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-but whither? The prophecy itself furnishes us with the answer. Referring to the restoration of Israel, it is said, (ver. 19, 20,) the Gentiles "shall bring all your brethren." Now this bringing must be to the same place as the coming of the nations, since both imply a movement to the place occupied by the speaker. Therefore if we can ascertain whither the Gentiles shall "bring" the prophet's "brethren," this will be the place to which the nations "shall come" to worship. Now, the former place is distinctly mentioned as being Jerusalem: they shall bring them, saith the Lord," to my holy mountain Jerusalem." And all shall come thither to worship from Sabbath to Sabbath-there shall be continually from all parts of the earth worshippers attending upon the appointed feasts,

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But the most explicit prediction on this subject is that with which the Prophecies of Zechariah conclude, and to which we formerly alluded: "It shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem [after Israel's restoration] shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up and come not, (that have no rain,) there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the Lord's House shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein; and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the House of the Lord of Hosts." Zech. xiv. 16-21. This is immediately subsequent to the future attack of the confederated nations upon Jerusalem after the restoration of Israel, when

"the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished;" when part of the inhabitants shall be made captives," and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city." ver. 2. This must therefore be the literal "Jerusalem," and not the church. Having been then rescued from the power of the oppressor by the Savior's interposition in their behalf, and peace being restored, "there shall be no more utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited." ver. 11. Now it is to this same Jerusalem that "the nations which came against" it shall come up "to worship the King" and this King is "the Lord of Hosts." Each of these nations shall go up to Jerusalem, "from year to year;" but this does not imply that every individual shall do so -although this has sometimes been asserted, with the view of fixing on the literal interpretation of the prophecy a charge of absurdity, from the supposed impossibility of its being so accomplished. This is indeed required of all the families of the earth;" yet it is to be observed, that the word "families" is not here used in its ordinary and limited sense; but in that more comprehensive signification of nation or people, attached to it in the promise to Abraham, that in him shall "all the families of the earth be blessed." In this sense the kingdom of Judah is called a "family," by the prophet Jeremiah: "them that remain of this evil family." Jer. viii. 3. But besides its having this meaning in other parts of Scripture, the term is plainly so used in this very prophecy. Thus, while punishment is denounced against all the families of the earth" generally, we have its meaning defined by the more particular reference to the case of "the family of Egypt." From this we at once perceive that the term "family" is used for "nation" or "people," Egypt being here reckoned and styled but one "family." Thus all the nations or "families of the earth" may go up to Jerusalem, as they do other things, by representation. Besides such of the people as have the will and the power, (and during the Millennium, these will happily be generally conjoined, facilities being doubtless mightily increased,*) nations as such will pre

*It is interesting to observe the corroboration of this, in the wonderful increase of the means of transit, both by sea and land, which

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sent at Jerusalem their acknowledgment of allegiance to the exalted Jesus, the Great Supreme. From this obligation none will be exempted, and breach of the requirement will be visited with Heaven's chastisements of different kinds. This diversity of punishment also proves that the prophecy is to be literally interpreted. Such nations as refuse or neglect to come up to Jerusalem, "upon them shall be no rain." But as this would not be a punishment to any country which does not enjoy or stand in need of the refreshing shower, so if "Egypt go not up and come not, that have no rain, [being watered by the periodical overflowings of the Nile,] there shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." Here we find that literal punishment must be meant on literal countries, since it is thus adapted to the diversified circumstances of transgressors. In this then we have additional evidence of the fact that when in the land of Israel, the House of the Lord shall be built, men shall come thither from every clime to adore the blessed Saviour, the acknowledged King of kings and Lord of lords."

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SECTION XV.

REVIEW OF PROMISES OF THE PRESENCE OF
THE LORD ON EARTH.

In perusing the preceding pages, or reading generally the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Millen

the last few years have unfolded-some of which, at the time this work was penned, were very generally regarded, even by scientific men, as utterly impracticable. We now see remote continents brought almost into close neighbourhood by the gigantic power of steam, a power to which no limits seem applicable, and which promises at no distant day to bring the most distant countries, as to the means of intercourse, almost to each other's doors. Has not the unparalelled progress of our race, in this and other respects, a palpable reference to the events of the Latter Days?-or rather, does it not strikingly indicate the nearness of their developement, when, as predicted by the prophet Daniel, "knowledge shall be greatly increased?"-ED.

nium, it is remarkable with what frequency the Messiah is introduced as David or The Beloved, the Root and Branch of Jesse, The Lord, The Lord our Righteousness, The Redeemer, The Lord of Hosts, The Prince, The King, and The King of Israel; of His being with and amongst His people-and of His reigning over and in the midst of them in Zion and in Jerusalem. And not only is His presence promised, but it is spoken of as being the highest glory and best enjoyment of that bliss which are the peculiar characteristics of that era to which they refer. Indeed, from the circumstances with which they are connected, many of these predictions appear altogether incomprehensible, if the personal presence of the Redeemer is denied. Nor can any sufficient reason be assigned for substituting the presence of the Spirit as an equivalent for the promised presence of Emmanuel The King of Israel." The copious effusion of the influences of the Spirit, and the general holiness of men is, as we have already noticed, the subject of another gracious promise for "that day," and ought not to be confounded with, nor merged into, that which now forms the subject of more immediate investigation. To do so is not merely offering violence to the language of Scripture, but doing this without the shadow of necessity. The prophecies present a view of the Messiah's character and work, full, clear, and consistent; stated with so much plainness, and so often repeated, as to leave room for wonder that his personal presence ever could have been so explained away. The language, as left by the Holy Ghost, seems to stand in need of no amendment-no accommodation; nay, is quite irreconcileable with the accommodations usually made. A short review of some of these promises, given in few words, and arranged in order, will fully substantiate this statement,-a careful examination of their several contexts will prove the whole to be unfulfilled predictions. "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory." Ps. cii. 16. "Behold the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt." The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man; he shall stir up jealousy as a man of war." Is. xlii. 13.

Is. xix. 1. 66

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"The Lord of hosts shall come down to fight for Mount Zion, and for the hill thereof....and passing over Jerusalem he will defend it." Is. xxxi. 4, 5. "For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire." Is. Ixvi. 15. He is also seen, by the holy prophet, coming "from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength," "treading down the people in his fury, and staining his raiment with their blood."* Is. lxiii. 1, 6. "Yet," says the Lord, "have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." Ps. ii. 6.

"And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob." Is. lix. 20.

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"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for, lo! I come, and will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord." Zech. ii. 10. "The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." Is. lx. 2. "The Lord will be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." Is. lx. 20. "And, behold, the Glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east; and His voice was like a noise of many waters, and the earth shined with his glory." Ezek. xliii. 2. 66 "His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east." Zech. xiv. 4. In the days when "Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely," as King shall the Lord our Righteousness "reign and prosper, executing judgment and justice in the earth." Jer. xxiii. 5. "Behold a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment !" for "the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee." Is. xxxii. 1. Zech. xiv. 5. He shall then be "Governor," not only over but " 'among the nations." Ps. xxii. 28. "The Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day shall there be one Lord and his name One." Zech. xiv. 9. "Then the moon

*This passage has sometimes been applied to the first advent of Christ, and the sufferings He himself endured. But this is an application which it does not admit. He treads his enemies in his anger -be tramples them in his fury,—and his garments are sprinkled with their blood.

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