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convertible or synonymous terms in the same book of prophecy, denoting each of them the same space of time. Messiah takes the government upon his shoulder, and he rules for the appointed season: after which, Satan being loosed, the nations of the earth will be deceived, and turned in rebellion against their Maker. Then comes the Father's judgment; Messiah having laid down the sceptre, and delivered up the kingdom to the Father, God is become all in all; and he sends forth his fire from heaven, to devour those who are gathered together against his Church. The vengeance of eternal fire is poured upon the devil who deceived them; but, for any thing the text intimates, it may be upon them a judgment only in the flesh for whether they are the seed of the serpent ordained unto final condemnation, or whether they have only been led astray by him, seems not clearly revealed.

Upon this vengeance being executed the day of the second judgment draws nigh; and, as a preparatory step, the Great White Throne is set, and HE who sitteth upon it, is revealed. To shew that this will be the final destruction of the present mundane system, it is written in Rev. xx. 11. that from the face of Him who is upon the throne, "the earth and the heavens fled away, and there was found no place for them."

These expressions are widely different from those which are used in reference to the advent of Messiah, and the purification of the heavens and the earth by fire, at the time of the first resurrection; and from not paying due attention to this difference, much confusion has arisen. The wrath of the Lamb, and the wrath of God, can hardly refer to one and the same thing and when it is seen that the wrath of the Lamb is spoken of as at one period, and the judgment of God as at another, a further distinction is marked.

It has been suggested that the second judgment is of the Father: it matters little, in the present day, to inquire strictly whether it shall be of the Father or of Christ; but it is proper to notice one or two points connected with it, lest the truth in other things should be lost sight of. At this time of the second resurrection, all the dead are raised. During the Millennial era there is no death. Rev. xxi. 4. So that they who are raised at the second resurrection, are those who were left behind at the first; and who were cut off by Messiah at his coming. May there not be, then, amongst them, those evil servants, to whom the. Lord, in righteous judgment, and in reward for their evil deeds, hath appointed a portion with the hypocrites; and who, inasmuch as

they had departed from him, were not permitted to see the glories of his reign? It appears very clearly, that those who remain unto the second resurrection are not all finally condemned. The books are opened -possibly the books of remembrance-and another book is opened, which is the book of life—and they are judged according to the things written in the books, according to their works; and whosoever is not found written in the book of life, is cast into the lake of fire. Rev. xx. 15. Here again is a judgment according to works, and reference is made to the book of life, apparently, as if to ascertain in such instances as might otherwise be thought doubtful, whether the works of the individuals were wrought of God or not, for his works only can be acknowledged. But the things of the second judgment are, at present, very far off, and Scripture rather alludes to them than states them. When the Millennial dispensation is brought in, there will, doubtless, be a further revelation. In the mean time, let us watch in hope, waiting for the glories of that day, standing upon the rock of our salvation, where no evil can reach us.

CHAP. XXXIV.

Conclusion.

The work of righteousness is peace, with quietness and assurance for ever: and The Lord keepeth them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed upon Him. The prophet Isaiah speaks much of the glories of Messiah's day, and Ezekiel describes them with more minuteness in those latter chapters, which treat of the things of the new dispensation, and are now hard to be understood. But the two last chapters of the Apocalypse contain, perhaps, the plainest revelation of these things, which yet has been set before us.

"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them"-" His servants shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads" "And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." All these are things of which we can form no distinct idea; but the personal presence of Messiah, dwelling amongst his servants upon earth, in the midst of his holy city, with an open manifestation of his glory, is certainly

revealed as a matter of plain truth, if language has any meaning. If expressions, such as these, can

signify nothing more than the improvement of the moral and religious condition of mankind, under a state of things like that which now obtains, it would almost lead to the conclusion that Scripture has no determinate meaning. Far be it from any of us

to turn aside from that which God hath revealed unto. us, for the joy and peace of our souls, and to our great and endless comfort. Is there any thing too

hard for the Lord? Shall not his counsel stand for ever? But it will be profitable to trace out the particulars set before us in Holy Writ.

The heavens and earth being renewed, and no more sea, Rev. xxi. 1. the surface of the earth will be very considerably enlarged by the addition of those parts which are now covered by the waters; and the world will be repeopled. "The Lord will pour his Spirit upon the seed, and his blessing upon the off spring of Jacob."-There will be a great increase of men in the land, in the midst of which the new Jerusalem is placed; for "they shall say, the place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell"

"For (Judea) the land of their destruction shall be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants."-" The Lord will comfort Zion, and will make her wilderness

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