Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 41. (10/11/1905)

Signs of the Times

Oct 11, 1905

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 11, 1905

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

By Editor

PUBLISHED WEEKLY

(Entered September 15, 1904, as second-class matter at the Mountain View, Cal., post-office, under act of Congress of March 3, 1879.)

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Would You Read Further

By Editor

Do you wish to study deeper into the subjects of Prophecy and the Signs of our Times? If so, you will find the following publications helpful.

DANIEL AND REVELATION

THE RESPONSE OF HISTORY TO THE VOICE OF PROPHECY.

It is generally admitted that certain prophecies of the Bible have been literally fulfilled: but are these isolated instances, or are they links in the great Chain of Prophecy, reaching to our time and beyond? If it is found that all prophetic statements referring to events now past have been fulfilled, may we not expect that all those relating to the future will be, also? These are questions in which the world is interested to-day, and nowhere are they so intelligently and systematically treated as in Daniel and the Revelation. A verse-by-verse study of these important books of the Bible. 757 pages, with illustrations; beautifully bound in cloth, $2.50.

Also published in Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and German.

THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

"In the great final conflict, Satan will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit, and work for the same end, as in all preceding ages. That which has been, will be, except that the coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never witnessed."—Extract from the Author's Preface.

Therefore, the author has selected such events in the history of the struggle of the church as overshadow the conflict just before it, and grouped them so that their meaning can not be misunderstood. In addition to the history thus introduced, there are several chapters devoted entirely to the future. From them we select the following: The Impending Conflict, The Final Warning, The Time of Trouble, God's People Delivered, Desolation of the Earth. These chapters picture the terrible intensity of the last conflict in a most vivid manner, and should be read by all interested in the final triumph of right principles. Fully illustrated. Cloth with marbled edges, $2.50.

Also published in Danish, Swedish, German, and French.

HERALDS OF THE MORNING

Would you know the meaning of the appalling loss of life and property by fire, flood, and storm? The outgrowth of the gigantic struggle between Capital and Labor? The significance of the Sodom-like condition of our cities? And above all else would you so learn the lessons which these conditions teach that they may be to you a "door of hope"—"heralds of the morning"?

If so, you will be delighted to carefully read this work. Seventy-five thousand copies have already been circulated, and the demand is steadily increasing. Dark-gray cloth binding with marbled edges, $1.50.

THINGS FORETOLD

A PROPHECY BOOK FOR THE CHILDREN.

Every one is interested in what may take place in the future. Even the children like to hear papa and mama tell about something that is going to happen.

Well, our heavenly Father knew that His children would be anxious to know about some of the things that were to take place in the future, and He knew that we ought to know about them, too, so He has told us a great many things beforehand in the Bible.

But some are confused over these prophecies, so our good Brother Glenn has been kind enough to write it all out in plain, simple language that even the children can understand. The book tells about some things that have already taken place, and others that are taking place right now, and still others that must take place pretty soon.

You want to know about these things don't you, and read the interesting stories about Daniel and his companions in the land of Babylon? You will enjoy the nice pictures in this book, too. Bound in board covers. Price, 50 cents.

STORY OF DANIEL THE PROPHET

"The Story of Daniel the Prophet," by S. N. Haskell, is the book of Daniel told in a simple story form. It is the fruit of many years of diligent study. The scriptures narrating the story are printed in the margin, together with 4,408 other Bible references. There are also given over 2,200 questions, covering the contents of every chapter of the book. These are not intricate questions, but bring out many important and practical facts which otherwise would have been overlooked.

"The Story of Daniel" contains eighteen chapters, 369 pages, and is bound in cloth back and corners, with marbled paper sides, title printed in white ink, making a durable and artistic binding. Price, $1.00.

The Above Works Are Sold by Subscription. The Person from Whom You Receive This Paper Will Gladly Give Additional Information.

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By Editor

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Order for Special Series

By Christian L. Hornung

"SIGNS OF THE TIMES, "Mountain View, Cal. "Dear Brethren,—

"I want about 400 sets of the four numbers of the special series. I will notify you when and where I want them. I would like to go over where I canvassed this summer, and sell them, and take subscriptions for the paper if I can, with the help of God. I believe it will do good. I remain in the love of Christ, "Christian L. Hornung, "Stanford, Ky."

