chronology. In this respect the dates given by Daniel are comparatively dark and uncertain without the reflected light derived from St. John; and hence I conceive that our Saviour, speaking as man, would not have said, after these later prophecies were written, "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man; no, not even the angels, nor the Son, but only the Father which is in heaven." As a part of the revealed Word, I have felt myself, with other commentators, on safe and holy ground, in the endeavour to decipher this, the chronological part of prophecy. It is no where forbidden, but forms a component part of that which is distinctly and forcibly encouraged. I am far from wishing to attach an undue importance to it; but I have thought it right and justifiable honestly to give that interpretation of it, which appears to me to accord with the analogy of Scripture and history; and the issue I leave. At the same time, as I have before repeatedly observed, the force of events alone bring us to the same inevitable conclusions; for reject dates and chronology altogether, still the events to which chronology points as next to happen, must happen, and, as every consideration bespeaks, soon happen for they are the only ones that remain to be fulfilled; and in the minutest narratives, such as the vials and others, they are described as running very close. I say again, therefore, by rejecting the chronological prophecies we gain nothing. The sixth trumpet, as is evident to all, must soon cease; that is, the Ottoman empire must soon fall. The third woe, it is declared, will then come quickly. I say, therefore, if we reject dates, let us believe this; and believing this, there is but little in the whole of prophecy, both as detailed here and in the former work, that will not follow, and be likewise believed. What I have earnestly to request of the true members of the church of Christ is, of whatever name or denomination they belong, that they will attend to our Lord's own often repeated warning, and WATCH! If the views I have endeavoured to unfold be correct; then very soon must the Beast out of the bottomless pit, described in the eleventh of Revelation, appear. What latitude is to be given to the three prophetic days and an half, during which it is predicted it shall tyrannize over the church, I do not know. When our Lord said, that "as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth," (Matt. xii. 40) it appeared there was a latitude of expression to a part of three days. Three years and a half here, therefore, may possibly in like manner signify something above three years; however a little time will xli CATI INTRODUCTION. explain. Meanwhile, most earnestly would I again repeat our Lord's warning, WATCH! The signs of the last times, in the events now crowding around us, are plain, unequivocal, and distinct. When, therefore, the principles of infidelity, which now appear to be embodied in the new name of Chartism, shall, as "the beast out of the bottomless pit," put themselves in successful hostility against the religion of Jesus Christ-and it confessedly now requires an armed force to keep them down-then let the church bestir herself, and prepare for the coming of her Lord. For whenever this happens, when "the wicked begin to do wickedly," as Daniel expresses it, then all these things will quickly come to pass. Delay will be no longer. It will be as when, at the time of the Deluge, the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. I am anxious here to be understood; and for this purpose I beg to direct attention to the twelfth chapter of this work. I am anxious that on the breaking out of this power from the bottomless abyss, the church should then know where she is, and not be involved in the RAPIDS with which she will be surrounded. The time will then be arrivedand before this paper goes to the press it is possible * See Diss. xiv. that time may arrive-when the cry will be made, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh!" When that time arrives, I again repeat it, the coming of the Bridegroom will be nigh at hand. When the church therefore sees these things, let such as be wise, and have oil, trim their lamps; for yet and a little while, and the door will be shut yet a little while, and those that are thus ready shall hear a voice from heaven, saying unto them, "Come up hither," and they shall ascend up to heaven in a cloud. Men may scoff at such things-and scoff they will-but God hath said the words, and they shall come to pass! How many will then say, "Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he shall answer and say, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not!" We assuredly live in very solemn circumstances, and in circumstances from the weal or woe of which there is no escape; for the seventh angel will pour his vial" into the air;" that is, the contents of the vial will be UNIVERSAL in all its most disastrous consequences. Yet do we see that it is the duty and privilege of every child of God to contemplate and expect them with the same composed and happy frame of mind with which they are said to be contemplated and celebrated in heaven. For if these things are the theme of thankfulness, and praise, and glory, among the saints and happy spirits before the throne of God and the Lamb—as we here see they are they should be no less so the theme of animated devotion and holy joy to the Lord's people on earth! For surcharged and darkened as the atmosphere may at present be, it is theirs to look beyond it, to the righteous dealings of God therein-to their own everlasting safety in Christ their exalted head-to the dishonour done to his great name, being for ever effaced-to their own triumphant rescue-and to the new and glorious dispensation which will ere long arise on the world. We may well, therefore, all join with the Apostle in saying, "Come, Lord Jesus, O come quickly;" and with our own poet, when he says, "Haste then, and wheel away a shattered world, How pleasant in itself what pleases Him." COWPER. |