The first five days of this week's readings close the wonderful book of Daniel. Chapter 7 is a prophecy of the persecuting kingdoms of earth under five different symbols; chapters eight and nine, a prophecy of Christ's priesthood and the work of the enemy against that priesthood; a wonderful time prophecy of 2,300 days, used in the great 1844 movement, but those who used it were mistaken in the event to take place at the end of the 2,300 days. Those days began in 457 B.C., and ended in 1844 A.D. Daniel 10 and 11 is another great prophecy of the nations, beginning with the Grecian power, taking up the divisions of Alexander's kingdom and tracing down through to the same events indicated by the other prophecies, the closing of God's work in the earth and the second coming of Christ. The twelfth chapter of the book presents for our consideration some of the events to occur when Christ shall stand up to reign, for so the expression "stand up" means when used in these chapters. We are also clearly told that these words of Daniel were not wholly understood by him and were not to be understood by him, for the visions were shut up and sealed till the time of the end. This time began about 1793-98, when prophecies of the end began to be fulfilled. There are several periods of time in this chapter which we have not space to develop.
Hosea is the first of the minor prophets. He lived about 200 years before Daniel; in fact, Hosea was contemporary with Isaiah, prophesying during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam II in Israel. His name means "salvation." He was the last of the great prophets of the northern kingdom, and predicted the coming captivity of that kingdom with a great deal of definiteness. The moral condition of the Israelites is shown, and the certain desolation of the nation predicted. People, priests, and princes are all guilty of gross iniquity, yet he looks forward, beyond even these apostasies in Israel, to the time when the Lord shall restore His people. There are some very fine passages and moral precepts of great worth in the book.
Our New Testament readings include the last five chapters in Romans and the first four in 1 Corinthians. Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, as reckoned by some, was written between the years 52 to 54 A.D. Divisive tendencies had crept into the church. Different persons were calling themselves by the names of the apostles. The epistle was written in part to correct these. He also shows the wonderful love that he has for his converts; presents strong testimony regarding spiritual gifts, and a masterly chapter on the resurrection.