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OTHER NUMBERS TO FOLLOW.

By Editor

This is No. 1 of a series of four special numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, each one being a link in a definite line of truth. They should, therefore, be ordered and read as a series.

The titles will be:

No. 1. (this number) "Prophecy, and Christ's Coming." No. 2. "The Sanctuary,—The Gospel in Type and Antitype." No. 3. "The Law, the Gospel, and the Sabbath." No. 4. "The Church Triumphant."

Prices are as follows:

1 to 4 sets to one or more addresses . . $0.20 5 or more sets to single addresses . . . . .15 25 to 500 sets to one address . . . . . . . .10 500 and upward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .09

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal.

NEARNESS OF THE END

By Ellen G. White

By Mrs. E. G. White

TROUBLOUS times are right upon us. The fulfilling of the signs of the times gives evidence that the day of the Lord is near at hand. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men and women and little children. All these things testify that the coming of Christ is near at hand.

The doctrine that men are released from obedience to God's requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation, and opened the flood-gates of iniquity upon the world. Lawlessness and dissipation and corruption are sweeping upon us like an overwhelming tide. In the family Satan is at work. His banner waves, even in professedly Christian households. There is envy, evil-surmising, hypocrisy, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, indulgence of lust. The whole system of religious principles and doctrines, which should form the foundation and framework of social life, seems to be a tottering mass, ready to fall to ruin.

Courts of justice are corrupt. Rulers are actuated by desire for gain, and love of sensual pleasure. Intemperance has beclouded the faculties of many, so that Satan has almost complete control of them. Jurists are perverted, bribed, deluded. Drunkenness and revelry, passion, envy, dishonesty of every sort, are represented among those who administer the laws. "Justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity can not enter." Men are rushing on in the mad race for gain and selfish indulgence as if there were no God, no heaven, and no hereafter.

The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ's second coming. James the apostle pictures the greed and oppression that will prevail. He says: "Go to now, ye rich men, . . . ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton. Ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you." This is a picture of what exists to-day. By every species of oppression and extortion, men are piling up colossal fortunes, while the cries of starving humanity are coming up before God.

In accidents and calamities by land and by sea, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes,—in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. The visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. "The earth mourneth and fadeth away," "the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant."

The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling against one another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure-lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse-races, gambling-hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agents at work, that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied, and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut. The time is right upon us when there will be sorrow—

That No Human Balm Can Heal

Sentinel angels are now restraining the four winds, that they shall not blow till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, but when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be a scene of strife such as no pen can picture.

The "time of trouble such as never was" is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality, but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation can not reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that trial every man must stand for himself before God. Tho Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the land, "as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters;" "they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness."

Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.

"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous 'round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for God is Judge Himself."

THE GREAT HOME-COMING

By C. M. Snow

From the cares that grow and the griefs that flow Like a turbulent, restless stream Through the valley of life; from earth's bicker and strife; From the will-o'-the-wisps agleam; From them all and each my arms upreach To the arm of that Infinite Love That leads the way to the shadowless day In the peace of God's home above.

There are hearts that yearn and hopes that burn With a flame that constant glows, To see His face whose boundless grace Such wealth of love bestows. How heaven will ring when they see their King, And clasp His pierce'd hand! When they see the scar of the crown He wore In this sin-enshackled land!

O a day of days and a day of praise Will that glad home-going be, When our feet shall stand on the glowing sand By the great eternal sea! Heaven's harps of gold, attuned of old To sound His praise abroad, We'll strike, and sing, till the heavens ring, The glories of our God.

O heart bowed low with weight of wo; O soul oppressed by care; Look up and on toward the redd'ning dawn; Be brave to do and dare. There's strength for you the whole day through; There's comfort in His grace; Tho seem His word long, long deferred, We soon shall see His face.

