultingly to +the fact that this change, so universally allowed today, has come about +solely through church tradition without Scriptural authority. For +instance, one Catholic writer says: + + "You will tell me that Saturday was the _Jewish_ Sabbath, but + that the _Christian_ Sabbath has been changed to Sunday. + Changed! but by whom? Who has authority to change an express + commandment of Almighty God? When God has spoken and said, + Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day, who shall dare to say, + Nay, thou mayest work and do all manner of worldly business on + the seventh day; but thou shalt keep holy the first day in its + stead? This is a most important question, which I know not how + you can answer. + + "You are a Protestant, and you profess to go by the Bible and + the Bible only; and yet in so important a matter as the + observance of one day in seven as a holy day, you go against + the plain letter of the Bible, and put another day in the place + of that day which the Bible has commanded. The command to keep + holy the seventh day is one of the ten commandments; you + believe that the other nine are still binding; who gave you + authority to tamper with the fourth? If you are consistent with + your own principles, if you really follow the Bible and the + Bible only, you ought to be able to produce some portion of the + New Testament in which this fourth commandment is expressly + altered."--_"Library of Christian Doctrine: Why Don't You Keep + the Holy Sabbath Day?" (Burns and Oates London), p. 3._ + +Every one who studies the question must recognize the fact that there is +no change authorized in Scripture. As Canon Eyton, of the Church of +England, says: + + "There is no word, no hint, in the New Testament about + abstaining from work on Sunday.... Into the rest of Sunday no + divine law enters."--_"The Ten Commandments" (Truebner & Co.), + London._ + +Dr. Heylyn, of the Church of England, wrote: + + "Take which you will, either the Fathers or the moderns, and we + shall find no Lord's day instituted by any apostolical mandate; + no Sabbath set on foot by them upon the first day of the + week."--_"History of the Sabbath," part 2, chap. 1._ + +Authorities, both Protestant and Catholic, freely acknowledge that there +is no divine authority for Sunday keeping. There has been a change in +practice and teaching, but with no Scriptural authority. + + +What the Papacy Claims + +The prophecy of Daniel 7 forewarned all that the ecclesiastical power +that was to rise upon the division of the Roman Empire would _think_ to +change the times and the laws of the Most High. The Papacy steps forward +and claims boldly that the church has power to set aside Scripture, to +institute holy times, and even to change the day made holy and +commanded by the Almighty as the day of rest for His people. + +In a Catholic work, "An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine," by Dr. +Henry Turberville, page 61, we read: + + "_Question._--By whom was the change [of the Sabbath] made? + + "_Answer._--By the rulers of the church, the apostles who kept + the Lord's day.... + + "_Ques._--How do you prove that the church hath power to + establish feasts and holy days? + + "_Ans._--By the very fact of changing the Sabbath to Sunday; + this change Protestants allow; and therefore they contradict + themselves by keeping Sunday strictly and breaking most other + feasts commanded by the same church. + + "_Ques._--How prove you that? + + "_Ans._--Because by keeping Sunday they acknowledge the + church's power to ordain feasts and to command them under sin; + and by not keeping the rest commanded by her, they deny that + she has power." + +It is the doctrine taught in the standard catechisms of the Roman +Church: + + "_Question._--Have you any other way of proving that the church + has power to institute festivals of precept? + + "_Answer._--Had she not such power, she could not have done + that in which all modern religionists agree with her,--she + could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first + day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh + day, a change for which there is no Scriptural + authority."--_Keenan's "Doctrinal Catechism," p. 174._ + +Thus the Papacy proclaims itself the power that has _thought_ to change +the precepts of the Most High. + +On every count, the Roman Church is the counterpart of the little horn +of Daniel 7. Before our eyes--in the common practice of Christendom--the +commandment of God regarding sacred time is made void by the traditions +of men. + +The prophecy indicated that there would come a call for a reformation in +this matter. Speaking of the warfare against the saints and the times +and laws of the Most High, to be waged by the little-horn power, the +angel said: + +"They shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the +dividing of time." Dan. 7:25. + +In other words, when the 1260 years should expire, we should expect, +according to the prophecy, to see a breaking of the Papacy's persecuting +power over believers, a spreading abroad of the Holy Scriptures, and a +work of reformation that would lift up the truths of God's Word, and +call believers to keep once again the holy time and the holy law of the +Most High. + +The prophecy of Daniel 7 is one of God's special messages for all men in +these last days, picturing the rise and history of the Papacy, and +warning all against accepting its perversions of God's truth or +recognizing its attempted change in the law of the Most High. Thank God +for the "sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, +as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." We are to follow the Lord +and obey him, not this power that has risen up in opposition to him. + +The angel's interpretation in this chapter does not leave the apostasy +triumphant: + +"The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to +consume and to destroy it unto the end." + +Then the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of the Most +High, "and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." + + + "O, how shall we stand that moment of searching, + When all our sins those books reveal? + When from that court, each case decided, + Shall be granted no appeal?" + +[Illustration: CHRIST AND THE SCRIBES + +"In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of +men." Matt. 15:9.] + +[Illustration: CREATION + +"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth,... and rested the seventh +day." Ex. 20:11.] + + + + +THE BIBLE SABBATH + + +"He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not +planted, shall be rooted up." Matt. 15:13. + +The scribes had come to Jesus with the complaint, "Why do Thy disciples +transgress the tradition of the elders?" Jesus answered them with +another question, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by +your tradition?" + +They had thought that Christ was introducing novelties, preaching new +things, contrary to established church custom and practice. He showed +them that He really stood for the old and established things of God's +Word, and that their own religious customs, however old, were really the +novelties, without divine authority. He said, + +"In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of +men." And finally He added the words quoted above, "Every plant, which +My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." + +Let the principles be applied to the question of Sabbath observance. +Sometimes in our day those who preach the word of God regarding the +abiding holiness of the seventh-day Sabbath are accused of preaching new +doctrines, contrary to the traditions and customs of the church. But +really, the observance of Sunday, the first day, is the innovation; the +seventh-day Sabbath is of ancient foundation. + +Is the Seventh-day Sabbath a Plant of Our Heavenly Father's Planting? + +Which of these two institutions has our heavenly Father planted? It is +possible to ascertain to a surety; for every plant of His planting, +every doctrine of His truth, will be found rooted in the Holy +Scriptures. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. + + +The Old Testament Record + +_From the Beginning._--When the Creator made the earth and man upon it, +He made the seventh day of the weekly cycle His holy Sabbath. + +"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of +them.... And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because +that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made." +Gen. 2:1-3. + +To sanctify is "to set apart," and so the day made holy and blessed by +God was set apart for man. Then it was, as Jesus said, that "the Sabbath +was made for man." Mark 2:27. Here the Sabbath institution was planted +at the beginning of the world. + +_At the Exodus._--The people of Israel, in their bondage in Egypt, had +fallen away from the knowledge of God and become corrupted by the +idolatrous worship of Egypt, Hence, as the Lord called them out to be +His people, He tested their loyalty to His law by observing how they +regarded His holy Sabbath: + +"Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven +for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every +day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no." +Ex. 16:4. + +So through the forty years the Lord sent the manna for them to gather on +the six working days, withholding it on the Sabbath. (This scripture +shows also that the Sabbath was a part of God's law before He spoke it +from Sinai.) + +[Illustration: HOREB, THE SACRED MOUNT + +A modern view of the summit of Mt. Sinai.] + +_At Sinai._--When the time came that the Lord would speak His holy law +from heaven, the eternal foundation of His moral government, the Sabbath +precept was enshrined in the heart of it: + +"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, +and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy +God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy +daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy +stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven +and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: +wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Ex. +20:8-11. + +_Through Israel's History._--Sabbath keeping was the great mark of +loyalty to God. When Israel fell into idolatry, they "observed times" +(see 2 Kings 21:6),--doubtless such heathen festivals to the sun god and +other deities as were common among the idolatrous nations. These +observances of other days meant Sabbath breaking. "Neither shall ye ... +observe times.... Ye shall keep My Sabbaths." Lev. 19:26-30. The Lord +had promised concerning Jerusalem: + +"If ye diligently hearken unto Me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden +through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the +Sabbath day, to do no work therein; then shall there enter into the +gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David,... +and this city shall remain forever." Jer. 17:24, 25. + +The divine pleading was slighted, and Jerusalem's fall and the +Babylonian captivity came as the result of the Israelites' disregard of +God's holy day. + +Thus throughout the inspired record of the Old Testament the seventh-day +Sabbath appears as a plant of the heavenly Father's own planting. + + +The New Testament Record + +_The Example and Teaching of Jesus._--It was Christ's "custom" to +worship on the seventh day. Luke 4:16. + +Jesus, who Himself made the Sabbath at creation (John 1:3), taught that +it was "made for man,"--for the human race,--and declared, "The Son of +man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2:27, 28. It is, therefore, "the +Lord's day." Rev. 1:10. + +He did on the Sabbath only that which was "lawful," or according to the +law of God's holy day. Matt. 12:12. + +He kept His Father's commandments throughout His earthly life. John +15:10. + +And giving instruction regarding events to take place many years after +His ascension, He showed that He recognized the continued existence of +the Sabbath in the command, "Pray ye that your flight be not in the +winter, neither on the Sabbath day." Matt. 24:20. + +[Illustration: CHRIST HEALING THE MAN WITH A WITHERED HAND + +"It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." Matt. 12:12.] + +_Among New Testament Disciples._--The women, after the crucifixion, +"rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke 23:56. + +Inspiration says that the apostle Paul's custom was to preach the gospel +publicly Sabbath after Sabbath. Acts 13:14; 16:13; 17:1, 2; 18:4. When +the Gentiles of Antioch heard the gospel preached by the apostle one +Sabbath, they "besought that these words might be preached to them the +next Sabbath." Acts 13:42. + +Throughout the New Testament, written years after Christ's ascension, +the Holy Spirit, speaking of the seventh day, calls it "the Sabbath" +upwards of fifty times. "Sabbath" means rest; therefore when the Holy +Spirit, in the Christian age, calls the seventh day the rest day, it +must infallibly be the day of rest for Christians, the Christian +Sabbath. + +In the Levitical or sacrificial ordinances of the sanctuary services +there were annual sabbaths and feasts, associated with meats and drinks +and ceremonial observances. But in appointing these the Lord +specifically distinguished between them and the one and only weekly +Sabbath, which was from the beginning. "These are the feasts of the +Lord," He said, "beside the Sabbaths of the Lord." Lev. 23:37, 38. + +The annual festivals and sabbaths, like all the ordinances of the +Levitical service, were shadows of things to come, and found their +fulfilment in the great sacrifice of Calvary. Col. 2:16, 17. + +But the Sabbath of the Lord was made blessed and holy by God at the +creation, before sin had entered the world, before any sacrificial or +shadowy service was instituted to point to a coming Redeemer. It is a +fundamental and primary institution, a part of the moral order of God's +government for man, the same as the obligations set forth in each of the +other commandments. + +And Inspiration declares the eternal perpetuity of the blessed Sabbath +day in the future home of the saved, when the prophet describes the +felicity of the redeemed, as from month to month, and "from one Sabbath +to another," all flesh shall come to worship before the Lord. Isa. +66:23. + +Thus we find the seventh-day Sabbath a plant of the heavenly Father's +planting, rooted deep in all Holy Scripture, and abiding eternally in +the world to come. + + +Is the First-day Rest an Institution of God's Planting? + +In the beginning, the first day was employed by God in the work of +creation. Gen. 1:1-5. + +Throughout all the Old Testament history it was one of "the six working +days." Eze. 46:1. + +It was the day of Christ's resurrection; but Inspiration says +specifically that "the Sabbath was past" when that "first day of the +week" came. Mark 16:1, 2. Inspiration called this first day merely by +the ordinary secular name in common business use, with never a +suggestion of attaching any sacredness to the day. For some of the +disciples it was a day of journeying, in which the risen Christ joined +them. Luke 24:13-29. Later He appeared to the other disciples in +Jerusalem, gathered not in meeting, but at supper in their common +dwelling house. Mark 16:14. + +The only religious meeting recorded as occurring on the first day of the +week was that held at Troas. (See Acts 20:6-13.) The context shows that +it was an evening meeting, after the Sabbath,--Saturday night, as we +would call it, for the Bible reckoning is from evening to evening. It +was the last time the believers were ever to see the apostle's face, and +as they lingered after the close of the Sabbath, he held an all-night +farewell meeting, breaking bread with the believers, and leaving at +daybreak Sunday morning for the eighteen- or twenty-mile journey afoot, +across country to Assos. And while he spent the first day traveling +afoot, his companions were journeying by boat. + +Conybeare and Howson (of the Church of England), in that standard work, +"Life and Epistles of St. Paul," tell the plain fact of the inspired +record, save that manifestly they should not have applied the title +"Jewish" to God's Sabbath; for it was not the Sabbath of the Jews, but +"the Sabbath of the Lord thy God:" + + "It was the evening which succeeded the Jewish Sabbath. On the + Sunday morning the vessel was about to sail."--_Chapter 20, p. + 520._ + +Describing the road between Troas and Assos, they add: + + "Strength and peace were surely sought and obtained by the + apostle from the Redeemer as he pursued his lonely road that + Sunday afternoon in spring among the oak woods and the streams + of Ida."--_Id., p. 522._ + +Once again the "first day of the week" is mentioned, in 1 Cor. 16:2. But +that scripture says no word of any sacredness of the day or of any +religious observance of it. The apostle was gathering a fund for the +poor at Jerusalem, and asked every believer to "lay by" something every +first day of the week, so that the money would be ready when he came. As +Dean Stanley (Church of England) comments: + + "There is nothing to prove public assemblies, inasmuch as the + phrase [Greek: par heauto] ('by himself, at his own house') + implies that the collection was to be made individually and in + private." + +And Neander's Church History says: + + "All mentioned here is easily explained, if one simply thinks + of the ordinary beginning of the week in secular life."--_Vol. + I, p. 339 (German ed.)._ + +To meet the emergency of need in Judea, these believers were asked to +look over their business affairs at the beginning of each week, until +Paul should come, laying aside a gift as God had prospered them. + + +No Sunday Sacredness in the New Testament + +This is the record--not one suggestion in all the New Testament of +Sunday sacredness, to say nothing of precept or commandment of the Lord. +The late R.W. Dale, D.D., a leading Congregationalist of England, wrote: + + "It is quite clear that, however rigidly or devotedly we may + spend Sunday, we are not keeping the Sabbath.... The Sabbath + was founded on a specific, divine command. We can plead no such + command for the observance of Sunday.... There is not a single + line in the New Testament to suggest that we incur any penalty + by violating the supposed sanctity of Sunday."--_"The Ten + Commandments," pp. 106, 107._ + +That religious classic, Smith and Cheetham's "Dictionary of Christian +Antiquities," says that the "notion of a formal substitution" of the +first day for the seventh, + + "and the transference to it, perhaps in a spiritualized form, + of the Sabbatical obligation established by the promulgation of + the fourth commandment, has no basis whatever, either in Holy + Scripture or in Christian antiquity."--_Article "Sabbath."_ + +Dr. E.F. Hiscox, author of "The Baptist Manual," says: + + "There was and is a commandment to 'keep holy the Sabbath day,' + but that Sabbath was not Sunday. It will, however, be readily + said, and with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was + transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week.... + Where can the record of such a transaction be found? Not in the + New Testament--absolutely not."--_The New York Examiner, Nov. + 16, 1893._ + +Such declarations by well-known scholars might be multiplied, but it is +not necessary. The record is open--any one may see it. There is not a +word in the Holy Scripture of any first-day sacredness. The Sunday +institution is not a plant of our heavenly Father's planting. + + +How the Change Came About + +There has been no change of the Sabbath by divine authority. Men may +choose to rest on any other day, but that cannot make such a day God's +rest day, His holy Sabbath. One cannot change one's birthday by +celebrating another day as such. It is a fact of history that on a +certain day of the month one was born. That fact cannot be changed by +choosing to celebrate another day as the birthday. Just so it is a fact +of divine history that God rested on a given day of the week, and on no +other. That made the seventh day His rest day. + +It is different from other days in character also, for He blessed it and +made it holy. To deny the difference between common days and the holy +day is to say that when the great Creator blesses and makes holy, it is +a vain performance. That cannot be. It would take away all hope of +holiness or salvation for men. The blessing is upon the day, as every +soul finds who keeps it by faith. + +When men choose to set apart another day than that blessed and +sanctified of God, it is plainly a setting up of the humanly appointed +time against the divinely appointed time. It is exalting man's sabbath +against God's Sabbath. It is man exalting himself "above all that is +called God." 2 Thess. 2:4. + +This was what made the Roman Papacy. The apostle Paul wrote that in his +day the spirit of lawlessness was already working. He said it would lead +to a "falling away" from the truth of God, and the full exaltation of +the man of sin. 2 Thessalonians 2. The falling away came. As Dr. Killen +(Presbyterian), of Ireland, says in the preface to his "Ancient +Church:" + +[Illustration: THE SABBATH FROM EDEN TO EDEN + +Blessed and sanctified in Eden. Gen. 2:3. Christ the Lord of the +Sabbath. Mark 2:28. + +Written by God in His law. Ex. 20:8-11. To be observed in the new earth. +Isa. 66:23.] + + "In the interval between the days of the apostles and the + conversion of Constantine, the Christian commonwealth changed + its aspect.... Rites and ceremonies, of which neither Paul nor + Peter ever heard, crept into use, and then claimed the rank of + divine institutions." + +In his "Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine," Cardinal Newman +(Roman Catholic) tells how rites and ceremonies were borrowed from +paganism: + + "Confiding then in the power of Christianity to resist the + infection of evil, and to transmute the very instruments and + appendages of demon worship to an evangelical use,... the + rulers of the church from early times were prepared, should the + occasion arise, to adopt, or imitate, or sanction the existing + rites and customs of the populace, as well as the philosophy of + the educated class."--_Pages 371, 372._ + +Thus along with other adaptations came "the venerable day of the sun" +(Sunday). It was by gradual process that it supplanted the Sabbath. Sir +William Domville wrote: + + "Centuries of the Christian era passed away before Sunday was + observed by the Christian church as a Sabbath. History does not + furnish us with a single proof or indication that it was at any + time so observed previous to the Sabbatical edict of + Constantine in A.D. 321."--_"Examination of Six + Texts," p. 291._ + +This law of Constantine's was as follows: + + "On the venerable day of the sun let the magistrates and people + residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In + the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely + and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens + that another day is not so suitable for grain sowing or for + vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such + operations, the bounty of heaven should be lost. (Given the 7th + day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of + them for the second time.)"--_Schaff, "History of the Christian + Church," Vol. III, chap. 5, sec. 75._ + +Commenting on this law, Prof. Hutton Webster, of the University of +Nebraska, says: + + "This legislation by Constantine probably bore no relation to + Christianity; it appears, on the contrary, that the emperor, in + his capacity of Pontifex Maximus, was only adding the day of + the sun, the worship of which was then firmly established in + the Roman Empire, to the other ferial days of the sacred + calendar." + + "What began, however, as a pagan ordinance, ended as a + Christian regulation; and a long series of imperial decrees, + during the fourth, fifth, and sixth centuries, enjoined with + increasing stringency abstinence from labor on Sunday."--_"Rest + Days," pp. 122, 270._ + +Dean Stanley (Church of England) writes: + + "The retention of the old pagan name _Dies Solis_, or Sunday, + for the weekly Christian festival, is, in a great measure, + owing to the union of pagan and Christian sentiment with which + the first day of the week was recommended by Constantine to his + subjects, pagan and Christian alike, as the 'venerable day of + the sun.'"--_"History of the Eastern Church," lecture 6, par. + 15._ + +Thus the Sunday institution comes in, marked by its pagan origin, and +adapted to ecclesiastical purposes by the church of the "falling away" +that grew into the Roman Papacy. To quote again from the Baptist author, +Dr. Hiscox: + + "Of course, I quite well know that Sunday did come into use in + early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from + the Christian Fathers and other sources. But what a pity that + it comes branded with the mark of paganism, and christened with + the name of the sun god, when adopted and sanctioned by the + papal apostasy, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to + Protestantism."--_New York Examiner, Nov. 16, 1893._ + +No wonder that with the coming of the latter days, and the proclamation +of the message of preparation for Christ's second coming, there should +come a call to Christians to follow Christ and Holy Scripture in keeping +God's holy Sabbath. + +Again the voice of Jesus is heard in protest against traditions that +make void the commandment of God. + +"Every plant," He says, "which My heavenly Father hath not planted, +shall be rooted up." Matt. 15:13. + + +Made for Man + + The God that made the earth, + And all the worlds on high, + Who gave all creatures birth, + In earth, and sea, and sky, + After six days in work employed, + Upon the seventh a rest enjoyed. + + The Sabbath day was blessed, + Hallowed, and sanctified; + It was Jehovah's rest, + And so it must abide; + 'Twas set apart before the fall, + 'Twas made for man, 'twas made for all. + + And when from Sinai's mount, + Amidst the fire and smoke, + Jehovah did recount, + And all His precepts spoke, + He claimed the rest day as His own, + And wrote it with His law on stone. + + The Son of God appeared + With tidings of great joy; + God's precepts He revered, + He came not to destroy; + None of the law was set aside, + But every tittle ratified. + + Our Saviour did not die + To render null and void + The law of the Most High, + Which cannot be destroyed; + But, bruised for us, our stripes He bore,-- + We'll go in peace and sin no more. + + --_R.F. Cottrell._ + +[Illustration: CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES IN THE CORN-FIELDS + +"The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." Matt. 12:8.] + +[Illustration: RETURNING FROM THE SAVIOUR'S TOMB + +"They returned,... and rested the Sabbath day according to the +commandment." Luke 23:56.] + + + + +GLIMPSES OF SABBATH KEEPING AFTER NEW TESTAMENT TIMES + + +Not at once did the innovation of Sunday observance set aside the +Sabbath of the Lord in the practice of even the general church. And +through history, when the general church had fallen away, we catch +glimpses here and there of faithful witnesses to God's holy Sabbath +truth. + + +First Centuries + +An old English writer, Professor Brerewood, of Gresham College, London, +put in shortest phrase what many writers say: + + "They know little who do not know that the ancient Sabbath did + remain and was observed by the Eastern churches three hundred + years after our Saviour's passion."--_"Treatise on the + Sabbath," p. 77._ + + +Fourth Century + +Canon 29, of the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 364), shows that the +ecclesiastical system was laboring to put an end to Sabbath keeping: + + "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday [the + Sabbath], but shall work on that day; but the Lord's day [as + they called Sunday] they shall especially honor, and, as being + Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If, + however, they be found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from + Christ."--_Hefele, "History of the Councils of the Church," + Vol. II, book 6, sec. 93, canon 29._ + + +Fifth Century + +Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History shows Rome evidently leading in the +effort to abolish any recognition whatever of the Sabbath: + + "The people of Constantinople, and of several other cities, + assemble together on the Sabbath, as well as on the next day; + which custom is never observed at Rome, or at + Alexandria."--_Book 7, chap. 19._ + + +Seventh Century + +There were true Sabbath keepers in Rome itself, teaching the truth of +God among the people, and bringing upon themselves the denunciation of +Pope Gregory the Great, who wrote "to his most beloved sons the Roman +citizens:" + + "It has come to my ears that certain men of perverse spirit + have sown among you some things that are wrong and opposed to + the holy faith, so as to forbid any work being done on the + Sabbath day. What else can I call these but preachers of + Antichrist?"--_"History of the Councils" (Labbe and Cossart), + Vol. V, col. 1511; see also "Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers," + Vol. XIII, book 13, epistle 1._ + + +Eleventh Century + +The Pope's legates at Constantinople (A.D. 1054) were called to +discuss with Nicetas, "one of the most learned men at that time in the +East," says Bower, whose position was "that the Sabbath ought to be kept +holy, and that priests should be allowed to marry."--_"History of the +Popes," Vol. II, p. 358._ + +The people of north Scotland, the ancient Culdee church founded by +Columba and his followers, far removed from direct papal influence, was +still keeping the seventh-day Sabbath in the eleventh century. Of this +church Andrew Lang says in his "History of Scotland:" + + "They worked on Sunday, but kept Saturday in a Sabbatical + manner."--_Volume I, p. 96._ + +Skene, in his classic work, "Celtic Scotland," says of these Sabbath +keepers: + + "They seemed to have followed a custom of which we find traces + in the early monastic church of Ireland, by which they held + Saturday to be the Sabbath, on which they rested from all their + labors."--_Book 2, chap. 8._ + +Margaret, of England, married Malcolm the Great, the Scottish king, in +1069. An ardent Catholic, Queen Margaret at once set about Romanizing +the Celtic church. She called in the church leaders, and held long +discussions with them. At last, with the help and authority of her royal +husband, and quoting the instructions of "the blessed Pope Gregory," she +succeeded in turning the ancient Culdee church in Scotland away from the +Sabbath. (See "Life of St. Margaret," by Turgot, her confessor.) + + +Twelfth to Fourteenth Century + +Among the numerous sects of southern Europe and the Alpine valleys, that +were pursued and persecuted by Rome, were at least some who saw and +obeyed the Sabbath truth. Thus, of one of these bodies, the historian +Goldastus says: + + "They were called Insabbatati, not because they were + circumcised, but because they kept the Sabbath according to the + Jewish law."--_"Deutsche Biographie," Vol. IX, art. "Goldast.," + p. 327._ + + +Fifteenth Century + +Sabbath keepers in Norway drew the condemnation of a church council held +in 1435: + + "The archbishop and the clergy assembled in this provincial + council at Bergen do decide that the keeping of Saturday must + never be permitted to exist, except as granted in the church + law."--_Keyser's "Norske Kirkes Historie," Vol. II, p. 488._ + + +Sixteenth Century + +With the setting free of the Word of God by the Reformation, and the +protest against the doctrine of papal tradition, multitudes saw that the +Sunday institution was not of divine origin; while not a few went +farther, recognizing the claims of God's Sabbath. Moravia was a refuge, +in those early Reformation days, for many believers in the Reformed +doctrines, and among these were Sabbath-keeping Christians: + +[Illustration: WALDENSES HUNTED BY THE ARMIES OF ROME + +"Destitute, afflicted, tormented;... they wandered in deserts, and in +mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Heb. 11:37, 38.] + + "Even most prominent men, as the princes of Lichtenstein, held + to the observance of the true Sabbath. When persecution finally + scattered them, the seeds of truth must have been sown by them + in the different portions of the Continent which they + visited.... We have found them [Sabbath keepers] in Bohemia. + They were also known in Silesia and Poland. Likewise they were + in Holland and northern Germany.... There were at this time + Sabbath keepers in France,... 'among whom were M. de la Roque, + who wrote in defense of the Sabbath against Bossuet, Catholic + bishop of Meaux.' That Sabbatarians again appeared in England + by the time of the Reformation, during the reign of Queen + Elizabeth (A.D. 1533-1603), Dr. Chambers testifies in + his Cyclopedia [art. 'Sabbath']."--_Andrews and Conradi, + "History of the Sabbath," pp. 649, 650._ + +In this century also, Sabbath keepers appeared in Norway, Sweden, and +Finland. In 1554 King Gustavus Vasa, of Sweden, addressed a letter of +remonstrance "to the common people in Finland," because so many were +turning to keep the seventh day. + + +Seventeenth Century + +There was much discussion in England over the authority for Sunday +observance. When other church festivals were ignored, as Easter, King +Charles I wanted to know why Sunday should be kept. He wrote: + + "It will not be found in Scripture where Saturday is discharged + to be kept, or turned into the Sunday; wherefore it must be the + church's authority that changed the one and instituted the + other; therefore my opinion is that those who will not keep + this feast [Easter] may as well return to the observation of + Saturday, and refuse the weekly Sunday."--_Cox, "Sabbath Laws," + p. 333._ + +It was during this time that the idea first obtained of enforcing Sunday +obligation by the fourth commandment and calling it the Sabbath. It was +argued that any "one day in seven" was what the commandment meant. Of +this argument, John Milton, the statesman-poet, wrote: + + "It is impossible to extort such a sense from the words of the + commandment; seeing that the reason for which the command + itself was originally given, namely, as a memorial of God's + having rested from the creation of the world, cannot be + transferred from the seventh day to the first; nor can any new + motive be substituted in its place, whether the resurrection of + our Lord or any other, without the sanction of a divine + commandment."--_"Prose Works" (Bohn), pp. 70, 71._ + +Again Milton wrote, in a manuscript which his publishers at the time +feared to print: + + "If we under the gospel are to regulate the time of our public + worship by the prescriptions of the decalogue, it will surely + be far safer to observe the seventh day, according to the + express commandment of God, than on the authority of mere human + conjecture to adopt the first."--_Cox, "Sabbath Literature," + Vol. II, p. 54._ + +While kings and poets and ecclesiastics discussed, here and there +believers began to follow the plain Word of God and Christ's example in +Sabbath keeping. + + +"Loved Not Their Lives unto the Death" + +In 1618 John Traske and his wife, of London, were condemned for keeping +the Sabbath of the Lord, the man being whipped from Westminster to the +old Fleet Prison, near Ludgate Circus. Both were imprisoned. Mr. Traske +recanted under the pressure, after a year, but Mrs. Traske, a gifted +school-teacher, was given grace to hold out for sixteen years,--for a +time in Maiden Lane prison, and then in the Gate House, by +Westminster,--dying in prison for the word of the Lord. An estimable +woman she was, says one old chronicler, save for this "whimsy" of hers, +that she would keep the seventh day. All that she asked of men, on her +prison deathbed, was that she might be buried "in the fields." + +By 1661 Sabbath keepers in London had further increased. In that year +John James was minister to a considerable congregation, meeting in East +London, off the Whitechapel Road. As part of the stern proceedings +against dissenting sects after the restoration of the monarchy, he was +arrested and condemned to death on "Tyburn Tree." His wife knelt at the +feet of King Charles II as he came out of St. James's Palace one day, +and pleaded for her husband's life; but the king scornfully rejected her +plea, and said that the man should hang. Bogue says: + + "For once the king remembered his promise, and Mr. James was + sent to join the noble army of martyrs."--_"History of + Dissenters," Vol. I, p. 155._ + +Nothing daunted, the number of Sabbath keepers increased. In a letter by +Edward Stennet (between 1668 and 1670), it is stated. + + "Here in England are about nine or ten churches that keep the + Sabbath, besides many scattered disciples, who have been + eminently preserved in this tottering day, when many once + eminent churches have been shattered in pieces."--_Cox, + "Sabbath Literature," Vol. I, p. 268._ + +Francis Bampfield was formerly an influential minister of the Church of +England, and prebendary of Exeter Cathedral, but later pastor of a +Sabbath-keeping congregation meeting in the Pinners Hall, off Broad +Street, near the Bank of England. Calamy said of him: + + "He was one of the most celebrated preachers in the west of + England, and extremely admired by his hearers, till he fell + into the Sabbatarian notion, of which he was a zealous + asserter."--_"Non-Conformist Memorial," Vol. II, p. 152._ + +He was arrested while in the pulpit preaching, and in 1683 died of +hardships in Newgate prison, for the Sabbath of the Lord. An old writer +says that his body was followed to burial by "a very great company of +factious and schismatical people;" in other words, dissenters from the +state church. + +Thomas Bampfield, his brother, Speaker of the House of Parliament at one +time, under Cromwell, published a book in defense of the Sabbath of the +Lord. In fact, many published the truth in this manner, and doctors of +divinity and even bishops wrote replies. + +"Sabbatarian Baptists," these English witnesses to God's Sabbath were +first called in those times, and then "Seventh Day Baptists." In 1664 +Stephen Mumford, from one of these London congregations, was sent over +to New England. He settled in Rhode Island, where the Baptist pioneer of +religious liberty, Roger Williams, had founded his colony. In 1671 the +first Sabbatarian church in America was formed in Rhode Island. +Evidently this movement created a stir; for the report went over to +England that the Rhode Island colony did not keep the "Sabbath"--meaning +Sunday. Roger Williams wrote to his friends in England denying the +report, but calling attention to the fact that there was no Scripture +for "abolishing the seventh day," and adding: + + "You know yourselves do not keep the Sabbath, that is the + seventh day."--_"Letters of Roger Williams," Vol. VI, p. 346 + (Narragansett Club Publications)._ + +Through the following century numbers of Seventh Day Baptist churches +were founded in America.[F] + +Sabbath keepers were springing up also on the continent of Europe, in +Bohemia, Moravia, Transylvania, and Russia, where here and there Bible +believers saw that tradition had made void one of the commandments of +God. Then, as the events at the end of the long period of papal +supremacy had moved Bible students to the earnest study of the +prophecies, and as the predicted signs of the near approach of Christ's +coming began to appear, there arose the great advent awakening in the +earlier decades of the nineteenth century. + +The prophecies regarding the work of the Papacy in seeking to change the +law of God began to be understood, and it was seen that the last message +of the everlasting gospel was a call to turn from human traditions to +the New Testament standard--"the commandments of God, and the faith of +Jesus." Rev. 14:12. Then began the great movement for Sabbath reform and +the proclamation of Christ's second coming, which has given rise to the +Seventh-day Adventist people, with a work spreading through all lands, +leading thousands every year to keep the Lord's blessed Sabbath day. + +Soon Christ is to be revealed in righteousness and judgment. One burden +of God's message for the last days is: + +"Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation +is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man +that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth +the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any +evil." Isa. 56:1, 2. + +Through all the dark centuries, the Lord had somewhere a little remnant +keeping the light of the Sabbath truth glowing. They, too, overcame by +the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, loving not their +lives unto the death. Now, with the clear light shining from the open +Book, it is for Christians everywhere to turn from tradition to the way +of God's commandments and the example of Jesus Christ. + +[Illustration: + + "Closing Sabbath! Ah, how soon + Have thy sacred moments passed!"] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[F] In connection with this topic of Sabbath observance in colonial +America, it is of interest to note that Count Zinzendorf, the leader of +the Moravian missionary movement, was a believer in the sanctity of the +Sabbath of God's appointment. In his life, by Bishop Spangenberg, it is +stated that the Sabbath question was discussed by Zinzendorf with the +Moravians, on his visit to Pennsylvania in 1741. The record states:-- + +"As a special circumstance it is to be remarked that he determined, with +the church in Bethlehem, to celebrate the seventh day as a rest day. The +matter was previously fully gone over in the church council, with +consideration of all the reasons for and against it, when the unanimous +agreement was reached to observe the day Sabbatically.... The Count had +already long held the seventh day of the week in special +honor."--_Zinzendorfs "Leben," band 5, pp. 1421, 1422._ + +The Bethlehem congregation evidently did not follow the practice long. +"But as for himself," says Spangenberg, "with his house, he adhered +firmly to this aforementioned practice until his end."