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OCT 12 1923
I N H E AV EN;
AS INTERPRETED BT MEANS OF
c3-os:PEXi Ec^TJiv-A-XiE2sra?s,
ACCORDING TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF SCRIPTURAL ALGEBRA,
BY HENRY HOUSEWORTH,
AUTHOR OF THS "PEDBBUBBIAN SCHOOL BOOKS," AND "TBK DAWN OF BBVELATION UNVEILED.
Printed and Bound for the Author by th«
ELM STREET PRINTING CO., I76 ELM ST,
1868.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
HEin^-iT nousE^woiS/Tia:,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States,
for the Southern District of Ohio.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Another Wonder in Heaven 11
CHAPTER II.
The Two Witnesses 24
CHAPTER III.
The Four Living Creatures 30
CHAPTER IV.
The Seven Seals 49
CHAPTER V.
The Lasj Seven Plagues 83
Conclusion 109
CIRCULAR
To all^ wTio fear God and work vigMeous-
ness, the author sendeth greeting.
Dearly Beloved:
I PRESENT you a treatise on "The
Last Seven Plagues," entitled " Another Won-
der IN Heaven." It issues from the press
unattended with the banner of any religious
denomination. This fact, and the subject of
which it treats, make it a lone and solitary
stranger. A stranger it acknowledges itself
to be, but not an alien or an enemy. For it
professes to belong to the fellow citizens of the
saints, and of the household of God. You
know your duty to strangers. " Be not forget-
ful to entertain strangers, for some have enter-
VI CIRCULAR.
tained angels unawares. And he that giveth
a cup of cold water to a disciple shall not
lose his reward. Prove all things, and hold
fast that which is good."
This book is the result of a dream, which,
about eight years ago, excited a curiosity to in-
vestigate the book of Revelation by means of
gospel equivalents. The interpretation cor-
responds with the nature of the dream. And
all parts of the dream have been fulfilled ex-
cept the last, which is the reward of so pro-
tracted an effort under discouraging circum-
stances. The opportunity to revise and pre-
pare the manuscript for the press was afforded
during the lonely hours of night, while watch-
ing at the bedside of an afflicted child, who
was returned to her paternal roof despairing
of conjugal felicity and every other human
joy. The profits of this book, if any, will be
devoted (as long as shall be necessary) to cheer
her in her earthly pilgrimage. A word to the
wise is sufficient.
IJVTRODUCTIOJ^.
The primary object of writing this book is to
verify the declaration of Scripture which saith :
"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making
wise the simple." To show that it is sure in
its interpretation as well as in the fulfillment
of prophecy. To show that the interpretation
of Scripture is capable of being reduced to a
mathematical certainty.
The object is also to show that all Scripture,
given by inspiration of God, is profitable.
That a special blessing is conferred by reading,
hearing, and keeping the words recorded in
the book of Revelation. And that that book
is not a sealed book, but whoever discards it
as useless, is calling that a mystery which God
VIU INTRODUCTION.
calls a revelation, and is also, by his example,
disobeying the command given to John, name-
ly: "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of
this book." And whoever puts obstructions
in the way of any one who labors by his time,
and means to show the utility of that book, is
disobeying the command: "Bear ye one
another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of
Christ."
Let us follow the example of the Bereans,
who searched the Scriptures to see if these
things were so. Because it is written in Dan.
xii. 4 : " Many shall run to and fro, and knowl-
edge shall be increased."
Nor have we reason to suppose that that
prophecy is entirely fulfilled in the increase of
those natural sciences which chiefly promote
bodily ease and enjoyment. For it is also
written in Jeremiah xxxi. 34 : " And they shall
teach no more every man his neighbor,
and every man his brother, saying : " Know
the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the
least of them unto the greatest of them, saith
the Lord." All prophecies of Scripture must
INTRODUCTION. ix
be fulfilled. And it is recorded in Rev. x. 7 :
"But in the days of the voice of the seventh
angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mys-
tery of God should be finished, as he has de-
clared to his servants the prophets." And it is
maintained that this auspicious day is now
dawning upon the Christian world.
CHAPTEK I.
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
" And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous,
seven angels having the seven last plagues ; for in them ia
filled up the wrath of God." — Rev. xv. 1.
Another implies one or more previous to it.
Accordingly, I find that there are other signs
or wonders mentioned in Eev. xii. For the
same word in the Greek is variously rendered
sign or wonder. The first is the woman clothed
with the sun. And the second is the great
red dragon. And that we may have a better
understanding of the third, which is the chief
subject of this treatise, I will briefly interpret
12 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
the first and second in the order in which they
occur. The first mentioned is in Rev. xii. 1 :
"And there appeared a great wonder in
heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and
the moon under her feet, and upon her head a
crown of twelve stars." The solution of this
figure, according to the algebraic application
of gospel equivalents, makes it represent the
church of Christ arrayed as the bride adorned
for her husband with the Mosaic dispensation
upon which to stand, and the gospel radiating
its light from her person, as the sun shineth in
his glory, and the teachings of the twelve
apostles as bright stars to illuminate her crown
of glory.
In elucidating the figure — a woman clothed
with the sun, it will be necessary to ascertain
what is meant by the word sun. It is recorded
in Mai. iv. 2 : " But unto you that fear my name
shall the Sun of righteousness arise with heal-
ing in his wings." This is generally understood
to refer to 'Christ. The phrase " of righteous-
ness " is only explanatory, and does not alter
the meaning. The comparison of Christ to the
ANOTHER WONDER m HEAVEN. 13
sun is also shown by his transfiguration recorded
in Matt. xvii. 2 : " And his face did shine as the
sun, and his raiment was white as the light"
And this agrees, also, with the description
given of him recorded in Rev. i. 16, " and his
countenance was as the sun shineth in his
strength." From this scriptural testimony, I
suppose it will be seen that Christ is equiva-
lent to sun, and the words Christ and sun may
be substituted for each other, whenever addi-
tional clearness of idea will result from the
operation. And, therefore, to be clothed with
the sun is equivalent to being clothed with the
sun of righteousness, with the robe o;f Christ's
righteousness, or with Christ himself. Accord-
ing as it is written: They that are. baptized
into Christ have put on Christ. To put on de-
notes the act of clothing, or being clothed.
The next unknown figure to be ascertained is
the word moon, which was under her feet I
have already shown that Christ was the sun
or sun of righteousness. It becomes now nec-
essary to find another gospel equivalent for
sun or Christ, which will bear a superior rela-
14 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
tion to the unknown value or signification of
moon. And tlie equivalent necessary to solve
the next unknown signification will prove to
be the gospel, which is shown to be equivalent
to Christ. Because to preach Christ is to
preach the gospel. It is recorded in John i. 17 :
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace
and truth came by Jesus Christ." For the pres-
ent I shall assume that the phrase " grace and
truth " are equivalent to the word gospel. If so,
the algebraic substitution of the word gospel
for the phrase "grace and truth," we have a
new declaration, the law was given by Moses,
but the gospel came by Jesus Christ. And it
is obvious that the law given by Moses was the
next inferior dispensation to the gospel. It
then bears the same relation to the gospel as
the moon in the natural world does to the sun.
The moon, then, that was under her feet was
the law of Moses.
But that this substitution of equivalents shall
not merely rest on the assumption that the
phrase " grace and truth " is equivalent to the
word gospel, I shall endeavor to prove that the
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN. 15
phrase means exactly the gospel — nothing
more and nothing less. In algebraic language
grace and truth may be considered bound to-
gether by a vinculum. For the signification
of the two words must be combined. And
hence the declaration becomes true, that truth
is all the word of God, but grace and truth is
only a part of it, which may be seen thus : A
noun without an article, or other restrictive
word or phrase to limit it, is generally taken in
its widest sense. A candid temper is proper
for man, that is all manldnd. A man is any
man, but only one man taken without distinc-
tion from the mass. A man of learning is one
man, who may be selected from all the learned
class, which is more limited. A man of learn-
ing and piety must be selected from the learned
and pious, which still restricts and diminishes
the class. So, also, grace and truth, are so much
of truth or of the word of God as is a grace
or favor, and includes only the gospel. For
the law given to Adam was not a favor, but the
natural result of his relation to his Creator.
16 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
But the gospel was a favor purchased by the
blood of Christ.
I have asserted that truth is all the word of
God. For it is written in John xvii. 17 : "Sanc-
tify them through thy truth : thy word is truth.
Thy word is all the word of God, a part of
which is a favor, and a part not. It, therefore,
becomes necessary to substract law at his
mouth: "For he is the messenger of the Lord of
hosts." — ^Mal. ii. 7. A pastor is the priest of the
gospel dispensation, and a messenger is an
angel. Things that are equal to the same are
equal to each other. Therefore, the seven
angels, are the pastors of the seven churches
of Asia.
"Which stood before God" The seven stars
are represented to be held in Christ's right
hand. He is represented as standing at the
golden altar before the throne. And, more-
over, Christ is represented in Rev. i. 13, as
being in the midst of the seven golden candle-
sticks. And in verse twentieth, the seven can-
dle sticks are declared to be the seven churches.
