"But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer." We will show (1.) where this scripture has its application. (2.) Upon what authority the Apostle makes the statement, "The end of all things is at hand." (3.) We will thence draw some important practical conclusions. I. Where does this text apply? Much depends upon correctly settling this question. Was it true in the Apostle's time that the end of all things was at hand? i. e., the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the general judgment? We think not. No man can believe so who takes the Bible for his guide. The text must therefore be applied down in the waiting time [Luke xii, 36]; in the time when the second coming of Christ is near at hand. This is also proven by other scriptures which have a very important bearing upon this point: "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the END for the grace that is to be brought unto you AT the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. i, 13. Here is an address which can apply to none others than those who live in the generation which extends up to the second advent. For none others can hope to the end. He did not say, Hope till death, as many would have it; but hope to the end. The hoping is a work which must extend entirely up to the end. The same idea is adduced in the following: "Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Tit. ii, 13. The fact that watching and prayer are enjoined in immediate connection with the text is conclusive proof that it cannot apply in any other than in the waiting and watching time. "Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer." "Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Matt. xxiv, 42. These plain and unequivocal scriptures are sufficient to settle this question, and we submit it to the reader. II. We will in the next place show upon what authority the statement, "The end of all things is at hand" is made. 1. This is upon the authority of prophecy. In the second and seventh chapters of Daniel's prophecy is given the outlines of the history of the world from the time of the Babylonian kings to the second advent of Christ and the setting up of the kingdom of God. In chap. ii, is given the record of a great and terrible image. This image represents four universal empires: The Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman. It also represents the division and subdivision of the fourth. This is brought to view by the two legs and ten toes; showing that Rome would be divided, first into two divisions and secondly into ten kingdoms. The same ideas are brought out in chap. vii. The dreadful and terrible beast represents the fourth kingdom, the ten horns the subdivided state of Rome into ten kingdoms; for the ten horns are ten kings. Verse 4. And the little horn the papal power which is to endure till the day of judgment. Verses 21, 22; 2 Thess. ii, 3-8. Succeeding those four universal empires is presented the fifth, which is the kingdom of God. Chap ii, 44, and vii, 14, 18, 22, 27. Where now are we? What link of this great prophetic chain do we occupy? and what way-marks to the kingdom of God have we passed? We have passed Babylon the head of gold, and the lion with eagles' wings. Hab. i, 6. The Medo-Persian empire, the silvery breast and arms and the bear with three ribs in his mouth, is also passed away. Greece, the sides of brass, the leopard with four heads and four wings of a fowl, which once ruled the nations of the earth, with all her terrestrial glory, has fallen to rise no more. We have also passed Rome with her world renowned Cæsar. History records the mournful account of her great fall. We have passed Eastern and Western Rome, the legs of iron. We have traveled for more than 1260 years among the ten kings, the toes of the image and the horns of the beast. And up to near 1798 our path has been stained with the blood shed by the little horn, in which are the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things, into whose hands the saints, times and laws of God were given for 1260 years. What do we look for next? The rise of another earthly power? No. We look next to see the image smitten upon the toes, and all worldly powers to be dashed to pieces [Ps. ii, 9], and then to see the kingdom of God set up; for "in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed." Chap ii, 44. This evidence brings us down into the last link of this prophetic chain—down into the link which is to be succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of God. Truly, therefore we are now living in the time when the "end of all things is at hand." 2. The fulfillment of signs. Jesus taught his disciples that he would visit this earth again. And that his people might know when to look for him he gave certain signs, and assures us that when these are fulfilled we may know that his coming is near even at the doors. He has given us signs in the sun, moon, stars and earth. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven; and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matt. xxiv, 29, 30. A number of very important items are brought to view in this scripture. 1. Those days. 2. The tribulation of those days. 3. The signs which were to appear after this tribulation. 4. The second coming of the Son of man to take place after the fulfillment of the signs. 1. Those days. This declaration must refer to the 1260 years of Papal supremacy. For the pope was to have dominion 1260 days [Rev. xii, 6] of prophetic time, which is just 1260 years.262. The tribulation. This stands in connection with the days spoken of and hence must refer to the Papal persecution. The pope was to persecute the saints and make war with them. "I beheld and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them." "And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High. . . . and they shall be given into his hand until a time times and the dividing of times." Dan. vii, 21, 25. And there was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." Rev. xiii, 5. The length of time spoken of in each of these scriptures is the same, being 1260 years. During this time millions of God's dear saints were put to death in the most cruel and painful manner. This was truly the greatest tribulation that ever came upon any people since the world was. Matt. xxiv, 21. 3. The signs. These were in part to succeed the tribulation, but not the 1260 days or years. Our Saviour said the tribulation should be shortened for the sake of the elect. Matt. xxiv, 22. The tribulation was shortened under the influence of the reformers, so that after about the year 1775 or near that, there has been no general persecution. What comes next? Immediately shall the sun be darkened and the moon shall not give her light. Here we call attention to a very important axiom in the study of prophecy: "No false fulfillment of prophecy can fill both the event and the time of the event." The events are that the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light. The time is immediately after the tribulation of those days, but in the days; or, as Mark says, "In those days after the tribulation of those days," &c., [chap. xiii 24], which locates the time near 1798. The sun was darkened May 19th 1780, and the night following, the moon utterly refused to shine. Here we have the events fulfilled with a fulfillment of the time also, which shows that we do not mistake in our views of this prophecy. The facts of this matter are beautifully expressed in verse by one who no doubt was a witness of the events: Let us adore and bow before
The sovereign Lord of might,
Who turns away the shining day
Into the shades of night. "Nineteenth of May, a gloomy day,
When darkness veiled the sky,
The sun's decline may be a sign
Some great event is nigh. "Let us remark how black and dark
Was the ensuing night;
And for a time the moon's decline,
Which did not give her light." The next event in order is the falling of the stars. This was fulfilled in 1833. This brings us down into the time of which our Saviour says, "So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things know that it is near even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." Verses 33, 34. 4. The coming of the Son of God. This therefore is the next great event before us. The foregoing is but a small amount of the testimony which might be adduced on this subject. This however is enough to warrant the language of the text: "The end of all things is at hand." III. We will now draw some important practical conclusions. 1. We should now live soberly, righteously, and godly. Tit. ii, 12. We should pray without ceasing. 1 Thess. v, 17. 3. Being the children of light we should not walk in darkness, but in the light, that that day come not upon us as a thief in the night. Verses 4-6. 4. We should ask the blessing of God upon all our works, and in thanksgiving receive every blessing given to us. Verse 18. How considerate then should we be lest we engage in something in which we cannot ask the blessing of God to follow us!