--_Id., p. 1437._ + + + + +THE LAW OF GOD + + +I + +Thou shalt have no other gods before me. + +II + +Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of +anything: that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or +that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to +them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting +the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth +generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of +them that love me, and keep my commandments. + +III + +Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord +will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. + +IV + +Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, +and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy +God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy +daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy +stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven +and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: +wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. + +V + +Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land +which the Lord thy God giveth thee. + +VI + +Thou shalt not kill. + +VII + +Thou shalt not commit adultery. + +VIII + +Thou shalt not steal. + +IX + +Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. + +X + +Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy +neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, +nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. + +[Illustration: CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT + +"Whosoever shall do and teach them ... shall be called great in the +kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:19.] + + +THE LAW OF GOD + +It is a common saying, "The majesty of the law." It means that the +character and genius of a government are embodied and expressed in its +laws. The words of Inspiration declare to us the majesty of the law of +the Most High. + + +The Character of God's Law + +The infinite perfection of the divine character is reflected in it. + +"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7. + +As God is holiness and justice and goodness, so also is His law. + +"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and +good." Rom. 7:12. + + +Its Office + +The law of God gives knowledge of the righteousness of its great +Author. + +"Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart +is My law." Isa. 51:7. + +It marks every departure from righteousness as sin. + +"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the +transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. + +It is not a code merely for the regulation of outward conduct. It is the +moral law--the primal standard of righteousness established by the +Creator for His creatures. There is not an impulse of the inmost soul +that is not reached by it. It is the word which, living and powerful, is +"sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder +of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of +the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12. + +Face to face with this holy law, we hear in it the voice of God saying, +"Be ye holy; for I am holy." Every soul must confess its guilt before +the searching power of God's law. All things are naked and open to the +eyes of Him with whom we have to do. "Guilty!" we confess. Left alone +with our guilt, there could be no ray of hope. + + "The threatenings of the broken law + Impress the soul with dread; + If God His sword of vengeance draw, + It strikes the spirit dead." + +Thank God, we are not left alone; help is laid upon One mighty to save. + + "But Thine illustrious sacrifice + Hath answered these demands, + And peace and pardon from the skies + Are offered by Thy hands." + + +God's Law from the Beginning + +The law of God existed from the beginning. When Adam sinned, he +transgressed this holy law; for "sin is the transgression of the law." +God's law was not committed to writing until the days of Moses, when the +Lord began to make His written revelations to the children of men. But +from Adam to Moses the precepts of the law of God were teaching +righteousness and convicting of sin. + +"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; +and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (for until +the law [the giving of it at Sinai] sin was in the world: but sin is not +imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to +Moses.)" Rom. 5:12-14. + +The declaration of this scripture is: Without the law there can be no +sin. But sin and death were from Adam to Moses, in whose day the law was +spoken on Sinai; therefore the law of God was in force from the +beginning. Its precepts were witnessed to by every preacher of +righteousness raised up by God in the days before the deluge and in the +patriarchal age following. Of Abraham the Lord says, + +"Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My +statutes, and My laws." Gen. 26:5. + +The Lord called His people out of Egypt, that they might keep his law. +His message to Pharaoh was, "Let my people go, that they may serve Me." +Ex. 9:1. He delivered them from bondage by His mighty arm, and cleft the +Red Sea to lead them forth to obedience, as the psalmist said, + +"He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness:... +that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws." Ps. 105:43-45. + +In Egyptian bondage the children of Abraham must have lost much of the +purity of God's truth; yet the Lord held them under obligation to know +His law--the Sabbath precept particularly--before they came to Sinai, or +ever He had proclaimed the law in their hearing. He tested them in the +matter by the giving of the manna, as He said, + +"That I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no." Ex. +16:4. + +From the beginning, God's holy law demanded the loyal obedience of every +human being. + + +Proclaimed Anew at Sinai + +The Lord had delivered the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage that +they might serve Him and make His ways known to the nations. This was +according to the promise made to Abraham. To them was committed the +written revelation of God, and through them was to come in the fulness +of time the promised Messiah. + +[Illustration: MOSES BREAKING THE TABLES OF THE LAW + +"He wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:13.] + +While the Lord at this time "made known His ways unto Moses," and there +was begun the written revelation which grew into "the volume of the +book," the Holy Scriptures, one portion of revelation was not left for +the prophet of God to speak or for the inspired pen to write. The Lord +proclaimed His holy law with His own voice, and gave to men a copy +"written with the finger of God." Moses said of this: + +"The Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the +voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And He +declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even +ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. +4:12, 13. + +This display of majesty and glory indescribable was designed to teach +how sacred and holy is the law, and to cause men to fear to transgress +its precepts. Ex. 20:20. + +It was not for themselves alone that the law was committed to Israel. +They were to teach the truth to others. As the New Testament says, it +was greatly to their advantage that "unto them were committed the +oracles of God." Rom. 3:2. But they "received the lively oracles to give +unto us." Through obedience to the divine law, they were to be a light +to the nations. + +"Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your +understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these +statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding +people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto +them?" Deut. 4:6, 7. + +An interesting comment upon these words is supplied by a speech of +Phalerius, librarian to Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt. Urging the +king by all means to secure copies of the sacred books of the Jews for +his great library in Alexandria, Phalerius said: + + "Now it is necessary that thou shouldst have accurate copies of + them. And indeed this legislation is full of hidden wisdom, and + entirely blameless, as being the legislation of God; for which + cause it is, as Hecateus of Abdera says, that the poets and + historians make no mention of it, nor of those men who lead + their lives according to it, since it is a holy law, and ought + not to be published by profane mouths."--_Josephus, + "Antiquities," book 12, chap. 2, sec. 4._ + +Unfaithful as the Jewish people oftentimes were, yet through their +testimony and the dealings of God with them, the fame of the living +oracles was spread abroad among the ancient nations. + + +One God--One Moral Standard + +"There is one Lawgiver." James 4:12. He is ever the same, and His law is +the standard of righteousness for all mankind. There was not one moral +standard before Christ and another after. Christ's death upon the cross +because man had broken the law, is the divine testimony to all the +universe that God's law can never be set aside nor its force suspended. +Jesus opened His public teaching with the declaration: + +"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not +come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven +and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the +law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these +least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least +in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the +same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:17-19. + +The moral law of ten commandments is one code, every precept equally +sacred and equally binding: + +"Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is +guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do +not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art +become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that +shall be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:10-12. + +The law of God still speaks with all the force of that voice from Sinai, +and it speaks to every soul on earth: + +"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who +are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world +may become guilty before God." Rom. 3:19. + +Thus the law of God convicts all men of sin, and would drive every one +to Christ for pardon and for the divine gift of the grace and power of +obedience. + +The ceremonial law--the precepts and ordinances commanded for the +sacrificial system--ceased with the sacrifice of Calvary, as all these +ceremonial observances pointed forward to the cross. There can be no +confounding of the moral law and the ceremonial law. The ceremonial law +of types and shadows showed in itself that a primary or higher law--the +moral law--had been violated, making necessary a divine sacrifice if +transgressors were to be saved from death and restored to obedience. + + +The Standard in the Judgment + +The law of God's moral government, which is the rule of life for every +creature, must necessarily be the standard in the great judgment day. +The Scripture states the sum of all human obligation and responsibility +in the words: + +"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His +commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring +every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, +or whether it be evil." Eccl. 12:13, 14. + +Every son and daughter of Adam's lost race is judgment bound, to answer +before the bar of God the demands of the perfect law. Divine justice +cannot abate one jot or tittle of the requirements of the holy law, nor +by any means clear the guilty. But divine mercy has provided the way by +which God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in +Jesus." + +[Illustration: THE GIFT OF GOD + +"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." John +3:16.] + +[Illustration: CHILDLIKE FAITH + +"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not +enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:3.] + + + + +JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH + + +"How should man be just [righteous] with God?" asked the patriarch Job. +It has been the vital question ever since Adam sinned, and lost his +righteousness and forfeited his life. The answer of Scripture is:-- + +"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our +Lord Jesus Christ." Rom 5:1 "By grace are ye saved through faith; and +that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any +man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9. + +In the beginning, life and righteousness were the gift of God to man. +Only the Creator could bestow the gift at the first; when lost, only +creative power can restore it. + + +Man Cannot Justify Himself + +The law of God declares all men sinners. Not only did Adam's posterity +inherit of necessity a sinful nature, but every soul of man has wrought +sin as the fruit of that nature. + +"As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so +death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. + +"There is no difference," Jew or Gentile, bond or free, they are in the +same lost condition; "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory +of God." Rom. 10:12; 3:23. + +The sinner finds himself a transgressor, condemned to death by a holy +law. He turns to it with the thought, "I will do what it says, and +become righteous and win life." But he cannot undo the fact that he has +sinned. A holy law can only cry, "Guilty! guilty!" to one who has +transgressed it. The law declares righteousness; it cannot give it. As +the Scripture says: + +"We know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are +under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may +become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall +no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of +sin." Rom. 3:19, 20. + +The guilt exists. No deeds that man can do can undo it or cover it from +a righteous law. Not only that, but as soon as the law declares what +righteousness is, the sinner finds that its demands are altogether +beyond the power of his flesh to meet. It calls for a kind of work that +fallen human nature cannot so much as approach. Paul cried out, when +struggling under conviction, "We know that the law is spiritual: but I +am carnal, sold under sin." Rom. 7:14. + +The carnal cannot bring forth the spiritual. But the law demands a +spiritual work of righteousness. It is impossible for the carnal mind to +undertake it. The Scripture says: + +"The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law +of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot +please God." Rom. 8:7, 8. + +But the awakened sinner is yet in the flesh. He finds the law thundering +his guilt and condemning him to death. He cannot wash away the past, nor +hide it; he cannot obey God's law with a carnal mind, and that is all +the mind he has. He is lost, and helpless of himself, but longs for a +way of escape. Paul's cry in the same position is the cry of the +despairing heart that has not found the Saviour, "O wretched man that I +am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Rom. 7:24. Thank +God, there is an answer to that cry, for every sinner. + + "Plunged in a gulf of dark despair, + We wretched sinners lay, + Without one cheering beam of hope, + Or spark of glimmering day. + + "With pitying eyes the Prince of grace + Beheld our helpless grief: + He saw, and, O amazing love! + He came to our relief." + + +The Free Gift of Christ + +Following that despairing cry of human helplessness, "Who shall deliver +me?" there came the believer's shout of praise, "I thank God through +Jesus Christ our Lord." He is the deliverer; for He "gave Himself for +our sins, that He might deliver us." Rom. 7:25; Gal. 1:4. + +The way of escape and salvation is the gift of God's love. "God so loved +the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth +in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. + +No sinner has need to plead that God may be willing to forgive him; the +Lord's infinite love that gave His Son to die, is pleading with the +sinner to believe and accept salvation. + +In order to be the sinner's Saviour, the divine Son of God must take +man's place before the broken law. He came in human flesh, with all its +weakness. "I can of Mine own self," He said, "do nothing." He trusted +the Father, and lived a life of perfect righteousness in human flesh. He +who knew no sin, bore man's sin in His body on the cross. "The Lord hath +laid on Him the iniquity of us all." For man's sin He died, "that He by +the grace of God should taste death for every man." In Him was met the +penalty of the law. But it was a sinless sacrifice. He "through the +eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God." Heb. 9:14. +Therefore death could not hold Him. He rose in the power of an endless +life to be man's advocate and priest and savior, ministering His grace +and righteousness and life to every one who will receive them. + +The righteousness that He wrought out for man in human flesh He longs to +put into every human heart. As in His own flesh in Judea He walked and +lived the life of righteousness, so now, by the Holy Spirit, He walks in +human lives today. That means forgiveness, and deliverance from the +power of the flesh, and a new life of power, and righteousness and +justification wrought within by the divine indwelling Saviour. How may +we receive Him with all this great salvation?--By faith; by believing +His promises; "that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." Eph. +3:17. + +Christ in all His fulness abiding within,--this is the wonder and +mystery of the gospel, "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." It +means an ever-present, ever-living Saviour, able to save to the +uttermost. + +What abundance of grace is received with His indwelling presence! + +_Forgiveness._--"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to +forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John +1:9. + +_Deliverance from the Flesh._--The cleansing by Christ's indwelling +power means that the old life of self is subdued. "Our old man is +crucified with Him." Rom. 6:6. "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the +Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.... And if Christ +be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life +because of righteousness." Rom. 8:9, 10. + +_A New Heart._--"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will +I put within you." Eze. 36:26. + +_A New Life._--"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put +on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true +holiness." Eph. 4:23, 24. It is in blessed fact Christ Jesus living the +life in the believer by faith, as the apostle Paul says: + +"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ +liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the +faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. +2:20. + +_Righteousness and Justification._--"This is His name whereby He shall +be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:6. Well does the King +James Version print the blessed name in capital letters. It is the great +name of salvation to every believer. By faith we receive Him, and by +faith His righteousness is imputed unto us. His life of obedience covers +all the believer's surrendered life, past and continuous, and in God's +sight the life of the believer in Jesus is justified from all sin. It is +the triumph of Him who was not only "delivered for our offenses," but +was also "raised again for our justification:" + +"Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to +condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came +upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's +disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall +many be made righteous." Rom. 5:18, 19. + +Christ died and rose again to bring this experience to sinners who have +struggled helplessly under condemnation. As Christ Jesus with all His +righteousness is received by faith, "there is therefore now no +condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the +flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1. + +Praise the Lord! It is all of Christ, and not of any works that we have +done. Therefore it is as sure as the oath and promise of God. We can +lose the experience only as we let Christ go out of the life by +unbelief. God forbid that we should do this; and help us to be quick to +repent and again lay hold of Him by faith if ever we find we have let +Him go and have lost the covering of His righteousness. + + "Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness + My beauty are, my glorious dress; + 'Mid hosts of sin, in these arrayed, + My soul shall never be afraid." + +[Illustration: THE LAST PRAYER + +"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting +life." John 3:16.] + +Christ's righteousness is, of necessity, the righteousness demanded by +the law of God. He lives that law in the believer. This is what +justification is. "Not the hearers of the law are just before God, but +the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom. 2:13. Justification by +faith makes the man a doer of the law by faith, Christ living every one +of its sacred precepts in the believer's life. This is what He died to +accomplish, to bring the righteousness of the law to the sinner who +could never attain to it himself. + +"What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God +sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, +condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be +fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." +Rom. 8:3, 4. + +Christ writes God's law in the new heart: "I will put My laws into their +mind, and write them in their hearts." Heb. 8:10. It is the rule of His +own righteousness. For before He came into the world to work out perfect +righteousness for us in human flesh, He said, through the psalmist, "I +delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. +40:8. + +It is a perfect righteousness and a full salvation that Christ brings +into every believer's heart. In Him all fulness dwells, "and ye are +complete in Him." + +The wondrous plan of salvation is so deep that only "in the ages to +come" will God be able to "show the exceeding riches of His grace in His +kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:7. But thank God, even +here below sinners saved by grace may "know the love of Christ, which +passeth knowledge." + + "The wonders of redeeming love + Our highest thoughts exceed; + The Son of God comes from above, + For sinful man to bleed. + + "He knows the frailties of our frame, + For He has borne our grief; + Our great High Priest once felt the same, + And He can send relief. + + "His love will not be satisfied + Till He in glory see + The faithful ones for whom He died + From sin forever free." + + --_R.F. Cottrell._ + +[Illustration: THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST + +"Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.] + +[Illustration: THE FORD OF JORDAN + +"John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much +water there." John 3:23.] + + + + +BAPTISM + +THE MEMORIAL OF THE RESURRECTION + + +Baptism is the divinely appointed memorial of the resurrection of +Christ. The great fact of the gospel is that "Christ died for our sins +according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose +again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3, 4), to be +our great High Priest and Saviour. + +Baptism is a profession of faith in the Saviour, who went into the grave +for us, and rose again to life. It is the great object-lesson to teach +the truth that the sinner must die to sin and the world, and have a +resurrection by the power of divine grace to a new life of obedience. +The ordinance is the sign of an actual experience, the means by which +the believer confesses the work of grace in the soul. + +The Scriptures teach the essential conditions necessary to baptism: + +"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He +that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:15, 16. + +"What doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest +with all thine heart, thou mayest." Acts 8:36, 37. + +"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in +the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Acts 2:38. + +Thus it is seen that instruction in the gospel, belief in Christ, and +repentance are conditions to precede baptism. + + +Baptism for Believers + +The experience of which baptism is the sign is thus stated: + +"We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was +raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also +should walk in newness of life." Rom. 6:4. + +"As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." +Gal. 3:27. + +"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through +the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." +Col. 2:12. + +In this ordinance, commanded of God, the believer is following the +example of Christ, who, when baptized by John in Jordan, said, "Thus it +becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." + + "Thus through the emblematic grave + The glorious suffering Saviour trod; + Thou art our Pattern, through the wave + We follow Thee, blest Son of God." + + +The Form of Baptism + +The Scriptural form of baptism is shown in these texts: + +"Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water." +Matt. 3:16. + +"They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he +baptized him." Acts 8:38. + +"Buried with Him by baptism.... For if we have been planted together in +the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His +resurrection." Rom. 6:4, 5. + +While the outward form of a religious service, without the spirit and +the experience which the form professes, must ever be unacceptable to +God, yet when the Lord prescribes a form, it is imperative that His +instruction should be followed. The form of the ordinance as commanded +by God emphasizes the divine meaning of the service. + +Scriptural baptism is a burial "in the likeness" of Christ's burial, as +the lifting up of the believer from the watery grave is a likeness of +the resurrection of Christ. Of the meaning of the word "baptism," Luther +wrote: + + "Baptism is a Greek word; in Latin it can be translated + immersion, as when we plunge something into water that it may + be completely covered with water."--_Opera Lutheri, De Sac. + Bap. 1, p. 319 (Baptist Encyclopedia, art. "Baptism")._ + +Calvin, after arguing that the form is an indifferent matter, says: + + "The very word 'baptize,' however, signifies to immerse; and it + is certain that immersion was observed by the ancient + church."--_"Institutes," lib. 4, cap. 15 (Baptist Encyclopedia, + art. "Baptism")._ + +Of the practice in primitive times, Neander, the church historian, says: + + "In respect to the manner of baptizing, in conformity with the + original institution and the original import of the symbol, it + was generally administered by immersion."--_"History of the + Christian Church," Torrey's translation (London edition), Vol. + I, p. 429._ + +The perversion of the ordinance into sprinkling, and that in infancy, +takes away the divinely ordained object-lesson; and in the case of the +infant must of necessity substitute mere ceremonialism for experience, +for the child of unaccountable years can have had no experience of +believing and repenting, which are the necessary conditions to fulfil +the meaning of baptism. The change in the ordinance, like most of the +changes that came about in the days of the "falling away" from the +primitive faith and practice, was by gradual process. + +Dean Stanley, in his "Christian Institutions," page 24, says that it is +not till the third century that "we find one case of the baptism of +infants." Of the change from immersion to sprinkling, he says: + + "What is the justification of this almost universal departure + from the primitive usage? There may have been many reasons, + some bad, some good. One, no doubt, was the superstitious + feeling already mentioned which regarded baptism as a charm, + indispensable to salvation, and which insisted on imparting it + to every human being who could be touched with water, however + unconscious." + +The common practice as late as the twelfth century is thus described by +a Roman Catholic cardinal of that time, named Pullus: + + "Whilst the candidate for baptism in water is immersed, the + death of Christ is suggested; whilst immersed and covered with + water, the burial of Christ is shown forth; whilst he is raised + from the waters, the resurrection of Christ is + proclaimed."--_Patrol. Lat., Vol. CXXX, p. 315 (Baptist + Encyclopedia, art. "Baptism")._ + +Dean Stanley, of Westminster, one of the first scholars of the Church of +England, wrote: + + "For the first thirteen centuries the almost universal practice + of baptism was that of which we read in the New Testament, and + which is the very meaning of the word 'baptize,'--that those + who were baptized were plunged, submerged, immersed into the + water. That practice is still, as we have seen, continued in + Eastern churches. In the Western church it still lingers among + Roman Catholics in the solitary instance of the Cathedral of + Milan; among Protestants in the numerous sects of the Baptists. + It lasted long into the Middle Ages.... But since the beginning + of the seventeenth century, the practice has become exceedingly + rare. With the few exceptions just mentioned, the whole of the + Western churches have now substituted for the ancient bath the + ceremony of letting fall a few drops of water on the face. The + reason of the change is obvious. The practice of immersion, + though peculiarly suitable to the Southern and Eastern + countries for which it was designed, was not found seasonable + in the countries of the North and West. Not by any decree of + council or parliament, but by the general sentiment of + Christian liberty, this remarkable change was effected. + Beginning in the thirteenth century, it has gradually driven + the ancient catholic usage out of the whole of + Europe."--_"Christian Institutions," pp. 21, 22._ + +The facts are undeniable, and emphasize the importance of reformation +and return in practice to the plain instructions of the Word of God. As +the record shows, it was not the spirit of the New Testament church that +made this change in the divine ordinance; rather it is the spirit of the +church of the "falling away," against which the Lord warns all +believers, "because they have transgressed the laws, changed the +ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." + + +The Path He Trod + + Our Saviour bowed beneath the wave, + And meekly sought a watery grave; + Come, see the sacred path He trod-- + A path well pleasing to our God. + + His voice we hear, His footsteps trace. + And hither come to seek His face, + To do His will, to feel His love, + And join our songs with those above. + + --_Adoniram Judson._ + +[Illustration: SYMBOLS OF MEDO-PERSIA AND GRECIA + +"The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and +Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia." Dan. 8:20, 21.] + +[Illustration: COINS OF THE MEDO-PERSIAN AND GRECIAN EMPIRES + +The ram, symbol of Persia; and the goat, symbol of Grecia.] + + + + +THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL 8 + +A HISTORIC OUTLINE AND A VITAL QUESTION + + +Another view of the history of empires and kingdoms was brought before +the prophet Daniel in the vision of the eighth chapter. In this vision a +great prophetic period is given, the end of which reaches to the latter +days, touching events of our own times that are of direct interest and +importance to every one today. + +The vision was given in the third year of Belshazzar, the last king of +Babylon. Again, as in moving panorama, there passed before the prophet's +vision the scenes of history. Earthly kingdoms were represented under +the symbols of beasts. + +We shall find the prophecy and the history corresponding in every +detail, revealing the overruling hand of God, who knows the end from the +beginning, and whose living Word of truth bears its witness through all +the ages. + + "Truth never dies. The ages come and go; + The mountains wear away; the seas retire; + Destruction lays earth's mighty cities low, + And empires, states, and dynasties expire; + But caught and handed onward by the wise, + Truth never dies." + +The opening scene of this vision, given by the river Ulai, in Persia, is +thus described: + +_Prophecy._--"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there +stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were +high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I +saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no +beast might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver +out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great." +Verses 3, 4. + +In the angel's interpretation of the vision Daniel was told: "The ram +which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia." +Verse 20. "The higher came up last." + +The two horns represented the dual character of the empire: first the +Medes in ascendancy, then the Persians rising to yet greater power. "So +that no beast might stand before him," says the prophecy. + +_History._--Xenophon says of Cyrus the Persian: + + "He was able to extend the fear of himself over so great a part + of the world that he astonished all, and no one attempted + anything against him."--_"The Cyropaedia," book 1, chap. 1._ + +The line of Medo-Persian conquest was "westward, and northward, and +southward," just as the prophet saw the ram pushing its way. As one pen +wrote in the days of Persia's supremacy: + + "He [Darius] showed the world arms glory-crowned." + "Towns untold before him fell." + "Burgs over sea ... heard from his lips their fate." + + --_"The Persians," by AEschylus._ + +But the ram pushing westward stirred up an antagonist that was +eventually to overcome him. The prophet continues: + +_Prophecy._--"As I was considering, behold, a he goat came from the west +on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat +had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two +horns,... and ran unto him in the fury of his power.... And there was +no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the +ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the +ram out of his hand." Verses 5-7. + +The angel's interpretation continued: "The rough goat is the king of +Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king." +Verse 21. + +_History._--This "first king" of united Grecia was Alexander the Great. + + "With Alexander the New Greece begins."--_Harrison, "Story of + Greece," p. 499._ + + "And it happened, after that Alexander ... had smitten Darius + king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, + the first over Greece." 1 Maccabees 1:1. + +Under Alexander, the Grecian goat ran upon the Persian ram "in the fury +of his power." At Arbela, wrote Arrian, the Macedonians charged "with +great fury." None was able to deliver the Persian ram. "Wherever you +fly," wrote Alexander to the retreating Darius, "thither I will surely +pursue you." (See "Anabasis of Alexander the Great," by Arrian, book 2, +chap. 14.) Medo-Persia fell before Grecia, as this sure word of prophecy +had foretold two hundred years before Alexander's day. + +Grecia's expansion and its later history were next unfolded before the +prophet's vision: + +_Prophecy._--"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was +strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones +toward the four winds of heaven." Verse 8. + +Of the ram (Persia) it was said it became "great;" of the goat (Grecia); +that it became "very great." + +_History._--Justin, the Roman, wrote of Alexander: + + "So much was the whole world awed by the terror of his name, + that all nations came to pay their obedience to + him."--_"History of the World," book 12, chap. 13._ + + "Vain in his hopes, the youth had grasped at all, + And his vast thought took in the vanquished ball." + + --_Lucan's "Pharsalia" (Nicholas Rowe's translation), book 3._ + +But the unerring prophecy had said that "when he was strong, the great +horn was broken." Suddenly the youthful conqueror was cut down by death, +just as he was preparing to celebrate at Babylon a "convention of the +whole universe," + + "being thus taken off in the flower of his age, and in the + height of his victories."--_Justin, "History of the World," + book 13, chap. 1._ + +The ancient pagan writers, in telling the story, make use of language +very similar to that used by divine prophecy in foretelling it. +Following Alexander's death the empire was divided "toward the four +winds of heaven." Myers says: + + "Four well-defined and important monarchies arose out of the + ruins.... The great horn was broken; and instead of it came up + four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven."--_"History + of Greece" (edition 1902), p. 457._ + +As the prophet watched these four kingdoms of divided Greece, he beheld +another power coming into the field of his vision through one of the +four kingdoms, and extending its authority more than any before it: + +_Prophecy._--"Out of one of them [one of the four kingdoms] came forth a +little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward +the east, and toward the pleasant land." Verse 9. + +_History._--Medo-Persia was "great," Grecia was "very great," but this +power was to be "exceeding great." Rome followed Grecia. Polybius, the +Roman, says: + + "Almost the whole inhabited world was conquered, and brought + under the dominion of the single city of Rome."--_"Histories of + Polybius" (Evelyn Shuckburgh's translation), book 1, chap. 1._ + +One of the odes of Horace tells how the name of Rome grew to might: + + "Till her superb dominion spread + East, where the sun comes forth in light, + And west to where he lays his head." + + --_Ode 15, "To Augustus," book 4._ + +Lucan's lines measured its exceeding greatness from the other points of +the compass: + + "Though from the frozen pole our empire run, + Far as the journeys of the southern sun." + + --_"Pharsalia," book 10._ + +"The empire of the Romans filled the world," says Gibbon. It was +"exceeding great," according to the prophecy. In the vision the little +horn that grew so great came into the prophet's view as proceeding out +of one of the four horns that he had been watching. Rome rose to +unquestioned supremacy out of its conquest of Macedonia, one of the four +notable kingdoms into which Grecia was divided. It spread forth toward +the south, and toward the east, and "toward the pleasant land," +Palestine becoming a province of the empire in the century before +Christ. And it was a Roman force that destroyed Jerusalem and devastated +the pleasant land. + +Thus the "sure word of prophecy," with exactness in detail, carries the +history through the centuries to the last great universal monarchy, +Rome. + +But this prophecy does not deal so much with the earlier history of Rome +as with the developments of later times. It was the same in the +prophetic outline of Daniel 7. After briefly identifying Rome as the +last universal monarchy, the vision of the seventh chapter dealt with +the rise of papal Rome, described its exaltation of itself against God, +and its warfare against the truth and the saints of God. And here again, +in the eighth chapter, the same persecuting power is seen developing, +exalting itself, and persecuting the saints of God. The prophecy says +that "it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and +prospered." Dan. 8:12. The papal history, as given in the study on +Daniel 7, need not be repeated here. + +[Illustration: THE CAMP OF ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS + +"Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be +cleansed." Dan. 8:14.] + +As the prophet watched the work of this lawless power, his heart must +have cried out to know how long it was to be allowed to prosper in its +evil way; for next he heard the voice of a holy one asking the question +for him, + +"How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the +transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to +be trodden underfoot?" Dan. 8:13. + +The answer was, + +"Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be +cleansed." Verse 14. + +In symbolic prophecy a day stands for a year. Eze. 4:6. This is a long +period, therefore, of 2300 years. It reaches to the latter days; for the +angel said of it, "At the time of the end shall be the vision." Dan. +8:17. + +The question was, "How long?" or literally, "Until when?" and the answer +was, "Until two thousand and three hundred days." Then what was to come +to deal with the great apostasy?