and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him: but let him ask in faith nothing wavering."* So, let us conclude that there is help at hand; and when God plainly tells us "Search the Scriptures :"+ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable. . . . . that the man of God may be perfect:" "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy:"§ "We have a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed:" we are not to shrink back, saying as it were, "Lord there are many parts of Scripture I am afraid to study, lest I may be led thereby to error:" but rather in a manner acceptable before the Lord, we are TO DO AS HE HAS BIDDEN, WITHOUT GAINSAYING, and avail ourselves with gratitude of the high privilege which in his word He offers us.

So far then for this objection also. And now, if no antagonist more powerful than these arise: (and I know of none more powerful), we may, I think beyond a doubt decide that it is our BOUNDEN duty, as those servants who await their Lord's return-to study UNFULFILLED PROPHECY.

It will not be right for me to quit the subject of this duty, without adding a few serious words as to the MANNER in which the study of unfulfilled prophecy should be conducted.

The students of prophecy are actuated by a diversity of motives :-Some study to obtain food for an imaginative fancy. None are more likely

*James i. 5, 6.

2 Timothy iii. 16, 17.

† John v. 39.

? Rev. i. 3.

than these to reap error; for the object of God's Word is not to feast the imagination, but to save, establish, and comfort the immortal soul. Others study for the enjoyment of sublime language and splendid imagery, of which the inspired prophecies are full. These also are unlikely to arrive at truth: for God did not give His Word to gratify the taste, but to edify the spirit.

But we need not enumerate farther;-except perhaps to note that there are also those who read and study meekly, prayerfully, and with a view to obtain instruction in those things which God has deemed it right to offer for the contemplation of His people; so that they may be in readiness when the great day of God approaches, and "be found worthy to escape those things which are coming upon the earth, and to stand before the Son of Man."* Such students have a blessing. They will be instructed by the Spirit: as it is written, "They shall all be taught of God:"t and they will not be allowed to fall materially into error. But again-It cannot but be noticed with regret that the attitude which is assumed by some of the more careful and sincere students of the prophecies is anything but seemly for poor erring mortals such as we are, when they deal with the deep mysteries of God. We find them making positive assertions as to things which are still veiled from human sight: advancing questionable theories, and adhering to them as if in all the world there were no men of judgment to be found, themselves excepted: dealing with prophetic symbols, dates, and parables, † John vi. 45.

Luke xxi. 36.

with a positiveness which savors not by any means of Christian humility. Now let us not act like them. But rather, while we never shrink from reading, hearing or studying any portion of God's Word, which He has given for our learning: while we use that word in all its parts; its histories, its psalms, its laws, its gospel, and its prophecies: while we observe prophetic images and symbols and parables and dates; let us not dare in any case which bears upon the future, to assert with positiveness that at such and such a time this incident or that shall come to pass unless indeed we have no room for doubt by reason of the plainness of expression God has used concerning it. Such plainness of expression with regard to the prophetic dates-however-no where— I believe-occurs; but rather-with regard to every incident yet future, it is clearly intimated that "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man. The time may come, and perhaps is near at hand already, when we shall be in a position to use the mysterious periods both of Daniel and the Apocalypse with greater certainty.† But for the present, although (as we shall see in the course of these chapters) they are of great utility to the waiting and watching Christian, yet we cannot with anything like certainty determine their respective limits.

Avoiding then all positive assertion as to those things still in mystery; let us use whatever God has put before us in those Holy Scriptures He has given for our learning, with all humility and reverence,

Matt. xxiv. 36. Mark xiii. 32, 33.

† Compare Daniel xii. 9, with Rev. xxii. 10.

keeping one great lesson ever on our mind-viz. "Let your loins be girt about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like men that wait for their Lord."*

It now remains that I lay before you a brief outline of the subjects which I purpose treating in these chapters.

I shall not of course profess to speak of every subject which may be supposed to come within the range of unfulfilled Prophecy. I shall confine myself to those predictions which relate distinctly to the second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ,-His Kingdom,and His people's glory; noting those points more especially which call upon the servants of the Lord to watch and pray.

The GENERAL ORDER of our subjects will be as follows:

1. THE STATE OF THE WORLD-AND THE CHURCH WHEN THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWS NEAR.

2.-ISRAEL AND ANTICHRIST.

3. THE ADVENT.

4. THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.

5. THE REIGN OF PEACE.

6. THE FINAL OUTBREAK OF EVIL.

7. THE GENERAL RESURRECTION OF THE WICKED. 8,-THE NEW JERUSALEM.

Now perhaps to some among my Christian Brethren such a catalogue of subjects bearing upon the Second Advent of our Saviour may seem strange. They

*Luke xxii. 35.

have been used to look for a great day of judgment to burst suddenly upon the world; and then, in its brief twelve or four and twenty hours, all things which appertain to earth to be brought quickly to an end: the Heavens to pass away; the elements to melt; the earth to be burned up; the dead to be raised; the living to be changed; the whole innumerable multitude to rise from out of the midst of the tremendous wreck of nature, and to stand above, in heights unknown, before the Son of Man, that they may there and then be judged, and upon each soul a sentence passed for weal or woe! The wicked to go forth accordingly, to the eternal flames of Hell, and every righteous soul be ushered into everlasting happiness. It will be my endeavor in the course of these chapters to look very carefully into Scripture, upon the subjects which will come before us. I will ask my fellow Christians to bear kindly with me, if my views do not agree with all their pre-conceived ideas, and to follow me from passage to passage of the Word of God with patience, while I deal, as briefly as I can, consistently with clearness, upon these most important

matters.

And now, let me entreat those Christian Brethren who are looking with expectant eyes for the appearing of their Lord,-to pray that God may send His Holy Spirit down with quickening power, that many who have hitherto been satisfied with a mere outward show of deference towards the doctrine of the great Advent of our Lord, may look for it with an expectant mind; and coming to the Saviour Jesus, that His all-atoning blood may cleanse, and His un