A pastor's business and duties are with his
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN. 17
flock or church. And if Christ was in the
midst of the golden candlesticks, and his place
was at the golden altar before the throne, and
the seven stars were in his right hand, they,
also, must be situated before the throne of God.
"And to them were given seven trumpets."
The trumpet is an instrument of publication or
proclamation; as is also a book. They are,
therefore, equivalents. The seven trumpets
are the seven copies of the book of Revela-
tion, which John was commanded to write and
send to the churches of Asia. According as it
is written, " What thou seest, write in a book
and send it unto the seven churches which are in
Asia." — ^Rev. i. 11. They were to declare the con-
tents of the book, like as if they proclaimed
them with a trumpet. According as it is
written in Isa. Iviii. 1 : '' Cry aloud, spare not,
lift up thy voice as a trumpet, and show my
people their transgression, and the house of
Jacob their sins."
Rev. viii. 3: "And another angel came and
stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and
there was given unto him much incense, that he
i8 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
should offer it with the prayers of all saints
upon the golden altar which was before the
throne." The golden censer, golden altar, and
the incense with the prayers of all saints are
the names of things and persons in both the
Old and New Testaments. They, therefore,
need not be solved by gospel equivalents, or
take from the whole word of God' so much as
is not a favor or grace, in order to make the
remainder a favor or grace. But if a part were
taken away, what remains must be less than
the whole before any was taken therefrom.
Therefore, grace and truth combined must be
less than truth alone. And this combination
is nothing else than the gospel. For the gos-
pel is a favor, and the chief part of the truth
or word of God. Because all other parts were
written to substantiate and enforce its princi-
ples and duties.
Now the gospel is compared with law given
by Moses. But I have shown that Christ is the
sun of righteousness, and to preach Christ is to
preach the gospel. Therefore, the sun of right-
eousness or the gospel is compared to the law
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN. 19
of Moses, and is greater than it. Now, the
next inferior light to the sun in the natural
world is the moon, which, therefore, represents
the law of Moses. And if Christ or the gos-
pel is the sun, and the law of Moses is the
moon, the teachings of the twelve apostles are
the stars which adorn the head of the woman
clothed with the sun. She is the Lamb's wife,
the Christian Church, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. Her husband is king
of kings, and lord of lords. She must, there-
fore, wear a crown. But of what is her crown
composed. The moon or the Mosaic dispensa-
tion is the foundation upon which she stands.
For the church is built upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets — Jesus Christ, him-
self, being the chief corner-stone. The proph-
ets are included in the Mosaic dispensation,
which is a foundation beneath her feet The
sun, which is the bright apparel of this bride,
is the gospel as taught by the four evangelists,
which is proved to be true by the prophecies
concerning Christ, recorded in the Old Testa-
ment. And the teachings and recorded prac-
20 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
tice of the twelve apostles are necessary to
crown the whole, to make the church a queen
worthy of her husband and lord.
As the moon in the natural world receives
its light from the sun, so, also, the Mosaic dis-
pensation shines with light reflected from the
gospel. Moses and Christ were both lawgivers,
and, as such, were superior to the apostles, who
were not endowed with that dignity. Yet their
teachings were bright lights to enlighten what
would otherwise be comparatively dark and
obscure in the moral and religious world.
But it may be asked how can the church,
which is organized on earth, be called a won-
der in heaven ? To this it is replied that the
church of Christ is a wonder to the angels of
heaven and to the inhabitants of earth. For
it is written, the angels desire to look into it.
They desire to contemplate the plan of salva-
tion, and rejoice over one sinner that repent-
eth. It is also a wonder to the redeemed who
constitute the kingdom of heaven on earth.
In other words, it is a wonder in the kingdom
of heaven or gospel dispensation. According
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN. 21
as it is written, the kingdom of heaven is at
hand, meaning the gospel dispensation. For it
commences on earth, and ends in the glorified
state of the redeemed in heaven. And as the
gospel dispensation, the heaven spoken of in
the text, has its primary organization on earth,
so, also, it is a wonder to the wicked, both
angels and men. According as it is written,
the devils believe and tremble, which is doing
more than is done by wicked men. For it is
written in Acts xiii. 41: "For I work a work
in your days, a work which ye shall in nowise
believe, though a man declare it unto you."
And the Jews are a standing monument of un-
belief. The organization of the Christian Church
and the fulfillment of the prophecies concern-
ing it were too wonderful for their acceptance
and belief.
THE SECOND WONDER IN HEAVEN.
It is recorded in Ke v. xii. 3 : " And there ap-
peared another wonder in heaven ; and behold
a great red dragon, having seven heads and
ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."
22 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN
This wonder is two-fold, namely : spiritual and
temporal. The spirit or soul of this great red
dragon is Satan himself breathing into, and
giving life and vigor to a political organization
among men, which for ages has worked out his
diabolical purposes. It is wonderful why Satan,
possessing angelic powers, and seeing the un-
veiled glory of the Almighty should so far
forget his duty and interest as to rebel against
his righteous government. And it is also won-
derful that in after ages the spirit of evil should
employ agents, and centralize his power to
seek conquests from the followers of the Lamb.
And it is equally due to his malignity and per-
severance that he should establish his sway to
60 great an extent as to obtain prominent
places in the earth as the seat of his dominion.
The Roman empire, the body wherein dwelt
the spirit of evil, seated upon the seven-hilled
city, persecuting the church of the Most High
was a wonder in many respects. It was terri-
ble to its enemies in the day of battle, and in
its infancy magnanimous .to its captured ene-
mies, but unrelenting in its persecutions of
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN. 23
Christianity. The second wonder exhibits the
malignity of Paganism and irreligion as op-
posed to Christianity. It is the wrath of man.
But the third wonder is greater as it compriseth
the wrath of God.
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
It is recorded in Rev. xv. 1: "And I saw
another sign in heaven, great and marvelous,
seven angels having the seven last plagues ;
for in them is filled up the wrath of God."
The third wonder in heaven, or in the gospel
dispensation exhibits God's special protection
of his church, and his providential care in over-
ruling the evil passions of men to build up his
church on earth. It is wonderful that men
possessing the will and, apparently, the ability
to defeat some prophecies should be deterred
from so doing without any apparent constraint.
And this only exhibits the great power and
glory of God, in concealing from men so much
of his purposes as they would be disposed to
defeat, if they knew them. And, again, it is
wonderful that he should dictate a book which
24 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
should be the conclusion of all prophecies, and
yet only so much of it be understood in differ-
ent ages of the world as would be conducive
to his glory and accomplish his designs.
The last seven plagues is a wonder on many
accounts. It is a wonder that the book of
Revelation, which contains an account of them,
should not be thoroughly understood until they
are completed. This fact is in accordance with
the prophecy concerning them. The book
which contains an 'account of them is properly
called a Revelation, and John was commanded
not to seal the sayings of the prophecy of this
book. And this book I understand to be that
little open book which John was told to eat
It was, in his mouth, sweet as honey, but after
it was eaten it was bitter. So men have
thought this book to be a glowing picture of
heavenly bliss, but, when fully understood, I
think it proves to be a lesson of earthly duty,
and a prophecy of calamity to the human race.
Like as the temple of the tabernacle of the
testimony in heaven was opened, and no man
was able to enter into the temple till the seven
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN. 25
plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. So,
also, with the prophecy of the last seven
plagues fully declared to men ; and all the
principles of interpretation fully understood;
no man has heretofore so combined those prin-
ciples as to make them available to interpret
that book. And if this interpretation is correct,
what has baffled the mightiest intellects pos-
sessing ponderous volumes of theological lore
and lives of leisure to read them, if the provi-
dence of God is introduced in a manner that
appears accidental by wayfaring men, destitute
of profound biblical attainments? Well may
the inspired penman designate the last seven
plagues as another sign or wonder in heaven,
or the gospel dispensation, great and marvel-
ous. For in them is filled up the wrath of God.
For the complete outpouring of the last seven
plagues constitutes a prophetic epoch in the
history of the world, because it closes up an
administration of displeasure and wrath, ai.d
introduces one of mercy and benignity.
ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
CHAPTER II.
THE TWO WITNESSES.
The knowledge which mankind have of the
last seven plagues is primarily and chiefly de-
rived from the word of God, contained in the
book of Revelation. For, although it might
be possible for man, after the accomplishment of
those plagues upon the inhabitants of the earth,
to see and acknowledge the dispensation of God
in those judgments, yet it is highly probable
they would not have classified them into seven
divisions, nor have had very clear ideas of their
design and results. In illustrating the subject,
therefore, the introductory evidence must be
chiefly derived from the word of God. But
the final development of the subject, or the
identification of the last seven plagues, sever-
ally, admits of collateral evidence taken from
THE TWO WITNESSES. 27
authentic history, whether human or divine.
There are, therefore, two witnesses graciously
afforded us, so that, by their united testimony,
every word shall be established.
These are the two witnesses mentioned in
Rev. xi. 3, who should prophecy twelve hun-
dred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. For
these witnesses are not the Old and New Tes-
taments, as some suppose. The union of the
latter constitute the testimony of one witness,
which is the written word of God. For, as in
the natural world, day and night constitute one
legal day, or, as the Scriptures declare, the
evening and the morning were the first day.