--"Then shall the sanctuary be +cleansed." The cleansing of the sanctuary, therefore, must have +something to do with meeting the great apostasy, lifting up God's truth +that has been trampled underfoot, and cutting short the reign of evil. +The cleansing of the sanctuary, with all that is involved in it, must be +God's answer to this lawless power. + +Error may prosper for a time; but the just balances of the sanctuary +will at last pronounce righteous judgment, and the prosperity of evil +will be cut short. "I was envious ... when I saw the prosperity of the +wicked," said the psalmist, "until I went into the sanctuary of God; +then understood I their end." Ps. 73:3, 17. + +What, then, is involved in the cleansing of the sanctuary, the time of +which is marked by the long prophetic period? It is for us to +understand; for it is a work pertaining to the latter days. + +[Illustration: OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST + +"We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne +of the Majesty in the heavens." Heb. 8:1.] + +[Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF THE SANCTUARY + +"A figure for time then present, in which were offered both gifts and +sacrifices." Heb. 9:9.] + + + + +THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY IN TYPE AND ANTITYPE + + +The Bible teaching concerning the sanctuary of the Levitical service +shows clearly that the cleansing of the sanctuary is God's answer to +error and apostasy. + +The priestly service of the earthly sanctuary, or temple, in the days of +Israel, was typical of the work of Christ, our High Priest, in the +heavenly temple. The earthly priests served after "the example and +shadow of heavenly things." Heb. 8:5. And of Christ's ministry in the +heavenly temple we are told: + +"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a +high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty +in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, +which the Lord pitched, and not man." Heb. 8:1, 2. + +In the earthly service, the cleansing of the sanctuary was the closing +work of the high priest, marking the end of the yearly round of +mediatory ministry. The cleansing of the sanctuary in the time of the +end must, therefore, according to the sure teaching of the type, be the +closing ministry of our great High Priest in the heavenly temple, before +He lays aside His priestly work to come in glory. + + +The Service of the Earthly Tabernacle + +There were two distinct phases in the priestly ministry of the +tabernacle in Israel. The sanctuary was built with two apartments, the +holy place and the most holy. + +In the holy place were the candlestick with its seven lights, the table +with its ever-renewed "bread of the presence," and the altar of incense, +on which sweet incense, symbol of Christ's continual intercession, was +burned morning and night. + +Within the inner veil was the most holy place, where was the ark +containing the tables of the law, written with the finger of God. The +cover of the ark was the golden mercy-seat, above which, at either end, +stood two cherubim of gold, their wings meeting on high, their faces +looking ever toward the mercy-seat. It was a type of the throne of +God--the angels about the throne, the law the foundation of His +government, the mercy-seat typifying the interposition of mercy and +pardon for the sinner; and above it the visible glory of the Lord, the +Shekinah. + +"There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above +the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of +the testimony." Ex. 25:22. + +Of the service in the first apartment it is stated: + +"When these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the +first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God." Heb. 9:6. + +"Day by day the sacrificial victims were slain at the altar before the +outer veil, and the blood was 'brought into the sanctuary' by the +priest." This was an acknowledgment of transgression of God's law, +meriting death, and a confession of faith in the Lamb of God who was to +suffer death in the sinner's stead, and whose atoning blood would plead +for him before the righteous law. + +Thus day by day, either by the sprinkling of the blood "before the Lord" +or by eating a portion of the flesh of the burnt offering in the holy +place, the ministry of the priests transferred the sin in type to the +sanctuary, and the sinner was pardoned. + +For a full year, lacking one day, the ministry was in the first +apartment, or holy place only. But on that last day of the yearly round +of service--"the tenth day of the seventh month"--the high priest +entered the second apartment, or most holy place. + +"Into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without +blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people." +Heb. 9:7. + +In this service the high priest sprinkled the blood upon the mercy-seat +and in the holy place, "because of the uncleanness of the children of +Israel." The sanctuary was to be reconciled or cleansed from all the +sins registered there in type through the blood of the offerings brought +day by day during the year. + +As the high priest came out, bearing the sins, he transferred them all +to the head of the scapegoat, which was sent away into the wilderness; +and thus "all their iniquities" were borne away from the camp into the +wilderness, and the sanctuary was cleansed. See Leviticus 16. + +This was a solemn time of judgment in Israel. Every man's life came in +review that day. Was every sin confessed? Whosoever was not found right +with God, when that service was performed, was cut off from having a +part with God's people. + +"It is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord +your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that +same day, he shall be cut off from among his people." Lev. 23:28, 29. + +It was indeed an annual day of judgment in Israel. And all this was an +"example and shadow of heavenly things." Heb. 8:5. + + +Christ's Closing Work in Heaven + +Therefore the last phase of Christ's ministry as our high priest in the +sanctuary of God above, must be a work of judgment, a review of the +heavenly record, corresponding to the final ministry in the second +apartment of the earthly tabernacle, when that sanctuary was cleansed. + +[Illustration: THE MEMORIAL OF HIS SACRIFICE + +"As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the +Lord's death till He come." 1 Cor. 11:26.] + +Daniel the prophet was shown in vision this change in the ministry of +our High Priest, namely, from the first to the second apartment of the +heavenly temple. He describes the wondrous scene, as God's living +throne, with its wheels flaming with glory, moved into the most holy +place of the heavenly sanctuary, for the closing work of Christ's +ministry: + +"I beheld till the thrones were cast down ["placed," R.V.], and the +Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair +of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and +His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from +before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand +times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books +were opened." Dan. 7:9, 10. + +This scene, as the next verse shows, opens while still on earth the +apostasy is exalting itself. But during this same time a solemn judgment +work is going forward in heaven above, the finishing of which will give +God's answer to the apostasy, and bring the second coming of Christ in +glory to end the reign of sin. It is the cleansing of the +sanctuary,--the time when in reality and not in type every case +registered in the sanctuary comes in final review before God. When that +work closes, according to the type, whosoever is not found right with +God will be cut off from having any part with His redeemed people. + +Then the priestly ministry of Christ will close, and the destiny of +every soul will be fixed for all eternity. To that time must apply the +words spoken by Jesus: + +"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: ... and he that is +righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be +holy still. And, behold, I come quickly." Rev. 22:11, 12. + +But now the Saviour, from His place of ministry on high, speaks to all +the encouraging exhortation and assurance: + +"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I +will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess +his name before My Father, and before His angels." Rev. 3:5. + +To let men on earth know when this judgment work, the cleansing of the +sanctuary, began in heaven, the prophetic period of 2300 years was +given. It is of most solemn importance that we know when that period +begins and ends. + +[Illustration: ARTAXERXES SENDING THE JEWS TO REBUILD JERUSALEM, +B.C. 457 + +"From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build +Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and +threescore and two weeks." Dan. 9:25.] + +[Illustration: NEHEMIAH, THE KING'S CUPBEARER + +"Send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may +build it." Neh. 2:5.] + + + + +A GREAT PROPHETIC PERIOD + + +THE 2300 YEARS OF DANIEL 8:14 + +The commission to the angel Gabriel was, "Make this man to understand +the vision" (Dan. 8:16); therefore in the angel's explanation of the +vision of Daniel 8, we must assuredly find the interpretation of the +prophetic period of 2300 years, the close of which marks the opening of +the judgment work in heaven, or the cleansing of the sanctuary. + +The eighth chapter closes, however, with no reference to the beginning +of this period of time, a most important measuring line of prophecy. The +angel had explained the symbols representing Medo-Persia, Grecia, and +Rome, and had dwelt upon the antichristian work of the apostasy that was +to develop; but he left the time of the prophetic period unexplained, +save to say that it was "true," and that it would be "for many +days"--far in the future. Here the angel stopped, for Daniel fainted. In +spirit the prophet had been gazing upon the warfare of the great +apostasy against God's truth through the ages, and evidently it took all +strength from him. Daniel closes the account of this vision with the +words, "I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it." Verse +27. + +[Illustration: THE 2300 DAYS + +The heavy line represents the full 2300 year-day period, the longest +prophetic period in the Bible. Beginning in B.C. 457 when the +decree was given to restore and build Jerusalem (Ezra 7:11-26; Dan. +9:25), seven weeks (49 years) are measured off to indicate the time +occupied in this work of restoration. These, however, are a part of the +sixty-nine weeks (483 years) that were to reach to Messiah, the Anointed +One. Christ was anointed in 27 A.D., at His baptism. Matt. +3:13-17; Acts 10:38. In the midst of the seventieth week (31 +A.D.), Christ was crucified or "cut off," which marked the time +when the sacrifices and oblations of the earthly sanctuary were to +cease. Dan. 9:25, 27. The remaining three and one-half years of this +week reach to 34 A.D., or to the stoning of Stephen, and the +great persecution of the church at Jerusalem which followed. Acts 7:59; +8:1. This marked the close of the seventy weeks, or 490 years, allotted +to the Jewish people. + +But the seventy weeks are a part of the 2300 days; and as they (the +seventy weeks) reach to 34 A.D., the remaining 1810 years of +the 2300-day period must reach to 1844, when the work of judgment, or +cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, was to begin. Rev. 14:6, 7. Then +special light began to shine upon the whole sanctuary subject, and +Christ's mediatorial or priestly work in it. + +Four great events, therefore, are located by this great prophetic +period,--the first advent, the crucifixion, the rejection of the Jewish +people as a nation, and the beginning of the work of final judgment.] + +But the angel had been commanded, "Make this man to understand the +vision;" and soon after, as recorded in the next chapter,--possibly +within a year,[G]--Gabriel appeared to the prophet with the words: + +"O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.... +Therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision." Dan. 9:22, +23. + +Thereupon the angel began to deal with the matter of time in the +prophecy, the very feature of the vision of the eighth chapter that he +had not yet made Daniel understand. Therefore the vision of the 2300 +years must be the topic. + + +The Starting-Point + +First of all, the angel said that a short period was to be cut off from +the long period, and allotted to the Jewish people; this short period +was to reach to the coming of the promised Messiah and the filling up of +the measure of Jerusalem's transgressions. The angel's own words are: + +"Seventy weeks [490 days, prophetic time, or 490 literal years] are +determined [cut off, as the word means] upon thy people and upon thy +holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and +to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting +righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint +the Most Holy." Verse 24. + +This 490-year period "cut off" was to cover the history of the people of +Jerusalem until that city had filled out the measure of its +transgression. The only prophetic period from which this 490 years can +properly be said to be "cut off" is, assuredly, the longer period of +2300 years, which stretches far onward to "the time of the end." The 490 +years and the 2300 years, then, must begin at the same time. + +It was the time period that the angel Gabriel was yet to explain; and he +begins the explanation by showing that the first 490 years of it would +reach to the days of the Messiah. Then he gives the event that marks the +beginning of the 490 years, which event must necessarily mark the +beginning of the 2300 years as well. + +This is what he was commissioned to make Daniel "understand" when first +the vision of the 2300 years was given. Now he tells him to "understand" +it: + +"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the +commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the +Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street +shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after +threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: +and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and +the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the +end of the war desolations are determined." Dan. 9:25, 26. + +The date of the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild +Jerusalem is the date, therefore, from which the great prophetic +measuring line runs; the first 490 years of it to reach to the time and +work of the Messiah, at the first advent, the full 2300 years running on +to mark the time when the judgment hour in heaven opens. Once the +starting-point is fixed, all the events of the long period must follow +exactly as scheduled in the time-table of divine prophecy. + + +Date of the Commencement to Restore Jerusalem + +There were several commands issued concerning the restoration of +Jerusalem after the Babylonish captivity. Cyrus, and Darius, and +Artaxerxes Longimanus each issued such a decree. Which one answers to +the language of the prophecy as "the commandment to restore and to build +Jerusalem"? + +[Illustration: THE JEWS MOURNING OVER THE RUINS OF JERUSALEM + +"I went out by night,... and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were +broken down." Neh. 2:13.] + +The decree of Artaxerxes was most comprehensive (Ezra 7), authorizing +the full restoration of the civil and religious administration of +Jerusalem and Judea. And Inspiration specifically sums up all the +decrees as completed only in that of Artaxerxes, which thus constituted +"the commandment:" + +"They builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God +of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and +Artaxerxes king of Persia." Ezra 6:14. + +[Illustration: REBUILDING JERUSALEM + +"They builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God +of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and +Artaxerxes king of Persia." Ezra 6:14.] + +According to this scripture, the full "going forth of the commandment to +restore and to build," dates from this decree of Artaxerxes. And this +decree went forth "in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king." Ezra +7:7. + +What year was this seventh year of Artaxerxes--a date so important to +fix to a certainty? + +The great chronological standard for the kings of the ancient empires is +the canon, or historical rule, of Ptolemy. Ptolemy was a Greek +historian, geographer, and astronomer, who lived in the temple of +Serapis, near Alexandria, Egypt. From ancient records he prepared a +chronological table of the kings of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome +(carrying the Roman list to his own time, which was the second century +after Christ). Along with his list of kings and the years of their +succession, Ptolemy compiled a record of ancient observations of +eclipses. In such and such a year of a king, for instance, on a given +day of the month, an eclipse of the sun or moon would be recorded. +Astronomers have worked out these observations, and verified them. The +learned Dr. William Hales said: + + "To the authenticity of these copies of Ptolemy's canon, the + strongest testimony is given by their exact agreement + throughout, with above twenty dates and computations of + eclipses in Ptolemy's Almagest."--_"Chronology," Vol. I, p. + 166._ + +Thus, says James B. Lindsay, an English chronologist, "a foundation is +laid for chronology sure as the stars." So the sun and the stars, the +divinely appointed timekeepers, bear their witness to the accuracy of +the historical record. + +We thank God for this, as we desire to know if we may depend upon +Ptolemy's canon to help us fix to a certainty the seventh year of +Artaxerxes. + +According to Ptolemy, Artaxerxes succeeded to the throne in the two +hundred and eighty-fourth year of the canon. In modern reckoning, this +two hundred and eighty-fourth year runs from Dec. 17, 465 B.C., to Dec. +17, 464 B.C. The canon does not tell at what part of the year a king +succeeded to the throne; it only deals with whole years. The question +is, to be exact, Did Artaxerxes come to the throne in December, 465 +B.C., or at some time in the year 464 B.C.? At what season of the year +did the king take the throne? Some historians, dealing with the matter +roughly, date the succession from the year 465. But in dealing with +divine prophecy, we require certainty upon which to base the reckoning +of the seventh year of Artaxerxes, from which date the prophetic period +runs. + +And in God's providence we do have certainty. Of all the kings of +Assyria, Babylon, and Medo-Persia, in Ptolemy's long list, there is but +one concerning whose succession the Scriptures give us the very time of +the year--and that one is Artaxerxes. The one case in which we need to +know to a certainty the season of the year, in order to fix an important +date in prophecy, is the one case in which Inspiration gives exactly the +particulars. Who cannot see the hand of God in this? + +The combined record of Neh. 1:1; 2:1 and Ezra 7:7-9,[H] shows that +Artaxerxes came to the throne between the fifth month of the Jewish year +and the ninth month,--roughly, between August and December,--or in the +autumn. The Bible gives one part of the record, and Ptolemy's canon +gives another part; and by the combined record we know that Artaxerxes +came to the throne late in the year 464 B.C., and thus the seventh year +of his reign would be 457 B.C. This is the date fixed by other sources +of reliable chronology also, Sir Isaac Newton having worked out several +lines of evidence from ancient authorities, in each case reaching the +year 464 B.C. as the first of Artaxerxes, which makes the seventh to be +457 B.C. + +In the seventh year of Artaxerxes the commandment went forth to restore +and to build Jerusalem, and this event fixes the beginning of the 2300 +years, as also of the 490 years cut off from it upon the Jewish people. + +That year, 457 B.C., therefore, is a date of profound +importance. It stands like the golden milestone in the ancient Forum at +Rome, from which ran out all the measurements of distance to the ends of +the empire. From this date, 457 B.C., run out the golden +threads of time prophecy that touch events in the earthly life and the +heavenly ministry of Jesus that are of deepest eternal interest to all +mankind today. + + +The Ransom Paid + + Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, + Which, at the mercy-seat of God, + Forever doth for sinners plead, + Can cleanse my guilty soul indeed. + + Lord, I believe were sinners more + Than sands upon the ocean shore, + Thou hast for all a ransom paid, + For all a full provision made. + + --_Nikolaus Zinzendorf._ + +[Illustration: THE ANOINTING OF JESUS AT HIS BAPTISM + +"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." +Acts 10:38. (See Matt. 3:16.)] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[G] The dates placed in the margin of the King James Version indicate a +period of fifteen years between the eighth and ninth chapters of Daniel. +This was because in former days it was thought that Belshazzar was the +Bible name of Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, who reigned seventeen +years. In that case, from "the third year" of his reign, when the +prophecy of Daniel 8 was given, to the "first year of Darius," who +succeeded him, when the angel appeared again to Daniel, would be fifteen +years. But the unearthing of the buried records of Babylonia during the +last half century, reveals the fact that Belshazzar was the son of +Nabonidus, associated with him on the throne as king for a few years +before the fall of Babylon. The third year of his reign may very likely +have been the last year; and Darius immediately followed Belshazzar. The +explanation of the ninth chapter might have been within a few weeks or +months following the vision of chapter 8, and probably was. + +[H] These texts show that the king came to the throne in the autumn, so +that the actual years of his reign would run from autumn to autumn. Neh. +1:1 begins the record: "In the month Chisleu, in the _twentieth year_." +Neh. 2:1 continues: "It came to pass in the month Nisan, in the +_twentieth year_ of Artaxerxes." Thus it is plain that in the monthly +calendar of the king's actual reign the month Chisleu came first in +order, and then Nisan. Chisleu was the ninth month of the Jewish sacred +year, roughly, December. Nisan is the first month, April. And these +months, December, April,--in that order,--came in the first year of the +king, of course, the same as in his twentieth year. And in the same year +also came the fifth month, August; for Ezra 7:7-9 shows that the first +and fifth months--in that order--also fell in the same year of his +reign. Then we know of a certainty that his reign began somewhere +between August and December, that is, in the autumn. The first year of +Artaxerxes was from the latter part of 464 B.C. to the latter part of +463, and the seventh year, as readily counted off, would be from near +the end of 458 to near the end of 457. Under the commission to Ezra, the +people began to go up to Jerusalem in the spring of that year, 457 B.C. +(in the first month, or April), and they "came to Jerusalem in the fifth +month" (August). Ezra 7:8, 9. Ezra and his associates soon thereafter +"delivered the kings commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the +governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the +house of God." Ezra 8:36. With this delivery of the commissions to the +king's officers, the commandment to restore and to build had, most +certainly, fully gone forth. And from this date, 457 B.C., extends the +great prophetic period. + + +[Illustration: DANIEL'S PRAYER ANSWERED + +"I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." Dan. 9:22.] + + + + +THE PROPHECY FULFILLED + +EVENTS OF THE "SEVENTY WEEKS" AND END OF THE 2300 YEARS + + +The angel explained to Daniel the events of the seventy weeks allotted +to Jerusalem and its people "to finish the transgression." Seven weeks +and threescore and two weeks (69 weeks) of the seventy were to reach to +the Messiah. The angel's words were: + +"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to +finish the transgression.... Know therefore and understand, that from +the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem +unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two +weeks [69 weeks, or 483 days]." Dan. 9:24, 25. + +The sixty-nine weeks, symbolic time, are 483 years, which were to reach +from the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem to Messiah the +Prince. + + +The Time of the Messiah's Coming + +The commandment of Artaxerxes to restore and build Jerusalem, as we have +seen, went forth in 457 B.C. Reckoning from that date, 483 full +years bring us to A.D. 27, when, according to the prophecy, the +Messiah should appear. + +Messiah means "anointed." The anointing of Jesus, and His manifestation +as the Anointed One, was at His baptism: + +"Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, +lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God +descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from +heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." +Matt. 3:16, 17. + +Thus Jesus was anointed as the Messiah (see Acts 10:38), and John +proclaimed: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the +world." John 1:29. + +When did this baptism and anointing take place? The Gospel of Luke +supplies the historical facts for fixing the year: + +"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate +being governor of Judea," etc. Luke 3:1-3. + +Tiberius followed Augustus, who died in A.D. 14. But before the +latter's death, Tiberius was associated with him on the throne. Some +modern historians date this appointment of Tiberius as Caesar from +A.D. 13; but the "History of Rome," by Dion Cassius, a Roman +senator, born in the second century, shows, under events of +A.D. 12, that Augustus recognized Tiberius as holding the +imperial dignity at that time. (Book 56, chap. 26.) Again, Dr. Philip +Schaff says: + + "There are coins from Antioch in Syria of the date A.U. 765 + [A.D. 12], with the head of Tiberius and the + inscription, _Kaisar, Sebastos (Augustus)."_--_"History of the + Christian Church," Vol. I, p. 120, footnote._ + +These coins from Syria bear certain witness that the first year of +Tiberius should be counted from A.D. 12. Therefore "the +fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar" would be A.D. +27, just 483 years from the going forth of the commandment to restore +Jerusalem. The prophecy of the sixty-nine weeks was fulfilled--the +Messiah had come. + + +Confirming the Covenant + +But "one week" of the seventy remained--seven years. Of the Messiah's +work during this time the angel said: + +"He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst +of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." +Dan. 9:27. + +Christ's death upon the cross made "the sacrifice and the oblation to +cease," so far as their appointed force was concerned. After three years +and a half of ministry, "in the midst" of this seven-year period, the +prophetic week, the Messiah was lifted up on Calvary. For centuries the +sure word of prophecy had pointed to this supreme hour in the working +out of the plan of salvation. When the time was fulfilled, the promise +of God was fulfilled also, and the divine Sacrifice was offered. + + "Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, + All our sins on Thee were laid; + By Almighty Love anointed, + Thou redemption's price hast paid. + All Thy people are forgiven + Through the virtue of Thy blood; + Opened is the gate of heaven, + Peace is made 'twixt man and God." + +With the offering of the great Sacrifice, all the typical offerings +ceased to have significance. The veil of the temple was rent when the +Lamb of God expired upon the cross,--sign to all that He had caused "the +sacrifice and the oblation to cease." + +[Illustration: THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST + +"In the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation +to cease." Dan. 9:27.] + +[Illustration: THE RENT VEIL + +"The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." +Mark 15:38.] + +The Messiah was to "confirm the covenant with many for one week," +filling out the seventy weeks allotted in God's merciful patience +especially to the people of the Jews. Three and a half years of Christ's +personal ministry on earth had been devoted to the chosen people. Now, +after His ascension, He was still, in the persons of His disciples, to +press the gospel of the new covenant especially upon the Jewish +people--"to the Jew first," and "beginning at Jerusalem." + + +[Illustration: PETER PREACHING IN THE HOUSE OF CORNELIUS + +"They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." +Acts 8:4.] + +This last seven-year period, beginning in A.D. 27, ended in +A.D. 34. By that time the opposition of the Jews was becoming +exceedingly bitter. As a people they were rejecting again the divine +invitation extended by the risen Christ through His witnesses. About +A.D. 34 Stephen was martyred. The same council that, against +all evidence, had rejected the Messiah, again rejected the appeal of the +Holy Ghost shining visibly on Stephen's countenance. + +The believers in Jerusalem were driven out by persecution; and "they +that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." Acts +8:4. The Gentiles gave heed in Samaria, and the Ethiopian received the +gospel on the road to Gaza. The gospel message had fairly passed the +boundaries of Jerusalem and was on its way to the "uttermost parts of +the earth." + +Though the seventy weeks cut off upon the Jewish people and upon the +holy city had ended, to the world's end the gospel of Christ's salvation +is for that people as well as for all other nations. + + +The Ending of the 2300 Years + +It must not be forgotten that the angel was explaining to Daniel the +vision and prophecy of the long prophetic period that was to reach to +the cleansing of the sanctuary at the time of the end. + +These events of the first seventy weeks of that period were "to seal up +the vision and prophecy." Dan. 9:24. The shedding of the blood of the +divine Sacrifice "to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in +everlasting righteousness," set Heaven's seal to the vision. As surely +as the great Offering had been made, so surely the cleansing of the +sanctuary would be accomplished by the ministry of our High Priest in +heaven. + +And the exact fulfilment of the time schedule for this first portion of +the prophetic period, set seal to the declaration that when the full +2300 years should run out, the closing ministry of Christ would surely +begin in the heavenly sanctuary. + +From 457 B.C., when the commandment of Artaxerxes to restore +Jerusalem went forth, the measuring line of the 2300 years reaches to +the year A.D. 1844. In that year the time of the prophecy came. +Then the cleansing of the sanctuary was to begin. + +The prophet John, in the Revelation, beheld the opening of this last +phase of the ministry of Christ in the most holy place of the temple of +God. "The temple of God was opened in heaven," he says, "and there was +seen in His temple the ark of His testament." Rev. 11:19. The prophet +heard voices saying, "The nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and +the time of the dead, that they should be judged." Verse 18. + +Again we must quote Daniel's description of the opening of this ministry +in the most holy place of the heavenly temple. He saw thrones of +judgment set up. He saw the moving throne of the Almighty, with its +wheels of naming glory, take its position for the final work of our High +Priest in the holy of holies above: + +"I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed], and the Ancient of +days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head +like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels +as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: +thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten +thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were +opened." Dan. 7:9, 10. + +This was the scene enacted in the heavenly temple when the year 1844 +brought the judgment hour. Then began in heaven the work of the +investigative judgment, or the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, +during which the case of every individual will come in review before +God. + +When that work of investigation is finished, the ministry of Christ for +sin will end, human probation will close, and our Lord will quickly come +as King of kings and Lord of lords, to gather His redeemed, while all +sinners will be destroyed by "the brightness of His coming." 2 Thess. +2:8. + +In the vision of Daniel 8, as the great apostasy was seen warring +against God's truth, the question was asked, "How long shall be the +vision,... to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden +underfoot?" The answer was, in effect, In 1844 the cleansing of the +sanctuary will begin in heaven,--the hour of God's judgment, that will +give God's answer to sin and apostasy. + +We are living in the great antitypical day of atonement, for which all +heaven has been waiting. The end is at hand. And while that work is +proceeding in heaven above, the Lord proclaims a special message on +earth, lifting up again truths long trodden underfoot, and calling men +to prepare for the coming of the Lord. + + + _How Shall We Stand? + "For the hour of His judgment is come."_ + + "The judgment is set, the books have been opened; + How shall we stand in that great day + When every thought, and word, and action, + God, the righteous Judge, shall weigh? + + "The work is begun with those who are sleeping, + Soon will the living here be tried, + Out of the books of God's remembrance, + His decision to abide. + + "O, how shall we stand that moment of searching, + When all our sins those books reveal? + When from that court, each case decided, + Shall be granted no appeal?" + +[Illustration: THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE + +"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the +commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.] + +[Illustration: THE GOSPEL COMMISSION + +"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." +Mark 16:15.] + + + + +A WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENT + +FORETOLD IN THE PROPHECY OF REVELATION 14 + + +While the work of the judgment hour, or period,--the cleansing of the +sanctuary,--is proceeding in the heavenly temple above, the Lord sends +to the world a special message of preparation for the coming of the +Lord. + +It would not be the divine way to let this solemn judgment in heaven +come unheralded to men. Daniel's prophecy had fixed the time of its +beginning; and the question asked in the prophet's hearing, "How long +shall be the vision ... to give both the sanctuary and the host to be +trodden underfoot?" suggested that when the time came, the truths of God +that had been trodden underfoot through the ages would be lifted up and +proclaimed anew to all the world. + +With the coming of the judgment hour, in the year 1844, there arose just +such a work, a definite gospel movement, that has ever since been +carrying the message for the hour to the ends of the earth. + + +The Way Prepared for the Rise of the Movement + +But there was a preliminary work to be done, to prepare the way for the +definite advent movement and message. + +In the days of Israel of old, as the time for the cleansing of the +sanctuary drew near, the people were forewarned of the approach of the +solemn hour. The day of atonement--"the tenth day of the seventh +month"--was a typical hour of judgment. All the people were to prepare +their hearts for that great day. + +To this end, the Lord appointed the first day of the seventh month a day +of sounding of the trumpets. Lev. 23:24. The silver trumpets, pealing +forth on that day, proclaimed to all that the day of atonement was near +at hand, when every case would be brought in review before the +mercy-seat by the ministry of the high priest in the most holy place of +the earthly sanctuary. + +True to the type, as the year 1844 drew near, when the great antitypical +day of atonement was to open and the closing work of Christ to begin in +the most holy place of the heavenly temple, the trumpet call of the +approaching judgment hour was set pealing through all Christendom. + +Events of the closing years of the eighteenth century and the early +decades of the nineteenth, had stirred up Bible students to give greater +attention to the study of the prophetic scriptures. It was seen that +signs of the latter days were appearing, and that every line of historic +prophecy pointed to the near approach of Christ's second coming. + +Here and there students of the Word saw that the 2300-year period of +Dan. 8:14, as explained in the ninth chapter, would end soon; and some +arrived at the correct date, and looked to the year 1844 as the time +when the judgment hour would come. + +Witnesses were raised up in Europe--in Holland, Germany, Russia, and the +Scandinavian countries. Joseph Wolff, the missionary to the Levant, +preached in Greece, Palestine, Turkey, Afghanistan, and other regions +the coming of the judgment hour. William Miller and many associates +preached the message throughout America. + +Writing in the days just before 1844, Mourant Brock, a clergyman of the +Church of England, said: + + "It is not merely in Great Britain that the expectation of the + near return of the Redeemer is entertained, and the voice of + warning raised, but also in America, India, and on the + continent of Europe. In America, about three hundred ministers + of the word are thus preaching 'this gospel of the kingdom;' + whilst in this country, about seven hundred of the Church of + England are raising the same cry."--_"Advent Tracts_," _Vol. + II, p. 135 (1844)._ + +Not all who joined in the awakening cry at this time explained the +prophecies alike, or emphasized the definite year 1844 as the beginning +of the hour of God's judgment; though in America, Europe, and Asia the +clear message of the ending of the prophetic time in 1844 was proclaimed +with power by many voices. And as the time came, the world was ringing +with the call to prepare to meet the judgment hour, even as the hosts of +Israel were called by trumpet peals to prepare for the typical day of +atonement. + +The nature of the event to come at the end of the 2300 years was not +understood by these early heralds of the advent hope. The general +expectation was that the judgment hour meant the end of the world and +the coming of the Lord. Though the word of prophecy indicated clearly +that there was a special work to be done on earth while the judgment +hour was proceeding in heaven, this was not clear to Bible students at +the time. So when the prophetic period ended and the Lord did not come, +believers in the prophetic truths were disappointed and unbelievers +scoffed. But the call to prepare for the judgment hour was the message +due to the world at that time, and the awakening cry was raised on every +continent. + +In the days of the Saviour's first advent, the disciples and the +populace had proclaimed the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. +They were at once disappointed; instead of enthroning Him as king, they +witnessed His crucifixion. But in proclaiming the coming of Zion's King +to Jerusalem, they were fulfilling the prophecy that had been uttered, +and were giving the message for that day, notwithstanding their mistaken +view as to the events that would follow. + +Just so the trumpet call of the coming judgment hour was the message for +the days of 1844; and the message was given, attended by the power of +God. When the hour was at hand, the providence of God raised up faithful +witnesses to proclaim it. + +All this was preparatory to the rise of the definite advent movement of +the prophecy, when the hour of God's judgment should begin. + + +The Closing Work + +In vision, on the Isle of Patmos, the prophet John was given a view of +the closing work of the gospel on earth, while the closing ministry of +Christ was proceeding in heaven above. The prophet wrote: + +"I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting +gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, +and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, +and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship +Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of +waters." Rev. 14:6, 7. + +The message further warned against following the ways of the great +apostasy; and in the vision the prophet was shown people in all lands +taking their stand at the call of the message. The angel described them +in these words: + +"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the +commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12. + +Much as pictures appear to us when thrown in succession upon a screen, +these scenes must have passed before the vision of the prophet. He saw +the coming of the hour, the rise of the movement, and its extension into +all lands; he heard the message sounding, and saw the kind of people +doing the work--a people keeping "the commandments of God, and the faith +of Jesus." + +[Illustration: PAUL WRITING TO TIMOTHY FROM ROME + +"There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord ... +shall give me at that day: and ... unto all them also that love His +appearing." 2 Tim. 4:8.] + +Centuries had passed, after this word was written in the Book, when the +flight of time at last brought the hour of the prophecy--the year 1844. +That very year witnessed the rise of the definite advent movement which +is still proclaiming the very message of the prophecy to the world. + +It was in the year 1844, in New England, that a little group of +believers in the blessed hope of Christ's soon coming, saw clearly, from +their study of the Bible, that the New Testament platform of "the +commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," emphasized in this +prophecy of the judgment hour, meant the keeping of the fourth +commandment as well as the other nine. Thereupon they began to keep and +to teach the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day of the week, made holy +and blessed and commanded by God. + +One member of this group of commandment-keeping Adventists was Frederick +Wheeler, from whose dictation the following statement was prepared, +fixing exactly the facts as to the time: + + "As a Methodist minister he was convinced of the advent truth + by reading William Miller's works in 1842, and joined in + preaching the first message [that of the judgment hour]. In + March, 1844, he began to keep the true Sabbath, in Washington, + N.H."