OBJECT OF PROPHECY

By R. A. Underwood

A Threefold Purpose

THE unfailing Word of prophecy is given as a beacon light in a dark, sinful world. It is designed to be a guide, a source of comfort, and a faithful warning to all upon the sea of time.

Never can we prize the Bible as we should, never can we appreciate God's plan and purpose, never can we meet the assaults of the enemy against the citadel of truth, till prophecy is given its proper and pre-eminent place in Christian study and teaching.

The purposes God had in giving the prophetic parts of the Bible are of sufficient importance to cause the reverent believer who "trembles" at the word, the patient student who has searched the records of time, the uncompromising witness who fears not the faces of men, to lift the fallen lamp, which men have cast down to earth, and give in its place as a kingly radiance shining out from the Word of truth, a light indeed to men. Prophecy is unerring history given in advance. It has been said that "history unveils prophecy." But a clearer statement of truth is that prophecy unveils history before it is made.

1. Revealing God

The prophetic part of the Bible is one of the strongest proofs of its divine Authorship. It reveals the true God in contrast to the claim of false gods. Listen: "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." Isa. 46:9, 10. "I am the Lord; that is My name; and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare, before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isa. 42:8, 9.

To the Athenians, in the presence of more than thirty thousand false gods, the great apostle Paul presents as the climax of his argument the foreknowledge of the Creator, of time and events, as the manifest witness of the true and only God. He said: "Him declare I unto you; God that made the world and all things therein, . . . seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." Acts 17:23-26.

2. Warning of Evils to Come

The unveiling of the future in prophecy is designed as messages of warning to the children of men, who would otherwise be unable to escape danger and ruin. We have marked examples of this all through the Bible. One or two citations will illustrate this object of God in giving to His chosen people the events of time in advance of their fulfilment.

Christ gave warning of the awful destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, as follows: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth let him understand)," or, as Luke records it: "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains." The prophet Daniel (chapter 9:26) foretold the awful siege of Jerusalem by the Romans, during which many of the Jewish mothers ate their own offspring. The disciples acted upon the warning given by their Master, and all escaped to places of safety.

A Warning for Our Day

Prophecy, fulfilling in our day, has been given by Christ and His apostles to protect the church against the deceptions of Satan concerning the character of Christ's second advent to this world, and the dream of the world's conversion before the coming of Christ. Note the warning:

"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; inasmuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. . . . 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. 24:23-30.

"And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. . . . But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3:1-13.

Heed the warning, and be not deceived.

3. Comfort to God's People

The Bible presents promises and statements of unfulfilled events which are the prophetic landmarks of time, reaching into eternity. These prophecies form a large part of the written Word of God. The church has ever been called to look for the fulfilment of prophecy, and take comfort in its recognition.

Good old Simeon had long waited and looked, with many others, for the Saviour and the fulfilment of the promise made to Adam in Gen. 3:15, and to Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3. When he saw this partial fulfilment he could but say, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." Luke 2:29-32. Simeon saw but the beginning of the fulfilment of these promises. The hope of the full realization of this prophecy has been the goal for which the faithful of all ages have waited with expectancy. The mission of Christ to this world has only in part been fulfilled. The promise to Mary was that she should bring forth a son whose name should be Jesus. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:31-33. This prophecy will be fulfilled when Christ shall take the throne of David, to reign on this earth forever.

Then, and not till then, will the purpose of God as foretold by the lone seer on the Isle of Patmos be realized. Then the sad experiences of this world associated with such expressions as "Failure," "Deception," "Disappointment," "Jealousy," "Envy," "Bondage," "Hatred," "Oppression," "Disease," "Sorrow," "War," and "Death" must give place to the experiences known by "Victory," "Righteousness," "Peace," "Joy," "Equity," "Riches," "Love," and "Life" unending, in the kingdom of Christ and glory. Prophecy unveils the eternal world, and brings hope, which is an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast.

THE sum of all human longings, all Christian hope, all divine promise [is] in the cry, "Come, Lord Jesus."-Prof. John Peter Lange.

THE Christians of the earliest age were always looking forward. Christ's coming was the controlling and encouraging thought of their daily life.-Howard Crosby, D.D., LL.D.