So, also, the evidence of the brighter light of
the gospel, and the inferior light of the Mosaic
dispensation constitute the written testimony
of one witness. And as the laws of men are
divided into two kinds, the written and the un-
written law, 60, also, God's will or law to
man is made known by his written law, or the
Bible, and by his unwritten law, which is con-
tained in his works of creation and providence.
" For the invisible things of him from the ere-
ZO ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
ation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even
his eternal power and Godhead, so that they
are without excuse." — Rom. i. 20. Our knowl-
edge of God's will is derived from the book of
Inspiration and the book of Providence. The
book of Inspiration usually affords us the gen-
eral proposition or truth, which we have to
carry out in detail. And our minds are as-
sisted in this effort by the book of Providence,
which affords us the details, which have to be
generalized. The agreement of these two
sources of information is the highest evidence
attainable by man. For one is the infallible
teachings of God's word, and the other is the
undeniable history of the past.
In referring you to the scriptural authority
for the use of two witnesses, I will mention,
first, the one who is spoken of in Rev. i. 6 :
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness and the first begotten of the dead."
To his testimony you will make no objection.
He is the author and finisher of our faith.
And as our system of faith is taught in the
THE TWO WITNESSES. 29
Scriptures you will receive them as the testi-
mony of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Christ is de-
clared to be the Word of God, as we also ac-
knowledge the Scriptures to be. Therefore,
the Bible is one of the witnesses, which I sup-
pose will be received as such accordingly. For
you may notice that the Scriptures and the
word of God are equivalent, meaning the same
book. And as Christ is declared to be the
word of God, therefore, if Christ is the faithful
witness, the Scriptures are also ; especially as
they are his written testimony. And as human
laws admit oral or spoken testimony, so, also,
the depositions or written testimony of wit-
nesses that are absent.
The other witness, by whose testimony I un-
dertake to prove the identity of the last seven
plagues, is the book of Providence, containing
the designs and will of God, as revealed in his-
tory. It is recorded in Kom. i. 20: "For the
invisible things of him from the creation of
the world are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made, even his eternal
power and Godhead." It is also declared in
30 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
Scripture, by their fruits ye shall know them.
So, also, the reason of human law supposes
that every intelligent being designs the inevit-
able consequences of his acts. For if a ra-
tional man should present a pistol to your breast,
and demand your money or your life, and, if in
failing to receive the former, he takes the lat-
ter, the laws of men presume that he intended
murder. But this rule of interpreting design
or intention is not confined to man alone, but
is true in regard to all intelligence i, whether
man, the angelic hosts of light or darkness,
and, also, in regard to the great Supreme Kuler
of all intelligences. For it is written, he doeth
his will among the armies of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of earth. Now, if we
can ascertain by any means what God doeth,
we can also ascertain his will. For he doeth
his will. It would not, of course, be proper to
attribute anything to the Supreme Being as
his work, unless it corresponds with his attri-
butes of wisdom, justice and benevolence.
But results corresponding to these attributes
have been known to proceed from the defeated
rUE TWO WITNESSES. 31
projects of wicked and malicious men. The
religious world have not feared to attribute
such results to God's special Providence.
These in detail, one after another, have been
attributed to our benevolent Creator. But
none, to my knowledge, have seen fit to gen-
eralize these detached works attributed to God
as his work, and from them show his design or
will. Yet such repeated results give as unmis-
takable evidence of design in the moral world,
as does the uniformity of the laws of nature
show God's design in them. I presume what
is acknowledged to be true in detail, will not
be denied when combined in a general form.
So, I conclude, that the works of Providence
will be allowed as a competent witness, and
will constitute the second witness by which
the propositions of tliis book will be proved.
32 ANOTHER WONDER IN IIEaiVEN.
CHAPTER in.
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES.
It is recorded in Rev. xv. 7, 8 : " And one of
the four beasts gave unto the seven angels
seven golden vials full of the wrath of God,
who liveth forever and ever. And the temple
was filled with smoke from the glory of God,
and from his power; and no man was able to
enter into the ternple, till the seven plagues of
the seven angels were fulfilled."
The correct identification of the four living
creatures, as the phrase " the four beasts "
might more properly be translated, gives the
proper clew, as I believe, to the unfolding of
all the mysteries of the book of Revelation.
For, although it might be possible to have a
proper understanding of those personages, and
yet be able to solve but few of the mys-
THE FOUK LIVING CREATURES. 33
teries of that book. Yet, if they are not cor-
rectly ascertained, it is, as I suppose, impossi-
ble to have correct views of the figurative ex-
pressions contained in that book. They hold
conspicuous stations in the kingdom of heaven
or gospel dispensation ; and may, therefore, be
supposed to be holy men or holy angels. But
if it can be proved that they belong to the
human family, we may reasonably look for
them in familiar personages, described in in-
spired or human history,
* These four living creatures appear to be lead-
ers of, and superior in station to, the four and
twenty elders. For the latter seem to obey
their direction. For it is written in Rev. iv. 9 :
"And when those beasts give glory and honor
and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who
liveth forever and ever, the four and twenty
elders fall down before him that sat on the
throne, and worship him that liveth forever
and ever." Their number being four, does not
allow us to identify them with Peter and Paul,
individually or collectively, as holding chief
supremacy in the church, the kingdom of
34 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
heaven, or the gospel dispensation. Nor do we
appear authorized to look to the Old Testament
dispensation for the identification of these per-
sonages called the four beasts or living crea-
tures. For it is written in Matt. xi. 9, 11 : "What
went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say
unto you, and more than a prophet. Verily I
say unto you, among them that are born of
women there hath not risen a greater than
John the Baptist : notwithstanding, he that is
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he." If the four and twenty elders are apos-
tles and prophets, because the church is built
on the testimony of the apostles and prophets,
there would seem to be no other distinguished
personages left who could occupy so conspic-
uous a station, unless they were the four evan-
gelists. These correspond in their number, in
the equality of their office, and in the superi-
ority of the station they occupy. And the fig-
urative description of them, unitedly and sev-
erally, seems to show the duties and import-
ance of their social position.
if the four beasts or living creatures are the
THE FOUR LIVING OKEATUKES. 35
four evangelists, the one that gave to the seven
angels the seven golden vials full of the wrath
of God, was John the Revelator, w ho was also
one of the evangelists. The book of Revela-
tion asserts that John the Revelator wrote this
book unto the seven churches of Asia. The
word angel means messenger. And it is re-
corded in Mai. ii. 7 : " For the priest's lips should
keep knowledge. For he is the messenger of
the Lord of hosts." The gospel equivalent for
gold is wisdom, and for golden is wise, which
may be seen in the following manner : Wisdom
is more precious than rubies, and the gold of
Ophir can not be compared unto it. Although
it is said that the gold of Ophir can not be
compared unto it, nevertheless, by comparison,
gold is declared to be inferior to it, but is the
most valuable substance in the material world,
as wisdom is the most precious in the moral
and intellectual world. It is, therefore, the
only equivalent that can be found for wisdom,
and is used in all the passages of Revelation
as its equivalent. We must, therefore, con-
clude that the golden vials which contained
36 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
the seven last plagues were the seven copies
of the book of Eevelation, dictated by divine
wisdom, and sent to the seven churches of
Asia. This book contained the prophecy of
these plagues, which was sufficient guarantee
of their fulfillment. The seven pastors of the
seven churches of Asia may, therefore, be said
to have received the container of those plagues
which the vials are, when they received the
book which contained the prophecy of those
plagues. For God's word shall not return unto
him void, but shall accomplish that whereunto
it was sent.
But as I have, for the sake of convenience,
only supposed that the four beasts or living
creatures were the four evangelists, it becomes
necessary to produce further evidence in sup-
port of that opinion. So, then, I undertake, first,
to prove by the Scriptures that they belong to
the human family. And, secondly, I shall pro-
duce the gospel equivalents to exhibit their
individual characteristics, by wliicli they are
designated in the Scriptures ; as Matthew, the
publican or tax-gatherer ; Mark, the brief wri-
THE FOUR LIVrNG CREATUEES. 37
ter; Luke, the accomplished scholar; and
John, the bosom companion of our Lord, de-
scending to the grave in peace. These are
more sure and certain representations than if
designated by their names or bodily features.
That these four beasts or living creatures
belong to the human family, is evident from
Kev. V. 8, 9 : "And when he had taken the
book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every
one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odors, which are the prayers of saints. And
they sung a new song, saying. Thou art worthy
to take the book, and to open the seal thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to
God by thy blood out of every kindred, and
tongue, and people, and nation." Christ was
made under the law, to redeem those who were
under the law. And we have no account of
any, but the human race, that have been re-
deemed. And this is also supported by the
testimony of Kev. xiv. 3 : " And they sung as it
were a new song before the throne, and before
the four beasts, and the elders ; and no man
38 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
could learn that song but the hundred and forty
and four thousand, which were redeemed from
the earth." From the last testimony it is evi-
dent that none but the redeemed could learn
that song ; and from the first testimony, that
the four beasts or living creatures, and the four
and twenty elders actually joined in that song.