--_Review and Herald (Washington, D.C.), Oct. 4, 1906._ + +They were but a little band, those believers in New Hampshire, but the +time of the prophecy had come, and with the coming of the hour there was +the nucleus of the movement forming, believers in the near coming of the +Lord, preaching the message of the prophecy, "The hour of His judgment +is come," and keeping "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." + +From that small beginning has grown the movement that Seventh-day +Adventists stand for, spreading through all the world today. + +It was in the year following 1844 that Joseph Bates, of Massachusetts, a +retired sea captain, and a preacher of the advent hope, began to keep +the Sabbath. Captain Bates wrote and published, and soon others, +following his example, embraced the Bible Sabbath. + +As the Scripture teaching concerning the sanctuary was studied, light +came flooding in. It was seen that the great prophetic period of Daniel +8, which ended in 1844, marked the opening of Christ's ministry in the +most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, the work of the judgment hour +in heaven; and there, plainly revealed in Revelation 14, was a special +gospel message to be carried to all the world while the judgment hour +still continued. + +The little company that began to keep the commandments of God as +Adventist believers in 1844, did not understand that they were beginning +the definite movement foretold by the prophecy. They only determined to +turn from traditions that had made void God's law, and to obey the law +of the Most High, whose servants they were. + +But in the light of the Scripture prophecy and of events, we can see +clearly the hand of God leading that little baud into the right pathway +when the year of 1844 came; and the work there begun has grown into the +world-wide movement of today. + +Nearly two thousand years before, it had been written in the "sure word +of prophecy" that when the hour of God's judgment came, a people keeping +God's commandments would arise and spread forth into all the world with +the last gospel message. The long prophetic period of Daniel 8 had fixed +the year 1844 as the time when the judgment hour would begin and when +the people of the prophecy must appear. + +When the year came, that people appeared, keeping "the commandments of +God, and the faith of Jesus." When the hour struck, the work began. This +advent movement was born of God in fulfilment of prophecy. And the +mission of the movement is to lift up again the standard of truths +obscured by tradition and trodden underfoot, and to call all men to the +New Testament platform of the "commandments of God, and the faith of +Jesus," where every believing soul may find safe refuge in these closing +moments of the judgment hour in the courts above. + +[Illustration: A CHRISTIAN MOTHER EXHORTING HER DAUGHTER TO MARTYRDOM + +"Choose you this day whom ye will serve;... as for me and my house, we +will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15.] + + + + +THE JUDGMENT-HOUR MESSAGE + +THE GOSPEL FOR OUR DAY + + +The gospel message for this time of the judgment hour is set forth in +the vision of Revelation 14: + +[Illustration: THE TWO BEASTS OF REVELATION 13 + +"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." +Rev. 14:7.] + +"I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting +gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, +and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, +and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship +Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of +waters. + +"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, +that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the +wrath of her fornication. + +"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man +worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, +or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, +which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; +and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the +holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their +torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor +night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the +mark of his name. + +"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the +commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:6-12. + +When this message has been heralded to all nations, according to +prophecy the end will come, for the next scene brought before the +prophet's vision was the coming of Christ to reap the harvest of the +earth: + +"I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like +unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand +a sharp sickle." Verse 14. + +The outline of the message given here reveals certain main features: + + +1. A Gospel Message + +It is not a new or another gospel. There is but one gospel. This message +is "the everlasting gospel" in terms that meet the situation in the time +of the judgment hour. The advent movement carries the blessed message of +full salvation from sin by faith in Jesus Christ. + + +2. A Solemn Warning + +The message is God's final answer to the age-long perversions of His +truth. Even the warnings uttered vibrate with the saving grace and +winning power of God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord. + +In the vision of Daniel 8, the prophet was shown the working of apostasy +in the latter times, as it "cast down the truth to the ground" and +"practiced and prospered." But in answer to the question, "How long?" +the great prophetic period of the 2300 years was given, at the end of +which (in 1844) the judgment work in heaven was to begin. When that +work is finished, Christ's glorious appearing will end the reign of sin +and error. + +And while the closing judgment work is proceeding in heaven, this +message of the judgment hour lifts up on earth the standard of truths +trodden underfoot, and the Lord utters His last warning against sin and +apostasy. It is a terrible word that He speaks. Bengelius described it +as-- + + "that threatening pronounced which is the greatest in all the + Scriptures, and which shall resound powerfully from the mouth + of the third angel."--_"Introduction to Apocalypse," Preface + xxix (London, 1757)._ + +The Lord is in earnest with men in this hour when the judgment, now +passing on the dead, must also soon seal the eternal destiny of all the +living. Hence the message challenges every soul to a decision. + +Looking forward to the time when this message should be due, John Wesley +wrote:-- + + "Happy are they who make the right use of these divine + messages."--_"Notes on New Testament," on Revelation 14._ + +These warnings are part of the "everlasting gospel." Whosoever, +therefore, preaches the full gospel of Christ in these last days must +sound this solemn call. + + +3. A Call to Loyalty to God + +"Fear God," is the call, "Worship Him." In the preceding vision of the +thirteenth chapter, the Lord had shown the prophet the work of an +ecclesiastical power, symbolized by a leopardlike beast, that was to +speak great things, and that was to persecute believers through long +centuries, warring against God's truth and His sanctuary. "All the world +wondered after the beast." The prophet said, + +"All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not +written in the book of life of the Lamb." Rev. 13:8. + +While worldly influence and the voice of popular religion exalt this +ecclesiastical power and give glory to it, the gospel message calls all +men to worship God. + +"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: +and worship Him.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and +receive his mark,[I] ... the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath +of God." + +The issue, it is clear, involves the question of authority. Shall God be +recognized as supreme? or shall this ecclesiastical power, whose rise +and work were foretold in the prophecy, be recognized as the great +authority? + + +The Work of the Papal Power + +Any comparison between this leopard beast of Revelation 13 and the +"little horn" of the fourth beast of Daniel 7, shows plainly that the +same power is represented in each. The same voice is heard "speaking +great things," the same persecuting spirit is shown, the same warfare +against God's truth. It is the Roman Papacy, in its exaltation of human +authority above the divine, that "lawless one" of Paul's prophecy, +setting itself forth as God in the temple of God, treading underfoot the +word and the law of the Most High, as foretold by Daniel: + +"He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out +the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws." Dan. +7:25. + +Against the recognition of the assumed authority of this power, the +gospel message of Revelation 14 sounds its solemn warning: "If any man +worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark." + + +The Image to the Papacy + +What is this image? Plainly an image to the Papacy must be some +religious authority or federation not organically of the Papacy itself, +but adopting papal principles and seeking to enforce these principles by +civil power, just as the Papacy has ever done, where possible. This +development in likeness of the Papacy was shown the prophet in the +latter part of the vision of Revelation 13. He saw the image formed, and +in vision witnessed its determined efforts to enforce upon men the mark, +or sign, of the Papacy: + +"He exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth +the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose +deadly wound was healed.... And he causeth all, both small and great, +rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or +in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had +the mark, or the name of the beast." Rev. 13:12-17. + + +The Mark, or Sign, of Papal Authority + +The Roman Papacy sets forth the Sunday institution as the mark of the +authority of the church to substitute ecclesiastical tradition and +custom for the Word of God. Thus, Monsignor Segur, in "Plain Talks about +the Protestantism of Today," says: + + "The observance of Sunday by Protestants is an homage they pay, + in spite of themselves, to the authority of the church."--_Page + 213._ + +It was to this change in the Sabbath by tradition, contrary to the plain +command of God to keep holy the seventh day, that the famous Council of +Trent appealed when it gave Rome's answer to the Reformation cry of "The +Bible and the Bible only." The council had long debated the ground of +its answer. The historian says: + + "Finally, at the last opening on the eighteenth of January, + 1562, their last scruple was set aside; the archbishop of + Rheggio made a speech in which he openly declared that + tradition stood above Scripture. The authority of the church + could therefore not be bound to the authority of the + Scriptures, because the church had changed Sabbath into Sunday, + not by the command of Christ, but by its own authority. With + this, to be sure, the last illusion was destroyed, and it was + declared that tradition does not signify antiquity, but + continual inspiration."--_Dr. J.H. Holtzman, "Canon and + Tradition," p. 263._ + +Ever since this memorable council, the Sunday institution has been held +forth as the mark of the power of the church to command religious +observances. Thus, again, Keenan's "Doctrinal Catechism" says: + + "_Question._--Have you any other way of proving that the church + has power to institute festivals of precept?" + + "_Answer._--Had she not such power, she could not have done + that in which all modern religionists agree with her,--she + could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first + day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh + day, a change for which there is no Scriptural + authority."--_Page 174._ + +The prophecy of Daniel declared that this power would "think" to change +the times and laws of the Most High; and the change of the Sabbath +commandment is set forth as the mark of the church's authority above the +written law of the Most High. + +Most remarkable of all, Protestant organizations are defending the +unscriptural observance of the humanly established first-day sabbath in +contradiction to the law of God, which declares that "the seventh day is +the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." And these organizations, in denial of +the Protestant principle of religious liberty, are seeking power to +enforce Sunday observance by civil law. But this is to make a very image +to the Roman Papacy--a church using the power of the state to enforce +religious observance. + +It was all foretold in the prophetic word. The prophet was shown (Rev. +13:11-17) this likeness or image to the Papacy--ecclesiastical +organizations not of the Papacy itself, but following papal principles +in this matter--seeking to compel men to receive the mark of the papal +apostasy. + +Against the workings of both the Papacy and this image to the Papacy, +the last message of the "everlasting gospel" lifts its warning cry: + +"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his +forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath +of God." + +It is the time of the judgment hour, when God was to lift up the +standard of truths long trodden underfoot. In the heavenly sanctuary +Christ's closing judgment work is going forward, preparatory to His +coming in consuming glory to end the reign of sin. On earth the Lord is +sending the last gospel message to men, warning against sin and error, +and calling all men to worship God, and to keep "the commandments of +God, and the faith of Jesus." + + +The Sign of Jehovah's Authority + +God also has His sign, or mark, of authority. He bases His claims to +supreme authority upon the fact of His creative power. As Creator, His +is the authority and the power. + +"The Lord is the true God.... He hath made the earth by His power." Jer. +10:10-12. + +And the divinely established memorial of this creative power is the holy +Sabbath. The Sabbath is the mark, or sign, of the true God: + +"Hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that +ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Eze. 20:20. + +On one side is the mark, or sign, of apostasy from God; on the other the +mark, or sign, of loyalty to God. Which mark will men receive, as the +issue is pressed upon every soul for decision? On which side shall we +stand? Under whose banner shall we be found when the judgment hour +closes? + +[Illustration: PILATE'S FATAL DECISION IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL + +"Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called +Christ?" Matt. 27:22.] + +The test that came to Pilate comes anew to men as Christ's message +presses for acceptance. "What shall I do then with Jesus?" asked the +Roman governor--and yielded to popular clamor. His fatal decision in the +time of testing warns us to decide for Christ and for the word of his +salvation now, in this hour of God's judgment. + +The message of Rev. 14:6-14 is going to all the world now. Every year +thousands of new voices join in telling it. Printing presses are +printing it in many languages. Schools and colleges in every continent +are educating thousands of Seventh-day Adventist youth, keeping before +them, as the highest aim of life, the hastening of the advent message to +the world. Sanitariums in many lands, while training medical missionary +evangelists, are at the same time ministering to the sick, and teaching +the principles of Bible health and temperance. The movement necessarily +emphasizes every principle of "the everlasting gospel," while pressing +upon all the solemn issue that loyalty to Christ now means to turn from +unscriptural tradition and custom to the commandments of God and the +faith of Jesus. However ancient the custom of observing Sunday, it is +but an innovation, setting aside the Word of God and the example of +Jesus Christ. As St. Cyprian said: "Usage without truth is only an +antiquated error." The clear light of Holy Scripture now calls the +believer away from the path of error to the way of light. + + "The older error is, it is the worse, + Continuation may provoke a curse; + If the Dark Age obscured our fathers' sight, + Must their sons shut their eyes against the light?" + + --_Bishop Ken._ + +In times past Christian believers have been unwittingly following the +lead of the Papacy in this matter. The Lord holds no man accountable for +light that he did not have. Reformation is a progressive work. Of the +past we may say with Paul: + +"The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men +everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He +will judge the world in righteousness." Acts 17:30, 31. + +Now, with this "hour of God's judgment" already come, the entire +covering of papal tradition is to be torn aside, and when Jesus comes in +glory, in every land will be found believers having the faith and +keeping the commandments of God. + +All this was shown to John on the Isle of Patmos,--the coming of the +judgment hour, the rise of the advent movement, and the heralding of the +last message to the nations. + +What John saw in vision nearly two thousand years ago, we see fulfilling +before our eyes today. But it is not enough to see it; we must have a +part in it, be a part of it. + +[Illustration: LUCIFER PLOTTING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD + +"I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;... I will be like the +Most High." Isa. 14:13, 14] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[I] The use of a mark, or sign, to designate the divinity worshiped, is +common in non-Christian religions. One may see the Hindu returning from +the temple with the mark of Vishnu or other deity freshly painted upon +the forehead. Of the ancient usage, from which this Bible symbol of the +"mark" is taken, Dr. John Potter says, in his "Antiquities of Greece:" + +"Slaves were not only branded with stigmata for a punishment of their +offenses, but (which was the common end of these marks) to distinguish +them, in case they should desert their masters; for which purpose it was +common to brand their soldiers; only with this difference, that whereas +slaves were commonly stigmatized in their forehead, and with the name or +some peculiar character belonging to their masters, soldiers were +branded in the hand, and with the name or character of their general. +After the same manner, it was likewise customary to stigmatize the +worshipers and votaries of some of the gods: whence Lucian, speaking of +the votaries of the Syrian goddess, affirms, 'They were all branded with +certain marks, some in the palms of their hands, and others in their +necks: whence it became customary for all the Assyrians thus to +stigmatize themselves.' And Theodoret is of opinion that the Jews were +forbidden to brand themselves with stigmata [Lev. 19:28], because the +idolaters by that ceremony used to consecrate themselves to their false +deities. + +"The marks used on these occasions were various. Sometimes they +contained the name of the god, sometimes his particular ensign; such +were the thunderbolt of Jupiter, the trident of Neptune, the ivy of +Bacchus: whence Ptolemy Philopater was by some nicknamed Gallus, because +his body was marked with the figures of ivy leaves. Or, lastly, they +marked themselves with some mystical number, whereby the god's name was +described. Thus the sun, which was signified by the number DCVIII, is +said to have been represented by these two numeral letters XH (Conf. +Martianus Capello). These three ways of stigmatizing are all expressed +by St. John in the book of Revelation: 'And he causeth all, both small +and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their +right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, +save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of +his name.'"--_Vol. I, pp. 65, 66 (London, 1728)._ + + +[Illustration: SATAN ENTERS THE GARDEN OF EDEN + +"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.] + + + + +THE ORIGIN OF EVIL + + +The Beginning of the Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan + +The great controversy between good and evil, that has been waged on +earth ever since man's fall, had its origin in heaven. Certain angels +rebelled against God and His government. + +"There was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the +dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither +was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast +out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the +whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast +out with him." Rev. 12:7-9. + +Thus came the forces of evil into this world, which have been working +through all the ages to draw men from allegiance to God, and to infuse +into human hearts the same spirit of disobedience which wrought the ruin +of Satan and his angels. + + +The Cause of the Downfall + +Christ stated the principle: "If therefore the light that is in thee be +darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matt. 6:23. + +The principle finds its utmost application in the great reversal, by +which Lucifer, the light bearer in heaven, became Satan, the adversary, +the prince of darkness. + +[Illustration: CHRIST AND NICODEMUS + +"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John +3:3.] + +In the pride and self-exaltation of Tyre, of old, the Lord saw +manifested the spirit of the god of this world; so, in declaring His +message of rebuke to the prince of Tyre, the Lord describes the cause +and history of Satan's fall: + +"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God.... Thou art the anointed +cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy +mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones +of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast +created, till iniquity was found in thee.... Thine heart was lifted up +because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy +brightness." Eze. 28:13-17. + +Likewise, in the swelling pride of Babylon the Lord recognized the +spirit of the leader of the rebellious angels. In one of the messages to +Babylon is this reference to the vaulting ambition of Lucifer in heaven: + +"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer ["day-star," margin], son of +the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the +nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I +will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the +mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend +above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." Isa. +14:12-14. + +Lucifer, his powers now perverted to evil, deceived many of the angels, +persuading them to join him in rebellion against the government of God; +with the result that Satan and all his host were cast out. Christ said, +"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18. + + "Him the Almighty Power + Hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal sky." + + +The Earth as the Battle Ground + +Then the great controversy which began in heaven was transferred to this +earth, and now centers around man. For "that old serpent," the leader of +the fallen angels, deceived man, and persuaded him to distrust God and +to choose his own way in preference to God's way. Thus came sin and +death into the world. And Satan, who had overcome man at the forbidden +tree, became by his own usurpation and by man's perfidy, "the prince of +this world." + +But Christ gave himself to save man, to deliver him from the bondage of +sin, and to restore him to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The +same mighty power that overcame Satan and his angels in heaven is able +to overcome his power in human hearts and lives. The controversy is +still between Christ and Satan, and man's salvation or destruction is +the aim of the contending forces. + +[Illustration: THE REDEMPTION PRICE + +"That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, +that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14.] + +There is no neutral ground. Every soul must choose as to which side he +will yield allegiance. In this choice lies his eternal destiny. + +"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his +servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of +obedience unto righteousness?" Rom. 6:16. + +Therefore the Lord pleads with men, "Choose life." Every soul that +chooses life has the promise of it, for Christ "is able ... to save them +to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." Heb. 7:25. + + +The Judgment upon Satan + +From the time of Satan's rebellion it was assured, by the very +omnipotence of God, that there would come a last judgment when evil +would be destroyed from the universe. This execution of judgment upon +the fallen angels is thus referred to by Jude: + +"The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own +habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto +the judgment of the great day." Verse 6. + +The evil spirits themselves know that this day is coming. When Christ +was about to cast certain of them out of one who was possessed, they +cried out, "Art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?" Matt. +8:29. + +Though the judgment of that last day was originally set for Satan and +his angels, unrepentant men will have a part in it, because they have +joined Satan in his lawless rebellion. To the wicked it will be said: + +"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the +devil and his angels." Matt. 25:41. + +Satan sees that the day is hastening; and the shorter the time in which +to work, the greater his fury in seeking to draw souls to perdition. + +The warning comes to us in these last days: + +"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is +come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath +but a short time." Rev. 12:12. + +Christ's second coming ends the reign of Satan in this world. The wicked +are slain by the consuming glory of Christ's coming (2 Thess. 2:8); and +the righteous are taken to heaven, beyond the reach of Satan's arts (1 +Thess. 4:16, 17). The archenemy and his angels are thus left upon an +earth devoid of human beings. Here he is chained for a thousand years, +in this pit of desolation (Rev. 20:2, 5), his only companions the angels +who fell with him, his only occupation the contemplation of the ruin he +has wrought and the destruction that still awaits him. + +By the second resurrection--that of the wicked dead, after the thousand +years--Satan is again set free to ply his arts upon his subjects. As the +holy city comes down out of heaven from God, with all the saints, Satan +gathers his angels and all the forces of the lost of all the ages, to +make an assault upon the city. The result was shown to the prophet in +vision: + +"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. And the devil that deceiveth them was cast +into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:9, 10. + +That is the fate awaiting the author of sin. In the account of Satan's +pride and self-exaltation, uttered by the prophet in the message to +Tyre, there occurs also this prophecy of the utter destruction that +awaits him, when he shall bring his forces against the city of God in +that last conflict: + +"I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that +behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be +astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any +more." Eze. 28:18, 19. + +This is the final victory of Christ over evil, in the great controversy +that began in heaven. Satan exalted himself--and lost. Christ humbled +Himself, even unto the death--and won the eternal triumph. + +"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He +also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might +destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14. + +[Illustration: JESUS BY THE SEA + + "O Galilee, sweet Galilee, + What mem'ries rise at thought of thee!"] + +[Illustration: SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR + +"When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar +spirits,... should not a people seek unto their God?" Isa. 8:19.] + +[Illustration: SATAN'S FIRST LIE + +"Ye shall not surely die." Gen. 3:4.] + + + + +SPIRITUALISM: ANCIENT AND MODERN + + +The essential claim of Spiritualism is its assertion of power to hold +communication with the spirits of the dead; or rather, it claims to have +demonstrated that really there is no death. + + "There is no death; + What seems so is transition." + +The late Prof. Alfred Russel Wallace, the English scientist, said of +Spiritualism:-- + + "It demonstrates, as completely as the fact can be + demonstrated, that the so-called dead are still alive."--_"On + Miracles and Modern Spiritualism" (London, 1875), p. 212._ + + +First Declaration of the Doctrine + +In the very first book of the Bible is a similar claim: "Ye shall not +surely die." Gen. 3:4. + +But this declaration, while recorded in the Scriptures, is not the word +of God. The Lord had declared to man that disobedience would bring +death. But Satan, as the tempter in Eden, caused the woman to doubt the +word of God: "The serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely +die." And the woman believed the tempter rather than God, and so sinned +against the Creator. + +Having tempted man to disobedience, so bringing death into the world, +what more natural, in the course of deception, than to endeavor to +persuade the human family that, after all, there is no death; that what +appears so is only an introduction to fuller life and activity? "Ye +shall not surely die." + +[Illustration: PHARAOH'S SORCERERS COUNTERFEITING THE WORK OF GOD + +"Now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their +enchantments." Ex. 7:11.] + +As mankind departed from right and lost the knowledge of God, dead +heroes were deified as gods, and much of the pagan worship consisted in +sacrifices to the spirits of the dead, supposed to be living still and +concerned with affairs in the land of the living. When Israel fell away +from God and joined the Moabites in the worship of Baal-peor, the record +says of the nature of the service: + +"They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of +the dead." "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto +devils." Ps. 106:28, 37. + +Instead of dealing with the spirits of the dead, the idolatrous +worshipers were really putting themselves in direct touch with the +agencies of Satan, the fallen angels. + + +Divine Warnings + +This explains the severity of the divine warnings against the ancient +practice of necromancy, or mediumship. The Lord said: + +"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, +to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:31. + +[Illustration: DEMONISM IN THE DAYS OF CHRIST + +"He said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." Mark 5:8.] + +"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, +thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. +There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his +daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an +observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a +consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all +that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord." Deut. 18:9-12. + +The ancient seance, where the living sought unto the dead for knowledge, +was denounced by the prophet Isaiah: + +"When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits +and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people +seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the +dead?" Isa. 8:19, A.R.V. + +"To the law and to the testimony!" the prophet cries. To seek unto the +dead for knowledge is to turn from the law and the testimony, and to +take the counsel of the direct agencies of Satan, the great deceiver. + + +Modern Spiritualism + +What Spiritualism is may best be understood by the prophetic warnings +concerning the revival of this great deception in the last days. The +apostle spoke of these days as a time when seducing spirits would lead +many away from the faith: + +"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall +depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of +devils." 1 Tim. 4:1. + +This deceptive working is an indication of the nearness of Christ's +second coming: + +"Whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and +signs and lying wonders." 2 Thess. 2:9, A.R.V. + +True to the sure word, now that the last days have come, there has +arisen the movement of modern Spiritualism, with its signs and wonders, +purporting to be wrought by the spirits of the dead. Professor Wallace +says: + + "Modern Spiritualism dates from March, 1848; it being then + that, for the first time, intelligent communications were held + with the unknown cause of the mysterious knockings and other + sounds similar to those which had disturbed the Mompesson and + Wesley families in the seventeenth and eighteenth + centuries."--_"On Miracles and Modern Spiritualism" (London, + 1875), p. 146._ + +It was in Hydeville, N.Y., in the family of Mr. Fox, that the modern +cult originated, it being found that by mysterious but clear sounds of +knocking, unseen intelligences were able to communicate answers to +questions asked. The rapidity of the spread of the great deception was +remarkable. One of the Fox sisters, Mrs. A. Leah Underhill, wrote: + + "Since that day, starting from a small country village of + western New York, Spiritualism has made its way--against + tremendous obstacles and resistance, but under an impulse and a + guidance from higher spheres--round the civilized globe. + Starting from three sisters, two of them children, and the + eldest a little beyond that age,... its ranks of believers, + privately or publicly avowed, have grown within thirty-six + years to millions."--_"The Missing Link in Modern + Spiritualism," Introduction._ + +Many at the time thought, as have many since, that the "rappings" with +which the manifestations began were caused by some trickery on the part +of the Fox sisters, but men of unimpeachable standing and intelligence +certified to the contrary. Horace Greeley, famous editor of the New York +_Tribune_, wrote in his paper that the sisters had visited him in his +home and courted the fullest investigation as to "the alleged +manifestations from the spirit world." As the result of his +observations, he wrote: + + "Whatever may be the origin or the cause of the 'rappings,' the + ladies in whose presence they occur do not make them. We tested + this thoroughly and to our entire satisfaction."--_Id., pp. + 160, 161._ + +It was no mere sleight of hand that launched this cult upon the world as +the last days came. Beyond all the physical manifestations, the +religious idea in Spiritualism has leavened the religious thought of +millions. No one can deny that the basic idea is the one that the +serpent promulgated in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die." + +Mrs. Emma Hardinge Britten, another of the Fox sisters, says of the +discovery of 1848: + + "On the night of the thirty-first of March, 1848, we found + beyond a shadow of a doubt or peradventure, that death had no + power over the spirit.... In a word, we found our so-called + dead were all living."--_"Nineteenth Century Miracles" + (Manchester, England), p. 554._ + +[Illustration: THE SALEM WITCHCRAFT + +One of the historical settings of Spiritualism. A poor woman accused by +her neighbors of practicing witchcraft.] + +Now the Scriptures teach plainly what these agencies in Spiritualism are +not, and what they are. + + +What They Are Not + +They are not the spirits of the dead communicating messages to the +living. + +In one of the earliest written portions of Holy Scripture, the Lord +declared plainly that the dead have no knowledge of the living: + +"He passeth: Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His +sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but +he perceiveth it not of them." Job 14:20, 21. + +The dead have no part in any communications with the living on earth: + +"Neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done +under the sun." Eccl. 9:6 + + +What They Are + +Already we have told what they are in quoting the warnings of prophecy +concerning the special deceptions of Satan in the last days. + +"The working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." 2 +Thess. 2:9. + +"Seducing spirits." 1 Tim. 4:1. + +And as they were shown to the prophet John in a vision of the very end, +he declared: + +"They are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14. + +These are the agencies through which come the supernatural +manifestations of Spiritualism. It is a terrible deception that leads +men and women to seek to satanic agencies, supposing that they are +communicating with the spirits of their dead friends. Satan and his +angels can readily simulate the personality of the dead, and so deceive +those who disobey God in seeking to the dead for knowledge. + + +The Climax of Deception + +That the marvels of Spiritualism would increase as the end nears, was +plainly taught by our Saviour in describing the workings of Satan just +before the second advent. He left us the warning: + +"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; +believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, +and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were +possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:23, 24. + +Evidently, then, by the miracle-working power that he possesses, Satan +will work mighty deceptions through both human and supernatural +agencies. And the crowning deception will be his own manifestation as +the Promised One, simulating Christ's second coming. But the power and +glory that will fill all earth and the heavens at Christ's coming, +cannot be copied by Satan, with all his miracle-working skill. That is +why it is so important that we understand the Bible teaching as to the +nature and manner of Christ's second advent. The doctrine of the silent, +secret, mystical coming is all abroad in the world, the teaching exactly +calculated to prepare the way for Satan's purposes of deception. +Therefore Christ forewarns us: + +"Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, +Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret +chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, +and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of +man be." Matt. 24:25-27. + +The teachings of ancient theosophy and spiritualism--the mysticism of +the East--have been permeating Christendom in recent years. Mme. Jean +Delaire, writing in a London review, said some years ago: + + "India has apparently still a mission to fulfil, for her + thought is slowly beginning to mold the thought of Europe and + of America; our keenest minds are today studying her + philosophy; our New Theology is founded upon the old, old + Vedanta."--_National Review, September, 1908, p. 131._ + +This flood of ancient spiritualism from the East has come about +according to Isaiah's prophecy of things that were to "come to pass in +the latter days:" + +"Thou hast forsaken Thy people the house of Jacob, because they are +filled with customs from the East, and are soothsayers like the +Philistines." Isa. 2:6, A.R.V. + +In 1909 one of the leading representatives of theosophical thought, Mrs. +Annie Besant, of India, toured America with the message of a coming +messiah. She announced: + + "My message is very simple: 'Prepare for the coming Christ.' We + stand at the cradle of a new subrace, and each race or subrace + has its own messiah. Hermes is followed by Zoroaster; Zoroaster + by Orpheus; Orpheus by Buddha; Buddha by Christ. We now await + with confidence a manifestation of the Supreme Teacher of the + world, who was last manifested in Palestine. Everywhere in the + West, not less than in the East, the heart of man is throbbing + with the glad expectation of the new avatar." + +The leaven of the spiritualistic philosophy has been working its way +through Christendom during this generation. We see clearly that the evil +one is preparing the way for his final work of deception. + +[Illustration: HOME OF THE FOX FAMILY, HYDESVILLE, N.Y. + +Spiritualism originated in this house March 31, 1848.] + +[Illustration: "HE IS RISEN" + +"Because I live, ye shall live also." John 14:19. + +COPYRIGHT, STANDARD PUB. CO.] + +[Illustration: MARY MEETS HER RISEN LORD + +"He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John +11:25.] + + + + +LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST + +MAN'S NATURE AND STATE IN DEATH + + +A wide-open door for Spiritualism is afforded by the teaching that man +has life in himself--immortality by nature; and that death is not really +death, but another form of life. + +The Scriptures close this door of false hope, teaching us that man is +mortal, that death is really death, and that immortality is the gift of +God through Christ by the resurrection from the dead. + +Clearly and definitely the Bible teaches that God only has immortality, +styling Him "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord +of lords; who only hath immortality." 