THE conviction that the time is short deepens in our souls. The sure Word of prophecy leaves little room to doubt this: The Lord is at hand.-Rev. Henry Grattan Guinness.

I AM afraid we can not hope for much better times until the Lord Jesus comes a second time. Often do I cheer myself with the thought of His coming. The shout shall be heard, Allelujah! allelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! For that day do I look; it is to the bright horizon of that second coming that I turn my eyes.-Rev. Charles Spurgeon.

PROPHECY MAY BE UNDERSTOOD

By W. S. Sadler

A Revelation

THE "sure Word of prophecy" is eternity's searchlight illuminating the pathway of time.

"We have also a more sure Word of prophecy: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." 2 Peter 1:19.

The prophecies themselves are declared to be sure, the interpretation thereof is sure (Dan. 2:45); and we do well to take heed unto their teachings. How could God consistently ask us to take heed to prophecies which could not be understood? If it were not possible for men to understand prophecy, God would not have scattered these prophetic utterances throughout His revealed Word. Prophecy is like unto a light shining in a dark place, pointing out the course of nations, the succession of world events, teaching its honest students the things that "must shortly come to pass."

2. The revelation of prophecy belongs to us, and God designs that His children shall understand it.

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever." Deut. 29:29.

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7.

God promises His children that He will do nothing of importance concerning our world or His church, without telling them of it in advance. Having made this gracious promise, who could conceive of God giving His prophecies in such a way that they could not be understood by those who were concerned in the events attending their fulfilment?

3. The revelation of prophecy is designed to show the inhabitants of earth the events of the future.

"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand." Rev. 1:1, 3.

The very language used in the opening verse of the book of Revelation indicates that God designed His children to understand its prophecies. A blessing is pronounced upon those who "hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein." How could one obtain a blessing from reading that which could not be understood, much less be able to obey the admonitions therein contained.

4. God has foretold in prophecy all the great disasters and important events in the history of the human race.

a. The Flood, Gen. 6:3, 13-17. b. Famine, Gen. 41:1-33. c. Captivity of Israel, Jer. 25:8-11.

d. Restoration of Israel, Jer. 25:12-14. e. Downfall of Nations, Isa. 13:19-22. f. Christ's First Advent, Isa. 53:1-12. g. The Dark Ages of Persecution, Rev. 12:3-6, 12-17. h. The Spiritual Decline of the Last Days, 2 Tim. 3:1-5. i. The Opening of the Judgment, Dan. 8:14. j. The Second Advent of Christ, Matt. 24:30-33.

5. The prophecies are not designed for a privileged few, but are open for even the common people to study and understand.

"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24:33. "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." Hab. 2:2.

The prophet was instructed to write the vision, and to make it very plain, that it may be easily understood, so that he who reads it may run with its message.

6. Of all parts of the inspired Word, there is none that God desires His children shall know better and understand more fully than these prophecies which He has given for the express purpose of informing each generation of its whereabouts in the world's history, as well as enlightening the people concerning the significance of the events taking place in their day. Daniel understood beforehand, from the prophecies of Jeremiah, the exact time when the Babylonian captivity was to end.

"I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem." Dan. 9:2.

That prophecy can be definitely understood, and that the fulfilment of its specifications in relation to time may be relied upon, is shown in the experience of Daniel, who, by the study of the prophecies of Jeremiah, understood in his day that the time was almost at hand for the deliverance of His people. The prophecy to which he refers is found in Jer. 29:10.

7. The wise men understood from prophecy the time when Christ was to be born and were looking for His star.

"Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Matt. 2:1, 2.

While the vast majority of the world was in darkness as to the time and manner in which the Messiah would come, there were scattered throughout the East and Palestine students of prophecy, and they understood both the time and manner in which the Son of God should come. The wise men were among these, and, having searched out the prophecies in the ninth chapter of Daniel, and found that the time of the Messiah was at hand, they were watching for the star that should arise out of Jacob. See Num. 24:17.

8. John the Baptist not only understood his own mission in the world, but also understood from the prophecies of Daniel, that Christ was due in his day.

