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and dominions shall serve and obey him.-Dan. 7 : 23—27. When I compare the prophetic words of this passage with Rev. 18, and consider also the present appearance of things in the earth, I am of opinion that Israel's deliverance is

near.

Isaiah, the prince of prophets, in chapter the eleventh, relates what he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the latter days. He shows the establishment of the Lord's house above all establishments-the peaceable kingdom of the Messiah the overthrow of idolatry, and that the Lord alone should be exalted in that day. In chapter fourth, the reproach is to be taken away. In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely. For them that remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughter of Zion, and shall have purged the blood from the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning. These are positive proofs of the exaltation of the house of Israel in these days. In chapter seven, we read the Lord has promised to give the house of David a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanual. In chapter ninth, the very titles that are ascribed to Christ, since his birth, are mentioned. And Isaiah, in this chapter, agrees with the other prophets, that the Messiah's kingdom is to last forever.

In chapter second is a history of the Messiah, and the nature of his kingdom and spiritual dominion, and the gathering together of Israel from the four corners of the earth a second time.

In the same book, chapter eighteenth, the Redeemer is compared to a sure foundation stone, that cannot be moved. Chapter twenty-nine deserves a serious consideration, as it shows the blessedness of the Jewish rulers, in the midst of the marvellous work done among them, and the extraordinary

light, joy, and heavenly consolation, which shall attend the house of Jacob in these latter days. He even shows the great cause of it. For, says he, the terrible one, the Antichrist, the destroyer of lives, souls, and property, is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off.

In chapter thirty-second, the desolation is predicted, and the restoration and kingdom of peace promised.

In chapter fortieth, the effects of redeeming love in the might and power of God are exhibited.

In chapter forty-second, we have the office of ChristGod's promise to him, and his power shown in him.

In chapter forty-ninth, the mercy and power of God in the Redeemer are shown.

In chapter fifty-third, the humility and affection of the Redeemer, and the sacrifice of himself for the sins of a guilty world, are clearly foretold.

In chapter sixty-first, are shown the offices of Christ, and God's power in him.

In chapter sixty-third is revealed the mercy of God in the Redeemer, in that he who bare our sins and infirmities is appointed king over his church, and shall tread down the enemies thereof.

Jeremiah, that true prophet of the Lord, complains that both prophet and priest were profane, that they scattered the flock of the Lord, and declares that severe punishments will be inflicted on them; yet in mercy, a restoration is promised. Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days, Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. And this is the name whereby he shall be called: The Lord our Righteousness. Therefore, behold the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, who brought the children of Israel up out of the land of Egypt,

but the Lord liveth which brought up, and which led the house of Israel out of the north country, and from the countries whither I have driven them, and they shall dwell in their own land.-Jer. 23: 5, 8.

In chapter thirty-third, the same words are repeated. We may thus see that the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah is to stand forever, and the Jews to be reinstated in their own land. Daniel's seventy weeks expired about eighteen hun. dred years ago, and for above seventeen hundred years, the Jews have been a dispersed people. From the confused state of the professors of religion, ye have, ye children of promise, a fair opportunity of examining the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and through the mercy and favor of the eternal I AM, to build up the gates of the new Jerusalem, on the foundations laid by Christ and his apostles. May this glorious work prosper in your hands.

СНАРТER VIII.

ST. JOHN, by divine inspiration, having given his first general view of present and future things, by opening the seven seals, now gives another, by the sounding of the seventh trumpet.

Verse 1: "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for the space of half an hour." Verse 2: "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets."

Let it be noted that in gospel and prophetic language, the sounding of a trumpet signifies the manner in which the gospel is sounded in the ears of the people by their instructors. It may bring glad tidings, and it may have a contrary effect. As a trumpet produces a vast variety of sounds, so do

many teachers. And if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who can prepare for battle. The sound, or voice, of Isaiah's trumpet was, "to show my people their transgres

sions, and the house of Jacob their sins."- Isaiah 58: 1. Verse 3: "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censor; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Verse 4: "And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."

Previous to the sounding of the trumpets, John gives a

short account of the reception of the Redeemer from his birth to his death, from the pious Jews who believed on him, and the sweet incense which he offered up to his heavenly Father, on his and their behalf. See, at large, John 17. He frequently prayed, not only for his disciples, but for all who should believe and come to God through his name. This was precious incense, and with it ascended up before God, the prayers of all saints, out of the hand of our great Advocate.

Verse 5: "And the angel took the censor, and filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake." As Christ Jesus was the end of the ceremonial law to all who believed, he and his disciples cast this fire, or zeal, for the altar service, out into the earth, as now become earthly and unprofitable, by the sacrifice of himself, he having shown a more perfect and living way. This caused voices, or many opinions, concerning him, and thunderings, or new religious notions founded on him, and lightnings, or quick, furious determinations against him, and an earthquake, which not only literally occurred at his death, but illustrates the great results flowing from the truths he taught. So powerful were these, that they overthrew the Jewish nation, and their priesthood, as shown by the four Evangelists.

Verses 6: "And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to sound." This first sound began on the day of Pentecost, and was addressed to the men of Israel.-Acts 2.

Verse 7: "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth and a third part of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up." Let it here be understood that, in the language of prophecy, hail signifies the judgments of God, falling on sinners in this life. Such are the sword,

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