1 Tim. 6:15, 16. + +This scripture disposes of every idea that man is immortal by nature, +and opens the way for a consideration of the Scripture teaching +concerning man's nature, his state in death, and the promise of life and +immortality in Christ. + + +Man by Nature Mortal + +The word "mortal," as used in that ancient question by Eliphaz, +describes man's nature: + +"Shall mortal man be more just than God?" Job 4:17. + +In the creation, life was conditional upon the creature's relation to +Christ the Creator, in whom all things consist: + +"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that +was made. In Him was life." John 1:3,4. + +He was, and is, as the psalmist says, "the fountain of life." Cut off +from vital connection with Him, there could be no continuance of life. +The Lord warned Adam that his life was conditional upon obedience. "In +the day that thou eatest thereof," He said of the forbidden tree, "thou +shalt surely die." Gen. 2:17. It was a declaration that man was not +immortal, but was dependent upon God for life. + +When by unbelief and sin man rejected God, the sentence--death +eternal--must have been executed had not the plan of salvation +intervened. But as the stroke of divine justice was falling upon the +sinner, the Son of God interposed Himself and received the blow. "He was +bruised for our iniquities." In the divine plan, the great sacrifice for +man was as sure then as when, later, it was actually made on Calvary. +Christ was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." + +And there Adam, the sinner, now with a fallen human nature, which would +be perpetuated in his descendants in all subsequent time, was granted an +extension of life, every moment of which, whether for him or for his +posterity, was the purchase of Christ by His own death, in order that in +this time of probation man might find forgiveness of sin and assurance +of life to come. Adam was not created immortal, but was placed on +probation, and had he continued faithful, the gift of immortality must +have been given him at some later time, after he had passed the test. As +the original plan is carried out through Christ, "the second Adam," the +gift of immortality is bestowed finally upon all who pass the test of +the judgment and are found in Christ, in whom alone is life. + +Having fallen, Adam, now possessed of a sinful nature, must die. "The +wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. It was impossible that sin or sinners +should be immortalized in God's universe. So, inasmuch as the tree of +life in Eden had been made the channel of continuance of life to man, +the Lord said: + +"Now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and +eat, and live forever: therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the +garden of Eden." Gen. 3:22, 23. + +This negatives the idea that there could ever be an immortal sinner, who +should mar God's creation forever. Sin works out nothing but death. +"Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:15. Fallen +himself, Adam could bequeath to his posterity only a fallen, mortal +nature. So began the sad history summed up in the text: + +"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; +and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. + + +Mortality Universal + +Mortality is written upon all creation. Ages ago the wise man wrote, +"There is one event unto all: ... they go to the dead." Eccl. 9:3. Human +hearts everywhere and in all time have cried out against the +remorselessness of the great enemy. "Do people die with you?" was the +question met by Livingstone in the untraveled wilds of Africa. "Have you +no charm against death?" The Greek as well as the barbarian confessed to +the helplessness of man before the great enemy. Centuries before Christ, +Sophocles the Athenian wrote: + + "Wonders are many! and none is there greater than man, who + Steers his ship over the sea, driven on by the south wind, + Cleaving the threatening swell of the waters around him. + + "He captures the gay-hearted birds; he entangles adroitly + Creatures that live on the land and the brood of the ocean, + Spreading his well-woven nets. Man full of devices! + + "Speech and swift thought free as wind, the building of cities; + Shelters to ward off the arrows of rain, and to temper + Sharp-biting frost--all these hath he taught himself. Surely + Stratagem hath he for all that comes! Never the future + Finds him resourceless! Deftly he combats grievous diseases, + Oft from their grip doth he free himself. Death alone vainly-- + Vainly he seeks to escape; 'gainst death he is helpless." + + --_Chorus from Antigone._ + +What unspeakable pathos in the cry of humanity's helplessness before +death, the great enemy! But when Adam went out of Eden, it was with the +assurance of life from the dead through the promised Seed, if faithful. +It is the message of the one gospel for all time--everlasting life in +Christ. + +[Illustration: JESUS RAISING THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF NAIN + +"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. +6:23.] + +"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that +whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting +life." John 3:16. + +As there is none other name under heaven by which men can be saved, so +there is no other way of everlasting life or immortality, save in Christ +Jesus our Lord. + + +When Immortality is Bestowed + +Christ said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in +Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25. + +He has turned death, that would have been eternal, into a little time of +sleep, from which he will awaken the believer. In the resurrection of +the last day immortality is bestowed, "in a moment, in the twinkling of +an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead +shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this +corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on +immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, +and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to +pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 +Cor. 15:52-54. + + "There is a blessed hope, + More precious and more bright + Than all the joyless mockery + The world esteems delight. + + "There is a lovely star + That lights the darkest gloom, + And sheds a peaceful radiance o'er + The prospects of the tomb." + +Not until the resurrection, "at the last trump," is immortality +conferred upon the redeemed. Note that it is not something immortal +putting on immortality; but this "mortal" puts on immortality. Mark +this: there is no life after death, save by the resurrection. "If there +be no resurrection of the dead,... then they also which are fallen +asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Cor. 15:13-18. + +This resurrection, as stated by the apostle Paul, is not at death, but +in the last day, when Christ shall come, and all His children that are +in their graves shall hear His voice. Jesus says: + +"This is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the +Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise +him up at the last day." John 6:40. + +That is why the coming of Christ has been the "blessed hope" of all the +ages. + + +Man's State in Death + +Between death and the resurrection, the dead sleep. Jesus declares that +death is a sleep. Lazarus was dead, but Jesus said, "Our friend Lazarus +sleepeth." John 11:11. It is the language of Inspiration throughout. The +patriarch Job said: + +"Man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is +he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth +up: so man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more [the +heavens will be rolled back as a scroll at Christ's coming], they shall +not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 14:10-12. + +This hope of the resurrection at the last day was no indistinct hope to +the believer in God's promises. The patriarch continued: + +"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time +will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer +thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands." Verses 14, +15. + +Job tells us of the place of his waiting for the Life-giver's call: "If +I wait, the grave is mine house." Job 17:13. It is thence that Christ +will call His own when He comes. "The hour is coming, in the which all +that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." John +5:28, 29. + +Death is an unconscious sleep. It must of necessity be so; for death is +the opposite of life. Therefore there is no consciousness of the passing +of time to those who sleep in the grave. It is as if the eyes closed in +death one instant, and the next instant, to the believer's +consciousness, he awakens to hear the animating voice of Jesus calling +him to glad immortality, and to see the angels catching up his loved +ones to meet Jesus in the air. + +These scriptures, out of many, will suffice to show that man is not +conscious in death: + +"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his +thoughts perish." Ps. 146:4. + +"The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything.... +Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; +neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done +under the sun." Eccl. 9:5, 6. + +Death is a sleep, which will continue until the resurrection. Then the +Lord will bring forth from the dust the same person who was laid away in +death. + +Some have said that this Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead until +the resurrection is a gloomy one. Popular tradition thinks of the +blessed dead as going at once to heaven, which, say some, is a beautiful +thought. But they forget that the same teaching consigns their +unbelieving friends to immediate torment--and that, too, while awaiting +the judgment of the last day. + +No; the Bible teaching is the cheering doctrine, the "blessed hope." All +the faithful of all the ages are going into the kingdom together. This +blessed truth appeals to the spirit that loves to wait and share joys +and good things with loved ones. Of the faithful of past ages the +apostle says: + +"These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not +the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they +without us should not be made perfect." Heb. 11:39, 40. + +They are waiting, that all together the saved may enter in. And the time +of waiting is but an instant to those who "sleep in Jesus." + +David was a man of God, but the apostle Peter, speaking by the Spirit on +the day of Pentecost, declared to the people of the city of David: "He +is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.... +For David is not ascended into the heavens." Acts 2:29-34. They without +us have not been made perfect. They are all awaiting that glad day +toward which the apostle Paul turned the last look of his mortal vision: + +"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the +faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, +which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not +to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:7, +8. + +What joy in that day to march in through the gates into the eternal +city, with Adam, and Abel, and Noah, and Abraham, and Paul, and all the +faithful, and the loved ones of our own home circles, and dear comrades +in service, every one clothed with immortality, the gift of God in +Christ Jesus our Redeemer! Horatius Bonar's hymn sings the joyful hope +as the loved are laid away to "sleep in Jesus:" + + "Softly within that peaceful resting place + We lay their wearied limbs, and bid the clay + Press lightly on them till the night be past, + And the far east give note of coming day. + + "The shout is heard, the Archangel's voice goes forth; + The trumpet sounds, the dead awake and sing; + The living put on glory; one glad band, + They hasten up to meet their coming King." + +In a word, the Scripture teaches that God alone has immortality, that +man is mortal, that death is a sleep, that life after death comes only +by the resurrection of the last day, that the righteous are then given +immortality. Further, the Scripture teaches that later there will be a +resurrection of the unjust, not unto life, but unto death, the second +death, from which there is no release. + +Every doctrine of Scripture and of the gospel is in accord with this +Bible teaching as to man's nature and his state in death. But the +traditional view of the natural immortality of the soul and of life in +death, nullifies the Bible doctrines of life only in Christ, and the +resurrection, and the judgment, and the giving of rewards at Christ's +coming, and the final judgment upon the wicked and its execution. + + +A Few Questions Briefly Considered + +_1. The "Living Soul"_ + +Says one, "Did not the Lord put into man an immortal soul?" + +No; the Scripture says: + +"The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into +his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen. +2:7. + +The soul was not put into the man, but when the life-giving breath was +breathed into his nostrils, the man himself became a living soul, a +living being. The ordinary version (King James) gives "a living soul" in +the margin of Gen. 1:30, showing that the same expression is used of all +the animal creation in the Hebrew text. The famous Methodist +commentator, Dr. Adam Clarke, says on this phrase, "living soul:" + + "A general term to express all creatures endued with animal + life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations." + +_2. Are "Soul" and "Spirit" Deathless?_ + +"Are not the soul and spirit said to be deathless?" questions another. + +No. One writer says of the Scriptural use of the words "soul" and +"spirit:" + + "The Hebrew and Greek words from which they are translated, + occur in the Bible, as we have seen, seventeen hundred times. + Surely, once at least in that long list we shall be told that + the soul is immortal, if this is its high prerogative. + Seventeen hundred times we inquire if the soul is once said to + be immortal, or the spirit deathless. And the invariable and + overwhelming response we meet is, _Not once!"_--_"Here and + Hereafter" by U. Smith, p. 65._ + +On the contrary, the Lord declares, "The soul that sinneth, it shall +die." Eze. 18:20. It means that the person who sins shall die; for the +words "soul," "mind," "heart," and "spirit" are used to express life or +the seat of the affections or of the intellect. One may commend his soul +to God, or his spirit to God (really his life into the keeping of God), +until the great day of the resurrection. The word "soul" is used of all +animal life in New Testament usage, as well as in the Old; as, "Every +living soul died in the sea." Rev. 16:3. + +_3. The Thief on the Cross_ + +"Did not Christ promise the thief on the cross that he would be with Him +that day in Paradise?" + +No; for Paradise is where God's throne is, and the tree of life, and the +city of God, the capital of Christ's kingdom; and three days later +Christ had not yet ascended to the Father. "Touch Me not," He said to +Mary after His resurrection; "for I am not yet ascended to My Father." +John 20:17. The dying thief, therefore, was not with Him in Paradise +three days before. + +Nor did the thief's question suggest such a thought. His faith grasped +Christ's resurrection, the resurrection of His children, and the coming +kingdom; and that day on the cross, in the moment of the deepest +humiliation of the Son of God, the repentant sinner cried, "Lord, +remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." And the Saviour replied, +"Verily I say unto thee today"--this day, when the world scoffs and the +darkness presses upon Me, this day I say it--"shalt thou be with Me in +Paradise." Luke 23:42, 43. + +The punctuation that makes it read, "Today shalt thou be with Me in +Paradise," is not a part of the sacred text, and puts the Saviour's +promise in contradiction with the facts of the whole narrative and the +teaching of Scripture. + +_4. The Rich Man and Lazarus_ + +"Then there is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus," one says, +"where Lazarus and Dives are talking, though dead--Lazarus in Abraham's +bosom and the rich man in torment." + +But that is a parable; and no one can set the figures of a parable +against the facts of positive Scripture. In parables, lessons are often +taught by figurative language and imaginary scenes which could never be +real, though the lesson is emphasized the more forcefully. + +In the parable of Judges 9, the trees are represented as holding a +council and talking with one another. No one mistakes the lesson of the +parable, or supposes that the trees actually talked. So in the parable +of the rich man and Lazarus, the lesson is taught that uprightness in +this life, even though under deepest poverty, will be rewarded in the +future life; while uncharitable selfishness will surely bring one to +ruin and destruction. + +In the face of the Bible teaching, no one can turn this parable into +actual narrative, representing that the saved in glory are now looking +over the battlements of heaven and talking with the lost writhing before +their eyes in agony amid the flames of unending torment. This is not the +picture that the Scriptures give us of heaven, nor of the state of the +dead, nor of the time and circumstances of the final rewards or +punishments. + +[Illustration: From an inscription on an Egyptian monument, representing +the weighing of a soul after death.] + +[Illustration: LOT FLEEING FROM SODOM + +"Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them ... are set forth +for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 7.] + +[Illustration: SATAN'S FINAL ASSAULT UPON THE KINGDOM OF GOD + +"They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the +saints about." Rev. 20:9] + + + + +THE END OF THE WICKED + + +So soon as ever Lucifer introduced sin into heaven, it was certain, in +the righteousness and omnipotence of God, that the day would come when +sin would be blotted out of the perfect creation. Inspiration tells us +that a time of final reckoning with sin was assured when Satan and a +host of the angels with him lifted up the standard of mysterious +rebellion against the law and harmony of heaven: + +"The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own +habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto +the judgment of the great day." Jude 6. + +Punishment for sin is assured. By listening to Satan's temptation, man +became involved in sin. Then a divine Saviour was provided, through whom +every soul might escape from the kingdom of darkness, and find salvation +and life. But it is inevitable that those who refuse the way of life +and reject the salvation of God, must finally be involved with Satan and +sin in the day when sin is visited. + +By Adam's sin, all his posterity inherited a sinful, dying nature. "In +Adam all die," the Scripture says. But not a soul in the last day can +plead Adam's sin and the inheritance of a fallen nature as an excuse for +his own transgressions. By Christ's gift of His life for us, the sinner, +with all his weaknesses, may become a partaker of the divine nature, and +escape the power of the fleshly nature. By virtue of Christ's death for +all, all recover from the death they die in Adam--the first death. All +have a resurrection, the unjust as well as the just; and then every one +gives account of himself to God, according to his own life and the use +he has made of the light given him of God. + + +The Two Resurrections + +The Scriptures emphasize the fact that there are to be two +resurrections. Paul, before Felix, declared his belief the same as that +of all the prophets,--"that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, +both of the just and unjust." Acts 24:15. + +Jesus declared it in these words: + +"The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear +His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the +resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the +resurrection of damnation." John 5:28, 29. + +The first resurrection is that of the just, at Christ's second coming. +It is written of this: + +"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on +such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God +and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Rev. 20:6. + +After this, the righteous return with Christ to heaven, and remain there +during the thousand years. The wicked living at the time of His coming +are slain by the consuming glory of His presence; and they, with all the +unjust of all the ages, await in the grave the second resurrection, at +the end of the thousand years. + +"The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were +finished." Rev. 20:5. + +At the end of the thousand years the city of God, with the saved, comes +down out of heaven and settles upon the earth. + +Then the wicked are raised--the second resurrection. Under Satan's +leadership they march up to attack the city of God. How naturally, we +infer, may Satan persuade the lost that, after all, he was right when he +declared to Adam, "Ye shall not surely die." Here are all his servants +of all the ages--living. Why may they not be immortal, beyond the power +of God to destroy? The old battle that began in heaven is on again. +Satan, the archrebel, marshals his hosts of fallen angels and the +myriads of fallen men, his legions stretching wide over the earth. + +"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. + +"This is the second death," the Scripture says. Verse 14. The great day +has come when the sinner receives his wages--death--and sin is +destroyed. + + +The Punishment Everlasting + +"The wages of sin is death." And the second death is everlasting. There +is no resurrection from this death. The Scriptures describe it in terms +that affirm utter destruction, resulting in nonexistence. + +"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of +the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 2 Thess. 1:9. + +"Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, +yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh +shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them +neither root nor branch." Mal. 4:1. + +"They shall be ashes," the third verse of this chapter says. Every +expression possible to language is employed to denote utter destruction, +everlasting death. That means nonexistence. Sin and sinners are blotted +out. The prophet Obadiah, speaking of the visitation upon the +heathen--the unbelieving--in "the day of the Lord," says: + +"They shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as +though they had not been." Verse 16. + +This is the utter end of sin and all sinners, and of the author of sin. +Root and branch they are gone, "as though they had not been." All this +is in the description of the last judgment, so fully set forth in the +twentieth chapter of Revelation. + +"Death and hell [_hades_, the grave] were cast into the lake of fire. +This is the second death." Rev. 20:14. Death and the prison house of +death are gone forever. Sin is wiped out of a perfect universe, and not +even a trace will remain of the place of the fiery judgment. + +"Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt +diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." Ps. 37:10. + +The fires of the last day purify the earth, which comes forth in +Eden-like beauty. In the whole creation of God there is no sin, no +sinner, but all is harmonious again, as before sin entered the universe. +The prophet was given a view of this glorious consummation, and the +triumph of the Son of God over sin. + +"Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the +earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I +saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that +sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Rev. +5:13. + + +Some Opinions Briefly Considered + +The doctrine of the immortality, the indestructibility, of the soul is +responsible for the traditional view that the wicked are kept alive in +unending misery through all eternity. How different this picture from +that which Holy Scripture gives of the second death! Terrible and awful +it is, but it results in the utter destruction of sin and sinners, +leaving a clean universe. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul +came in from pagan philosophy. Herodotus, "the father of history," said: + + "The Egyptians ... were also the first to broach the opinion, + that the soul of man is immortal."--_Book 2, par. 123._ + +Evidently, they passed the doctrine on to the Greeks. Its origin was in +the words of Satan in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die." The pagans had +their nether world of spirits, or their transmigration of souls with its +ceaseless round from body to body, and the Roman Catholics their +purgatory with its purifying fires. From these sources and not from the +Word of God, the traditional view has come into modern Christendom, +representing the Lord as unable or unwilling to end sin, but keeping the +sinner alive throughout eternity, to suffer torture that can bring no +remedy. The Scripture teaching is far otherwise. However, there are +certain Scripture phrases that emphasize the severity of the punishment +of sin, which are often taken as supporting the doctrine of never-ending +conscious torment. + +_1. "Forever and Ever."_--In Rev. 20:10 it is said that the devil and +his chief agencies "shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." +The phrase emphasizes the surety of their utter destruction. + +"Forever" means age-lasting, or life-lasting--so long as a thing exists +by its nature. Thus in Ex. 21:6 the servant who loved his master and did +not wish to leave his service was to have his ear pierced, "and he shall +serve him forever," that is, without release as long as he lives. So the +fiery judgment of that last day holds the wicked until life ends; there +is no release until life is consumed. + +_2. "Everlasting Punishment."_--"These shall go away into everlasting +punishment." Matt. 25:46. It is everlasting punishment, not everlasting +punishing. The punishment is everlasting death--"who shall be punished +with everlasting destruction." 2 Thess. 1:9. + +The truth of the utter destruction of sinners is awful enough, but it +commends itself to every thought of justice and mercy; for sin must be +cleansed from a perfect universe. But the unscriptural view of +everlasting conscious torment that never reaches the point of full +punishment, is unthinkable. Yet it is urged as a doctrine, and contended +for as vital to Christianity. + +The following description is taken from a book written for children, +entitled "The Sight of Hell." It is printed in Dublin--for children. + + "Little child, if you go to hell, there will be a devil at your + side to strike you. He will go on striking you every day, + forever and ever, without ever stopping. The first stroke will + make your body as bad as Job's, covered from head to foot with + sores and ulcers. The second stroke will make your body twice + as bad as the body of Job.... How then will your body be after + the devil has been striking it every moment for a hundred + million years without stopping?"--_Quoted in the London Present + Truth, April 30, 1914._ + +What a relief to turn from this to the Bible doctrine of the +"everlasting destruction" of the second death, terrible though it be! + +_3. "Everlasting Fire," "Eternal Fire," "Unquenchable Fire."_--All these +expressions are used in describing the fiery judgment upon sin and +sinners. The effect of the fire is everlasting and eternal, and by a +common usage in language the adjective that describes the effect is +applied to the agent by which the effect is wrought. + +A specific example of everlasting fire in the punishment of evil is +given in Scripture. Sodom and Gomorrah, those wicked "cities of the +plain," were destroyed by a rain of fire from heaven. These cities, +Inspiration says, "are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance +of eternal fire." Jude 7. The fire was everlasting, eternal, in its +effects. The cities of the plain were everlastingly consumed. But the +fire went out when the destruction was complete. Unquenchable fire is +fire that cannot be quenched. It consumes utterly, until nothing is +left; then it goes out of its own accord. + +_4. "Where Their Worm Dieth Not."_--Jesus warned of the certain +destruction of sin and sinners in the fire of Gehenna; for this is the +word translated "hell" in Mark 9:43. + +Hades, which is often translated "hell," is the grave, not the place of +punishment. Gehenna, here used of the place of punishment, was the name +of the valley where the refuse of Jerusalem was cast for burning. The +map of Jerusalem, in any ordinary Bible with maps, shows just outside +the southern wall a gorge marked "Valley of Hinnom" (Gehenna). It was +here that the people, in the olden times, had sacrificed their children +to Moloch. + + "In order to put an end to these abominations, Josiah polluted + it with human bones and other corruptions. 2 Kings 23:10, 13, + 14."--_Hastings's "Dictionary of the Bible."_ + +Here the fires consumed the refuse, and the fire and worms utterly +destroyed the carcasses of beasts flung into the place of destruction. +It was regarded as a place accursed, and the smoldering fires became +symbolical of the fires of the judgment. + +The use of this illustration, instead of arguing that the wicked are +never destroyed but always live, conveys the opposite idea. What went +into the fires of Gehenna was utterly consumed, nothing being left. This +was used by Christ as a figure illustrative of the utter destruction of +the unrepentant sinner in the day of visitation. + +This must suffice. The positive teaching of Holy Scripture is that sin +and sinners will be blotted out of existence. There will be a clean +universe again when the great controversy between Christ and Satan is +ended. + +[Illustration: PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON + +"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and +delivereth them." Ps. 34:7.] + +[Illustration: DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS + +"My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they +have not hurt me." Dan. 6:22.] + + + + +ANGELS: THEIR MINISTRY + + +The one verse of Scripture which, perhaps, most comprehensively sums up +the ministry of the angels of God, is this: + +"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them +who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb. 1:14. + +This scripture shows us how truly all heaven is engaged in working for +the salvation of this poor world, which has wandered from the fold of +God. It will surely be a time of rejoicing among all the angelic host +when Christ, the Good Shepherd, brings back this lost world, cleansed +from sin, once more to the fold of God's perfect creation. + +The angels rejoiced when this world was created. The Lord said to Job: + +"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... when the +morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" +Job 38:4-7. + +Before ever this world was created, or man upon it, the angels had been +created by the eternal Son, in whom all things consist. For angels are +not redeemed men, neither will the redeemed in the world to come ever +become angels. Angels are a different order of beings from men, a higher +order in creation. We read: + +"What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou +visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou +crownedst him with glory and honor." Heb. 2:6, 7. + +In the life to come, by the wondrous power of Christ's transforming +grace, redeemed men are to be made equal to the angels, as Christ +stated: + +"Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and +are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke +20:36. + +This lifting of sinful man to an equality with the angels, at least in +the possession of life and immortality, is an illustration of the gospel +principle, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Rom. 5:20. +But the declaration of equality with angels is a denial of identity with +angels. Angels existed before man, and redeemed man will still be man, +distinct from the angelic order, though the associate of angels in the +service of God. + + +Attendants at the Throne of God + +When the prophet Isaiah was given a view of the heavenly temple, he saw +different orders of angels attending the throne of God: + +"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His +train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six +wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his +feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, +Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts." Isa. 6:1-3. + +Ezekiel beheld them in glory, attending the moving throne of the +Almighty. "The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a +flash of lightning." Eze. 1:14. + +Daniel beheld the angelic host gathered in the most holy place of the +temple above, as the time came for the opening of the work of the +investigative judgment, the cleansing of the sanctuary. Seeing the +throne of God set for this final work of Christ's ministry, the prophet +says: + +"Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten +thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were +opened." Dan. 7:10. + + +God's Messengers + +The word "angel" means messenger. To and fro these angelic messengers +have gone in the service of their Creator. A view of their ever-watchful +service is given in the words of the psalmist: + +"Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His +commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word." Ps. 103:20. + + +Bearers of Tidings + +They visited Abraham's tent with warning of Sodom's overthrow. Genesis +18. + +They visited Lot in the city, and urged him to get his family out. +Genesis 19. + +As Jacob, in fear but repentance, was about to meet Esau, whom he had +deceived, "the angels of God met him." Genesis 32. "This is God's host," +he said, and he knew that the God of Abraham and Isaac, and his God, +also, had not forsaken him. + +At a discouraging time in the history of Israel, an angel appeared to +Gideon, bringing the message, "The Lord is with thee," and calling him +to the work of delivering his people. Judges 6. + +[Illustration: JACOB'S DREAM IN BETHEL + +"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them +who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb. 1:14.] + +As Daniel's prayer reached heaven, even while he still prayed, the angel +Gabriel "being caused to fly swiftly," touched him, and said: + +"O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At +the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am +come to show thee." Dan. 9:21-23. + +So close is the communication between heaven and earth. + +The gladdest tidings ever brought from heaven to earth since the promise +of the Deliverer to Adam in Eden, were brought by angels to the +shepherds of Bethlehem. First, one angel appeared, saying: + +"I bring you good tidings of great joy.... For unto you is born this day +in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." + +Such tidings to earth could never be the mission of one lone angel, when +all heaven longed to cry the news to a lost world. + +"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host +praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth +peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:13, 14. + + +Unseen in Halls of Government + +One incident related in the book of Daniel draws aside the curtain, and +shows how angels doubtless often have worked unseen in kingly courts or +halls of legislation. Daniel had prayed for three weeks for light in +certain matters that the angel Gabriel had begun to unfold to him. When +at last the angel came, overpowering the prophet with the glory of his +presence, it was with a statement, first, of the reason for the delay in +responding to his prayer. The angel said: + +"From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and +to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come +for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one +and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to +help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to +make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days." +Dan. 10:12-14. + + +Messengers of Deliverance + +The story of deliverance wrought by angels is too long to tell. One need +only think of the angels' taking slow-moving Lot by the arms and setting +him out of Sodom (Genesis 19); of the angel finding Elijah under a bush +in the desert, and first baking a cake for the hungry man before +speaking the word to his discouraged heart (1 Kings 19); of Elisha +praying that the young man's eyes might be opened to see that there were +more angels with them round about than all the Syrians encamped against +them: + +"The Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the +mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." 2 +Kings 6:17. + +An angel shut the mouths of the lions when Daniel was cast into their +den. Daniel 6. An angel smote off Peter's irons in the prison at +Jerusalem, opened the doors, and led him forth. Acts 12. Amid the angry +waves sweeping over the foundering ship in the Adriatic, Paul the +apostle bade the despairing crew be of good courage, "for there stood by +me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, +Fear not." Acts 27:23, 24. + +All through the ages, the angels of God have been standing by. Daniel, +and Peter, and Paul are dead; but the angels still live. "Are they not +all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be +heirs of salvation?" Heb. 1:14. + + +Guardian Angels + +That means that every child of God is under the guardianship of the +angels. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, +and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7. + +Thank God, we are never left alone. Every child of God has a guardian +angel commissioned by the loving Father to watch over him. Christ said: + +"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto +you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father +which is in heaven." Matt. 18:10. + +This does not mean that trials never will come, or troubles. In the +midst of the trial, the angel of the Lord will stand by to strengthen +and to bring help from the God of all comfort. It was in the midst of +the fiery furnace that the "form of the Fourth" appeared, walking with +the three Hebrew children--Jesus Himself treading the fiery way with +them. And when Jesus, in the days of His flesh, was sinking under the +crushing burden in Gethsemane, "there appeared an angel unto Him from +heaven, strengthening Him." Luke 22:43. + +Our Saviour, who knows the comforting power of angel ministry, is the +Captain of the heavenly host, and has commissioned them all as +ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation. + +When He comes in glory for His people, Christ will have "all the holy +angels with Him." As the voice of Jesus awakens His sleeping saints and +they rise immortal from the opened graves, "He shall send His angels, +... and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from +one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:31. + +The angels who have watched over the heirs of salvation through all the +ages, know where they are, and they know how to gather them, with their +loved ones, to meet the Lord. + +The angels who rejoiced when the Lord laid the foundations of the earth, +who mourned when man fell, who have all along been working with Christ, +their leader, to rescue the lost, will yet rejoice when the Lord brings +home His own. What a day will that be in heaven! + +[Illustration: MODERN INVENTIONS FULFILLING PROPHECY + +"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. +12:4.] + +[Illustration: CAREY IN INDIA TRANSLATING THE BIBLE + +"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." Acts 19:20.] + + + + +THE TIME OF THE END + + +"Thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time +of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be +increased." Dan. 12:4. + +Thus the words of the angel, spoken nearly twenty-five hundred years +ago, announced the opening of a new era of enlightenment when the latter +days should come. + + +The Time + +At the end of the long period of predicted tribulation of the +church--the twelve hundred and sixty years of Daniel's prophecy--the +world entered upon this era of "the time of the end." + +"They shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, +many days.... And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, +and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: +because it is yet for a time appointed." Dan. 11:33-35. + +In practically every outline of prophecy touching this time, the events +of the last days are represented as following the end of the prophetic +period of tribulation. Christ's prophecy of Matthew 24 so declares. Our +Saviour showed that this period of tribulation, would be shortened, "for +the elect's sake," and that "immediately after the tribulation of those +days" the signs of the end would begin to appear. + +Thus, while the full period of the twelve hundred and sixty years ended +amid the scenes of the French Revolution, which gave the papal power a +deadly wound in the last decade of the eighteenth century, the +shortening of the days of tribulation had begun even earlier to spread +increasing knowledge and enlightenment over the earth. + + +The Prophecy Unsealed + +The angel's words to Daniel were, + +"Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many +shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4. + +"The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Verse 9. + +This means that as the time of the end came, men would be impelled to +search diligently for light in the prophetic word. Events taking place +in fulfilment of the prophecy would be recognized, and with the coming +of the time there would come the opening up, or unsealing, of the +prophetic scriptures, with their message for men in the last days. + +As the time drew near, Bible students were led more and more to search +the word of prophecy. Sir Isaac Newton, called "the greatest of +philosophers," wrote of prophetic study: + + "The giving ear to the prophets is a fundamental character of + the true church. For God has so ordered the prophecies, that in + the latter days 'the wise may understand, but the wicked shall + do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand.' Dan. + 12:9, 10."--_"Observations on the Prophecies of Daniel" + (London, 1733), part 1, chap. 1._ + +Again, this man who had delved so deeply into the laws of nature, but +who bowed his heart in childlike faith to listen to the voice of +Inspiration, declared his hope that the time of the end was near at hand +in his day (he died in 1727). Of this prophecy of the unsealing of the +book he wrote: + + "'Tis therefore a part of this prophecy, that it should not be + understood before the last age of the world; and therefore it + makes for the credit of the prophecy that it is not yet + understood. But if the last age, the age of opening these + things, be now approaching, as by the great successes of late + interpreters it seems to be, we have more encouragement than + ever to look into these things. If the general preaching of the + gospel be approaching, it is to us and to our posterity that + those words mainly belong: In the time of the end the wise + shall understand, but none of the wicked shall understand.... + 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of + this prophecy, and keep those things which are written + therein.'"--_"Observations on the Apocalypse" (London, 1733), + chap. 1._ + +True to the word of the angel, the events of the ending of the twelve +hundred and sixty years of papal supremacy, amid the scenes of the +French Revolution, drew the attention of Bible students everywhere. It +was seen that prophecy was being fulfilled before men's eyes. It gave +great impetus to the study of the prophetic scriptures. The great +historic prophecies began to be opened up--unsealed--to the +understanding. An English historian of that period, John Adolphus, +though writing a secular history, remarks upon this awakening interest +in prophetic study: + + "The downfall of the papal government [in 1798], by whatever + means effected, excited perhaps less sympathy than that of any + other in Europe: the errors, the oppressions, the tyranny of + Rome over the whole Christian world, were remembered with + bitterness; many rejoiced, through religious antipathy, in the + overthrow of a church which they considered as idolatrous, + though attended with the immediate triumph of infidelity; and + many saw in these events the accomplishment of prophecies, and + the exhibition of signs promised in the most mystical parts of + the Holy Scriptures."--_"History of France from 1790 to 1802" + (London, 1803), Vol. II, p. 379._ + +From those tunes of fulfilling prophecy, there arose a distinct +movement, reviving the teaching of the doctrine of Christ's second +coming, and directly preparing the way for the advent movement that was +to come with the days of 1844, when yet fuller light was to break forth +from the unsealed prophecies of the book of Daniel. Of the angel that +symbolizes the special gospel work for these last days, it is written, +"He had in his hand a little book open." Rev. 10:2. The "time of the +end" came, and with it has come the opening of the sealed book. The +"sure word of prophecy" speaks its message full and clear to the ears of +all mankind today. + + +Increase of Knowledge + +"Many shall run to and fro," the prophecy said, "and knowledge shall be +increased." It is knowledge of the prophecy and of the things of God +that is primarily the topic; but the era that we are discussing has been +one of general enlightenment and extension of knowledge.[J] "The +entrance of Thy words giveth light," says the psalmist: and when the +Reformation of the sixteenth century broke the bands of age-long +superstition and error, and set free the Word of God, the way was +preparing for the coming of this wonderful era of the diffusion of +general knowledge. + +The era of reform movement was an era of world exploration and +discovery. Diaz had founded the south African cape, and Columbus had +given to future generations the New World. The result was voyage after +voyage of discovery, and then awakening, colonization, and expansion. + +The famous and learned Francis Bacon, who died in 1626, felt in his day +that the time spoken of by Daniel's prophecy was drawing near. He +wrote: + + "Nor should the prophecy of Daniel be forgotten, touching the + last ages of the world: 'Many shall go to and fro, and + knowledge shall be increased;' clearly intimating that the + thorough passage of the world (which now by so many distant + voyages seems to be accomplished, or in course of + accomplishment), and the advancement of the sciences, are + destined by fate, that is, by divine Providence, to meet in the + same age."