by the apostolic writings, and acknowledge the Redeemer's kingdom and power. Luke confirms the same: "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations; and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."-Luke 22: 28-30.

Whether Christ's reign during the millennium will be personally on earth, cannot now be determined; but thus it appears, and that the disciples, who were his companions on earth, will be seated with him in the kingdom of his glory; for where he is, there they must be also.-John 14: 3. In his prayer for them, he says, " Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me.”—John 17: 24.

The prophet also saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they reigned with him a thousand years. This proves the blessed state of those who were martyred for the truth, under Roman apostacy; as they also are to live and reign with Christ a thousand years. Thus the saints at the millennium will have obtained their glorious reward long before the rest of the dead shall arise, which is the first resurrection. But the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished.

Verse 6: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.' When this verse is seriously considered, it shows,

First, the blessed and undefiled state of those who are entitled to the first resurrection.

Second, that there is to be a first resurrection, wherein the saints are openly acknowledged by their Creator and Redeemer.

Third, that these happy souls have nothing to fear from the second death, because they are already passed from death unto life eternal.

Fourth, that they are to reign on the earth a thousand years.

Verse 7: "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison."

Verse 8: "And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea."

From Satan's being loosed from his confinement, I would infer, that mankind, after experiencing the blessings of the millennial state, will begin anew to fall into error, and that a spirit of delusion will once more manifest itself among the nations.

By Satan's gathering the wicked to battle against the saints, it is evident, that war and persecution, with all the evils attendant upon them, are to be again and vigorously revived.

Verse 9: "And 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."

Verse 10: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

In these two verses, observe,

First, at the end of the millennium, the wicked will be

come numerous.

Second, their war, as usual, will be against the saints.

Third, the merciful interposition of God in favor of the saints.

Fourth, the devil that deceived this ungodly crew, signed to endless torment.

is con

Fifth, the beast and the false prophet are to suffer the same fate.

The prophet now gives us a affairs, or the general judgment. and so majestically grand, that I it is:

view of the end of human It is of so awful a nature, shall only transcribe it as

Verse 11: "And 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."

Verse 12: "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."

Verse 13: "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every man according to their works."

Verse 14: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

Verse 15: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire."

No reflections are necessary to the explanation of the magnificent scenes opened up in this chapter. The vivid descriptions of the prophet command our highest admiration, while their clearness is too great for the most unlettered to mistake their meaning. The wonders of this sublime book of prophecy are continually opening before the mind of the sincere examiner, and the richest variety of knowledge, and the most comprehensive views of the plan of Jehovah's dealing in the armies of heaven above, and among the inhab

itants of this lower world, are thrown open to his understanding. How glorious are thy works, O Lord of life! How rich the variety of thy mercies! How can it be that man, with such records of divine love and power as are contained in this book, and with evidences on every hand of the fulfilment of the words of it, can turn aside from proffered mercy? can still grovel in the paths of sin? Why will men devote the time the only time awarded to the accumulation of earth's mouldering riches, when they have none of heaven's imperishable treasure? Why chase the bubble fame on earth, and care not how they appear before the Searcher of hearts? Is this worthy of immortal minds? Is this the

dictate of reason?

CHAPTER XXI.

In the last six verses of the former chapter, the prophet has shown us,

First, that Satan is to be consigned to a place of endless torment, accompanied by the beast and false prophet.

Second, the present earth and heavens disappearing, or flying away from the face of its Creator, when he appears in judgment.

Third, the resurrection, and the general judgment.

Fourth, even death and hell being cast into a lake of fire.

Fifth, all who have wrought iniquity are to suffer the same fate.

In this chapter, twenty-one, he shows the astonishing change that is to succeed.

Verse 1: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

Verse 2: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

Verse 3: "And 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 he shall be their God."