The song, in both instances, is called a new
song, and is, therefore, presumed to be the
same. It was the song of the redeemed — of
the four and twenty elders, and of the one hun- ,
dred and forty and four thousand, which were
sealed of all the tribes of the children of Israel,
and of a great multitude, which no man could
number of all nations, and kindreds, and peo-
ple, and tongues, who had come out of great
tribulation, and had washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
This new song was, doubtless, joined in con-
jointly by them all, although the four living
creatures, and the four and twenty elders, taken
separately from the rest, may not have been
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation. The four beasts, and the four and
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES. 39
twenty elders consequently belonged to the
human family. Angels could not learn that
song, for they could not, with propriety, say
what was not true. For angels were never re-
deemed. Wicked angels never received, and
holy angels never needed, redemption. We
can not, therefore, look for the four beasts or
living creatures among the angels of light.
And the angels of darkness have no desire to
be placed so near the throne of God and the
Lamb. Now, these four living creatures hold
a conspicuous part in the kingdom, which is
represented by the throne and the seats of the
.elders. And, as they belong to the human
family, we must, consequently, look for them
among some who have held important offices
in the kingdom of grace. And, accordingly,
the four evangelists occupy that position in
regard to other men. And although I can not
produce direct Scripture testimony calling
these four living creatures the four evangelists,
yet I expect to prove by the established char-
acteristics of animated nature, by which they
are represented, and the scriptural usage of the
40 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
same, that they identically represent the bio-
graphieal characteristics of these four evangel-
ists, found recorded in the sacred Scriptures.
And especially do I expect it to be fully appar-
ent, after quoting numerous passages from the
writings of these evangelists, which will prove
what is set forth on the opening of the four
seals, when the four beasts or living creatures
are represented to say, " come and see." For
it is a remarkable coincidence, that numerous
passages introduced in their connection with
the words "come and see" should precisely
disclose the picture or representation exhibited
by the opening of the seals, recorded in the
sixth chapter. This coincidence is very appa-
rent— is at least beautiful — and to my mind
affords evidence of inspired design. Nor have
I, among the numerous individuals to whom I
have exhibited this coincidence, met a person,
learned orunlearned, who denied its efficacy
or beauty.
The four beasts agree in this particular,
namely, in having eyes before and behind.
Eyes denote wisdom ; and before and behind
i
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES. 11
denote the future and the past. The four evan-
gelists agree in the iDOssession and distribution
of knowledge of future and past transactions.
History and prophecy are some of the means
used by the sacred i)enmen to diffuse divine
wisdom. And these are conspicuous in the four
evangelists. Although all the holy men of God,
in inditing the sacred Scriptures, spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost ; yet, in so do-
ing, they did not lose their identity, or distin-
guishable traits of character. The disciples
of Christ were called from various pursuits of
life, and under various circumstances. And in
their intercourse with other men, whether in
speaking or writing, they still retained their
peculiarities of style or manner. As it is
recorded, that John came neither eating nor
drinking, and the Son of man came eating and
drinking, yet wisdom is justified of her chil-
dren. So, also, the peculiarities of the four
evangelists are represented to us under four
distinct and easy distinguishable traits, namely,
by imagery taken from the savage and domes-
42 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
tic state — from the celestial and terrestrial
spheres.
" And the first beast was like a lion, and the
second beast like a calf, and the third beast
had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was
like a flying eagle." — Rev. iv. 7. The first
beast or living creature, therefore, will be Mat-
thew, who, when he was called to be a disciple,
was found sitting at the receipt of custom.
This was the tax-gatherer's or treasurer's office.
For custom is tax; as we say the custom-house
at which duties on foreign goods are collected.
Matthew is repeatedly denominated in the
Scriptures the publican. He is, therefore, dis-
tinguished as the servant of the Roman empire
in the collection of taxes. And as the lion was
the king of beasts, so, also, the Roman empire
was king of nations, demanding its tribute, if
necessary, by force. And as it is said, ye take
my life when ye take the means by wliich I
live. And the humblest tax-gatherer, in the
legal discharge of his duty, was virtually sup-
ported by the entire power of the Roman em-
pire. For if resistance should be made, suflicient
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES. 43
force would be called out to overcome it.
And no other officer of the Roman empire could
bear so great a resemblance to the lion, which is
king of beasts, as would the more humble
tax-gatherer or publican.
The second beast or living creature, namely,
Mark, is represented to us under the figure of a
calf It is apparent that brevity and omission
are distinguishable traits of Mark's style of
writing, which all good judges would be ready
to admit. But some might not be willing to ad-
mit a similar trait in the natural characteristic
of the calf. Admitting that other animals in
the natural world skip as well as the calf, yet,
perhaps, none do so in a more remarkable de-
gree ; or are as directly so described by the
pen of inspiration. Be that as it may, it is suf-
ficient for me to know that that characteristic
is applied to the calf either by the acknowl-
edged opinion of men, or by the positive decla-
ration of Scripture. The substitution of the
natural equivalent of skipping as a prominent
characteristic of the calf, for the hasty glancing
style of Mark's composition, is not the only
44 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
evidence of his being the second beast or liv-
ing creature. For it is supported by the col-
lateral evidence derived irom the use of the
words "come and see" as an index to a subject
before hidden, but then made known, as will
be further seen on the opening of the second
seal.
The natural idea attached to a calf may be
in the opinion of some contemptible. Yet this
is not necessarily the true scriptural idea.
For we are assisted in our definition of a calf
by divine inspiration. As it is recorded in
Psalms xxix. 5, 6 : " The voice of the Lord break-
eth the cedars of Lebanon ; he maketh them
also to skip like a calf." So we see that the
idea attached to the calf is that of skipping.
And we have often admired the skipping of
the calf, which shows its agility and strength.
And as the calf in its vigor skips over the
ground, so, also, the second evangelist, in his
haste to introduce us without delay to the im-
portant design and teachings of Christ, skips
over the record of his bii'th and parentage.
This omission was not essential, as the other
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES. i5
evangelists amply illustrated that subject.
And this may have been done for another rea-
son, namely, to teach us an important lesson in
interpreting the Scriptures, which is, that many
other things were said and done by Christ and
his disciples, which were not written. So in
the interpretation of the Scriptures by the
method herein developed, this rule continually
presents itself for our consideration.
The third beast or living creature, which we
assert to be Luke, is said to have " a face as a
man." The phrase, " a face as a man," is pecul-
iarly adapted to express his exalted condition.
That the natural position of the face of man
denotes his elevated character, is evident from
the humility and dejection wiiich is expressed
by its prostration. As may be seen hy its use
in the Sacred Scriptures ; for we find tlxat others,
and Christ himself, in times of deepest humil-
ity and distress, prostrated their faces to the
ground. To have a face as a man appears to
us in a two-fold light: First, as superior to
other living creatures, inasmuch as man is su-
perior to all animate creation. Secondly, having
46 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
"a face as a man" as a personal trait does
not make him distinguishable from other men.
Such apparently o]3posite personal character-
istics can not be reconciled in any other evan-
gelist than Luke. For he was superior to the
other evangelists in the extent of his acquired
abilities. He is styled the beloved physician,
and was, doubtless, versed in medical science.
And we need no further proof of his literary
attainments than the original copy of the book
of Luke. It is known to all Greek scholars
that the writer of the book of Luke is the orly
evangelist who does not exhibit multiplied
proofs of their Hebrew origin, as plainly as
common people of foreign birth exhibit their
various nationalities; as a Scotch, German, or
L:ishman may be known by their respective
peculiarities of words, phrases, or pronuncia-
tion. So, also, Luke, in being a better Greek
scholar than the other evangelists, excelled
them even as " a face as a man " is superior to
the rest of animated nature. And, at the same
time, his nationality, or the era of his writings,
is not discernible by his style, national words,
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES'. 47
or phrases. The other evangelists, in writing
the words of inspiration, were not overruled in
expressing those ideas in their own Hebrew
dialect of the Greek language. And these cir-
cumstances afford incontestable proof to Greek
scholars of all ages and countries, that Mat-
thew, Mark and John were Hebrews, writing
near the time of Augustus Caesar in the Greek
language. Tliis, at least, establishes their iden-
tity and nationality, and gives mankind a bet-
ter opportunity to judge of their truthfulness
or veracity. And Luke's differing from the
other evangelists is rather corroborative of
their testimony than otherwise, as it forms a
contrast which call only be accounted for from
the fact that he was a Gentile, and one of the
early fruits of the promulgation of the gospel
to the Gentile world. So, in elucidating the
glowing figures presented by the Revelator,
we are obliged to present to our minds and the
minds of others, who hear or read our elucida-
tion, some of the most important evidences of
the genuineness of the gospels, and with them
of the writings of both the Old and New Test-
48 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
aments ; for they are all connected, and if the
gospels are true or false, the other writings of
the Scriptures stand or fall with them. This,
alone, is sufficient vindication of the wisdom
and design of such a figurative representation.