--_"Novum Organum," book 1, xciii. (Bacon's Works, + Spedding and Ellis, Vol. IV, p. 92.)_ + +When the time indicated in the prophecy fully came, with the last decade +of the eighteenth century, there was witnessed the upspringing of +movements that have wrought mightily for the enlightenment and +evangelization of the world. As the events of the French Revolution +announced the closing of the long era of papal supremacy, so also +another series of events at the same time announced the opening of the +era of increasing knowledge. Speaking of these developments, Lorimer, a +Scottish writer, said: + + "At the very time when Satan is hoping for, and the timid are + fearing, an utter overturn of true religion, there is a + revival, and the gospel expands its wings and prepares for a + new flight. It is worthy of remembrance that the year 1792, the + very year of the French Revolution, was also the year when the + Baptist Missionary Society was formed, a society which was + followed during the succeeding, and they the worst, years of + the Revolution, with new societies of unwonted energy and + union, all aiming, and aiming successfully, at the propagation + of the gospel of Christ, both at home and abroad. What + withering contempt did the great Head of the church thus pour + upon the schemes of infidels! And how did He arouse the + careless and instruct His own people, by alarming providences, + at a season when they greatly needed such a + stimulus."--_"Historical Sketches of the Protestant Church in + France," p. 522._ + +Another writer, Dr. D.L. Leonard, historian of the century of missions, +says: + + "The closing years of the eighteenth century constitute in the + history of Protestant missions an epoch indeed, since they + witnessed nothing less than a revolution, a renaissance, an + effectual and manifold ending of the old, a substantial + inauguration of the new. It was then that for the first time + since the apostolic period, occurred an outburst of general + missionary zeal and activity. Beginning in Great Britain, it + soon spread to the Continent and across the Atlantic. It was no + mere push of fervor, but a mighty tide set in, which from that + day to this has been steadily rising and spreading."--_"A + Hundred Years of Missions," p. 69._ + +The time of the prophecy had come, and the hand of providence was +bringing into being agencies that have spread light and knowledge over +all lands. + + "Look where the missionary's feet have trod-- + Flowers in the desert bloom; and fields, for God, + Are white to harvest. Skeptics may ignore; + Yet on the conquering Word, from shore to shore, + Like flaming chariot, rolls. Ask ocean isles, + And plains of Ind, where ceaseless summer smiles; + Speak to far frozen wastes, where winter's blight + Remains;--they tell the love, attest the might + Of Him whose messengers across the wave + To them salvation bore, hope, freedom gave." + + --_Horace D. Woolley._ + +The organization of foreign missionary enterprise was quickly +accompanied by the establishment of Bible societies for a systematic +work of translating and world-wide distribution of the Scriptures. In +1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was organized. Students of +the prophetic word felt at the time that these agencies were coming in +fulfilment of the prophecy. One writer of those times said: + + "The stupendous endeavors of one gigantic community to convey + the Scriptures in every language to every part of the globe may + well deserve to be considered as an eminent sign even of these + eventful times. Unless I be much mistaken, such endeavors are + preparatory to the final grand diffusion of Christianity, which + is the theme of so many inspired prophets, and which cannot be + very far distant in the present day."--_G.S. Faber, D.D., + "Dissertation on the Prophecies," Vol. II, p. 406 (1844)._ + +Now the Word of God, in whole or in part, is speaking in more than five +hundred languages, and it is estimated that these tongues, at least in +their spoken form, can make the divine message comprehensible to +ninety-five per cent of the inhabitants of the earth. + +The work of modern missions, that had its birth as the time of the end +came, is one of the great world factors today. Nearly thirty million +dollars a year are given for Protestant missions, and a force of more +than twenty thousand foreign missionaries is in the field, not counting +the many thousands of native missionaries and helpers. Truly the time of +the end is proving to be an era of increasing light and knowledge. + + +The Opening of All Lands + +As the time came for knowledge to be increased, it was necessary that +all lands should be open to receive the enlightening agencies. Thus, as +the time of the end came, we see distinctly the hand of Providence +swinging open the doors into all countries. It has been an era of world +survey and development. Particularly is this true of the last sixty or +seventy years. It was in 1844 that the time referred to in the prophecy +came for the special advent movement, bearing the judgment-hour message +to the world. The range of the movement is thus described in the +prophecy: + +"I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting +gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, +and kindred, and tongue, and people." Rev. 14:6. + +This was a declaration that as the time came for the closing gospel work +to be done, the doors of access to every nation and tongue and people +would be thrown open. In 1844, or but a few years before, much of the +world was closed to missionary endeavor; but as the prophecy indicates, +the years following have witnessed the swift and systematic opening of +all lands to the gospel message. + +It was in 1842 that five treaty ports in China were opened to commerce +and to missions,--advance steps in the opening of all China to the +gospel. In 1844 Turkey was prevailed upon to recognize the right of +Moslems to become Christians, reversing all Moslem tradition. In 1844 +Allen Gardiner established the South American Mission. In 1845 +Livingstone's determination was formed to open up the African interior. + +Dr. A.T. Pierson, speaking of the wonderful way in which Providence +opened the doors of access in those times, wrote as follows: + + "Most countries shut out Christian missions by organized + opposition, so that to attempt to bear the good tidings was + simply to dare death for Christ's sake; the only welcome + awaiting God's messengers was that of cannibal ovens, merciless + prisons, or martyr graves. But, as the little band advanced, on + every hand the walls of Jericho fell, and the iron gates opened + of their own accord. India, Siam, Burma, China, Japan, Turkey, + Africa, Mexico, South America, the Papal States, and Korea were + successively and successfully entered. Within five years, from + 1853 to 1858, new facilities were given to the entrance and + occupation of seven different countries, together embracing + half the world's population."--_"Modern Mission Century," p. + 25._ + +[Illustration: INTO THE HEART OF AFRICA + +The Victoria Falls railroad bridge over the Zambezi.] + +God's providence has laid under tribute every force and every resource +for the opening of all lands--missionary endeavor, love of adventure, +commercial enterprise, and scientific interest. Railways have been built +through regions that were undiscovered seventy years ago, and among the +passengers traveling now over the iron trail are men and women of tribes +unknown fifty years ago. But the gospel message was to go to every +tribe and tongue before the end; and wonderfully Providence has been +opening the doors throughout all this "time of the end," and +particularly in our generation. + + +Material Agencies for the Work + +The prophecy represents not only a world-wide work, but a quick work in +proclaiming the gospel message in the last days. The movement is +symbolized in the Revelation by an angel flying in the midst of heaven, +from land to land. And as to the closing work, when the end is near at +hand, the Scripture says: + +"He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a +short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Rom. 9:28. + +"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." +This is the hope for a quickly finished work in all the earth in our +time. Yet the Lord lays hold of material things for service; and +wonderfully the hand of Providence has wrought in bringing into +existence material agencies for a quick work in carrying the gospel to +the world--such agencies as no generation before ours ever had. + +Consider the marvelous facilities for world-travel. They are the product +of this time of the end. "Many shall run to and fro," said the prophecy. +Some interpreters have restricted the Hebrew phrase to a "searching" to +and fro for knowledge. Even this would include a literal running to and +fro; for the light of increasing knowledge was to be diffused over all +the earth. But the best authority on the Hebrew declares for the plain +meaning of our English translation: "Many shall run to and fro." In two +recent works, Dr. C.H.H. Wright, the English scholar, says of this text: + + "The natural meaning must be upheld, i.e., wandering to and + fro."--_"Critical Commentary on Daniel," p. 209._ + + "Why should not that expression be used in the sense in which + it is employed in Jeremiah 5:1, namely, of rapid movement + hither and thither?"--_"Daniel and His Prophecies," p. 321._ + +At the time when the first foreign missionary movement was being +launched in America, Robert Fulton's steamship, the "Clermont," was +making its first trip on the Hudson. + +[Illustration: HIEROGLYPHICS + +The "Ox Song" of the Egyptian threshing-floor.] + +In 1838 the first ships to cross the Atlantic under steam power +alone--the "Sirius" and the "Great Western"--came into New York from +Liverpool, a few hours apart, forerunners of the fleets that furrow all +the seas today, making quick pathways for the gospel messengers to all +lands. Verily, they are a gift of God's providence to this generation, +when all the world is to hear the gospel message. + +[Illustration: CUNEIFORM WRITING + +An account of the capture of Babylon, B.C. 538. From the +cylinder of Cyrus.] + + "He hath made the deep as dry, + He hath smote for us a pathway to the ends of all the earth." + +In 1825 Stephenson built his first railway passenger locomotive, which +may still be seen in the Darlington railway station, in England. It was +the beginning of the great revolution in land travel. The late Prof. +Alfred Russel Wallace, scientist, wrote: + + "From the earliest historic and even prehistoric times till the + construction of our great railways in the second quarter of the + present century [the nineteenth], there had been absolutely no + change in the methods of human locomotion."--_"The Wonderful + Century," p. 7._ + +[Illustration: MANUSCRIPT WRITING + +The process by which the books of the great library of Alexandria, +Egypt, were made.] + +For nearly six thousand years men had traveled in the old way. Why +should these revolutionary changes in travel by sea and land come +abruptly just at this time?--Because the time foretold in the prophecy +was at hand, when the last gospel message was to be carried quickly to +all the world--"to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." +We see the hand of the living God opening the doors into all lands, and +His wonderful providence laying at the feet of this generation agencies +for quickly covering the whole earth. + +[Illustration: GUTENBERG'S FIRST TYPES + +Reproduced from the first edition of the famous forty-two-line Latin +Bible, printed by Gutenberg.] + +Later came the electric telegraph, for the quick transmission of news. +It was in 1837 that Cooke and Wheatstone in England, and Morse in the +United States, made their application for patents on the electric +telegraph. It was in 1844 that the first long-distance system was +successfully demonstrated--when the historic message was sent from +Baltimore to Washington, "What hath God wrought!" Now news of events +fulfilling prophecy, and news of progress and conditions in all lands, +are daily spread before the world by this agency of our wonderful time. + +[Illustration: THE GUTENBERG PRINTING PRESS + +On which was produced the first printed Bible, in 1456 A.D.] + +[Illustration: THE FRANKLIN PRESS + +Operated by two men, it has a maximum speed of 250 impressions per +hour.] + +As the closing events take place, the Lord has in His providence so +ordered it that no one need be ignorant of the signs of the times +fulfilling before the eyes of men. + + "Speak the word and think the thought, + Quick 'tis as with lightning caught-- + Over, under, lands or seas + To the far antipodes." + +Here is an incident illustrating the way in which the electric telegraph +may multiply and spread abroad the witness borne to the truth of God in +some obscure corner of the earth: + +[Illustration: THE HOE DOUBLE OCTUPLE PRESS + +The largest printing press in the world. Length, 48 feet; height, 19-1/2 +feet; weight, 175 tons; number of parts, 65,000; revolutions, 300 per +minute; paper used per hour, 18 tons, or 216 miles of paper three feet +wide; production per hour, 300,000 eight-page folded newspapers.] + + + The Mighty Press + + "When old Gutenberg, inventor + Of the printing press, and mentor + Of the clumsy-fingered typos + In a sleepy German town, + Used to spread the sheets of vellum + On the form, and plainly tell them + That the art was then perfected, + As he pressed the platen down, + He had not the faintest notion + Of the rhythmical commotion, + Of the brabble and the clamor + And the unremitting roar + Of the mighty triple decker, + While the steel rods flicker, + And the papers, ready folded, + Fall in thousands to the floor." + +Some years ago a young man in Europe--a Seventh-day Adventist--was +giving answer for his faith. His conscience would not allow him to do +ordinary labor on God's holy Sabbath. He had declared to the court that +the oath of loyalty which had been required of him forbade his breaking +the Sabbath. "How is that?" asked the judge. The young man replied: + + "I was sworn in with a Christian oath, and therefore cannot be + under an obligation to violate the commandments of God and work + on the Sabbath. One must regard God as the highest authority, + and obey Him in the first place." + +This witness was borne in a little courtroom, before a small group of +men; but the press dispatches took it up, and the description of the +scene and report of the words spoken were carried by electric telegraph +to the press of at least four continents, and millions read the +testimony of the young man to the faith that was in him. + +In the days to come, with great events taking place and solemn issues +calling upon men to make decision for God and His truth, how quickly, in +some great crisis, all the world may be warned, and the last individual +decisions be made for eternity! + + +Modern Printing + +The invention of the printer's art had come just in time to give wings +to Reformation truth. Luther said of it: + + "Printing is the latest and greatest gift by which God enables + us to advance the things of the gospel. It is the last bright + flame, manifesting itself just previous to the extinction of + the world. Thanks be to God, it came before the last day + came."--_Michelet's "Life of Luther," p. 291._ + +While improvements in the art were made through the centuries, it was a +slow process, even up to the opening of our generation. During our day, +however, inventions have revolutionized the printing process. + +In this, as in other things, the methods have been speeded up to meet +the necessities of this time of rapid accomplishment. The printing press +is one of the chief of the marvelous enlightening agencies of this time +of the end. By it the printed pages of truth are set falling over the +earth "like the leaves of autumn." + +Time fails us to speak of all the wonderful material developments of our +day, when knowledge has been increased, and when men are not only +searching to and fro, but literally running to and fro. The whole earth +is brought within the range of human knowledge, and the light of saving +truth is streaming out toward every dark place where the children of men +dwell. + +Nearly twenty-five hundred years ago it was written upon the prophetic +page, + +"Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many +shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." + +There the word stood on the scroll of prophecy through more than two +millenniums. Then, as the time of the end came, lo, the book of prophecy +was unsealed, and the new era of increasing knowledge began to spread in +wondrous blessing over the earth. + +So surely, also, the prophecies of the last events will be accomplished. +In the occurrences taking place before our eyes, we see that God is +indeed finishing His work in the earth, and cutting it short in +righteousness. + +[Illustration: FORTIFICATIONS ON THE BOSPORUS + +The strategic waterway involved in the Eastern Question.] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[J] It is not designed to give the reader the idea that this running "to +and fro" refers wholly to turning to and fro through the pages of a +book. The times in which we live have been characterized by a great +increase in Bible study, and consequently in knowledge of the +Scriptures; but it is equally true that this has been due in large +measure to the fact that there are no longer any "hermit" kingdoms. +Travel, a real physical running "to and fro" through the earth, has +contributed mightily to the modern increase of knowledge, and in no +other field of investigation has this been more true than in the study +of the Bible. By increased facilities for travel, all nations have been +brought close together physically. Different races and nationalities +have become acquainted, missionary zeal has been quickened, and peoples +formerly beyond the reach of missionary operations have become easily +accessible. In this sense, as well as by private searching of the +Scriptures, knowledge has increased. + + +[Illustration: THE MOSQUE OF ST. SOPHIA IN CONSTANTINOPLE + +The most famous of all Mohammedan temples. + +COPYRIGHT BY UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] + + + + +THE EASTERN QUESTION + +MODERN HISTORY IN THE LIGHT OF ANCIENT PROPHECY + + +Not alone of the history of ancient nations does the "sure word of +prophecy" bear witness. Political events of our own and coming days are +described. + +The nations of the latter day are pictured as preparing war, gathering +their forces for the great Armageddon, the battle of the day of God. + +As a signal of the last great struggle, the fall, or "drying up," of the +power ruling the territory watered by the river Euphrates is foretold. +Rev. 16:12. The Euphrates in all modern history has been suggestive of +the dominions of the Turkish or Ottoman Empire. And Armageddon, +designated as the meeting place of armies in the last clash of nations, +is in Palestine, which, through all modern times, has been in possession +of the Turkish power. + +The index finger of prophecy points, therefore, to this region of the +eastern Mediterranean as the pivotal point in the closing history of +nations; and with Turkey's fate is wrapped up the fate of all the +nations of the world. + +All this adds deepest and most solemn import to the study of what is +known as the Eastern Question, a question that has been to the fore in +international politics much of the time throughout this generation. Wars +have been fought over it, cabinets have wrestled with it, and still it +holds its place in the first rank of living issues of today. + +As every one knows, the Eastern Question involves the dominion or +supremacy in the Near East. This region was a pivotal point in the +struggles of the nations in ancient times--the meeting place of East and +West. Maspero, historian of ancient empires, says of it: + + "Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the + battle fields of the contending nations.... The nations around + are eager for the possession of a country thus situated.... + From remote antiquity Syria was in the condition just + described. By its position it formed a kind of meeting place, + where most of the military nations of the ancient world were + bound sooner or later to come violently into + collision."--_"Struggle of the Nations," chap. 1._ + +It is not strange, therefore, that one of the great outlines of historic +prophecy should deal with events centering around this pivotal region. +The prophecy of Daniel 11 does so, outlining the course of history from +ancient times to the final solution of the Eastern Question amid the +scenes of the end. + + +Rise and Fall of Ancient Empires + +The prophetic outline of Daniel 11 begins with Persia, in the third year +of Cyrus, the conqueror of Babylon. (See Dan. 10:1.) The angel of God +appeared to Daniel, and in the longest and most detailed single prophecy +in all the Bible, told the story of events connected with this region of +the Near East for the centuries to come, until the end. Putting the word +of prophecy and the record of history side by side, we see how exactly +history has fulfilled prophecy; and we may know certainly that the brief +portion of the prophecy yet unfulfilled will surely come to pass. + + +Persia + +_Prophecy._--"Now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand +up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than +they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all +against the realm of Grecia." Dan. 11:2 + +_History._--The three kings following Cyrus were (1) Cambyses, (2) +Smerdis, (3) Darius; the fourth, Xerxes, was "far richer than they all." +He had the treasures of his father, Darius, who was called the +"merchant" or "hoarder" by his own people, and Xerxes gathered stores of +wealth in addition. When Xerxes was on his way to invade Grecia, a +Lydian named Pythius entertained the whole Persian army with feasts, and +offered to aid in bearing the expense of the campaign. Xerxes asked who +this man of such wealth was. He was answered: + + "This is the man, O king! who gave thy father Darius the golden + plane tree, and likewise the golden vine; and he is still the + wealthiest man we know of in all the world, excepting + thee."--_Herodotus, book 7, par. 27._ + +"Richer than they all," Xerxes, "through his riches," was able, as the +prophecy had foretold, to "stir up all against the realm of Grecia." +Forty-nine nations marched under his banners to the attack. The Greek +poet, AEschylus, who himself fought against the Persians, wrote of +Xerxes' mighty host, + + "And myriad-peopled Asia's king, a battle-eager lord, + From utmost east to utmost west sped on his countless horde, + In unnumbered squadrons marching, in fleets of keels untold, + Knowing none dared disobey, + For stern overseers were they + Of the godlike king begotten of the ancient race of Gold." + + --_"Persae," Way's translation._ + +Xerxes boasted that he was leading "the whole race of mankind to the +destruction of Greece." But his invasion ended in the total rout of his +forces by land and by sea. It was an advertisement to the world that +Persia's might was broken. The prophecy treats it so, and deals no +further with Persian history. + +AEschylus at the time celebrated the passing of Persia's prestige in the +lines,-- + + "With sacred awe + The Persian law + No more shall Asia's realms revere; + To their lord's hand + At his command, + No more the exacted tribute bear. + + * * * * * + + Before the Ionian squadrons Persia flies, + Or sinks engulfed beneath the main; + Fallen! fallen! is her imperial power, + And conquest on her banners waits no more." + + --_"Persae," Potter's translation._ + +The next great world change was to be the rise of Grecia to dominion. +So, although a number of kings followed Xerxes in Persia, the prophecy +passes from his disastrous invasion directly to the coming of Grecia +under its "mighty king," Alexander the Great. + + +Grecia + +_Prophecy._--"A mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great +dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his +kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of +heaven; and not to his posterity." Dan. 11:3, 4. + +_History._--Alexander the Great stood up and ruled with great dominion, +over a kingdom stretching from India to Grecia, with kings yet farther +west sending embassies to Babylon to make submission. But in the height +of his power, as the prophecy suggests, he was suddenly cut down by +death. All his posterity perished, and out of the struggles of his +generals for supremacy came (301 B.C.) the division of the +empire toward "the four winds," as the prophecy had declared so long +before. Rawlinson, the historian, says: + + "A quadripartite division of Alexander's dominion was + recognized: Macedonia [west], Egypt [south], Asia Minor + [north], and Syria [stretching eastward beyond the + Euphrates]."--_"Sixth Monarchy," chap. 3._ + + +The Kings of the North and South + +Next, a rearrangement of these powers is noted; and it is this that +gives us the key to the study of the closing portion of the long +prophetic outline dealing with events of our own day. The narrative +continues: + +_Prophecy._--"The king of the south shall be strong, and one of his +princes ... shall be strong above him;... his dominion shall be a great +dominion." Verse 5. + +_History._--The history testifies that the king of the south (Egypt, +under Ptolemy) was strong; but one of the four princes was "strong above +him." Seleucus, of Syria and the east, pushed his dominion northward, +subduing most of Asia Minor, and extending his boundary into Thrace, on +the European side, beyond the Dardanelles. Henceforward, as Mahaffy +says, + + "there were three great kingdoms--Macedonia, Egypt, + Syria--which lasted, each under its own dynasty, till Rome + swallowed them up."--_"Alexander's Empire," p. 89._ + +Thus Seleucus took the territory of the north, and the Syrian power +became king of the north, its empire extending from Thrace, in Europe, +through Asia Minor to Syria and the Euphrates. The seat of empire was +removed from the east, and Antioch, in northern Syria, "once the third +city of the world," became the famous capital. + +The prophecy next foretold in remarkable detail the contests between +these two strong powers, the king of the north (Syria and Asia Minor) +and the king of the south (Egypt). The conflict raged back and forth +till the coming of the Romans. The Holy Land was the frequent meeting +place of the contending armies. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes +it: + + "Palestine was as of old the battle field for the king of the + north and the king of the south.... The history of these times + is lost in its details."--_Ninth edition, Vol. XV, art. + "Macedonian Empire," p. 144._ + +We shall not follow the details of this contest as foretold in the +prophecy, nor yet the outline of events after the coming of the Roman +power ended the rivalry between Syria and Egypt. It is necessary only +that we fix the events and geographic terms of this early portion of the +prophecy. Then we shall have the key to the closing portion, dealing +with events of the last days, when the king of the north again appears. + + +The Modern King of the North + +In the last verses of the chapter we find the king of the north a chief +actor in this same region, "at the time of the end." Verse 40. And we +are told that when this power comes to its end, it is the signal that +the great day of God is at hand. (See Dan. 12:1.) + +It becomes a vital question, therefore, what power in these last days is +the king of the north, whose end is the signal of the swift ending of +the world. Inspiration gives the basis for the answer. The king of the +north in the early portion of the prophecy was the power that ruled in +Syria and Asia Minor, from the Euphrates to the shores of the +Dardanelles. The king of the north, then, of the later portion of the +prophecy, must be the power that has been ruling in this same region +during the time of the end. + +What power has held dominion over this territory in modern times?--The +Turkish or Ottoman Empire. At this time Turkey holds almost the +identical dominion of the ancient king of the north--from the Euphrates +to the sea, and northward over Asia Minor and the shores of the +Dardanelles. + +Then today Turkey is certainly the king of the north, according to the +prophecy of Daniel 11. + +Of the later history of the king of the north and his end and the events +following it, the prophecy says: + +"Tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: +therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to +make away many. + +"And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in +the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall +help him. + +"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which +standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of +trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same +time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that +shall be found written in the book." Dan. 11:44, 45; 12:1. + +[Illustration: CITY OF CONSTANTINOPLE + +The capital of the Turkish government. + +COPYRIGHT BY UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N, Y.] + +The opening verse of this scripture describes exactly the history of +Turkey in modern times. Turkey's disquietude has come because of tidings +out of the east and out of the north. In both these directions there has +been a pushing back of the Turkish frontier, particularly in the north. +Again and again, during this time of the end, Turkey has gone forth +with fury to resist these encroachments and prevent the loss of +territory. + +The prophecy indicates that in some of these struggles the king of the +north will yet transfer his capital: + +"He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the +glorious holy mountain." + + +Removal to Jerusalem + +This prophecy can mean nothing else than that the king of the north will +eventually set up his headquarters in Jerusalem; for Jerusalem is "the +holy mountain" of the Scriptures. Zech. 8:3. + +It is a wise counsel that says, "Tread lightly in the details of +unfulfilled prophecy." Just how events are to turn, by what route or +processes the steps are to be taken, it is useless to conjecture. But +there the prophecy stands. Every word of the early portion of the +prophetic outline has been fulfilled to the letter in the history of the +ancient empires battling century after century over this region. Every +word spoken of the final scenes will as certainly be fulfilled. + +In view of this prophecy,--that Jerusalem is yet to be made the +headquarters of the king of the north,--it becomes highly significant +that the Mohammedans regard Jerusalem as a sacred city. According to +Mohammedan tradition, Jerusalem is to play a leading part in the closing +history of that people. Hughes, in his "Dictionary of Islam," article +"Jerusalem," summarizes the teaching: + + "In the last days there will be a general flight to Jerusalem." + +Speaking of Jerusalem, an old Arab commentator on the Koran, Mukaddasi +(A.D. 985), said: + + "As to the excellence of the city. Why, is not this to be the + place of marshaling on the day of judgment, where the gathering + together and the appointment will take place? Verily Makkah + [Mecca] and Al Madina have their superiority by reason of the + Ka'abah and the prophet,--the blessing of Allah be upon him and + his family!--but, in truth, on the day of judgment both cities + will come to Jerusalem, and the excellencies of them all will + then be united."--_Le Strange, "Palestine under the Moslems," + p. 85._ + +[Illustration: MODERN JERUSALEM + +"He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the +glorious holy mountain." Dan. 11:45.] + +Thus Moslem doctrinal teaching and tradition both point out Jerusalem as +the rallying place of Moslems before the end. Again and again in recent +years, as the pressure has threatened the Turkish hold on +Constantinople, the thoughts of Moslems have turned toward Jerusalem as +a possible capital. A few years ago a Seventh-day Adventist missionary +in Constantinople wrote to his home board: + +[Illustration: THE MOSQUE OF OMAR + +Situated in Jerusalem, on Mt. Moriah, the site of Solomon's Temple.] + + "Within the past few months quite a company of people from the + Transcaucasus district have come to Ismid,--old + Nicodemia,--bringing all they possess with them. Some of them + possess considerable wealth. When asked if they were going to + settle in Ismid, they replied that they would settle nowhere + permanently at present. They stated that they had come to be + prepared to go with their leader when he left Constantinople to + go to Jerusalem." + +Wherever the capital may first be set up following the forsaking of +Constantinople,--and Turkish authorities, we are told, have discussed a +number of possible locations in Asia Minor,--there stands the ancient +prophecy as to the eventual seat of the king of the north, + +"He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the +glorious holy mountain." + +Following that, what comes? The prophecy declares, + +"Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." + + +What Comes When Turkey Falls + +The fury of his goings forth "utterly to make away many," the moving of +his capital from one place to another, avail nothing in the end. "He +shall come to his end, and none shall help him." + +The suggestion of the prophecy is that this power has hitherto been +helped to stand. Here again every suggestion of the prophetic language +finds its response in history. Through these later years of the time of +the end the Ottoman Empire has been helped to stand, by either one power +or another, or by some combination of powers. The late Lord Salisbury, +while premier of Britain, thus stated the reasons for this policy of +helping Turkey: + + "Turkey is in that remarkable condition in which it has now + stood for half a century, mainly because the great powers of + the world have resolved that for the peace of Christendom it is + necessary that the Ottoman Empire should stand. They came to + that conclusion nearly half a century ago. I do not think they + have altered it now. The danger, if the Ottoman Empire should + fall, would not merely be the danger that would threaten the + territories of which that empire consists; it would be the + danger that the fire there lit should spread to other nations, + and should involve all that is most powerful and civilized in + Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest. That was the + danger that was present to the minds of our fathers when they + resolved to make the integrity and independence of the Ottoman + Empire a matter of European treaty, and that is a danger which + has not passed away."--_Mansion House speech, Nov. 9, 1895._ + +The veteran premier stated the fear of modern statesmen that Turkey's +fall would involve all civilization in a calamitous conflict. The +prophecy pictures just such a catastrophe, in these words: + +"He shall come to his end, and none shall help him. And at that time +shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children +of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was +since there was a nation even to that same time." + +What modern statesmen have seen impending and have sought to ward off, +the ancient prophecy says will surely come to pass when the king of the +north comes to his end,--a time of trouble for the nations such as never +was. + + +In the New Testament + +In the prophecy of Revelation 16, the last great clash of the nations is +represented as following the fall of the power that rules the territory +drained by the Euphrates. Describing the last events in human history, +under the pouring out of the vials of judgment upon the world, the +prophet says: + +"The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and +the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east +might be prepared." Rev. 16:12. + +The water of the Euphrates represents the people or power ruling by it. +When anciently the Assyrians dwelt by that river and were about to +invade Israel, the prophet said, "The Lord bringeth up upon them the +waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria." Isa. +8:7. The waters of the Euphrates meant the Assyrian power. + +Just so in this prophecy, the river stands for the people. As the Nile +stood for Egypt, and the Tiber for Rome, so in all modern times the +Euphrates has stood for Turkey. The "drying up" of the Euphrates must +mean the ending of the Turkish power. And in the verses immediately +following, Revelation pictures the gathering of the nations of the whole +world to Armageddon--"the battle of that great day of God Almighty." +Following Turkey's end comes the final clash of nations. The earth +quakes, the cities of the nations fall, and the last judgments of God +come upon a warring world. + +Here, as in Daniel 12, is pictured a time of trouble for the nations +such as never was, and the end of the world, when the power ruling in +Syria, by the Euphrates, comes to its end. + + +The Approaching End + +For years statesmen and observers have discussed the approaching +dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Travelers in Turkey have reported +that thoughtful Turkish people held the conviction that the crisis of +their nation was near at hand. Years ago Mr. Charles MacFarlane wrote: + + "The Turks themselves seem generally to be convinced that their + final hour is approaching. 'We are no longer Mussulmans,--the + Mussulman saber is broken,--the Osmanlis will be driven out of + Europe by the _gaiours_, and driven through Asia to the regions + from which they first sprang. It is Kismet! We cannot resist + destiny!' I heard words to this effect from many Turks, as well + in Asia as in Europe."--_"Kismet; or the Doom of Turkey" + (London, 1853), p. 409._ + +A later Turkish traveler, Mr. Wilfred Scawen Blunt, says: + + "Ancient prophecy and modern superstition alike point to the + return of the Crescent into Asia as an event at hand, and to + the doom of the Turks.... A well-known prediction to this + effect, which has for ages exercised its influence on the + vulgar and even on the learned Mohammedan mind,... places the + scene of the last struggle in northern Syria, at Homs, on the + Orontes. Islam is then finally to retire from the north, and + the Turkish rule to cease. Such prophecies often work their own + fulfilment."