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النشر الإلكتروني

in various parts of the earth, a great number of the branches which were broken off from the good olive-tree, have been collected by the hands of the King of Glory, and have been grafted anew upon their own olive-tree.

The second sign is, the fulfilling of the times of the Gentiles. In Luke xxi. 24, our Lord declares, that the signs which are to precede the approach of the reign of Christ, will take place at the same period when the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled. Now what are these times of the Gentiles, and when will they be fulfilled?

From other passages of Scripture, we learn, that the times of the Gentiles are a period, comprising a certain number of ages, during which not only Israel according to the flesh shall be subjected to the Gentiles, but also the true Israel-the church of the living God-shall be, more or less, under the oppression of a powerful enemy, among nations that were originally Gentiles, or heathens. And that enemy, who is clearly indicated in numerous passages of Scripture, is, among others, by St. John termed "a great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth." (Rev. xvii, 18.) Its name I need scarcely mention: it is the city seated upon seven hills. But how long, according to the word of God, is that city to reign over the nations and kings of the earth? Astonishing as it may appear, that time is indicated by several of the sacred writers under different designations; all of which, however, concur in representing exactly the same period. In the seventh chapter of Daniel, towards the close, the prophet announces that out of the fourth monarchy (which all expositors acknowledge to be the Roman monarchy,) there shall proceed a prince or king, different from the ordinary kings of the earth. In the 25th verse of the same chapter the prophet says, "He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand," that is, exposed to his tyranny, "until a time, and times, and the dividing of time." According to the incontestable usage of prophetic language, by the word time, we are to understand a year of years, such as were at that period reckoned, that is, 360 years. Now add one time, or 360 years, to two times or 720 years, and to half a time or 180 years, and

you will have a total of 1260 years. Next, turn to Rev. xi. 2. where you read that the Gentiles will tread the holy city under foot forty and two months. These forty-two months of St. John, are, as all expositors allow, months of years; and if we multiply 24 by 30 we shall find the amount to be 1260 years. And lastly, if we turn to Rev. xii. 6. we shall see that the prophet is there speaking of a thousand two hundred and three score prophetic days, that is, of 1260 years. It appears, therefore, clear to every one who believes that the Scriptures are the word of God, that the reign of that great city above alluded to, was scarcely to extend beyond twelve ages and a half.

Now, in order to know the end of that period, we ought to know its exact commencement, aud there lies the difficulty. Some eminent expositors think we are to place the beginning of this period of 1260 years in the former part of the seventh century of the Christian æra, at which period all the countries formerly comprized under the Roman monarchy, acknowledged the spiritual dominion and authority of Rome. This would place the end of that period, and the universal coming of the Redeemer's reign, which is to follow it, in the latter part of the present century. Fully conceding that this plan is by no means destitute of strong foundation, I prefer to believe that it is extremely difficult to fix that period precisely; and therefore it becomes fallible mortals to exercise great modesty and prudence in this matter. But, however this may be, it is very evident to all who are conversant with history, that we are not very far from the expiration of the 1260 years, during which that city exercises its dominion. It is therefore equally evident, that the captivity, the humiliation, the low state of the true church of Christ, will not continue much longer in the world, and that she will soon hear the prophetic voice, “Arise, shine, for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord has arisen upon thee."

Lastly, the third sign, which seems to refer to the times in which we live, and which is specially deserving of attention. This sign is given in Luke xxi. 24, 25, where our Lord, in reply to his disciples' questions, What should be the sign of his coming? says, "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing

them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." In prophetic language, the sun, moon, stars, and powers of heaven, denote every thing that is lofty and eminent upon earth; as the kings, princes, sovereign states and powers of the world; that the sea denotes the great mass of the peoples of the world, always formidable, even when they appear to be quiet; and that the waves represent the various nations and tribes that compose it.