Truly, it is said, Christ is the power of God and
the wisdom of God. For such figures are like
the finger of God, pointing out to us the most
incontestible evidence of the truthfulness of the
gospels, and of the whole divine record.
"And the fourth beast was like a flying
eagle." It should be noticed that the eagle is
not here represented to us in its capacity of a
bird of prey. Therefore, it would be improper
to identify it with Matthew the publican, or
any other servant of the Koman empire,
whether civil, political, or military, but as the
king of birds, flying loftily in the sky, and ap-
parently approaching nearer the sun, the ruler
of day, than any other of the feathered tribe,
it may well represent the evangelist John.
For who, during the ministry of our Savior ap-
proached nearer his person than the beloved
disciple, who, according to the ancient mode
THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES. 49
of taking their meals, almost reclined upon his
bosom. And the resemblance between the
natural sun and the sun of righteousness will
not, I suppose, be disputed. For Christ is called
the true light which lighteth every man that
Cometh into the world. Moreover, the idea at-
tached in the Scriptures to the flying of an
eagle is its ability to escape danger. As may
be seen by consulting its use in Rev. xii. 14:
"And to the woman were given two wings of a
great eagle, that she might fly into the wilder-
ness," which was to her a place of safety. And
this ability to escape danger was granted to
the evangelist John, which is not recorded of
any other. For it is recorded in John xxi. 23 :
" Yet Jesus said not unto him, he shall not die ;
but, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is
that to thee ? " Which is generally understood
to signify that he should escape the power of
all persecutions, and die a natural death.
It is, therefore, maintained that these four
beasts or living creatures, who hold so con-
spicuous a station around the throne of the
kingdom of heaven or gospel dispensation, in
50 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
their primary interpretation, denote the four
evangelists personally, and in their secondary,
their writings or the gospels of our Savior
Jesus Christ. They are understood to be the
same as the four angels standing on the four
corners of the earth, mentioned in • Rev. vii.
But the explanation of that scriptural passage
comes not within the scope of this presnt treat-
ise. They are also understood to be the same
as the four angels bound in the great river
Euphrates mentioned in Rev. ix. 14. The elu-
cidation of which is connected with the out-
pouring of the sixth vial, in the consideration
of which some remarks may be made thereon.
THE SEVEN SEALS. 01
CHAPTER IV.
THE SEVEN SEALS,
It is recorded in Rev. v. i: "And I saw in
the right hand of him that sat on the throne a
book, written within and on the back side,
sealed with seven seals."
There is a peculiarity attending the interpreta-
tion of the prophecy in the book of Revelation
that should be noticed, which is, that the rep-
resentation is such as an intelligent human
being might arrive at on contemplating the
subject retrospectively without the aid of di-
vine inspiration. This may be termed the
human aspect of affairs described, or judging
from appearances. Other parts of Scrip-
ture more frequently present to us the divine
aspect of the subject expressed, or the real
state of the case as viewed by angels or the
62 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
diyine intelligence by the light of eternity.
This diiference does not arise from the dilferent
methods used in the interpretation of the
Scriptures, but from the different manners in
which they were written. Both aspects or
views of inspiration are useful in their differ-
ent places. And one reason that the divine
aspect of affairs is more frequently given in
other parts of the Scriptures may be that the
human aspect is more easily supplied from
human sources of knowledge, and is not so
important in retrospective history. For men
can easily write the history of the past as they
understand it. So, also, in prophesying of the
future, it seems more necessary to describe
affairs according to appearances, so that when
the fulfillment takes place, men may the more
easily discern it.
The better to illustrate the subject, I will
briefly announce what book it was that was
sealed with seven seals, and show the result of
the seven seals opened, together with the man-
ner of their opening. The fifth chapter of the
book of this prophecy represents that the Old
THE SEVEN SEALS. 53
Testament, at least in seven particulars, would
be a perfect failure without the aid of the New.
That neither men nor angels could fully com-
prehend its design or utility without the addi-
tional light, either by direct or reflected illu-
mination of the New Testament dispensation.
But with that additional source of comprehen-
sion, it was an object of rejoicing to all wise
and good intelligences. Six seals are opened
in the sixth chapter of the book of this proph-
ecy, as follows: The first is, that Christ,
under the most trying and critical circum-
stances, should give indubitable evidence of
the purity of his character, and his resistance
of all unholy passions, and should manifest
even while here in the flesh his infinite wis-
dom and power, and finally overcome death
and the grave. The second seal opened, dis-
closes that the Jewish temple should be de-
stroyed, and its institutions abolished. The
third seal opened, made it manifest that the
Roman army was commissioned by the court
of heaven to destroy the city of Jerusalem,
under very extraordinary circumstances of war
54 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
and famine ; but were withheld by the some di-
vine power from exercising that same cruelty
upon the early Christians, who were forwarned
of that calamity, and directed how to escape its
evils. The fourth seal opened, disclosed the
exciting cause of the persecution of the Chris-
tian martyrs, which is briefly summed up in
their confession that Christ was the Son of God.
For which confession, also, Christ himself, under
oath before the Jewish high priest, was con-
demned to the death of the cross. The open-
ing of the fifth seal disclosed the fact that the
martyrs, although so brutally treated by men
in authority, were held in high favor by the God
of heaven, who only delayed to execute sum-
mary vengeance on their murderers, that the
remnant of his people might be gathered into
his kingdom. The opening of the sixth seal,
made it manifest that a warlike power was
raised, which threatened the mighty ones of
earth with temporal devastation, desolation,
and the overthrow of civil authority ; but which
was not permitted to carry into execution its
plotted evils, until the servants of God had
THE SEVEN SEALS. 55
given incontestable proof of the purity and
inoffensiveness of the Christian religion. The
opening of the seventh seal discloses the
threatening, and the manner of executing
seven dire calamities upon the human race.
It embraces the seven trumpets and the last
seven plagues, and the destructive and bene-
ficial results thereof, namely, the downfall of]
Babylon or the apostate church, and the renewal
of the New Jerusalem, or the Church of Christ
in its pristine purity and holiness.
But the way in which our attention is drawn
to those declarations of the New Testament,
which furnish us with those conclusions of the
results of the opening of the first four seals,
is seen in the following manner : It is supposed
to be proved that the four beasts mentioned in
chapters fourth, fifth, and sixth of this proph-
ecy are the same as the four angels mentioned
in the sixth trumpet and vial. And I shall
endeavor to show, by quotations from those
authors, that they exhibit the representations
manifested when those living creatures say,
" come and see ; " or, in other words, that thp
56 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
passages in connection with the words " come
and see," found in the four evangelists, and
what John, in the Revelation said he saw, is
the sum and substance of those passages found
in the evangelists in connection with the
words " come and see." This is a remarkable
fact, whether designed by inspiration, as is here
alleged, or accidental, as those who will finally
discredit this theory will suppose. And this
is the more remarkable as the testimony is
sometimes two-fold, inasmuch as the same rep-
resentation can be proved by taking the tes-
timony from different evangelists. For it is
not contradictory to the assertion that one of
the four beasts said, " come and see," if another
also should, under similar circumstances, give
the same invitation.
It is recorded in Rev. vi. 1,2: " And I saw
when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and
I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one
of the four beasts, saying, "come and see."
And I saw, and behold a white horse : and he
that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was
given unto him : and he went forth conquering,
THE SEVEN SEALS. 57
and to conquer." It should be noticed that it
is not said the first beast, but that one of the
beasts said, " come and see." So you are at lib-
erty to take the testimony from Matthew or
John, as these are the only two evangelists
which have the passages in connection with
the words " come and see," which will fill the
representation recorded in the second verse
of the same chapter. "And I saw and behold
a white horse : and he that sat on him had a
bow ; and a crown was given unto him, and
he went forth conquering, and to conquer."
It can be seen that the passages, whether
taken from Matthew or John, refer to Christ,
and delineate his earthly difficulties, and his
complete success in overcoming them. The
testimony from Matthew is not so copious as
that from John ; but I will give that testimony
first. It is recorded in Matt. ii. 9: "Lo, the
star, which they saw in the east went before
them till it came and stood over where the
young child was." The star in silent language
seemed to say, "come and see," and they
obeyed. "And when they were come into the
58 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
house, they saw the young child with Mary his
mother, and fell down, and worshiped him."
Here was the great victory, the babe born in
a manger receiving the adoration and princely
gifts of the wise men of the east, guided by
the miraculous direction of the star of Bethle-
hem. And the only testimony besides this
just presented, which I have found in the book
of Matthew, is recorded in Matt, xxviii. 6:
"Come see the place Vviiere the Lord lay."
When you take into consideration the circum-
stances of the life and death of Jesus of
Nazareth, how he was crucified with malefac-
tors, and obtained a burial in a rich man's
tomb, and that even the tomb was not able to
contain his body, but it broke forth from the
slumbers of the grave, as the Lord of death
and the grave, the victory seems complete —
from the cradle to the grave he was victorious,
going forth conquering, and to conquer.