"Then said they unto him, Who art thou? . . . What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah." John 1:22, 23. See also verses 26, 27.

John the Baptist not only understood his own mission in the world from prophecy (see Isa. 40:3-5), but by the revelation of God's Word he knew the Messiah, being due, was then in the world; and constantly watching for Him, John could exclaim on the very next day, when he saw Jesus coming, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29.

9. Christ understood from the prophecy concerning His life-cycle as found in Dan. 9:24-27 that He would be baptized in the year A.D. 27, just 69 weeks (483 years) from the time of the going forth of the command to rebuild Jerusalem (B.C. 457); He further understood from the prophecy of Daniel that the Messiah was to be "cut off," crucified, in the middle of the week. This would give Him just three and a half years of ministry (a day for a year), and would call for His crucifixion in the spring of A.D. 31. So this prophecy was exactly fulfilled, and is one of the greatest instances in all Inspiration of how prophecy may be understood before it is fulfilled, and how truly it will be fulfilled according to the very letter.

10. The apostle Paul knew that the second advent of Christ would not take place in his day, because he understood from prophecy concerning the great apostasy of Christendom that must precede it.

"Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped." 2 Thess. 2:3, 4.

While Paul, in common with all Christians, longed for the "glorious appearing," he knew from the Saviour's utterances (John 17:12) that the son of perdition must first be revealed, and the great apostasy take place before the Master could return; thus he was saved from being misled by those who taught that Jesus would come in the clouds of heaven in his day.

11. Josiah Litch, in the last century, wrote a book based upon prophecy, in which he predicted that Turkish rule and power would end on Aug. 11, 1840.

"Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were bound, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men." Rev. 9:14, 15.

Mr. Litch, figuring each day for a year (Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6), calculated that that year, and month, and day, and hour, equaled 391 years, and 15 days; so, reckoning from the time when the Sultans began to rule the Ottoman Empire, July 29, 1449, he concluded that something would happen to Turkey on August 11, 1840. He published his book to the world, taking the position on the strength of what prophecy revealed. And was Mr. Litch mistaken? No; for on that very day

Prophecy May Be Understood

(Continued from page 5.) the action was taken by the powers of Europe which left the Turkish Empire what it has continued to be, the "Sick Man of the East."

12. The prophecies of the Bible, which are inspired of God (see 2 Peter 1:21), are to be understood and comprehended by careful study in the light of other scriptures.

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20. (The Syriac Version renders this: "No prophecy is an exposition of its own text.")

The key to prophecy is found, not in the commentaries of learned men, nor the writings of great Bible students, but rather in comparing scripture with scripture after the method described in 1 Cor. 2:13: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth; but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

A Blessing for Bible Readers

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. Rev. 1:3

OBJECT-LESSONS OF PROPHECY

Let the reader note, the striking object-lessons of fulfilled prophecy in the pictures above. We give the names of the ruins, and the Bible reference: (1) Laodicea, once a great commercial center. Rev. 3:14-16; see note last page. (2) Site of ancient Babylon. Isa. 13:19-22; Jer. 50:3, 39, 40; 51:29, 62. (3) Tyre, the ancient commercial metropolis of the world, was to become a place for the spreading of nets. Eze. 27:1-25; 26:4, 5, 14. (4) Capernaum, once a busy, bustling town, Christ's "own city." Matt. 11:23. (5) Samaria, the proud capital city of the Ten Tribes. Isa. 28:1-4; Eze. 23:33; Hosea 13:16. (6) Ancient Memphis, Egypt, in the Bible, Noph. Eze. 30:13, 16; Jer. 46:19. (7) The palace of the Caesars, the representatives of the Roman kingdom of iron. Dan. 2:44, 45. (8) The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:17, 20-32; 19:24, 25) over the site of which the Dead Sea now lies, and which became an example of all ungodly cities in time to come (2 Peter 2:6). (9) Ruins of Nineveh, capital of Assyria. Nahum 1:1, 8; 2:6, 8-13. And of all the modern Tyres and Nophs and Babylons it may be truly said,—

"Lo, all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Nineveh and Tyre."

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