Now, what a remarkable scene is that which is to precede the reign of righteousness and peace upon earth! According to the ideas entertained by human wisdom, that reign is to be brought about by a progressive improvement; the nations of the world gradually advancing in righteousness, obedience, and peace. But, according to the word of God, the tranquillity that is to prevail among men is to be preceded by universal subversion, and the advent of the King of Peace is to be announced by unheard-of troubles. Let us look around, and contemplate the events at this time taking place in the world. What period in all history has presented a picture so corresponding to the predictions of Christ as that in which we live? "The powers of heaven shall be shaken," says our Lord, "the sun shall be darkened, and the stars shall fall from heaven." (Matt. xxiv. 39.) We see the sun, which had for a short season illuminated the nations of Europe with a gleam of prosperity and peace, suddenly veil itself, and covered with thick clouds. "The powers of heaven," that is, all authority and power, which proceeds from God, shaken to its very foundations. We see kingsthose stars which the Almighty has placed in the political firmament-cast from their thrones into the midst of the people, who are the agitated waves.

"There shall be," our Lord continues, "distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring." And when were the different nations more like the roaring sea, with its dashing billows, than at present? When was there such dis tress among the nations as now? When have we seen dignities so overthrown, fortunes and estates so undermined and displaced, and the populace, in different countries, thundering with a voice so like that of the raging waves? Our eyes-those of us who are old enough to recollect the great events of the last forty years throughout the world-have seen, our ears have

heard, and our souls within us have been dismayed at the things which have taken place upon the earth.

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for the anxious expectation of the calamities which are coming upon the earth." -I need only refer to the anxiety which pervades every thinking and every feeling mind in our own country as well as abroad, in contemplating the utter insecurity of all the existing governments of Europe.

Is it possible, after this actual state of the world, to determine precisely the period when the universal reign of God will come? There is a declaration of our Lord which seems to indicate that the generation which shall behold this distress among the nations shall not pass away before the advent of of the Son of Man should come, and the deliverance of his people be nigh at hand. "Verily," he says, in Luke xxi. 32, "this generation shall not pass away till all shall be fulfilled;" meaning all those things which he had been specifying, and which we have been considering. If, by this generation, our Lord means the generation of men that shall actually be alive at that time, then it is evident, since we are part of that generation, that we also shall behold the advent of the Saviour's reign. Many interpreters, however, observing that the original word rendered "generation," also means race, species, or nation, are of opinion, that this word must be applied to the Jewish nation or race; and that our Lord's meaning is, that, although Israel is to be dispersed among all nations, yet they shall not pass away, they shall not cease to exist, until the time when he himself shall found His empire on earth with power. Time alone will shew which of these two interpretations is correct.

When the sacred writers speak of the coming of Christ, they make use of imagery, which suggests to us a thought very nearly approaching to the truth. "Ye yourselves know perfectly,' says St. Paul, (1 Thess. v. 2, 3.) "that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night; for when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape." This language seems to indicate, that the joy of the reign of Christ which shall bring forth the whole human race to God as one man, is preceded by political and moral sorrows and subversions. These afflictions, preparatory to the reign of Christ, succeed, and

will succeed, one another after certain intervals. Thus, an interval of fifteen years of peace succeeded that terrible subversion, which for a quarter of a century had shaken the whole world politic to its very centre. Perhaps the subversion, revolution, or commotion, call it what you will, which is now taking place in different parts of Europe, may be followed by a season of tranquillity, until the last visitation shall come, after which the Son of Man will appear with power and great glory. How ever this may be, we may, I think, conclude, that the reign of God our Saviour is not very far distant. The actual circumstances of the age in which we live are as sure a sign of its approach as the shooting of trees in spring is of the approach of summer. Such is the similitude employed by our Lord, in Luke xxi. 29-31: "Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when YE see these things come to pass, (namely, the things we have been considering,) know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." And thus we know that the reign or kingdom of God is now nigh at hand.

(To be continued.)

ON JUSTIFICATION.

Let me ask, my dear brethren, and I pray you put the questions to your own hearts; are you satisfied and at ease in your minds? Do you judge yourselves in a state of acceptance with your God? Whence comes this contented feeling? Have you found a pillow to repose upon in your own duties, or is yours the peace, which springs from faith in the atonement and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it the expression of your heart, "I thank God I am not as other men," I thank God I have done my best;" or is it, "I thank God for giving Christ to die for me?" This question truly answered, may help you to determine whether you are incurring the fearful hazard of having your state measured by the law of works, or not. We readily comprehend the doctrine of righteousness by works; that a man must be made righteous, and attain life by his own deserts, is the natural instinctive thought of our minds; we are

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