But as this testimony is not very ample, and
many may be disposed to doubt the coinci-
dence between the passages in connection
with the words "come and see," because, in the
TIIE SEVEN SEALS. 59
first instance, it was not audible words to that
effect, but only the silent guidance of the star,
although came and saw are only the past* tense
of come and see, I will, therefore, adduce more
ample testimony from the book of John. Ac-
cording to the scriptural declaration, the last
shall be first and the first last. And accord-
ingly the first " come and see," to which I shall
call your attention, is recorded in John i. 46 :
" And Nathaniel said unto him, can there any
good thing come out of Nazareth ? Philip saith
unto him, come and see." Take under consid-
eration that Jesus Christ entered his ministry
under unfavorable circumstances, being con-
sidered a Nazarene, which was allied in their
minds with whatever was mean and contemp-
tible. To conquer implies difficulties to be
overcome. And here was a great prejudice
of the Jews to overcome, on account of the
place of his residence and supposed nativity.
The first " come and see " shows a difficulty to
be overcome, and a partial conquest of that
difficulty. The second " come and see " shows
a more complete victory, as can be seen by
60 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
the second quotation from the same book,
which is found recorded in John iv. 29 : "Come,
see a man, which told me all things that ever
I did : is not this the Christ ? " Here is a con-
fession of a woman who had not been a disci-
ple of Christ, and on that account could not be
suspected of deceit, acknowledging the great
wisdom of Jesus of Nazareth. In this he
surely conquered, proving by a disinterested
witness that he possessed ample knowledge to
fill that sphere which he occupied. The next
" come and see " affords no evidence of his su-
perior wisdom, but, on the contrary, would seem
to imply frailty in knowledge as he acted by the
direction of others, and seemed so overcome
as to sympathize and weep with his afflicted
friends. Yet the sequel showed his great power,
when, at his bidding, he who had been dead
burst forth from the fetters of the grave. This
testimony is found recorded in John xi. 34 :
"And said, where have ye laid him? They said
unto him. Lord, come and see." We have in
this passage connected with the words " come
and see," a history of the resurrection of
THE SEVEN SEALS. 61
Lazarus. Christ raising him from the dead
shows forth his power, and thus proves his
qualifications for the ministry which he entered
into under such unfavorable circumstances, as
is manifested by the exclamation, " can any
good come out of Nazareth ? "
But if in this life he had conquered all his
other difficulties, and had suffered death by the
hands of his enemies, like many others had
done, he might be considered a martyr to truth
or righteousness, but not a conquerer. And
exultation of his enemies might have aj^peared
true, he saved others, but himself he could not
save. If he had died a natural death he might
have conquered all his personal enemies. If
he had not died at all he might have conquered
all his enemies but the grave. For to conquer
implies a contest, and if he had had no contest
with the grave, he could not have conquered
it. And the final testimony of this his last con-
quest is found recorded in John xx. 27, 29. To
this we are also directed by the words " come
and see," or their equivalents : "Reach hither
thy finger, and behold my hands ; and reach
62 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side ; and
be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas
answered and said unto him, my Lord and my
God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because
thou hast seen me, thou hast believed." Our
Savior calls the acts seeing, and it was, doubt-
less, the strongest evidence given to any of the
disciples of the resurrection of Christ from the
grave.
There are other " come and sees " found in
the book of John, which all show forth a con-
quest of difficulty. They are sometimes taken
singly, and sometimes by pairs. Sometim'es
the see is only used, but the come is implied.
But it may not be necessary to multiply evi-
dence so much as to say all that might be said
on the subject. Suffice it to say that all this
testimony connected witL the different "come
and sees," recorded in the book of John, con-
stitutes that portion of the history of our
Savior, which was a mystery to the Jews of
the Old Testament dispensation. And our
Savior, who was the Lamb of God, broke this
seal or revealed this mystery when he per-
THE SEVEN SEAI,S. 63
formed the acts described, and caused their
record to be made for succeeding generations.
By the white horse we are to understand the
purity of character which Christ possessed.
His having a bow denotes that he has power
to execute vengeance on his enemies. And
his going forth conquering and to conquer de-
notes that he was placed under exceedingly
great difficulties, all of which we have seen he
overcame.
But does any one suppose that all this re-
semblance is accidental, and that the person
on the white horse does not necessarilj^ repre-
sent Christ? If so, it would be well to consult
the testimony of inspiration. It is recorded in
Rev. xix. 11, 13: "And I saw heaven opened,
and behold a white horse ; and he that sat upon
him was called faithful and true, and in right-
eousness he doth judge and make war. And
he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:
and his name is called the word of God." Ac-
cording as it is written in John i. 14: "And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
and we beheld his glory, the glory as of
64 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth." The conclusion seems to be irre-
sistible, and it is generally admitted to be
Jesus Christ. It may be acknowledged that
the person on the white horse is Christ, but, at
the same time, supposed that the victory men-
tioned is confined to the success of his cause
from the foundation of Christianity to the close
of time. This supposition lessens the greatness
of the conquest. For when the Lord has risen,
is seated on his throne of glory, and is invested
with all power in heaven and on earth, the
equality of the contest is greatly diminished,
as is illustrated ])j worldly history, when it is
said Caesar conquered Pompey. The victory
is greater than if he had fought with a less
distinguished general and a feebler foe. And
besides the latter conquest is the personal af-
fair of the followers of Christ while upon earth,
who are seated on white horses, and follow
their leader, who has gone before them in his
earthly career.
"And when he had opened the second seal,
I heard the second beast say, < come and see.'
THE SEVEN SEALS. 65
And there went out another horse that was
red; and power was given to him that sat
thereon to take peace from the earth, and that
they should kill one another : and there was
given unto him a great sword." — Rev. vi. 3, 4.
It is recorded in Matt. xxiv. 2 : " And Jesus said
unto them, See ye not all these things ? verily
I say unto you, There shall not be left here
one stone upon another, that shall not be *
thrown down." This prediction of our Savior
refers to the destruction of the temple at
Jerusalem, which was announced to the disci-
ples while present in the temple. It was ac-
companied by the invitation, '^See ye not all
these things." Although they were all present
in the temple, yet their minds were especially
directed by the interrogation to see or contem-
plate the buildings of the temj)le, and is, there-
fore, equivalent to the expression, " come and
see." For if their minds were directed to some
other object or subject, they might not notice
the greatness or beauty of the buildings. All
the other evangelists, who record this prediction
66 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
of our Savior, introduce it in some manner by
the exhortation to see or behold these things.
That the Jewish temple and its institutions
should be superseded by the Christian dispen-
sation was a mystery to the Jews; and was
only disclosed by Christ to his disciples, who
were enabled to comprehend its necessity and
predetermined design. And this was accom-
plished by war, as is denoted by the red horse
which John said he saw. As the taking away
peace from the earth, and having a great sword,
also plainly apply.
"And when he opened the third seal, I heard
the third beast say, ' come and see.' And I
beheld, and, lo, a black horse ; and he that sat
on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four
beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny,
and three measures of barley for a penny ; and
see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." — Kev.
vi. 5, 6.
The next evangelist to whom I shall call
your attention, is Mark. It is recorded in
Mark xiii. 21 : " And if any man shall say to
THE SEVEN SEALS. 67
you, lo, here is Christ ; or, lo, he is there, be-
lieve him not." This quotation is part of a dis-
course of Christ to his disciples while seated
upon the Mount of Olives, which refers to the
destruction of Jerusalem, and includes ample
directions to the disciples how to escape the
severity of the calamities which was about to
befall the Jewish nation. It is asserted that
this passage is referred to, when the third seal
is opened, and John heard the third beast say,
" Come and see." For the word translated lo ;
as ' lo here ; ' lo there is the same word which is
elsewhere translated see. And the phrase
means see here, see there, and is equivalent to
"come and see."
It is also asserted that the representation
expressed by what John said he saw, is the same
as the substance of the discourse of Christ to
his disciples, which may be seen in the follow-
ing manner: The black horse denotes famine,
according to the usage of Scripture, as shown
by Lam. v. 10 : " Our skin was black like an
oven, because of the terrible famine." The
balances, or scales, in the hand of the rider on
68 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
the black horse denotes the retribution which
awaited the guilty victims, or the vengeance
about to be inflicted upon the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, for the rejection and crucifixion
of our Savior. The scarcity of food and grain
is indicated by the phrase " a measure of wheat
for a penny, and three measures of barley for
a penny." For the original word here trans-
lated measure denotes such a capacity as to
contain the grain for the bread of one man one
day ; or, in modern military phraseology, one
ration of wheat. For such a quantity to be
sold for a denarius, the ancient Roman coin
here translated penny, which was the wages
of a man for a day, must denote great scarcity
and high price. For, when a man can only earn
in a day the bread required for himself for that
day, it is evident he would have no surplus to
buy food for a family, or to buy the other nec-
essaries of life. And the starvation of all de-
pendent on others for support, must be the nat-
ural consequence. And three measures of bar-
ley for a penny denotes that that grain was
equally dear, considering the uses to which it
THE SEVEN SEALS. 69
was generally applied in ancient times, being
appropriated to the sustenance of domestic
animals; as wheat was to that of the human
family. "And see thou hurt not the oil and
the wine." In the parable of the ten virgins,
the wise had oil in their vessels with their
lamps. These evidently denote true Christians,
as wine is used in the communion or Lord's
supper, of which, those who properly partake,
aYe true Christians.
