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less real. Both in the light of Scripture and of providence we see much, but we wait for the day of Judgment to reveal how many of the evils, calamities, and trials which have attended mankind, both collectively and individually, have been caused by their neglect and injurious treatment of the Lord's servants. In reference to some of the most calamitous events that ever fell on nations, and which will come before us in the consideration of the after parts of this book, this reason is expressly given: "They have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink."*

The language here used therefore is no hyperbole : the people of God have in all ages had the power ascribed to them, and they still possess it. Not indeed, be it remembered, by their own might or their own power, but by the Spirit of God-His spirit as speaking and breathing, through His own word. With this Divine Word, as with the sword of the Spirit,† may we all be armed for the dreadful conflict now so near at hand, and which calls for our next attention.

*Rev. xvi. 6.

+ Eph. vi. 17.

CHAPTER XII.

THE LAST GREAT PERSECUTION;

OR

A CONTINUATION OF THE CONCLUDING SCENES OF

THE SIXTH TRUMPET.

This event noticed by Daniel-Likewise in Rev. vii., as the great Tribulation-Here it is particularized—In the Time when it will commence; when the 1260 years are finishing-Its Instrumentality, the beast of the bottomless pit, or by infidels—Its actings developed in the French revolution—The reign of terror—Its present existence shown-Its war with the Lord's witnesses, or persecution of His church—Our strength to endure it from God -Its locality, or the place where it will happen-Considered to be England-Why compared to Sodom-to Egypt-to Jerusalem-The time it is to last, three years and a half—What is meant by the death of the witnesses-This time an incomplete period-To what the other half has a reference-The great rejoicing it will occasion, and the reason thereof.

238

CHAPTER XII.

THE LAST GREAT PERSECUTION.

I HAVE thought it right, with regard to the great and deeply interesting event of which the particulars are symbolically detailed in the above four verses, to make it the subject of a separate chapter. My chief reason for doing this, is, because it appears capable of the clearest demonstration, that it speaks of a tragedy near at hand; of a tragedy in which the people of the present generation will very shortly be either the dreadful actors or the unhappy victims, and, therefore, because it is to us so indescribably important.

It was hinted at in general terms, in considering the latter part of Daniel's "Great Vision,"* where it is intimated that at the "time of the end many shall be purified, and made white, and tried;" and that "the wicked shall do wickedly."+ It has likewise been pointed at in a very striking manner, in considering the seventh chapter of the Revelation

* See Diss. ch. xii. 327; xiv. 378.

† Dan. xii. 9, 10.

where it is called THE GREAT TRIBULATION, out of which the whole rescued church is said to have come from "all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues." In both these notices, brief as they are, there is enough to satisfy us that something of a very dreadful nature, regarding the peace and happiness of the church of Christ, will take place. To be purified, made white, and tried, and that through the wicked doings of the wicked; likewise to be rescued from a superlatively great tribulation, in which the servants of God shall have hungered and thirsted, and been grievously tormented-might prepare us to expect the worst that could happen. We have now, in the prophecy before us, very full particulars, even both as to the time when this persecution will commence; by what instrumentality; its duration; what will be its nature; its locality; its consequences; and its issue: in the study of which particulars we shall find that the worst will happen, and very soon happen; but that the best, the very best, will immediately follow.

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FIRST. The time it will commence is thus expressed: "And when they shall be finishing their testimony," that is, at the time when the 1260 years of the Lord's witnesses are concluding. In our translation the words are And when they shall have finished their testimony;" but the most eminent commentators, including the names of Mede, Whiston, Cressneer, Newton, Halifax, Woodhouse, Cuninghame, Bicheno, Gauntlett, Dr. Moore, and

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