--_"Future of Islam," p. 95._ + +Thus native tradition and human forebodings have contemplated the +break-up of the Turkish power, as the course of the years has witnessed +the shrinkage of its territory and the ever-increasing difficulty of its +position. + +Now and then there has been a renewal of Turkey's vigor and prestige; +then again its situation has been rendered yet more precarious. It has +been a buffer between the clashing interests of the great powers. +Speaking of Turkey's difficult position in this respect, the London +_Fortnightly Review_, May, 1915, expressed a common view thus: + + "When once the nations of Europe set foot in Asia Minor, the + pace of Turkey's further downfall will be set not so much by + Turkey's strength or weakness as by the mutual jealousies of + the occupying powers." + +The storm clouds hang ever low over the Near East; while above all the +din of wars and rumors of wars, the voice of divine prophecy declares +that when this power comes to its end, the closing events in human +history will quickly follow. + +[Illustration: CONSTANTINOPLE THE KEY CITY OF THE WORLD + +The cross on which the peace of the world has been crucified.] + +The solemn truth rings in our ears like a trumpet peal; the age-long +Eastern Question is hastening on to its final solution, and its solution +brings the end of the world. + +In the light of the "sure word of prophecy" the developments of our day +in the East become more than matters of grave political concern to +statesmen and observers of affairs generally; they are matters of +deepest personal, eternal interest to every soul. In watching the trend +of international affairs, we are watching the doing of the last things +among the nations. + +As these things are seen coming to pass exactly as the prophecy +foretold, we recognize them as God's call to men in the last generation +to turn to Him and prepare their hearts to meet the coming Lord. Let no +one think to wait until he sees Turkey come to its end before making his +peace with God. The end of this power, as described in Revelation 16, +comes during the falling of the seven last plagues. And the last verse +of the preceding chapter shows that Christ's ministry for sinners in the +heavenly temple has ended before the plagues begin to fall. Human +probation will already have closed. The solemn decree will then have +been issued in heaven: + +"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let +him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous +still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come +quickly." Rev. 22:11, 12. + +"Now is the accepted time," calls the Spirit; "now is the day of +salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2. We have not to make ourselves ready. "If we +confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to +cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Our part is to believe +and confess; His part is to forgive and cleanse and make us ready for +the coming kingdom. + + +The Sinner's Plea + + With broken heart and contrite sigh, + A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry; + Thy pardoning grace is rich and free: + O God, be merciful to me! + + Nor alms, nor deeds that I have done, + Can for a single sin atone; + To Calvary alone I flee: + O God, be merciful to me! + + And when, redeemed from sin and hell, + With all the ransomed throng I dwell, + My raptured song shall ever be, + "God has been merciful to me!" + + --_Cornelius Elven._ + +[Illustration: THE GREAT BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON + +The whole world involved in the last great clash of nations. "The +nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come." Rev. 11:18.] + +[Illustration: THE PLAIN OF ESDRAELON AND MT. MEGIDDO + +"He gathered them together into a place called ... Armageddon." Rev. +16:16.] + + + + +ARMAGEDDON + +THE FINAL CLASH OF EARTHLY EMPIRES + + + "We are living, we are dwelling, + In a grand and awful time, + In an age on ages telling, + To be living is sublime. + Hark! the waking up of nations, + Gog and Magog to the fray; + Hark! what soundeth? Is creation + Groaning for her latter day?" + +The sure word of prophecy that foretold the rise and fall of ancient +empires, and outlined the general course of world history through the +ages, describes also the last great struggle of the nations. + +The proverb says, "Peace is the dream of the wise, but war is the +history of man." And divine prophecy assures us that the history of this +present world will end amid scenes of conflict. + +Many in our time have come to think that civilization must reach a +better way of composing the rivalries of the nations. The prophecy +forewarns us otherwise. In fact, the prophetic word points to the talk +of peace and safety amid preparations for war, as a distinct sign of the +latter days. + +"In the last days," Isaiah says, "many people shall go and say:" + +"They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into +pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither +shall they learn war any more." Isa. 2:2-4. + +This is what "many people" were to be saying. But the real conditions in +the last days are described as exactly the opposite. The prophet Joel +describes the real spirit of the world in these times: + +"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles [the nations]: Prepare war, wake up +the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat +your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the +weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:9, 10. + +The context shows that the prophet is speaking of the last times, when +"the day of the Lord is near." Verse 14. + + +The Prophecy Fulfilling + +This is what we have seen in our time, as never before in the history of +man,--the product of the plowshare and the pruning hook being turned +into instruments of war. + +About twenty-five years ago the late Marquis of Salisbury, speaking as a +man grown gray in the service of the state, asked a London audience the +question, "What is the great change that marks this time as different +from the times when most of us were young men?" The aged statesman +answered his own question, saying that it was the arming of the nations, +the swift race upon which the powers had then recently entered, to +increase their naval and military armaments. It is a sign of our times, +answering to the prophetic forecast. + +Throughout the present generation the thoughtful have watched with grave +forebodings the preparations of the nations for war. Queen Alexandra, of +Britain, once said of it: + + "I was educated in the school of a king who was, before all + things, just; and I have tried, like him, always to preach love + and charity, I have always mistrusted warlike preparations, of + which nations seem never to tire. Some day this accumulated + material of soldiers and guns will burst into flames in a + frightful war that will throw humanity into mourning on earth + and grieve our universal Father in heaven." + +As the race of armaments went forward on a scale never before thought +of, statesmen and writers began to make use of the word "Armageddon" to +describe the conflict that they saw was inevitable. Years ago the London +_Contemporary Review_ said: + + "Odd things are happening everywhere.... Russia, Germany, + England--these are great names; they palpitate with great + ideas; they have vast destinies before them, and millions of + armed men in their pay, all awaiting Armageddon." + +In June, 1909, Lord Rosebery, in a speech before a press convention in +London, commented gravely upon the significance of the feverish haste +with which the nations were arming themselves, "as if for some great +Armageddon, and that in a time of the profoundest peace." + +To quote from a popular American magazine, of the same year: + + "Today all Europe is divided into two armed camps, waiting + breathlessly for the morrow with its Armageddon."--_Everybody's + Magazine, November, 1909._ + +Thus, everywhere, observers saw that the rivalry of interests among the +nations was leading to a conflict so overwhelmingly vast that only the +Scriptural word "Armageddon," with its appeal to the imagination, seemed +adequately suggestive of its proportions. + +Every passing year added to the intensity of feeling and the antagonism +of interests. In 1911 the London _Nineteenth Century and After_ said: + +[Illustration: UNITED STATES BATTLESHIP "NEVADA" + +Photograph taken from the Manhattan Bridge. New York. + +COPYRIGHT BY UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD. N.Y.] + + "Never was national and racial feeling stronger upon earth than + it is now. Never was preparation for war so tremendous and so + sustained. Never was striking power so swift and so terribly + formidable.... The shadow of conflict and of displacement + greater than any which mankind has known since Attila and his + Huns were stayed at Chalons, is visibly impending over the + world. Almost can the ear of imagination hear the gathering of + the legions for the fiery trial of peoples, a sound vast as the + trumpet of the Lord of hosts."--_Quoted in the Literary Digest, + May 6, 1911._ + +[Illustration: COMRADES AFTER THE BATTLE + +Soldiers bringing in two wounded captives. + +PHOTO BY CENTRAL PHOTO SERVICE. N.Y.] + +What the ancient prophecy foretold--the preparing of war in the last +days, the waking up and arming of the nations--we have seen fulfilling +before our eyes in this generation. + + +Satanic Agencies at Work + +In prophecies of the gathering of the nations for the last great +struggle, Inspiration draws aside the veil, and allows us to see the +agencies that have been stirring up the world for the war. As the +prophet John was shown in vision the scenes of the last days, he saw the +invisible powers of Satan, "the spirits of devils," going forth "unto +the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the +battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:14. + +Earnest-minded statesmen have lamented their helplessness to combat the +forces and influences pressing the world on toward conflict. In one of +his last speeches as premier of Great Britain, the late Marquis of +Salisbury was defending yet further calls for army and navy +appropriations. He said: + + "For years public opinion was in favor of a pacific policy, but + now that state of opinion has passed away. The tide has turned, + and who am I, and who are we, that we should attempt to stem + the tide? If the tide has turned, we shall have to go with it. + We are in the presence of forces far larger than we can wield." + +What those forces were, the aged statesman did not recognize, but the +prophecy tells us. The prophet was shown the evil spirits from Satan +going forth everywhere as the end nears, to stir up the whole world to +the last great conflict. + +Sir Edward Grey, British foreign secretary, described these agencies +very accurately. Speaking in the House of Commons, Nov. 27, 1911, he +said: + + "It is really as if in the atmosphere of the world there were + some mischievous influence at work, which troubles and excites + every part of it." + +It is all coming to pass exactly as the sure word of prophecy foretold. + +The conviction that great and decisive events are at hand has taken +possession of many hearts in all the world. When the European war broke +out in 1914, on a scale unprecedented in human history, it was no wonder +that the question sprang to many lips, "Is it Armageddon?" + +The question was not lightly asked. The committee of the Church +Missionary Society (Church of England), one of the greatest missionary +organizations in the world, sent a message to its missionaries in all +lands at the outbreak of the war. In this message was a call to prepare +for the coming of the Lord: + + "It may be that these events will quickly usher in the return + of Christ to gather His saints together from the four quarters + of the earth.... Many see in the events preceding and + accompanying this terrible cataclysm of war the signs of our + Lord's near return. If so, blessed will that servant be whom + his Lord when He cometh shall find giving 'their food in due + season' to those fellow servants who have been put in his + charge."--_Church Missionary Review, November, 1914._ + +Timely as this call was, it was evident, from the prophetic scriptures, +that the conflict then opening could not be the Armageddon of the +Apocalypse, for the prelude to that final clash of nations is an event +yet in the future--the downfall of a nation whose part in the closing +scenes is clearly described in the prophecy of the coming Armageddon. + +The end of the power which rules over the territory through which the +river Euphrates flows, is the prelude to Armageddon. The prophecy says: + +"The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and +the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the East +might be prepared." Rev. 16:12. + +Next follows the gathering of "the whole world" to "the battle of that +great day of God Almighty." Verse 14. + +Through all modern times Turkey has been identified with the Euphrates. +The region of Syria and Asia Minor, long held by Turkey, has been the +historic meeting place of the East and the West. In the London +_Fortnightly Review_, May, 1915, Mr. J.B. Firth wrote: + + "When, with the fall of Ottoman sovereignty at Constantinople, + the Turk is driven out of Europe, there will arise once more + the eternal question of the possession of Asia Minor. That land + is the corridor between Europe and Asia, along which have + passed most of the European conquerors--the Russians alone + excepted--who have invaded Asia, and most of the Asiatic + conquerors who have invaded Europe." + +The fall of the Turkish power in this Euphrates region will, in some +manner, prepare the way for "the kings of the East" to come up to the +final conflict. + + +The Awakening of the East + +The same spirit that has been stirring up the West in preparation for +the contest has been working in the East also. Year after year observers +have pointed out the great changes taking place in Asia. September, +1909, the London _Contemporary Review_ said: + + "The whole of Asia is in the throes of rebirth. At last we may + see these three--the yellow race, the Indian race, and the + Arab-Persian Mohammedan race. And all that is making for the + Armageddon." + +A writer in the May, 1913, issue of the London _Nineteenth Century and +After_, reviewing the situation at the close of the Balkan War, said: + + "A new spirit is abroad in the East. It arose on the shores of + the Pacific when Japan proved that the great powers of Europe + are not invulnerable. North and south and west it has spread, + rousing China out of centuries of slumber, stirring India into + ominous questioning, reviving memories of past glory in Persia, + breeding discontent in Egypt, and luring Turkey onto the + rocks." + +With all the nations stirred up by the spirit agencies of the god of +this world, the prophet next saw the armies of earth gathering to the +last great battle. The prophecy continues: + +"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue +Armageddon." Rev. 16:16. + +Armageddon means the hill, or mount, of Megiddo, which overlooks the +plain of Esdraelon, the historic battle ground of northern Palestine. +Carmack says of it: + + "Megiddo was the military key of Syria; it commanded at once + the highway northward to Phoenicia and Coele-Syria and the + road across Galilee to Damascus and the valley of the + Euphrates. It was moreover the chief town in a district of + great fertility, the contested possession of many races. The + vale of Kishon and the region of Megiddo were inevitable battle + fields. Through all history they retained that qualification; + there many of the great contests of southwestern Asia have been + decided. In the history of Israel it was the scene of frequent + battles. From such association the district achieved a dark + nobility; it was regarded as a pre-destined place of blood and + strife; the poet of the Apocalypse has clothed it with awe as + the ground of the final conflict between the powers of light + and darkness."--_"Pre-Biblical Syria and Palestine," p. 82._ + +Thus Armageddon, as the "military key of Syria," marks Palestine and the +Near East as the great international storm center in the final conflict. + + +The Political Storm Center + +In vision, nearly two thousand years ago, the prophet saw the forces of +the last days gathering around this pivotal region. Today observers +recognize the eastern Mediterranean as indeed the pivotal point around +which international interests involving East and West naturally revolve. + +Some years ago, in discussing railway development in Asia and Africa, +and the great highways of sea transportation, the London _Fortnightly +Review_ said: + + "Palestine is the great center, the meeting of the roads. + Whoever holds Palestine, commands the great lines of + communication, not only by land, but also by sea." + +Again, the Manchester _Guardian_, emphasizing the importance attaching +to this strategic center, said during the great war: + + "Egypt, as things are,--and the fact cannot be too often + emphasized,--is the weak spot in our system of imperial defense + by sea power. Not until Palestine is in our possession can + Egypt be regarded as safe."--_Quoted in Literary Digest, Feb. + 12, 1916, p. 369._ + +Other nations have recognized the strategic value of a territory so +situated. Thus political considerations make this region pointed out by +the prophecy a center of conflicting interests. Hogarth, in his book, +"The Near East," calls it "the time-honored storm center of the eastern +Mediterranean." + + +The Religious Storm Center + +To the conflict of political interests is added the rivalry of religious +sentiment. Commenting on the religious associations of Palestine in +relation to the international political situation, the London +_Spectator_ some years ago stated the matter thus: + + "People often ask how it is that the future of Palestine + presents such difficulties. The reason is simply that + Jerusalem--you cannot separate Jerusalem from Palestine--is + the sacred city of so many creeds and warring faiths. Not only + is it the holy place of all the Christian churches,--and two of + them quarrel bitterly over it, the Greeks and the Latins,--but + it is also one of the most sacred places in the Mohammedan + world. Mecca and Medina are hardly more sacred than the Mosque + of Omar. That is a fact which is often ignored by Europeans, + who forget that to turn the Mohammedans out of the temple + inclosure would disturb the whole Moslem world, from the + Straits Settlements to Albania. We must never forget that + Mohammedan pilgrims from India visit Jerusalem, just as + Christian pilgrims visit it from Europe. Lastly, Jerusalem is + profoundly sacred to the Jews, and the Jews are beginning to be + locally numerous and important. Most certainly there are no + elements of difficulty wanting in the problem of the future of + Palestine." + +History records the fact that rivalry over the care of the traditional +holy places helped to precipitate one European war--that of the Crimea. + +In the study of the Eastern Question, we have seen that the prophecy of +Daniel 11 marks Jerusalem as still a storm center in the closing scenes. +A British consul in Jerusalem, in the days following the Crimean War, +set forth suggestively his view of one of the factors in the Eastern +Question. He wrote: + + "The very heart and kernel of the Eastern Question can only be + reached in the Holy City, Jerusalem, where the Eastern and + Western churches are still wrestling as of old for the + mastery.... Now as heretofore, disguise the object as they may, + they are striving for a prize which has not been destined by + divine Providence for either; and this prize is no less than a + virtual dominion over the Christian world, from a throne of + government within the sanctuaries of the Holy City; and the + possession of that throne would involve possession of the key + to universal dominion."--_"Stirring Times: Records from + Jerusalem Consulate Chronicles," by James Finn, introductory + note by editor, p. xxiii._ + + +Foretold in Prophecy + +By every consideration--political, racial, and religious--the Near East +supplies all the elements for involving the whole world when once the +sweeping displacements begin which the prophecy foretold, and for which +statesmen in our day have sought to prepare. + +Long ages ago the prophet of God, in vision on the Isle of Patmos, was +shown the clash of interests and the gathering of the nations around +this historic center. Before our eyes today we see events tending to +give to this region the very character assigned to it by the prophecy. +It was written in the sure word of prophecy in order that, as the events +foretold are seen approaching, men may believe and turn to God, and find +salvation from the things coming upon the earth. + +Into the prophecy of this sixteenth chapter of Revelation, describing +the gathering of forces to Armageddon, our Saviour interjects the +warning and the appeal: + +"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his +garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Verse 15. + +The last earthly events that the prophecy is dealing with--the pouring +out of the seven last plagues, and the clash of Armageddon--come after +probation closes. The close of probation, the passing of the ministry of +Christ in the heavenly temple, will come as a thief, unannounced. Our +only safety is in yielding heart and life to him now for cleansing, and +accepting from his hand the garments of his own righteousness, freely +offered to every one. + + +What Comes with Armageddon + +Whatever ambitions or aims may be the impelling motives when the +gathering to the great conflict comes, one thing is certain: Armageddon +is to bring triumph and world dominion to no earthly power. As the +nations gather, the Lord intervenes from heaven, and the history of the +kingdoms of this world is closed at last. The prophet tells the sequel +to Armageddon: + +"He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue +Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and +there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, +saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; +and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon +the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was +divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great +Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the +wine of the fierceness of His wrath. And every island fled away, and the +mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of +heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God +because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding +great." Rev. 16:16-21. + +The fall of the Turkish power is the prelude to the gathering of the +nations to the battle of Armageddon. And Armageddon is the prelude to +the end of the world and Christ's glorious coming as King of kings and +Lord of lords. The armies gathered to battle for supremacy find +themselves suddenly arrayed against the armies of heaven. Another +prophecy describes the scene when Christ is revealed: + +"The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the +chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free +man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and +said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face +of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for +the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" +Rev. 6:15-17. + +Again, as the great searchlight of divine prophecy lights up the way +before us, we see by the course of present-day events that the end is +drawing very near. By what sudden turn of affairs the last things to be +done in history may be set in motion, none can foresee. The Saviour +admonishes every soul, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour +as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24:44. + +It is for this time of waiting, especially, that Christ spoke the +parable of the ten virgins who waited for the bridegroom. All sincerely +wanted to meet him; all expected to be ready. But when the cry was +raised, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him!" only +five were ready. The others lacked the oil that was to give them light. +We know what the oil represents--the genuine heart experience of the +grace and love of Christ. + +[Illustration: THE TEN VIRGINS + +"They that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was +shut." Matt. 25:10.] + +Those overtaken unready, hastened away to get oil. "And while they went +to buy, the bridegroom came; and _they that were ready_ went in with him +to the marriage: and the door was shut." Matt. 25:10. Those that were +ready went in; those that were getting ready were too late. How came +some to be ready?--They were ready all the time; they kept ready. This +lesson is for us now. Our only safety is in being ready every day, +keeping sins forgiven, the life surrendered to God. + +[Illustration: THE MILLENNIUM + +The millennium is the closing period of God's great week of time--a +great sabbath of rest to the earth and to the people of God. + +It follows the close of the gospel age, and precedes the setting up of +the everlasting kingdom of God on earth. + +It comprehends what in the Scriptures is frequently spoken of as "the +day of the Lord." + +It is bounded at each end by a resurrection. + +Its beginning is marked by the pouring out of the seven last plagues, +the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the +binding of Satan, and the translation of the saints to heaven; and its +close, by the descent of the New Jerusalem, with Christ and the saints, +from heaven, the resurrection of the wicked dead, the loosing of Satan, +and the final destruction of the wicked. + +During the one thousand years the earth lies desolate; Satan and his +angels are confined here; and the saints, with Christ, sit in judgment +on the wicked, preparatory to their final punishment. + +The wicked dead are then raised; Satan is loosed for a little season, +and he and the host of the wicked encompass the camp of the saints and +the holy city, when fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours +them. The earth is cleansed by the same fire that destroys the wicked, +and, renewed, becomes the eternal abode of the saints. + +The millennium is one of "the ages to come." Its close will mark the +beginning of the new earth state.] + +[Illustration: CHRIST COMING FOR HIS OWN + +"They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years," Rev. 20:4.] + + + + +THE MILLENNIUM + + +The word "millennium" means "a thousand years." This definite period is +referred to specifically in but one chapter of the Bible, the twentieth +of Revelation; and in that chapter it is spoken of repeatedly. We find +it to be: + +The period during which the saints reign with Christ in judgment. + +The period during which Satan is bound. + +The measure of time between the two resurrections, that of the just and +that of the unjust. + +An examination of the scriptures bearing upon the millennium will show: + +1. The events that mark its beginning. + +2. The events that occur during the thousand years. + +3. The events that come at the end of the period. + +We shall find it clearly taught in these scriptures: + +That the millennium begins at the second coming of Christ. + +That the reign of the saints with Him in judgment is not on this earth, +but in heaven. + +That this earth, void of human inhabitants, is Satan's prison house +during the thousand years. + +That at the end of the thousand years the judgment determined is +executed upon Satan and all the wicked. + +That this earth, purified by the fires of the last judgment, and +renewed, becomes the eternal home of the saved. + + +1. Events at the Beginning of the Thousand Years + +The key to the time is furnished by the declaration that the millennium +begins with-- + + +The Resurrection of the Just + +Speaking of the risen saints, the Scripture says: + +"They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of +the dead [the wicked] lived not again until the thousand years were +finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that +hath part in the first resurrection." Rev. 20:4-6. + +There are to be two resurrections. The apostle Paul said that this was +the teaching of all Scripture: "There shall be a resurrection of the +dead, both of the just and unjust." Acts 24:15. The first resurrection, +that of the just, marks the beginning of the thousand years. + + +Christ's Second Coming + +When is this first resurrection, in the order of events in this "day of +the Lord"? It is at the second advent of Christ. One scripture, out of +many, will suffice to state it: + +"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice +of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ +shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16. + +As the Saviour comes in glory, with all the holy angels, the graves are +opened, and His voice awakens His children who sleep in the dust. + +"He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they +shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of +heaven to the other." Matt. 24:31. + +The time of Christ's second coming, therefore, is the beginning of the +millennium. + + +The Righteous Taken to Heaven + +The living righteous are translated, and, together with the risen +saints, are taken to heaven, as the apostle says: + +"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with +them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be +with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:17. + +This was the Saviour's promise: + +"In My Father's house are many mansions.... I go to prepare a place for +you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and +receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John +14:2, 3. + + +The Destruction of the Wicked + +At Christ's second coming the wicked are slain. The unbelieving left +without shelter in that day, cannot endure the presence of such glory as +will burst upon the world: + +"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in +flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey +not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 1:7, 8. + + +The Binding of Satan + +With the saints in heaven, beyond the reach of Satan's wiles, and with +the wicked dead, not to live again till the thousand years are finished, +Satan is "bound"--confined by divine power to this earth, which becomes +his prison house, there being neither saint nor sinner upon whom to ply +his arts of deception. No prisoner was ever more effectually chained. +The symbolical language of the prophet pictures the scene: + +"I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless +pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that +old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand +years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a +seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the +thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a +little season." Rev. 20:1-3. + +These are the events that mark the beginning of the thousand years: +Christ's second coming, the resurrection of the just, the ascent of all +the redeemed to the city of God, the death of the wicked, and, in +consequence, the binding of Satan. + + +2. Events During the Thousand Years + + +In Heaven + +Scene after scene of glory is spread before us in the visions the +prophets were given of the redeemed in the city of God. The prophet John +says: + +"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could +number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood +before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and +palms in their hands.... Therefore are they before the throne of God, +and serve Him day and night in His temple." Rev. 7:9-15. + +They "serve" in the temple of the Lord, the prophet says; while the poet +sings: + + "Whence came the armies of the sky, + John saw in vision bright? + Whence came their crowns, their robes, their palms, + Too pure for mortal sight? + + "From desert waste, and cities full, + From dungeons dark, they've come, + And now they claim their mansion fair, + They've found their long-sought home." + +One service in which the saved have part during the thousand years is +the work of judgment that still remains, preparatory to the final +visitation of sin and the destruction of Satan and all his works. The +prophet saw this work going forward in the heavenly courts, the +redeemed associated with Christ in the service: + +"I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto +them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of +Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, +neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, +or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand +years." Rev. 20:4. + +It was to this work of judging the wicked and the evil angels, that the +apostle Paul referred in the counsel to the Corinthians: "Do ye not know +that the saints shall judge the world?... Know ye not that we shall +judge angels?" 1 Cor. 6:2, 3. + + +On Earth + +While in heaven above the saved are with Christ and the holy angels +before the throne, and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, it is to +be remembered that on earth all is desolation and emptiness. The wicked +have been slain by the glory of Christ's coming. By the quaking of the +earth the cities of the nations have fallen in ruin, islands have been +removed, and mountains cast into the depths of the sea. The condition of +the earth during this time of desolation is thus described by the +prophet: + +"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the +heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they +trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was +no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, +the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were +broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger." Jer. +4:23-26. + +"Without form, and void," said the prophet. This is the same phrase that +is used in the opening verses of Genesis to describe the chaotic state +of the earth in the beginning. At the beginning of creation week the +earth was in a state of emptiness and chaos--an "abyss," as it is +called in the Greek translation of Genesis. Again, during this +thousand-year period, the earth is an "abyss," or a desolate waste. +"Abyss" is the meaning of the word translated "bottomless pit" in the +text telling of the binding of Satan by the mighty angel of God: + +"He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and +Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless +pit." Rev. 20:2, 3. The Revised Version says, "And cast him into the +abyss." + +Confined to this pit or abyss of desolation, as a prisoner in a prison +house, with none to tempt, the author of sin has a thousand years in +which to view the ruin that sin has wrought in the earth that once left +its Maker's hand beautiful and perfect, unmarred by any curse. + + +3. Events at the End of the Thousand Years + +At the end of the millennium, this earth becomes the scene of events +that close the great controversy between Christ and Satan. + + +The Descent of the Holy City + +The judgment work in heaven having been accomplished, the hour has come +for the execution of the judgment upon sin and sinners. The holy city +comes down out of heaven. The prophet saw its descent in vision: + +"I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of +heaven." Rev. 21:2. + + +The Loosing of Satan + +"When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his +prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations." Rev. 20:7, 8. + +With all the wicked destroyed by the glory of Christ's second coming, +Satan had been effectually bound; but now, as the city descends, the +voice of Christ calls forth the wicked dead, and Satan is thus loosed, +and assumes control again of those who have chosen him as their master. + +It is the time of which the Scripture speaks: "The rest of the dead +lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Verse 5. The +prophet saw the hosts of the lost called forth. "The sea gave up the +dead which were in it; and death and hell [the "grave," margin] +delivered up the dead which were in them." Verse 13. + +Thus Satan's subjects come forth to the last judgment. The resurrection +of the wicked of all the ages is the loosing of Satan. Here again is his +kingdom, and again he plies his deceptions and takes up anew his fight +against God. How very natural that Satan should persuade the wicked that +he has raised them to life, that his word in the beginning was true, "Ye +shall not surely die"! If they are immortal, why may they not yet +prevail against God? Satan rallies his angels and the hosts of the +wicked, in numbers "as the sand of the sea," to make an attack upon the +city of God. + + "How vast the concourse! not in number more + The waves that break on the resounding shore, + The leaves that tremble in the shady grove, + The lamps that gild the spangled vaults above; + Those overwhelming armies, whose command + Said to one empire, Fall; another, Stand; + Whose rear lay wrap't in night, while breaking dawn + Rous'd the broad front, and called the battle on; + Great Xerxes' world in arms, proud Cannae's field, + Where Carthage taught victorious Rome to yield, + Immortal Blenheim, fam'd Ramillia's host;-- + They all are here, and here they all are lost; + Their millions swell, to be discerned in vain, + Lost as a billow in th' unbounded main." + + --_Edward Young's "Last Day."_ + +"They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the +saints about, and the beloved city." Verse 9. + + +The Wicked Before the Bar of God + +But as the hosts of evil compass the city, they are halted by the glory +and majesty of the Redeemer's presence, enthroned as eternal victor over +sin. Just here must apply the prophet's words: + +"I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the +earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. +And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books +were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and +the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the +books, according to their works." Rev. 20:11, 12. + +[Illustration: THE HOLY CITY DESCENDS + +"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men." Rev 21:3.] + +During the thousand years the records in heaven have been reviewed, and +the degrees of guilt established. Now the judgment is to be pronounced +and executed. But first the record of the books and the eternal +righteousness of God's holy law are flashed by divine power upon the +consciences of all the lost--"their conscience also bearing witness" +(Rom. 2:15) that they are without excuse. + + +The Destruction of Sin + +Sin is now to be blotted from the universe of God; and those who have +chosen to be identified with sin perish with it. All that Infinite Love +can do has been done in the gift of Christ to save men from the +transgression of the holy law of God. That salvation rejected, there is +nothing remaining that heaven can offer. There is no further sacrifice +that can be made. "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Heb. +10:26. + +Then follows the last scene in the conflict with evil: + +"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. And the devil that deceived them was cast +into the lake of fire.... And death and hell [the grave] were cast into +the lake of fire. This is the second death." Rev. 20:9-14. + +The second death ends sin and the author of sin, and death itself. The +controversy is ended. Christ's death has purged sin from the universe of +God. + + +The Earth Purified and Made New + +The fires that consume the wicked melt the earth and purify it from all +trace of the curse. It is the day of which Peter wrote: + +"Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements +shall melt with fervent heat." But after this cleansing of every element +of this sin-cursed earth, the promise of God will be fulfilled in the +earth made new, as the eternal home of the saved. As Peter says, after +telling of the day of burning, "Nevertheless we, according to His +promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth +righteousness." 