The amount of the subject is this, that the
destruction of Jerusalem was determined on,
as a punishment to the disobedient Jews for their
rejection and crucifixion of Christ; from which
the Christians were to be exempt, as Christ
had directed them that as a reward for their
fidelity, and, also, that they might be instru-
mental in difl'using Christianity throughout the
world. And the unbelieving Jews were to be
deluded to their own destruction, by trusting
in false Christs, who were expected to deliver
them from the power of the Romans. But
our Savior plainly foretold his disciples these
events, and gave them such directions as
70 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
enabled them personally to escape the calami-
ties which befell their unbelieving countrymen.
And this is the warning which is expressed by
"lo, here is Christ; lo, he is there, believe them
not." For, if they trusted in these false Christs,
they would not obey the directions upon which
their personal safety depended, and God would
not interfere and furnish them other means to
escape from the threatening calamity.
Although this discourse, on the Mount of
Olives, was an explanation of a former one,
predicting the destruction of the temple, it
was, nevertheless, delivered at another time
and place, and essentially distinct from it.
For it was possible for the temple to be de-
stroyed without the destruction of the city.
And, also, for the latter to be mostly destroyed
without the destruction of the former. They
are two distinct things, inasmuch as each sep-
arately was a mystery or sealed subject to the
Jews, and is, therefore, distinguished into two
parts ; namely, the destruction of the temple
and its mode of worship, or the cessation of the
Jewish religion as an object of divine appoint-
THE SEVEN SEALS. 71
ment or favor, and the destruction of Jerusa-
lem, under the most appalling scenes of blood-
shed and famine.
Rev. vi. 7, 8 : " And when he had opened the
fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth
beast say, * come and see.' And I looked, and
behold a pale horse: and his name that sat
on him was death, and hell followed with him.
And power was given unto them over the fourth
part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with
hunger, and with death, and with the beasts
of the earth."
The next " come and see " that claims our at-
tention, it seems, should be found in the book
of Luke. Because I have quoted from John,
Matthew, and Marl^ and Luke, alone, remains.
And I confess that I can not find any " come
and see " in the book of Luke, corresponding
with the representation set forth on the open-
ing of the fourth seal. But I turn to the Acts
of the Apostles, and find that it was written by
an author, who had written another treatise
of all that Jesus began to do and teach. And
the Acts of the Apostles are generally
72 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
attributed to Luke. And I find in Acts viii. 36,
37 : " See, here is water ; what doth hinder me
to be baptized ? And Philip said, if thou be-
lievest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And
he answered and said, I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God." " See here " is a
phrase equivalent to "come and see." And
see, here is water, is connected with the con-
fession that Jesus is the Christ. And when
Peter made the same confession, Jesus told him
that on this rock he would build his church.
And it is a fact beyond the power of success-
ful contradiction, that adherence to this con-
fession was the cause of the death of Christ,
and of all of his followers, who died as martyrs
for his sake, as may be partly seen in Matt,
xxvi. 63-66: "And the high priest answered
and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living
God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ
the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him. Thou
hast said : nevertheless, I say unto you. Here-
after shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the
right hand of power, and coming in the clouds
of heaven. Then the high priest rent his
THE SEVEN SEALS. 73
clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy ;
what further need have we of witnesses ? be-
hold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What
think ye ? They answered and said, He is guilty
of death." Christ made this confession under
oath before the Jewish high priest, and for it
was judged guilty of blasphemy, and worthy
of death. So, also, all of his disciples, who,
by adhering to that confession, have sacrificed
their lives, may be said to have perished by
sword, and by hunger, and by the beasts of the
earth.
The fourth seal opened reveals the fact
which was before little understood, that God
would permit the enemies of Christianity to
show their hatred to it by their cruel persecu-
tions of its early followers ; and that he would
make the malice of its enemies conducive to
the spread of the gospel.
The opening of the fifth seal is not accom-
panied with references to passages in other
parts of Scripture, but it shows that God's pe-
culiar care was exercised toward those who
had been martyred for the testimony which
74 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
they held, although they had been cruelly
treated by men in authority while on earth.
That their persecution was not permitted from
any want of love to their faithfulness, purity,
and sincerity, but it was to test their fidelity,
show the wonderful power of their faith, and
perpetuate the purity of the church. That
their reward was prepared and made sure unto
them when their number should be completed.
Rev. vi. 12: "And I beheld when he had
opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake; and the sun became black as
sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as
blood." The word earthquake may, with equal
propriety, be translated commotion. The ele-
ments of a physical revolution were organized
which threatened the devastation and destruc-
tion of the established physical organization
then existing. Clans and hoards of barbarians
were organizing, gaining power, and making
irruptions on civilized nations, threatening the
devastation and destruction of the civilized
governments, and the supplanting them by the
hardships and privations of barbarian life
THE SEVEN SEALS. 75
"And the sun became black as sackcloth of
hair." This is inter23reted as follows : The first
equivalent for sun in the natural world is
Christ the Sun of righteousness, who is so
called spiritually or figuratively. Christ is
called, in like manner, the " Word of God," and
this last expression is susceptible of two in-
terpretations, the latter of which signifies the
Scriptures of truth, in Avhich sense the connec-
tion requires it to be taken here. The Scrip-
tures were, therefore, greatly depressed or
overpowered by the disturbed state attending
the barbarian invasion. For it was as sack-
cloth of hair, which denotes mourning; as
sackcloth was used on such occasions. " And
the moon became as blood," which is under-
stood as follows : The moon denotes the cere-
monial law of Moses — an institution inferior
to the gospel. According as it it written:
" The law was given by Moses, but grace and
truth came by Jesus Christ. The law of Moses
is compared wdth grace and truth, and is con-
sidered inferior to it. Grace and truth have
been proved to be equal to the gospel, and
76 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
Christ and the gospel are used as equivalents,
and Christ is the Sun of righteousness, there-
fore, the Sun of righteousness is compared with
the law of Moses, and is acknowledged to be
superior to it. And in the natural world, the
light next inferior to the sun is the moon.
Christ was the dispenser of the gospel as Moses
was the law of Jewish ceremonies, and they
stand in the same relation to each other as the
sun does to the moon, which, therefore, de-
notes the ceremonial law of Moses, an institu-
tion enlightening mankind by its borrowed
light. By becoming blood is to be understood
the corruptive, dead state, to w^hich it was re-
duced when superseded by the gospel.
Rev. vi. 13 : " And the stars of heaven fell
unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her
untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty
wind."
The stars of heaven are the less lights of the
firmament as the teachings of the apostles are
inferior to that of Christ, the Sun of righteous-
ness. They are also inferior to the law of
Moses ; inasmuch as they were not dignified
THE SEVEN SEALS. 77
with the rank of a separate institution of God,
as was the Mosaic dispensation. These teach-
ings were displaced or overwhelmed by the
physical or natural commotion agitating the
world; or, in other words, divinely appointed
dispensations instituted by Moses. Christ and
his apostles appeared to be overwhelmed by
barbaric and Pagan idolatry.
Rev. vi. 14 : " And the heaven departed as a
scroll when it is rolled together; and every
mountain and island were moved out of their
places."
By the heaven departing as a scroll we are
to understand that the events transpiring on
the earth were apparently unfavorable to the
reign of the Messiah or the gospel dispensa-
tion. That the kingdom of heaven or gospel
dispensation retreated to the obscure places
of earth. And as the mountains and islands
are the prominent objects of earth and sea, so,
also, the prominent objects in state and church
were moved out of their accustomed abodes.
For we have already shown that the word sea
denotes the church, and what is earthly, if
78 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
that is not which is not spiritual ? Kev.
vi. 15: "And the kings of the earth, and
the great men, and the rich men, and the
chief captains, and the mighty men, and every
bond man, and every free man, hid themselves
in the dens and in the rocks of the mount-
ains."
All ranks and conditions of men were af-
fected by this revolution, and greatly bewailed
its dire calamities. They sought refuge from
its severity in the huts and hovels of the bar-
barian; in the dens and caves of the earth —
habitations more fit for the wild beasts of the
wilderness, than for the abodes of civilized
life. And, although inferior agencies were used
to bring about those great changes in the af-
fairs of men, yet the true cause was the wrath
of the Lamb ; or the retribution which awaited
the persecutors of the Christian church.
Eev. viii. 1 : "And when he had opened the
seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about
the space of half an hour."
The seventh seal differs from all the others
in the number of the items of which it is com-
THE SEVEN SEALS. 79
posed, and the great length of time over which
it extends. And it differs from the most of the
others in being partly verified by a different
witness. For the first five consist of only one
item each. The first four are proved from the
Scriptures, partly by means of the index " come
and see." The fifth, sixth, and seventh are
partly proved from the book of Providence,
but they all agree in one particular, namely,
in being illustrated by means of gospel equiv-
alents, without which they are comparatively
unintelligible. The seventh seal consists of
seven distinct items, five of which are already
past and finished. The sixth has been nearly
completed, and the seventh item is yet to be
developed in the future. Yet all these items
can now be understood, although they are
partly proved by different witnesses. For the
Scriptures themselves are acknowledged to be
sufficient testimony on any subject to which
they relate. And the book of Providence or
the history of the past transactions of men,
when taken in connection with the testimony
of inspiration is a reliable witness.
