the Jewish, the Babylonian, the Persian, the Grecian. The sixth has continued, in one form or another, to the present day. Of the seventh it is said, and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. Verse 10. This is the popular imperial, founded by Napoleon. Whether the sixth terminated finally, on the establishment of the confederation of the Rhine, in 1806,* or at a later period, or whether it still subsist, is not material. Either supposition is consistent with the prophetical state

ment.

We learn nothing important, directly, concerning the seven. It may be inferred, therefore, that particulars, of a general character, affirmed of the eighth, are predicable of the rest of the series. Like the eighth, the seven ascend out of the bottomless pit of theoretical error;† though, not perhaps, in the same emphatic sense, the seven resulting more directly, from uncontrollable causes. We have seen they bear the same relation, as the eighth, to the mystic Babylon. Like the eighth, more or less directly and consciously, they make war with the Lamb. Verses 12-14. By the second he was slain. And by him, like the eighth, they are all overcome.

The political beasts of prophecy, like those whence the figure is derived, may exist in an im

* Napoleon was crowned emperor in 1804.

†The Mosaic dispensation is not an exception; since, though given by inspiration of God, it was adapted to the prejudices and exigencies of an ignorant and barbarous age.

mature state. The scarlet colored beast has existed in the world, in this state, for a period. It will exist in this state, in the Turkish empire, when the time shall arrive for the slaying of the witnesses. It is not needful to suppose a change in the form of government; but only, that those principles have influence, somewhat extensively, which are developed in the growth of this beast; especially, that which admits of occasional popular disregard of the laws.

Three years and a half before the close of the twelve hundred and sixty years, Rev. x1; 3, and which terminate in 1897, the Jews throughout the Turkish empire, are to become the objects of general dislike and suspicion. By a sudden impulse of the multitude they are thrown without the protection of the laws, and subjected to the barbarous license of popular fury. Such scenes will perhaps be acted, wherever Jews are found, throughout the empire, as were witnessed, in some of the cities, at the commencement of the late Greek revolution. By reason of the prevalence of democratic sentiments, and the consequent instability of the government, the public authorities will not dare to interfere. The unhappy victims, deprived of their civil rights, are politically dead. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city. Verse 8. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto

them, Come up hither-Verses 11, 12. After three years and a half, (the greater prophetical period concluding at the same time,) they are reanimated by a favorable change of circumstances. The powerful voice of England is heard, inviting them to return to Palestine, and ascend once more, to the rank and privileges of an independent, and peculiarly favored people. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Verse 12. Their enemies, stunned by impending events, allow them to depart, with what can be collected of their wealth. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand. Verse 13. The great northern power acts in concert with England. It is probable, that at this time, Constantinople falls; and the Turks are driven out of Europe. At any rate, the Turkish empire undergoes some signal dismemberment. One tenth of their dominion becomes the possession of the enemy; and seven tenths of their warriors are killed. Or, since the language of a series of professed emblems is not to be understood literally, except where it is obviously needful, perhaps rather thus. An integral part of the empire is dissevered, and more than half of the army are slain. And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Verse. 13. It need not follow from this, that the Turks are converted to Christianity. The second woe is past; and, behold the third woe cometh quickly.

Verse 14. With this last act of violence and oppression, of the Othomans, towards Jews or Christians, the second woe terminates. It commenced with the irruption of the same people, from the Euphrates, about six hundred years before.*

To the Jews assembled in Palestine, from the Turkish empire, are added some others. Much wealth is brought, and they prosper exceedingly. Numbers embrace Christianity; and a considerable portion of these, adopt the worship and discipline of the Church of England. A majority however, adhere to the ancient faith. A republican government is set up, notwithstanding the example of their great ally.

Somewhat less than five and twenty years after the beginning of the restoration, see comment, § 24; 2, the great northern power, the king of the north, Dan. XI: 40, will again invade the Turkish empire, in company with his allies, Gomer and Togarmah, Ezek. xxxvIII: 6, or, Catholic Germany, &c. and Armenia. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. Dan. XI: 41-43. In Ezek.

*Rev. xl. 13-21.

XXXVIII: 5, the southern nations acting in concert, are Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him. Dan. XI: 44. England again interposes. Her fleets and armies are mustering in the cast and in the north.* Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palaces between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none

shall help him. Dan. XI: 44, 45. Palestine is assailed; and there is fought that great battle, or series of battles, perhaps, so often alluded to by the older prophets. With this attack upon the restored Jews, by the armies of the Greek, the Catholic, and the Armenian churches, and of the southern Mahometans, commences the third woe; less than five and twenty years after the termination of the second. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Rev. xI: 14.

Immediately after the danger of this period is over, the Episcopalian Jews, now, partly in consequence of the astonishing fulfilment of prophecy, a great majority, of the Christians, resolve upon adopting the institutions of England, and elect a king. A civil war follows, and the antichristian Jews are exterminated, five and twenty years after the commencement of the restoration. The vision, a comment upon which is given in the succeeding pages, alludes, in the first instance, to the period

*Note (D.)