2 Peter 3:12, 13. + + "O sweet and blessed country, + The home of God's elect! + O sweet and blessed country, + That eager hearts expect! + Jesus, in mercy bring us + To that dear land of rest; + Who art, with God the Father, + And Spirit, ever blest." + +[Illustration: MOSES VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND + +"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5.] + +[Illustration: THE SPIES' RETURN + +"The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good +land." Num. 14:7.] + + + + +THE HOME OF THE SAVED + + +The Land of Peace + +The Bible opens with a new heaven and a new earth, perfect from the +Creator's hand; with man sinless and having access to the tree of life +in the midst of the Eden paradise, out of which flowed a river that +spread its life-giving waters through the earth. + +The Bible closes with a new heaven and a new earth; with man upright and +sinless, having right to the tree of life growing in the midst of Eden; +with the river of life flowing out from the garden of God, clear as +crystal. + +Between the two scenes spreads out the panorama of six thousand years of +conflict with sin. It is a story of the fall of man, of the loss of his +Eden home, of the curse that marred the earth, of sin and sorrow and +death overspreading all. + + +The Restorer + +But from the hour when the shadow of sin fell upon the earth, there has +been a light shining in the darkness. Amid the ruin that sin had +wrought, there appeared the great Restorer. + +The inspired record gives a word-picture of Jesus taking man's place to +win back the lost dominion: + +"Unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, +whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is +man, that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest +him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him +with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands: +Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He +put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under +Him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus." +Heb. 2:5-9. + +Just where Adam fell and lost his dominion over the earth, we see Jesus, +the second Adam, taking man's place and winning back the lost +inheritance. That is why the picture of the new earth and man's sinless +state depicted in the first two chapters of the Bible is repeated in the +last two chapters with even greater fulness of glory. God's original +plan and purpose will be carried out, and this earth, renewed, will be +the eternal home of sinless men and women, redeemed by grace. + +Sin will be found not to have frustrated, but only to have delayed, the +purpose of God. And what is six thousand years in working out the divine +plan? In our brief span we may divide human history into ancient, +medieval, and modern; but in heaven's life a thousand years are but as +"a watch in the night;" and these six watches are to heaven but as one +night of grief and of loving ministry in rescuing the lost. + +It has cost all that heaven had to give. But the infinite Gift was made, +and all heaven has wrought at the work. Of the angels it is written, +"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them +who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb. 1:14. + + +Bringing Back the Lost Dominion + +Of all the worlds that shine in the heavens, declaring the glory of God, +this earth is the one that was lost. Its light went out in darkness. It +wandered from the fold of God's perfect creation. + +Then the divine Shepherd came to find it and bring it back. And the +angels that rejoiced when they saw this earth created,--"when the +morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for +joy,"--will again rejoice as the Lord brings back His own,--this earth, +redeemed from the curse, shining in the bright universe again with the +perfection of the glory of God. + +Christ not only redeems lost men, but He is to redeem this lost earth. +"The Son of man," He said, "is come to seek and to save that which was +lost." Luke 19:10. + +By sinning, man lost not only his righteousness and his life, but his +dominion as well. Originally man had dominion "over all the earth." Gen. +1:26. As the psalmist says, "Thou madest him to have dominion over the +works of Thy hands." Ps. 8:6. He was prince and ruler of the earth. But +when he yielded to Satan's temptation, he yielded up that dominion to +the enemy, thus placing himself in the power of his foe. Satan thus +became the "prince of this world," exercising the dominion wrested from +man. + +But through Christ, this dominion is to be restored. The prophet of old +said: + +"Thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, +unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come +to the daughter of Jerusalem." Micah 4:8. + + +The Hope of the Promise + +The promise of the gospel of salvation is the promise not only of life +eternal through faith, but of an eternal inheritance in the earth made +new, the fulfilment of the Creator's plan when He made this world to be +the home of man. This was the star of hope that shone before Adam and +Eve as they stepped forth from Eden into a dying world. It was the +promise to Abraham, "the promise, that he should be the heir of the +world." Rom. 4:13. + +It was not the promise of the world in its present state. For the Lord +gave Abraham "none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot +on." Acts 7:5. Abraham himself did not look for the promise to be +fulfilled in this sinful earth, but in the earth made new, redeemed from +sin. The Scripture says of his hope: + +"By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country: +... for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and +maker is God." Heb. 11:9, 10. + +It was in the new earth and the New Jerusalem that Abraham, the father +of the faithful, expected to receive the eternal inheritance promised to +him and to his seed. And there all the faithful will find their +inheritance. + +"If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to +the promise." Gal. 3:29. + +The psalmist said, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Ps. 37:11. Christ +repeated it: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." +Matt. 5:5. + + +The New Earth and the New Jerusalem + +Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord described the re-creation of this +earth to be the home of the saved: + +"Behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall +not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice +forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a +rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and +joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in +her, nor the voice of crying." Isa. 65:17-19. + +It is not of old Jerusalem that the prophet is speaking, but of the New +Jerusalem, which John saw coming down, with the saints, from God out of +heaven. He saw it descending upon the earth at the end of the thousand +years, and saw the wicked come forth from their graves to judgment. Then +he saw the fires of the last day falling upon the lost, consuming sin +and sinners, and purifying the earth itself from every trace of the +curse. It is the day of which Peter wrote, "Wherein the heavens being on +fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." +But he adds, "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new +heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:12, +13. + +Out from the dissolved elements of the earth and the atmospheric heavens +the Creator's power again calls forth new heavens and a new earth, the +old creation cleansed and renewed in the perfection of the original Eden +paradise. It is coming; for John saw it in vision. "I saw," he says, "a +new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth +were passed away." Rev. 21:1. + +He saw the city which had come down from heaven--those mansions that +Christ is now gone to prepare--the New Jerusalem, the holy capital of +the eternal kingdom of the saints, where Christ's own throne is set. + +"I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of +God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His +people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God +shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more +death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: +for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne +said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for +these words are true and faithful." Rev. 21:3-5. + +It passes comprehension; but it is true. And the life of the saved in +their eternal inheritance will be just as real as is life upon this +present earth. + +[Illustration: THE SAINTS' ETERNAL HOME + +"I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first +earth were passed away." Rev. 21:1.] + +"They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant +vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." "The wolf and the lamb shall feed +together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall +be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy +mountain, saith the Lord." Isa. 65:21, 25. + +The whole earth will be as the Eden paradise planted by God in the +beginning. And from week to week and from month to month the saved will +gather to worship before the glorious throne in the holy city. + +"As the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain +before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And +it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one +Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the +Lord." Isa. 66:22, 23. + + +The Glories of the Saints' Eternal Home + +As the first two chapters of the Bible tell of earth's original +perfection, so the last two chapters constitute one psalm of ecstasy +over the indescribable glories of the earth made new, with its city of +light, the walls of jasper, the gates of pearl, the river of life +flowing from the throne of the Lamb, clear as crystal, with the +widespreading tree of life on either side of the river. And supreme +above all, Jesus Himself, "the King in His beauty," without whom there +would be no glory even in that city foursquare; "for the glory of God +did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." + + "Oh, heaven without my Saviour + Would be no heaven to me; + Dim were the walls of jasper, + Rayless the crystal sea! + + "He gilds earth's darkest valleys + With light and joy and peace; + Then what must be the radiance + Where sin and death shall cease?" + +Next to the loveliness and grace of Christ our Saviour, the glories of +this world to come have inspired the sweetest hymns of hope for longing +hearts. How often has the spirit been lifted above earth's trials as we +have sung, + + "O that home of the soul! in my visions and dreams + Its bright, jasper walls I can see + Till I fancy but thinly the veil intervenes + Between the fair city and me. + + "That unchangeable home is for you and for me, + Where Jesus of Nazareth stands; + The King of all kingdoms forever is He, + And He holdeth our crowns in His hands. + + "O how sweet it will be in that beautiful land, + So free from all sorrow and pain, + With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands, + To meet one another again!" + +"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have +entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for +them that love Him." + +Through the ages, the children of the promise have been journeying +toward the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker +is God, and they have confessed themselves pilgrims and +strangers in this present world. As they have followed the way of +righteousness,--oftentimes a thorny path,--it has been with the shining +city ever before their vision. As they have fallen in death, it has been +with closing eyes fixed upon "that day" when Christ shall come to take +His people to the New Jerusalem preparing above + + "The Lamb there in His beauty + Without a veil is seen. + It were a well-spent journey + Though seven deaths lay between." + +Now earth's course is nearly run. It is but a little way to the holy +city, where the water of life flows clear as crystal from the midst of +the throne. The water of life is really there; for the Lord showed it to +the prophet John in vision, that he might tell us that he saw it. "I +John saw the holy city," he says, "and he showed me a pure river of +water of life, clear as crystal." Rev. 21:2; 22:1. + +[Illustration: THE MASTER AT THE DOOR + +"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and +open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with +Me." Rev 3:20.] + +Christ invites every one to share the eternal inheritance, giving +assurance of His power to save to the uttermost all that come unto God +by Him. He is knocking at the door of every heart, asking admittance, in +order that He may take away all sin, and prepare the soul for the +heavenly home. + +And the glories of the holy city invite us to come: + +"The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. +And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the +water of life freely." Rev. 22:17. + +"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. +Even so, come, Lord Jesus." + +[Illustration: EVENTIDE + +Home to the fold.] + + + + +INDEX OF SUBJECTS AND AUTHORITIES + + +Abraham, parable of rich man and Lazarus, 284 + +"Abridgment of Christian Doctrine," on change of Sabbath, 156 + +Adolphus, on study of prophecy, 305 + +Advent message, Bates as advocate of, 244 + +Advent movement, extent of, Brock on, 241 + +Advent movement of 1844, 240 + +AEschylus, on Medo-Persia, 121 + +AEschylus, on Xerxes' host, 323 + +Alexander, conquests of, Plutarch on, 121, 122 + +Alexander, dominion of, Rawlinson on, 324, 325 + +Alexander, empire of, Appian on, 122 + +Alexander, first king of Greece, 207 + +Alexander, greatness of, Arrian on, 44 + +Alexander, Justin on, 207 + +Alexander, Lucan on, 45 + +Alexandra, Queen, on preparations for war, 339 + +Alexandria, library at, sacred books of Jews in, 187 + +Angels attending throne of God, 296 + +Angels, God's messengers, 297 + +Angels, guardian, 300 + +Angels in kingly courts, 299 + +Angels, messengers of deliverance, 300 + +Angels, their ministry, 295-301 + +Antitypical day of atonement, 237, 240, 241 + +Apollonius, description of Babylon by, 33 + +Apostasy in last days, Daniel 8, 248 + +Appearing of Christ, 59 + +Appian, on Alexander's empire, 122 + +Arian kingdoms plucked up, 129 + +Arian powers uprooted by Belisarius, 134 + +Armageddon, "Contemporary Review" on, 339 + +Armageddon, "Everybody's Magazine" on, 339 + +Armageddon, final clash of empires, 337-349 + +Armageddon, foretold in prophecy, 346, 347 + +Armageddon, Lord Rosebery on, 339 + +Armageddon, or Mt. Megiddo, Carmack, on 344 + +Armageddon, prelude to, 343 + +Armageddon, sequel of, 347, 348 + +Arming of the nations, 106, 107 + +Arrian, on Alexander's greatness, 44 + +Artaxerxes, date of decree to rebuild Jerusalem, 223 + +Artaxerxes, date of reign of, 225-227 + +"Astronomy," Chambers, on falling stars, 101 + +Atonement, antitypical day of, 237, 240, 241 + +Avebury, Lord, on war, 112 + + +Babylon, description of, by Apollonius, 33, 34 + +Babylon, desolation of, 31-35 + +Babylon, desolation of, Layard on, 35 + +Babylon, "Encyclopedia of Islam" on, 35 + +Babylon in prophecy and history, 119, 120 + +Babylon, prophecy concerning, 39-41 + +Babylon, prophecy of, confirmed by history, 41-43 + +Babylon, Strabo on, 34 + +Bacon, Francis, on increase of knowledge, 306, 307 + +Ball, Sir Robert, on falling stars, 100 + +Bampfield, died in prison for Sabbath keeping, 179 + +Baptism, conditions necessary to, 199, 200 + +Baptism for believers, 200 + +Baptism, form of, 200-203 + +Baptism, manner of, Dean Stanley on, 202 + +Baptism, manner of, Neander on, 201 + +Baptism, manner of, Pullus on, 202 + +"Baptism," meaning of word, Calvin on, 201 + +"Baptism," meaning of word, Luther on, 201 + +Baptism, memorial of resurrection, 199-203 + +Baptism of infants, Dean Stanley on, 202 + +Baptism of Jesus, time of, 230, 231 + +Baptists, Sabbatarian, 179 + +Baptists, Seventh Day, in America, 179, 180 + +Barnes, Dr. Albert, on division of Grecia, 122 + +Bates, as a Sabbath keeper, 244 + +Baudrillart, on papal persecution, 151 + +Beast, the fourth, of Daniel 7, 126-129 + +Beasts, empires represented by, 118 + +Belisarius, Arian powers uprooted by, 134 + +Bellarmine, on great words of little horn, 147 + +Bemont and Monod, "Medieval Europe", 137 + +Bengelius, on judgment-hour warning, 249 + +Berosus, on exploits of Nebuchadnezzar, 120 + +Berthier enters Rome, Rickaby on, 141 + +Besant, Mrs. Annie, on spiritualism of the East, 273 + +Bible, agency in the new birth, 15, 17 + +Bible and tradition, 251, 252 + +Bible, Christ the central theme of, 23 + +Bible, Dr. Harris on, 20, 21 + +Bible, Erasmus on, 21 + +Bible for all mankind, 21 + +Bible, given to the world, Faber on, 308 + +Bible, God its author, 14 + +Bible, language of, Van Dyke on, 21, 22 + +Bible, our safety and defense, 18 + +Bible societies, organization of, 308 + +Bible, source of all doctrine, 20 + +Bible, speaks to our day, 13 + +Bible, Spurgeon on authorship of, 14 + +Bible, Spurgeon's experience with, 14 + +Bible, the book that talks, 13 + +Bible, the bread of life, 18 + +Bible, the Christian's shield, 18 + +Bible, the living word, 15 + +Bible, the word that creates, 15 + +Bible, the word that works within, 17 + +Biddolf, on lessons from Lisbon earthquake, 82 + +Bishop of Rome as head of church, Justinian on, 133 + +Blunt, on doom of Turks, 333 + +Bogue, on persecution for Sabbath keeping, 178, 179 + +Bonar's hymn, on state of dead, 282 + +Bower, on Sabbath observance, 174 + +Bread of life, Bible as the, 18 + +Brerewood, on Sabbath in first centuries, 173 + +Britten, Mrs. Emma, on Spiritualism, 269 + +Brock, on extent of the advent movement, 241 + +Bruce, on desolation of Tyre, 31 + +Bury, on achievements of Justinian, 132 + + +Calamy, on Bampfield as a Sabbatarian, 179 + +Calvin, on meaning of word "baptism", 201 + +Canon, Ptolemy's, Lindsay on, 225 + +Carmack, on Armageddon, or Mt. Megiddo, 344 + +Chambers, Dr., on Sabbath in England, 177 + +Chambers, on falling stars, 101 + +Change of Sabbath, 153-167 + +Charles I, on Sabbath observance, 177 + +China open to the gospel, 309 + +Christ and Satan, controversy between, 257-263 + +Christ, central theme of Bible, 23 + +Christ, closing work of, in heaven, 216 + +Christ, death of, 231 + +Christ, glorious appearing of, 59 + +Christ, lost dominion redeemed by, 363 + +Christ, second coming of, 51-63, 352 + +Christ, the restorer, 362 + +Christian work of Countess of Huntingdon, 63 + +Christs, false, 74 + +"Church Missionary Review," on war a sign of end, 343 + +Clarke, Dr. Adam, on "living soul", 283 + +Cleansing of the sanctuary, 211, 213-217 + +Clerke, on glory of falling stars, 101, 102 + +Clerke, on star shower of 1833, 94, 95 + +Coming of Christ at the door, 115 + +Coming of Christ, beginning of signs of, 75-77 + +Coming of Christ, love of pleasure a sign of, 109 + +Coming of Christ, manner of, 53-55 + +Coming of Christ, political unrest a sign of, 106 + +Coming of Christ, prelude to, 59 + +Coming of Christ, promise of, 52 + +Coming of Christ, purpose of, 56, 57 + +Coming of Christ, signs of, 74, 75 + +Coming of Christ, signs of, in industrial world, 110 + +Coming of Christ, signs of, in Matthew 24, 65, 66, 112, 113 + +Coming of Christ, signs of, in the social world, 109 + +Coming of Christ, signs of, upon the earth, 105 + +Coming of Christ, the Saviour's prophecy of, 65-77 + +Coming of Christ, to be as in days of Noah, 109 + +Coming of Christ, world evangelization a sign of, 112 + +Commandments, the ten, 182 + +Comte, M., on passion for pleasure, 10 + +Connecticut Legislature, Dark Day in, 90 + +Conroy, on temporal sovereignty of popes, 129 + +Constantine, Sunday law of, 16 + +"Contemporary Review," on Armageddon, 339 + +"Contemporary Review," on awakening of East, 344 + +Controversy between Christ and Satan, 257 + +Controversy, earth the battle-ground of, 259 + +Conybeare and Howson, on the Sabbath, 165 + +Cottrell, R.F., poem by, 171 + +Countess of Huntingdon, Christian work of, 63 + +Covenant, confirming of the, 231 + +Creative power of the Word, 15 + +Croly, on Justinian as founder of papal supremacy, 133 + +Cuneiform writing, 312 + +Cyrus, conquests of, Rawlinson on, 121 + +Cyrus, Xenophon on, 206 + +Dale, on non-sacredness of Sunday, 166 + +Daniel, book of, unsealed, 304 + +Daniel 2, prophecy of, 39-49 + +Daniel 7, prophecy of, 117-129 + +Daniel 8, prophecy of, 205-211 + +Daniel, prophecy of 1260 years, 131, 132 + +Daniel, vision of great beasts, 118 + +Dark Day, Boston "Gazette" on, 88 + +Dark Day, cause of unknown, 87 + +Dark Day, contemporary records of, 88, 89 + +Dark Day, Dr. Samuel Stearns on, 89, 90 + +Dark Day, effect on Connecticut Legislature, 90 + +Dark Day, "Independent Chronicle" on, 88, 89 + +Dark Day in New England, Williams on, 86 + +Dark Day, prophecy of, fulfilled, 85 + +Dark Day, Timothy Dwight on, 90 + +Dark Day, Webster on, 87 + +Dark Day, Whittier on, 86, 87, 90, 91 + +Darkening of the sun, 85 + +Dead, not agencies of Spiritualism, 271 + +Dead, sleep of, 280-282 + +Dead, righteous, raised to life, 60 + +Death, man's state in, 275, 280-282 + +Delaire, Mme. Jean, on Theosophy and Spiritualism, 272, 273 + +Desolation of Babylon, 31 + +Destruction of the wicked, 61, 353 + +"Dictionary of Christian Antiquities," on Change of Sabbath, 166 + +Discontent, F.T. Martin on growth of, 112 + +Doctrinal Catechism, on change of Sabbath, 156 + +Doctrinal Catechism, on power of church, 252 + +Doctrine, Bible the source of, 20 + +Dominion, bring back the lost, 363 + +Dream of Nebuchadnezzar, 39, 40 + +Dwight, on Dark Day, 90 + + +Earth, cleansed and renewed, 364-367 + +Earth, purified, 359 + +East, awakening of, 344 + +East, "Nineteenth Century and After," on new spirit in, 344 + +Eastern Question, Jerusalem heart of, Finn on, 346 + +Eastern Question, Maspero on, 322 + +Eastern Question, relation to end of world, 334 + +Eastern Question, the, 321-335 + +Eighteen forty-four, Advent movement in, 240-244 + +Elliott, on great words of little horn, 147 + +Elven, Cornelius, poem by, 335 + +Empires, four great universal, 117-129 + +Encyclopedia Britannica, on Palestine as battle field, 325, 326 + +Encyclopedia of Islam, on Babylon, 35 + +End of the wicked, 287-293 + +End, time of the, 303-317 + +Erasmus, on the Bible, 21 + +Eternal fire, 292, 293 + +Euphrates dried up, 332 + +Europe, kingdoms of modern, 46-48 + +Everlasting fire, 292 + +Everlasting punishment, 289-293 + +"Everybody's Magazine," on Armageddon, 339 + +Evil, origin of, 257-263 + +Executive judgment, 261-263 + + +Faber, G.S., on Bible given to the world, 308 + +Faith, justification by, 191-197 + +Falling stars, 93 + +Falling stars, sign to world, 99 + +False Christs, 74 + +Farrar, on prophecy fulfilled, 35, 36 + +Ferraris, on titles assumed by Pope, 149 + +Fig tree, parable of, 115 + +Finlay, on beginning of history of Middle Ages, 134, 135 + +Finlay, on rapid changes in sixth century, 132 + +Fire, everlasting, 292, 293 + +Fire, lake of, 290 + +Fire, unquenchable, 292, 293 + +First angel's message, 239 + +First day rest, 164-166 + +Firth, on fall of Ottoman power, 343 + +Flammarion, on density of star shower, 95 + +"Forever and ever," meaning of, 291, 292 + +"Fortnightly Review," on Turkey's position, 333, 334 + +Fox family, origin of modern Spiritualism, 269 + +France, decree of, to abolish religion, 140 + +French Revolution, Lamartine on, 140 + +French Revolution, significant events of, 140 + + +"Gazette and Country Journal" on dark day, 88 + +Gehenna, a valley near Jerusalem, 293 + +Gentiles, gospel carried to, 234, 235 + +Gibbon, on power of Rome, 46 + +Gibbon, on Roman Empire, 209 + +Gibbon, on site of Nineveh, 29 + +Gibbon, on struggle for Italy, 134 + +God's challenge to false religious systems, 25 + +Goldastus, on Sabbath keepers in Alpine valleys, 175 + +Gospel, agencies for work of, 311 + +Gospel, China, opened to the, 309 + +Gospel, doors open to, in all world, 309 + +Gospel for our day, the, 247, 248 + +Gospel message, solemn warning in, 248, 249 + +Gospel, open doors for, Dr. Pierson on, 310 + +Gospel, printing press an agency of, 318 + +Gospel, telegraph used in carrying, 318 + +Gospel, the everlasting, 248 + +Gospel to the Gentiles, 234, 235 + +Goths, defeat of, 134 + +Great controversy, earth the battle ground of, 259 + +Grecia, Alexander first king of, 207 + +Grecia, conquests of, under Alexander, 121, 122 + +Grecia, division of, Dr. Albert Barnes on, 122 + +Grecia, prophecy and history of, 206, 207, 121, 324 + +Grecia, prophecy concerning, in Daniel, 244 + +Greece, division of, 208 + +Greeley, Spiritualism tested by, 269 + +Grey, Sir Edward, on Satanic agencies, 342 + +Guardian angels, 300 + +Gutenberg's first types, 314 + + +Hales, on authenticity of Ptolemy's canon, 225 + +Harris, on the Bible, 20-21 + +Hastings, on Valley of Hinnom, 293 + +"Hearst's Magazine," on growth of discontent, 112 + +Heresies, papal order against, 150 + +Herodotus, on doctrine of immortality, 291 + +Herodotus, on Pythius, the Lydian, 323 + +Hieroglyphics, the "Ox Song", 312 + +Hinnom, Valley of, 293 + +Hippolytus, on power of Rome, 46 + +Hippolytus, on prophecy of Rome fulfilled, 126 + +Hiscox, on change of Sabbath, 166, 167 + +Hiscox, on Sunday mark of paganism, 170 + +History, prophecy confirmed by, 35-37 + +Hobbs, Professor, on Lisbon earthquake, 79 + +Holtzman, on Bible and tradition, 252 + +Home of the saved, 361-370 + +Horace, ode on Rome, 47 + +Horace, on might of Rome, 208 + +Hughes, on Jerusalem's part in closing history, 328 + +Huguenots, persecution of, Kurtz on, 76 + +Humboldt, on other displays of falling stars, 99 + +Humphreys, on appearance of falling stars, 96 + +Hutton, on abolition of religion in France, 140 + +Hymn on state of dead, by Horatius Bonar, 282 + + +Image of Daniel 2, 118 + +Image to the Papacy, 251 + +Immortality, doctrine of, 291 + +Immortality, doctrine of, Herodotus on, 291 + +Immortality, God only has, 282 + +Immortality of the soul, 275-285 + +Immortality, the gift of God, 275, 282 + +Immortality, when bestowed, 279 + +Increase of knowledge, 306-317 + +"Independent Chronicle," on Dark Day, 88, 89 + +Infant baptism, Dean Stanley on, 202 + +Ising, visit of, to site of Nebuchadnezzar's palace, 35 + +Italy, struggle for, Gibbon on, 134 + + +Jerusalem, Artaxerxes' decree to rebuild, 223-225 + +Jerusalem, date of decree to restore, 223 + +Jerusalem, destruction of temple at, 70 + +Jerusalem, headquarters of king of the North, 328 + +Jerusalem, heart of Eastern Question, Finn on, 346 + +Jerusalem, last days of, 66 + +Jerusalem, last gathering place, Mukaddasi on, 328 + +Jerusalem, Moslems turn toward, 330 + +Jerusalem, part of, in closing history, Hughes on, 328 + +Jerusalem, signs of approaching doom of, 67-69 + +Jessup on falling stars, 100 + +Jesus, the restorer, 362 + +Jesus, time of baptism of, 230 + +Jews, fanaticism of, Ridpath on, 67 + +Joseph, prophecy fulfilled to, 26 + +Josephus, on destruction of temple, 70 + +Judgment, Christ's work in sanctuary, 216, 217 + +Judgment hour, many witnesses proclaim, 240, 241 + +Judgment-hour message, 247-255 + +Judgment-hour message, a call to loyalty, 249 + +Judgment-hour message, John Wesley on, 249 + +Judgment-hour warning, Bengelius on, 249 + +Judgment, law of God the standard in, 189 + +Judgment, message of, in 1844, 239 + +Judgment, the hour of God's, 237 + +Judgment, time of the investigative, 235-237 + +Judgment upon Satan, 261-263 + +Jurieu, on fall of the Papacy, 140, 141 + +Justification and righteousness, 195 + +Justification by faith, 191 + +Justification not by works, 192 + +Justification, what it is, 196, 197 + +Justinian, achievements of, Bury on, 132 + +Justinian as source of papal power, Croly on, 133 + +Justinian, decree of, in A.D. 533, 133 + +Justin, on Alexander, 207 + + +Keyser, on Sabbath keeping in Norway, 175 + +Killen, on change of Sabbath, 169 + +Kingdom of God, when to be set up, 48 + +Kingdoms of modern Europe, 46 + +King of the North, the modern, 326 + +King of the North, removal of, to Jerusalem, 328 + +Kings of the North and South, 325 + +Knowledge, increase of, 306 + +Knowledge, increase of, Francis Bacon on, 306, 307 + +Knowledge, increase of, Lorimer on, 307 + +Kurtz, on persecution of Huguenots, 76 + + +Lake of fire, the, 290 + +Lamartine, on French Revolution, 140 + +Langley, on falling stars, 101 + +Lang, on Sabbath in Scotland, 174 + +Laodicea, Council of, on Sabbath keeping, 173, 174 + +Lawgiver, only one, 188 + +Law of God changed by Papacy, Melanchthon on, 154 + +Law of God, character of, 183 + +Law of God, existed from the beginning, 184, 185 + +Law of God, given anew at Sinai, 186 + +Law of God, given with his own voice, 187 + +Law of God, office of, 183, 184 + +Law of God, relation of, to justification, 191, 193 + +Law of God, standard in the judgment, 189 + +Law of God, standard of righteousness, 188 + +Law of God, the, 182-189 + +Law of God unchangeable, 153 + +Layard, on the desolation of Babylon, 35 + +Lazarus, parable of rich man and, 284, 285 + +Lecky, on papal persecution, 150 + +Leo XIII, encyclical letter of, 149 + +Leonard, Dr., on missionary activity, 307 + +"Library of Christian Doctrine," on change of Sabbath, 154, 155 + +Life only in Christ, 275-285 + +Lindsay, on Ptolemy's Canon, 225 + +Lisbon earthquake, extent of, 81 + +Lisbon earthquake, James Parton on, 80 + +Lisbon earthquake, lessons from, John Biddolf on, 82 + +Lisbon earthquake, Professor Hobbs on, 79 + +Lisbon earthquake recognized as a sign, 82 + +Lisbon earthquake, Voltaire on, 80 + +Lisbon earthquake, world set to thinking by, 80 + +Little horn, 208 + +Little horn and fourth kingdom, 126, 127 + +Little horn, great words of, Bellarmine on, 147 + +Little horn, great words of, Elliott on, 147 + +Little horn in prophecy and history, 127 + +Little horn, period of supremacy of, 145 + +Little horn, time of rise of, 145 + +Little horn, work of, 145-147 + +Lorimer, on increase of knowledge, 307 + +Lucan, on Alexander, 45 + +Lucan, on greatness of Rome, 209 + +Lucifer, the light-bearer, 258 + +Luther, on meaning of word "baptism", 201 + +Luther, on use of printing art, 318 + + +MacFarlane, on approaching end of Turks, 333 + +Mahaffy, on kingdoms of north and south, 325 + +Man, nature of, and state in death, 275-285 + +Manner of Christ's coming, 53 + +Manning, Cardinal, on power of Rome, 125 + +Mark, or sign, of papal authority, 251-253 + +Mark, or sign, use of, Potter on, 250 + +Martin, on growth of discontent, 112 + +Maspero, on Eastern Question, 322 + +Matthew 24, prophecy of, 65-77 + +Mears, Dr., on conditions after Christ, 67 + +"Medieval Europe," Bemont and Monod, 137 + +Medo-Persia, AEschylus on, 121 + +Medo-Persia in prophecy and history, 120, 121, 206 + +Medo-Persia, prophecy of, Daniel 2, 43, 44 + +Megiddo, or Armageddon, Carmack on, 344 + +Melanchthon, on change of law by Papacy, 154 + +Message of the judgment hour, 247-255 + +Messengers of deliverance, angels as, 300 + +Messiah, covenant confirmed by, 231-235 + +Messiah, time of baptism of, 230 + +Michael, standing up of, 327 + +Middle Ages, beginning of history of, Finlay on, 134, 135 + +Millennium, beginning of, 351, 352 + +Millennium, diagram of, 350 + +Millennium, events at beginning of, 352 + +Millennium, events at end of, 356 + +Millennium, events in heaven during, 354 + +Millennium, events on earth during, 355 + +Millennium, the, 351-359 + +Milner, on falling stars, 94 + +Milton, on Sabbath observance, 177, 178 + +Missionary activity, Dr. Leonard on, 307 + +Missionary developments of century, 113 + +Missionary movement, a sign of Christ's coming, 112 + +Missionary movement, increased activity of, 113 + +Missions, open doors for, 309 + +Missions, Pierson on open doors for, 310 + +Monarchies, the four universal, 118 + +Monod, Bemont and, "Medieval Europe", 137 + +Mortal, the natural state of man, 276 + +Mortality, universal, 277 + +Moslems, Jerusalem as capital for, 330 + +Motley, on persecution in Netherlands, 150 + +Mukaddasi, on Jerusalem as last gathering place of nations, 328 + +Myers, on history of Greece, 208 + + +Nations, anger of, 107 + +Neander, on first-day collections, 166 + +Neander, on manner of baptism, 201 + +Nebuchadnezzar, dream of, 39-41 + +Nebuchadnezzar, exploits of, Berosus on, 120 + +Nebuchadnezzar, palace of, Ising on, 35 + +Nebuchadnezzar, stone records of, 43 + +Necromancy, divine warnings against, 267 + +Netherlands, persecution in, Motley on, 150 + +New birth, Bible an agency of, 15 + +Newcomb, on falling stars, 95 + +New earth, the, 364-370 + +New Jerusalem, descent of, 356 + +New Jerusalem, the, 364-367 + +Newman, Cardinal, on rites borrowed from paganism, 169 + +Newton, Sir Isaac, on prophetic study, 304, 305 + +"Nineteenth Century and After," on new spirit in East, 344 + +"Nineteenth Century and After," on preparation for war, 339, 341 + +Nineveh, Rawlinson on, 27 + +Nineveh, site of, Gibbon on, 29 + +Nineveh, the witness of, 27 + + +Olmsted, on brilliancy of falling stars, 97 + +Olmsted, on shooting stars, 95 + +Origin of evil, 257-263 + +Ottoman empire, 326 + +Ottoman power, fall of, Firth on, 343 + +Our day, gospel for, 247 + + +Paganism, rites borrowed from, Cardinal Newman on 169 + +Palestine as battle field, Encyclopedia Britannica on, 325, 326 + +Palestine as great center, "Fortnightly Review" on, 345 + +Palestine, as political storm center, 345 + +Palestine, as religious storm center, "Spectator" on, 345 + +Papacy, a persecuting power, 137 + +Papacy, change of times and laws by, 153 + +Papacy, claims of, 155, 156 + +Papacy, counterpart of little horn, 145, 147 + +Papacy, end of supremacy of, 139 + +Papacy, extinction of, Canon Trevor on, 141, 142 + +Papacy, fall of, Jurieu on, 140, 141 + +Papacy, France strikes against, 140 + +Papacy, great words of, Elliott on, 147 + +Papacy, image to the, 251 + +Papacy, law changed by, Melanchthon on, 154 + +Papacy, orders of, to destroy heresy, 150 + +Papacy, persecution by, Lecky on, 150 + +Papacy plucked up Arian kingdoms, 129 + +Papacy, power of, Leo XIII on, 149 + +Papacy shall wear out saints, 149 + +Papacy, sign of authority of, 156 + +Papacy, supremacy of, 129 + +Papacy, supremacy of acknowledged, 132, 133 + +Papacy, time of its supremacy, 131, 132 + +Papal authority, mark of, 251 + +Papal claims in encyclical letter of Leo XIII, 149 + +Papal persecution, Baudrillart on, 151 + +Papal persecution, Lecky on, 150 + +Papal persecutions, "Western Watchman" on, 151 + +Papal power, Sunday the mark of, 252 + +Papal power, work of the, 250 + +Papal supremacy, beginning of, 132 + +Papal supremacy, end of, 139 + +Papal supremacy officially recognized, 133 + +Parable of the fig tree, 115 + +Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, 284, 285 + +Parable of the ten virgins, 348, 349 + +Parton, on Lisbon earthquake, 80 + +Peace and safety, 107 + +Peace prophecies, 338 + +Persecution after Christ's death, 235 + +Persecution for Sabbath observance, 178 + +Persecution in Netherlands, Motley on, 150 + +Persecution in time of the end 73 + +Persecution, papal, Baudrillart, on 151 + +Persecution, papal, Lecky on 150 + +Persecution, signs of end follow, 73-75 + +Persecution under Papacy, 149-153 + +Persecutions, papal, "Western Watchman" on, 151 + +Persia, rise and fall of, 322-324 + +Phalerius, king urged by, to secure Jewish sacred books, 187, 188 + +Pierson, Dr., on open doors for gospel, 310 + +"Plain Talks," on Sunday observance, 251 + +Pleasure, passion for, M. Comte on, 109 + +Pleasure, passion for, sign of Christ's coming, 109 + +Plutarch, on Alexander, 45 + +Plutarch, on Alexander's conquests, 121, 122 + +Political unrest, 106, 107 + +Polybius, on dominion of Rome, 208 + +Pope Gregory, on Sabbath observance, 174 + +Pope Innocent II, orders of, to destroy heresies, 150 + +Pope Leo XIII, encyclical letter of, 149 + +Pope Leo XIII, on power of Papacy, 149 + +Pope taken prisoner, Joseph Rickaby on, 141 + +Pope, titles assumed by, Ferraris on, 149 + +Pope Vigilius, date of reign of, Schaff on, 137 + +Popes, a new order of, 135 + +Popes declared saints, 137 + +Popes no longer declared saints, 137 + +Popes, temporal power of, Conroy on, 129 + +Potter, on use of a mark, or sign, 250 + +Present-day conditions, meaning of, 105-115 + +Press, the Mighty (poem), 317 + +Pride, cause of Satan's fall, 258 + +Prince of Tyre, 258 + +Printing, Gutenberg's first types, 314 + +Printing, Luther on art of, 318 + +Printing press, a gospel agency, 318 + +Printing press, illustrations of, 315, 316 + +Printing press, the mighty, 317 + +Prophecies of Christ's coming, 52 + +Prophecy, Armageddon foretold in, 346, 347 + +Prophecy concerning Babylon, 31-33, 40 + +Prophecy fulfilled, Farrar on, 36 + +Prophecy fulfilled to Joseph, 26 + +Prophecy fulfilling, Marquis of Salisbury on, 338 + +Prophecy of Daniel 7, 117-129 + +Prophecy of Daniel 8, 205-211 + +Prophecy of Daniel unsealed, 304 + +Prophecy, of increase of knowledge, 306 + +Prophecy of Matthew 24, 65-77 + +Prophecy of the judgment, Revelation 14, 239 + +Prophecy of Tyre, 30, 31 + +Prophecy of 2300 years fulfilled, 229-237 + +Prophecy, study of, John Adolphus on, 305 + +Prophecy, the sure word of, 25 + +Prophecy, witness of the centuries to, 25-37 + +Prophetic outline of world's history, 39-49 + +Prophetic period, a great, 219-227 + +Prophetic study, Sir Isaac Newton on, 304, 305 + +Prophetic word, testimony of history to, 35-37 + +Protestants, persecution of, the "Western Watchman" on, 151 + +Ptolemy's canon, authenticity of, Hales on, 225 + +Ptolemy's canon, Lindsay on, 225 + +Pullus, on manner of baptism, 202 + +Punishment, everlasting, 289, 292 + +Purification of the earth, 359 + +Pythius, the Lydian, Herodotus on, 323 + + +Railroads, construction of, Wallace on, 313 + +Rawlinson, on Alexander's dominion, 324, 325 + +Rawlinson, on Cyrus's conquests, 121 + +Rawlinson, on division of Alexander's kingdom, 122 + +Rawlinson, on Nineveh, 27 + +Reformation a progressive work, 255 + +Religion, abolition of, by French, Hutton on, 140 + +Resurrection, baptism the memorial of, 199 + +Resurrection of the just, 59, 61, 352 + +Resurrection of the wicked, 62 + +Resurrection, the second, Satan freed at, 262 + +Resurrections, the two, 288, 289 + +Rich man and Lazarus, parable of, 284, 285 + +Rickaby, on Berthier entering Rome, 141 + +Ridpath, on fanaticism of Jews, 67 + +Righteousness and justification, 195-197 + +Righteousness, God's law the standard of, 188 + +Righteousness, the gift of Christ, 193, 194 + +Righteous taken to heaven, 353 + +Righteous, translation of living, 59-61 + +Righteous, with Christ a thousand years, 62 + +Roman Empire divided, 47, 127 + +Roman Empire, Gibbon on, 209 + +Roman Papacy, rise of, to supremacy, 129 + +Romans, power of, Strabo on, 46 + +Rome, Alexander's plans for conquest of, Plutarch on, 44 + +Rome, Bishop of, head of church, 133 + +Rome divided, 48 + +Rome, dominion of, Polybius on, 208 + +Rome, greatness of, Lucan on, 209 + +Rome, in prophecy and history, 123-125, 208 + +Rome, might of, Horace on, 208 + +Rome, ode of Horace on, 47 + +Rome, power of, Cardinal Manning on, 125 + +Rome, power of, Gibbon on, 46 + +Rome, power of, Hippolytus on, 46 + +Rome, prophecy of, in Daniel 2, 45, 46 + +Rome, prophecy of, fulfilled, 125 + +Rome, prophecy of, fulfilled, Hippolytus on, 126 + +Rome, rise of, in West, 44 + +Rosebery, Lord, on Armageddon, 339 + +Rosse, astronomical observations by, 100 + +"Run to and fro," Wright on meaning of, 311 + + +Sabbatarian Baptists, 179 + +Sabbath, and the first day, 164-166 + +Sabbath, at time of exodus, 160 + +Sabbath, change of, "Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine" on, 156 + +Sabbath, change of, "Dictionary of Christian Antiquities" on, 166 + +Sabbath, change of, Hiscox on, 166, 167 + +Sabbath, change of, "Library of Christian Doctrine" on, 154, 155 + +Sabbath, Conybeare and Howson on, 165 + +Sabbath, example and teaching of Jesus regarding, 162 + +Sabbath, given at Sinai, 161 + +Sabbath, how changed, 167 + +Sabbath in Alpine valleys, Goldastus on, 175 + +Sabbath in England, Stennet on, 179 + +Sabbath in Europe, Dr. Chambers on, 177 + +Sabbath, in time of disciples, 163 + +Sabbath keepers in Norway, Keyser on, 175 + +Sabbath keepers in Scotland, Lang on, 174 + +Sabbath keepers in Scotland, Skene on, 175 + +Sabbath keeping, action of Council of Laodicea on, 173, 174 + +Sabbath keeping after New Testament times, 173-181 + +Sabbath keeping among Moravians, 180 + +Sabbath keeping, Bampfield died for, 179 + +Sabbath keeping, persecution for, Bogue on, 178, 179 + +Sabbath keeping, Roger Williams on, 180 + +Sabbath, Killen on change of, 169 + +Sabbath observance, Bower on, 174 + +Sabbath observance, Brerewood on, 173 + +Sabbath observance, Charles I on, 177 + +Sabbath observance, John Milton on, 177, 178 + +Sabbath observance, Pope Gregory on, 174 + +Sabbath observance, Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History on, 174 + +Sabbath, persecution for keeping, 178 + +Sabbath, seventh-day, record of, 160-164 + +Sabbath, the sign of God's authority,253 + +Sabbath, the Bible,159-170 + +Sabbath, through Israel's history, 162 + +Saints, eternal home of, 361, 367 + +Saints, Papacy to wear out, 149 + +Saints, time of resurrection of, 352 + +Salisbury, Lord, on policy of helping Turkey, 331 + +Salisbury, Marquis of, on preparation for war, 342 + +Salisbury, Marquis of, on prophecy fulfilling, 338 + +Sanctuary, Christ's ministry in, 216 + +Sanctuary, cleansing of, 211, 213-217 + +Santee, L.D., poem by, 103 + +Satan, binding of, 353 + +Satan, cause of fall of, 258 + +Satan, end of reign of, 262 + +Satan, judgment upon, 261-263 + +Satan, the loosing of, 356 + +Satanic agencies at work, 341-343 + +Satanic agencies, Sir Edward Grey on, 342 + +Saved, home of the, 361-370 + +Schaff, on date of Tiberius's reign, 230 + +Schaff, on Vigilius made Pope, 135 + +Second coming of Christ, 51-63 + +Second coming of Christ, see Coming of Christ. + +Segur, on observance of Sunday by Protestants, 251 + +Seventh-day Adventists, origin of, 243, 244 + +Seventh-day Baptists in America, 179, 180 + +Seventh-day Sabbath, Bible record of, 160-164 + +Seventy weeks, events of, 229 + +Seventy weeks, starting point of, 221, 222 + +Signs in the heavens, 74 + +Signs of Christ's coming, 74-77 + +Signs of Christ's coming, given in Matthew 24, 65, 66 + +Signs of Christ's coming, in industrial world, 110 + +Signs of Christ's coming, in social world, 109 + +Signs of the end, 65 + +Signs of the end, signal to watch, 102 + +Signs of the last days, 73, 74 + +Signs upon the earth, 74, 105 + +Sinai, law of God given anew at, 186 + +Sinai, Sabbath given at, 161 + +Sin, the end of, 358 + +Sin, the origin of, 257 + +Sin, the wages of, 289 + +Skene, on Sabbath in Scotland, 175 + +Sleep of the dead, 280-282 + +Sophocles, on universal mortality, 277, 278 + +"Soul" and "spirit," Scriptural use of, 283 + +Soul, immortality of, 275 + +Soul, living, Dr. Clarke on, 283 + +Soul, the "living," comments on, 283 + +Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History, on Sabbath observance, 174 + +Spangenberg, on Sabbath-keeping Moravians, 180 + +"Spirit" and "soul," Scriptural use of, 283 + +Spirit, death declared to have no power over, 269 + +Spirits, angels as ministering, 295 + +Spiritualism, ancient and modern, 265-273 + +Spiritualism and theosophy, Mme. Jean Delaire on, 272, 273 + +Spiritualism, first declaration of, 265-267 + +Spiritualism, modern, originated in Fox family, 269 + +Spiritualism, modern, Prof. Wallace on, 265, 268 + +Spiritualism of East, taught by Mrs. Besant, 273 + +Spiritualism, progress of, Mrs. Underhill on, 269 + +Spiritualism, satanic agencies of, 271 + +Spiritualism tested by Greeley, 269 + +Spiritualism, the climax of deception, 272 + +Spiritualism, the dead not agencies of, 271 + +Spiritualism, warnings against, 267 + +Spurgeon, on authorship of Bible, 14 + +Spurgeon's experience with Bible, 14 + +Stanley, Dean, on baptism of infants, 202 + +Stanley, Dean, on collection on first day, 166 + +Stanley, Dean, on manner of baptism, 202 + +Stanley, Dean, on Sunday, day of the sun, 170 + +Star shower, density of, Flammarion on, 95 + +Stars, falling, a sign to the world, 99 + +Stars, falling, brilliancy of, Olmsted on, 97 + +Stars, falling, Chambers's Astronomy on, 101 + +Stars, falling, described by Jessup, 100 + +Stars, falling, glory of, Clerke on, 101, 102 + +Stars, falling, Humphreys on, 96 + +Stars, falling, impression made by, Milner on, 99 + +Stars, falling, "Journal of Commerce" on, 97 + +Stars, falling, nature of, Twining on, 96 + +Stars, falling, other displays of, Humboldt on, 99, 100 + +Stars, falling, Professor Langley on, 101 + +Stars, falling, Sir Robert Ball on, 100 + +Stars, falling, Thomas Milner on, 94 + +Stars, shooting, Olmsted on, 95 + +Stars, the falling, 93-102 + +Stearns, Dr. Samuel, on dark day, 89, 90 + +Stennet, on Sabbath in England, 179 + +Stephen, stoning of, 234 + +Stoning of Stephen, 234 + +Strabo, on desolation of Babylon, 34 + +Strabo, on power of Romans, 46 + +Sun, darkening of, 85 + +Sunday, day of the sun, Dean Stanley on, 170 + +Sunday, Dean Stanley on collection on, 166 + +Sunday law, Constantine's, 169 + +Sunday law, Constantine's, Webster on, 169, 170 + +Sunday, mark of paganism, Hiscox on, 170 + +Sunday, mark of papal power, 252 + +Sunday, Neander on collection on, 166 + +Sunday, not sacred, Dale on, 166 + +Sunday observance by Protestants, Segur on, 251 + +Sunday observance, "Doctrinal Catechism" on, 252 + +Sunday previous to Constantine, 169 + +Sunday rest, not of God, 165 + +Sunday, sign of papal authority, 156 + + +Tabernacle, service of earthly, 214 + +Telegraph, first demonstrated, 314 + +Telegraph, used in carrying gospel, 318 + +Temple at Jerusalem, destruction of, as predicted, 70 + +Ten horns of beast, Daniel 7, 127 + +Ten kingdoms, Daniel 2, 46-48 + +Ten virgins, parable of, 348, 349 + +Testimony of history to fulfilment of prophecy, 36 + +Theosophy and Spiritualism, Mme. Delaire on, 272 + +Thief on the cross, the, 284 + +This Same Jesus, 54-56 + +Thomson, on Tyre's departed glory, 31 + +Thousand years, diagram of, 350 + +Thousand years, end of, 289 + +Thousand years, righteous with Christ, 62 + +Thwaites, Clara, "The Last Hour," poem, 114 + +Tiberius Caesar, time of reign of, 230, 231 + +Time of the end, 303-317 + +Times and laws, Papacy to think to change, 153 + +Tradition and the Bible, Council of Trent on, 252 + +Translation of the righteous, 59-61 + +Travel, revolution in, 313 + +Trent, Council of, on tradition and the Bible, 252 + +Trevor, Canon, on revolt against absolutism, 141 + +Tribulation, the period of, 73 + +Turkey, Lord Salisbury on helping of, 331 + +Turkey, position of, "Fortnightly Review" on, 333, 334 + +Turkish power, fall of, prelude to Armageddon, 348 + +Turks, doom of, Blunt on, 333 + +Turks, end of, near, MacFarlane on, 333 + +Twelve hundred and sixty years, 131-137 + +Twelve hundred and sixty years, end of, 139 + +Twenty-three hundred days, diagram of, 220 + +Twenty-three hundred years, ending of, 235 + +Twenty-three hundred years of Daniel 8, 219 + +Twenty-three hundred years, prophecy fulfilled, 229-237 + +Twining, on nature of falling stars, 96 + +Two resurrections, the, 288, 289 + +Tyre, desolation of, Bruce on, 31 + +Tyre, glory departed, Thomson on, 31 + +Tyre, prophecy concerning, 30, 31 + + +Underhill, Mrs. A.L., on progress of Spiritualism, 269 + +Universal empires, four great, 117 + +Unquenchable fire, 292, 293 + + +Valley of Hinnom, Hastings on, 293 + +Van Dyke, Dr. Henry, on language of Bible, 21, 22 + +Veil, rending of, 231 + +Vigilius, Pope, date of reign, Schaff on, 135, 137 + +Voltaire, on Lisbon earthquake, 80 + + +Wages of sin, 289 + +Wallace, Alfred Russel, on revolution in travel, 313 + +Wallace, Alfred Russel, on Spiritualism, 265, 268 + +War, god of, Lord Avebury on, 112 + +War, preparation for, Marquis of Salisbury on, 342 + +War, preparation for, "Nineteenth Century and After", 339-341 + +War, preparation for, Queen Alexandra on, 339 + +War, sign of end, "Church Missionary Review" on, 343 + +Webster, Noah, on dark day, 87 + +Webster, Prof. Hutton, on Constantine's Sunday law, 169, 170 + +Weeks, the seventy, starting point of, 221, 222 + +Wesley, John, on judgment-hour message, 249 + +"Western Watchman," on persecution of Protestants, 151 + +Whittier, on dark day, 86, 90 + +Wicked, before bar of God, 357 + +Wicked, destruction of, 61, 353 + +Wicked, end of, 287-293 + +Wicked, final destruction of, 356-359 + +Wicked, resurrection of, 62 + +Williams, on dark day in New England, 86 + +Williams, Roger, on Sabbath keeping, 180 + +Word, see Bible. + +Word that creates, the, 15 + +Wordsworth, on dawn of Reformation, 149 + +World-wide movement, a, 239-245 + +Wright, on meaning of "run to and fro", 311 + + +Xenophon, on Cyrus, 206 + +Xerxes' host, AEschylus on, 323 + + +Years, the 1260, of Daniel's prophecy, 131-137 + + +Zinzendorf, a Sabbath keeper, 180 + +Zinzendorf, Nikolaus, poem by, 227 + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Our Day, by W. 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