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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.
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.]
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.
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."
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.
"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.
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."
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
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