we do not certainly know what the wounding of one of his symbolic heads may indicate. We must remember that no uncertainty on points of detail invalidates our knowledge of great substantive facts.

On such points, however, although unable to affirm certainly, we may be permitted to express an opinion, or to enquire. The wounding of the symbolic head of the Beast is a subject which we may thus consider.

The governmental system which is now arising in the Roman earth is evidently not one that despises influence gained from religious systems.* In this respect the now prevailing tone of feeling differs greatly from the atheistic madness of the rulers of Paris in 1792. It is the effort of that which we may be allowed to denominate the rising Babylonish system, to govern by, but not to destroy, influential systems. Hence the habit of sacrificing known truth to the supposed necessity of fostering

* A remarkable proof of this is furnished at this present moment in France. The Assembly has resolved to celebrate the first anniversary of the Revolution by a religious festival. The preceding words were written in 1849. Since then there has been for some years a period of Socialistic Atheistic destructiveness in respect of religious systems. But a reaction is taking place in the direction of religious comprehensiveness; which will doubtless prevail in all the Ten Kingdoms for a season. There will be much ebbing and flowing of the waters in settle down into their resting place. K

every kingdom before they

and fawning on every religious system that has governmental influence. We may well suppose; therefore, that the false ecclesiastical and religious systems will become, during the whole period that the Harlot of Babylon rules, one of the main sustainments of her power. Ecclesiastical or religious power will constitute, to use the symbolic language of the Revelation, one of the mountains on which she sitteth one of the heads, therefore, of the Beast who is the minister of her power. The head which represents his ecclesiastical influence is not the least important symbol of his authority.

But what becomes of such influence if the spirit of Voltaire suddenly pervade society-if atheism should obliterate every memorial of truth-if the kings should say, both of Jehovah and of Christ, "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us"? Even Mahomedanism itself is not sufficiently bad to subserve the purpose of that great Adversary, who desires to blot out every remembrance of the one great name which he hates with an eternal hatred. Religious systems, therefore, and consequently all governmental influence derived therefrom, fall as soon as the latitudinarian Harlot is destroyed and Antichrist is raised by Satan (see Rev. xiii.) into supremacy of atheistic power. His exaltation, therefore, is accompanied by the loss of one of the most important instruments of his previous rule. A fatal blow is given to one of the main pillars of his power. Accord

ingly, in the Revelation, when represented as rising into supremacy, he rises with one of his heads as it had been wounded (os copayμevnv) to death. It is not wounded after he arises. He appears with it already wounded.

But a remedy had been provided. Another instrument of Satan had been prepared in the person of the false prophet. He is empowered to work miracles and to gather the worship of all, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life, around the person or image of Antichrist (xiii. 12, 13); and thus religious influence returns to him in even greater fulness than before. The name of God is indeed effectually blotted out and infidelity established; but it is not such infidelity as the world has hitherto seen, giving licence to the will of man, and setting free from every shackle. It will be infidelity so mastered and controlled as to be made not only to serve, but to worship a man. Well, therefore, may it be said that his deadly wound was healed, and all the world wondered after the Beast.

Such, then, is to be the last form of monarchic power exercised in the prophetic earth, until the Lord shall come.

There are two periods before us, one in which a latitudinarian system will rule, sustained by an individual: another in which that individual will quench latitudinarianism, and will reign despotically and alone. The latter period is described in the

thirteenth; the former, in the seventeenth of the Revelation. For further remarks on these chapters I may be allowed to refer to what I have elsewhere written.*

* See "Thoughts on the Apocalypse," as advertised at the end of this volume.

133

ON ISAIAH XIII.

WE have already seen when considering the concluding chapters of Zechariah, that the day of final visitation on Jerusalem is to be regarded in two aspects. It commences by the assemblage of earthly armies against Jerusalem, through an instrumentality that will appear to the eye of man simply human. Armageddon is the place to which they will be summoned; the last great oppressor of Israel and the last great king of Babylon being their leader. But Armageddon, although their gathering place, is not the place of their destruction. From Armageddon they will advance upon Jerusalem. They will pour into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and reach the walls of Jerusalem (Joel iii.), but they will proceed no further. The Lord will at last interfere on behalf of His people, and snatch them as from the jaws of a devouring lion. (Joel ii.) Multitudes will be gathered to the "valley of decision"; but there the power and the judgment of the Lord will meet them. They are summoned to that valley, but they are summoned to meet Him. "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; prepare war, wake up the mighty men; let