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PROPOSITION IV.

From Zech. xiv. 4, 5, it is evident that subsequently to our Lord's first appearance in the air, he descends to the surface of the earth; though what interval of time intervenes between these events is unrevealed.

PROPOSITION V.

The appearance in the passages of Matthew, Mark, and Luke already quoted, is the first appearance of our Lord in the air, since it precedes the gathering of the elect, Matt. xxiv. 31.

PROPOSITION VI.

Rev. xiv. 14, must also refer to the appearance in the air, since it precedes the reaping of the earth, which is the same event as the gathering of the second company of the elect, the white-robed palmbearers out of the great tribulation.

Moreover, as our Lord appears when he reaps the earth with the crown, repavos, and not the many diadems, Διαδηματα πολλα, it is plain that the investiture in the kingdom has not yet taken place. On the other hand when he comes forth to tread the wine-press, xix. 11-16, he has his many diadems; and this is the appearance mentioned in Zech. xiv. 4, 5. Therefore the investiture in the kingdom takes place in the interval between the reaping of the earth, and the treading of the wine-press.

FROPOSITION VII.

From Matt. xxv. 1-10, we learn that the first event after our Lord's appearance with clouds, and gathering his elect is the Marriage.

PROPOSITION VIII.

In Rev. xix. 7, it is said, the Marriage of the Lamb is come. But it is already established by Proposition VII, that the marriage is after the appearance in the air. Therefore the voices heard in chap. xix. 6, 7, are subsequent to the appearance in the air. In confirmation of this, let it be observed that the voice of the much people, in ver. 1st, is heard in heaven, that is in the air, (see Gen. i. 8,) consequently the Church is then already with the Lord.

PROPOSITION IX.

The proclamation in chap. xviii. 2, announces not the actual, but approaching fall of Babylon; this is evident from the language of verse 4th, which calls the people of God to come out of her, that they may not receive of her plagues. These plagues are therefore, not yet executed; and it appears that before they are executed, God's people the elect, must come out of her. But the elect are not gathered till Christ comes, Matt. xxiv. 31, consequently his coming must precede the judgment on Babylon.

COROLLARY.

Therefore, it is not improbable, that Rev. xviii. 4, describes the very moment of the advent, and that the call to come out of Babylon, is the same event as the great sound of a trumpet, in Matt. xxiv. 31.

PROPOSITION X.

From Matt. xxiv. 36-40, compared with Luke xvii. 26-30, and xxi. 34-36, it is apparent that though as already seen in Proposition I. the advent will be in a moment of alarm and shaking of the powers in the heavens, it will yet be in a day of worldliness and carnal enjoyments.

I shall, in concluding this chapter, offer only one observation, in reference to the final shaking of the powers in the heavens, which marks the moment of the advent. As this country is manifestly the great seat of the Church of God, I think it most probable that the shaking of the political heavens in this kingdom of Great Britain, is to be the event specially intended to show the advent to be at the door. That such a shaking is approaching, few discerning persons doubt. When it arrives, let the wise virgins trim their lamps.

CHAPTER XX.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE WORLD IN CONNEXION WITH PROPHECY.

HAVING closed what I had to offer on the Apocalyptic prophecies, I shall add a few practical observations, to which I am led by the nature of the conclusions at which I have arrived in the preceding pages.

The extraordinary aspect of the present times cannot but arrest the attention and excite the awe of all thinking persons, whether they believe in the Scriptures or not. But it is he only that takes heed to the sure word of prophecy as a lamp shining in a dark place,* who is enabled to see light in the midst of darkness, to behold undismayed the convulsions which agitate the nations of the earth; and, possessing his mind in perfect peace, to rejoice in the near prospect of a better and brighter day, when the "earth shall be full of the "knowledge of the Lord;"+ and the Lord shall arise upon Sion, and his glory shall be seen upon her.

The events of the period in which we live, call upon us to sit loose to temporal things, and to remember that the fashion of this world passeth away. We have, indeed, no warrant in the + Isaiah xi. 2.

* 2 Pet. i.

Scriptures to neglect the duties of our secular callings on the contrary, we are commanded to be dilligent in all lawful business, and God has, in various instances, marked with his peculiar approbation the industrious performance of worldly duties. When He first appeared to his servant Moses at Mount Horeb, Moses was occupied in tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. When the nativity of Christ was announced by an angel from heaven, he was sent to shepherds who kept watch over their flocks by night, in the plains of Bethlehem. The true secret of Christianity is to attend diligently to all the duties of life, yet to do it not in the spirit of the world, but with the temper and feelings of those who are habitually impressed with the great realities of eternity-to do all to God, and not to man. Possessed of such views, the true servant of Christ, amidst the whirlwinds of divine wrath, which go forth to destroy the wicked, shall be enabled to lift his head above the storm, and to stand unmoved. He must, indeed, expect to partake of suffering, in common with the world in which he lives, until that happy hour when he shall be called on to meet his returning Lord and Saviour above the clouds. In waiting for that glorious event "his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." He rejoices that "there "is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of "the Most High."+

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We may infer from the present state and pros

Psalm cxii. 7.

+ Psalm xlvi. 4.

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