80 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
"There was silence in heaven about the space
of half an hour." Between the administration
of forbearance, and the retribution due to in-
iquity, a short pause took place, which is here
indicated by the word silence. When Con-
stantino, the Roman emperor, embraced Chris-
tianity, a day of temporal prosperity seemed
about to dawn upon the church. We may sup-
pose that great expectations were excited in
the minds of all created holy intelligences,
whether men or angels, to see the result of
this change of the hostility of kings, hereto-
fore manifested toward the church. A pause
of suspense took place for a short duration,
here designated by the term "silence for half
an hour."
But the favor of kings was more detrimental
to the church, than their most determined op-
position. For the church persecuted was like
gold tried in the fire. But the church pro-
tected by princes, became amalgamated with
heathenish superstition. The w^orld now be-
came guilty of a two-fold sin against the
church. It had been at first guilty of the most
THE SEVEN SEALS. 81
violent persecutions, and to this was added a
more fearful consequence, namely, of corrupt-
ing the vital principles of truth and holiness.
The silence mentioned in the text was the
pause between the toleration of its enemies,
who had inflicted terrible acts of injustice to-
ward the church, and the retribution about to
be inflicted upon the civilized world, in seven
distinct particulars, and through many centu-
ries of time.
The phrase "in heaven," in this place, is sus-
ceptible of two different interpretations. One
is the church or gospel dispensation ; as it is
written, "For the kingdom of heaven is at
hand." The other is the local habitation of the
Deity, according as it is written, "Heaven is
my throne." But in which ever sense it is here
taken, it will not materially alter the meaning
in this place, for in the former sense, the rep-
resentation will have to be understood in the
sense of announcement or prophecy. In the
latter signification it will have to be under-
stood of its design or determination. Prophecy
82 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
or determination in the divine government are
both equivalent to fullillment or execution.
"And I saw the seven angels which stood
before God." They are the same as the seven
stars mentioned in Eev. i. 16, 20, wherein it is
said the seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches. The seven angels are the seven
pastors of the churches of Asia. The word
angel means messenger. God's messengers
are most commonly disembodied spirits. But
sometimes the sons of men are honored with
the office of messenger; according as it is writ-
ten, "For the priest's lips should keep knowl-
edge, and they should seek the law at his
mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of
of hosts." — Mai. ii. 7. A pastor is the priest
of the gospel dispensation, and a messenger is
an angel. Things that are equal to the same
are equal to each other. Therefore, the seven
angels are the pastors of the seven churches
of Asia.
"Which stood before God." The seven stars
are represented to be held in Christ's right
hand. He is represented as standing at the
THE SEVEN SEALS. 83
golden altar before the throne. And, more-
over, Christ is represented in Rev. i. 13, as be-
ing in the midst of the seven golden candle-
sticks. And in verse twentieth, the seven can-
dlesticks are declared to be the seven churches.
A pastor's business and duties are with his
flock or church. And if Christ was in the
midst of the golden candlesticks, and his place
was at the golden altar before the throne, and
the seven stars were in his right hand, they,
also, must be situated before the throne of
God.
"And to them were given seven trumpets."
The trumpet is an instrument of publication or
proclamation; as is also a book. They are,
therefore, equivalents. The seven trumpets
are the seven copies of the book of Revela-
tion, which John was commanded to write and
send to the churches of Asia. According as
it is written, "What thou seest write in a book
and send unto the seven churches which are
in Asia." — Rev. i. 11. They were to declare
the contents of the book, like as if they pro-
claimed them with a trumpet. According as
84 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
it is written in Isa. Iviii. 1: "Cry aloud, spare
not, lift up thy voice as a trumpet, and show
my people their transgression, and the house
of Jacob their sins."
Kev. viii. 3: "And another angel came and
stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and
there was given unto him much incense, that he
should offer it with the prayers of all saints
upon the golden altar which was before the
throne." The golden censer, golden altar, and
the incense with the prayers of all saints are
the names of things and persons in both the
Old and New Testaments. They, therefore,
need not be solved by gospel equivalents.
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 85
CHAPTER V.
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES.
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great
and marvelous, seven angels having the seven
last plagues ; for in them is filled up the wrath
of God."— Rev. xv. 1.
'^ And one of the four beasts gave unto the
seven angels seven golden vials full of the
wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever." —
Rev. XV. 7.
"And I heard a great voice out of the temple
saying to the seven angels. Go your ways, and
pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon
the earth." — Rev. xvi. 1.
The seven vials of God's wrath are said to
be poured out upon the earth. It can be said
that the word " earth " is not used strictly in
the sense of the material earth in a philo-
86 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
sopliical sense. For the fourth vial was poured
out upon the sun, which is no part of the earth,
as one of the planets of the solar system.
But the result of the outpouring of the fourth
vial affected the inhabitants of the earth; for
they were scorched with heat. It is plain that
the word earth, in its first and general sense,
is here used to designate the inhabitants of the
earth, that is the earth which is the container
is here used figuratively for its inhabitants ; or,
in other words, the fourth vial is said to be
poured out upon the earth, when it is poured
out upon the inhabitants. This figurative use
of words is common to all mankind ; as we
say a man is wedded to his bottle — that is the
liquor it contains ; the stage dines here — that
is the passengers.
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES.
God's final manifestations of displeasure to-
ward the human race may be divided into
seven different classes. The first one mani-
fests that God vindicates the cause of the
righteous by punishing in his own good time
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 87
their oppressors. The second one makes it
evident that spiritual advantages, if neglected
and perverted, shall be taken from their pos-
sessors, and given to others who will make
better use of those privileges. The third makes
it evident, that if they pervert the ordinances
of God's worship, that he permits them to know,
by bitter experience, that they will receive
less advantages from false systems of theology
than from true ones. The fourth one shows
that if they practice evil, while acknowledging
the authority of the Word of God, they must
pervert its interpretation to justify their con-
duct. The fifth shows that God often makes
use of perverted beings to punish others of
like character. The sixth shows that God has
great care over the free investigation of the
Scriptures, and will not always permit them to
be bound, but will cut off from the living those
that circumscribe its free investigation. The
seventh shows that God will eventually bring
into contempt and derision all kinds of false
philosophy which comes in contact with his
word.
S8 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
Tlie first of the last seven plagues was na-
tional in its character, warlike in its nature,
and deteriorating in its results. It was the mar-
tial triumph of barbarism over civilization.
In this respect it differed from some of the tri-
umphs of preceding ages, which had resulted
in planting a more intelligent and scientific
civilization on the minds of a ruder, more in-
dolent and barbarous one, as the erection of
the Grecian empire was the triumph of su-
perior skill and energy over indolence and
luxury. For the Greeks excelled the Persians
in general intelligence and enterprise, as well
as military science and energy of character.
The Koman empire, also, was founded by mili-
tary skill, as well as by a superiority of valor
and hardihood. But the overthrow of this
empire was the triumph of a rude valor over
a refined indolence. For the Komans, in the
decline of their empire, retained refinements
of scientific skill without their original hardi-
hood of character. These attainments proved
inadequate to the desperate valor of. the bar-
barians. The result of the seven barbarian
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 89
invasions was the downfall of the Roman em-
pire, and formed a new epoch in the liistory
of nations. In an earthly point of view, this
is viewed as a calamity, and this result is by the
writer considered as the first of the last seven
plagues. It was an act of retribution dispensed
upon a guilty, idolatrous nation, which had
shamefully persecuted the servants of the Most
High, who now had in his providence com-
menced a series of chastisements to teach re-
bellious men moderation and equity, and to do
his saints no harm.
Is it not plainly perceptible that the refine-
ments of luxury chiefly tend to bodily ease
and comfort? For, who would willingly relin-
quish the advantages of a commodious and
comfortable dwelling for the rude hut of the
barbarian or savage? Would not the lodge
of Ihe Indian, made of poles and covered with
skins or bark, admitting wind and rain, and
only partially emitting smoke from a hole in
the roof, be considered more desirable than the
splendid mansion with all its implements of
art and luxury? Would the mahogany sofa
90 anothee: wonder in heaven.
and downy bed be willingly substituted for the
ground and puncheon floor, covered with leaves
or skins of wild animals, for a couch by day or
a bed by night? Would the precarious fare
of the hunter or fisherman be willingly ex-
changed for the luxurious repast of modern
cookery? If there is plainly a difierence in
these modes of life, the advantages belong to
a state of civilization and refinement. If God
in his providence should cause the overthrow
of this civilization, he might justly be said to
pour out his wrath upon the bodily ease and
comfort of men. And, accordingly, the first
vial was said to be poured out upon the earth,
or the bodies of men, when the wars which it
predicted resulted most disastrously to the
ease and comfort of the individuals who suf-
fered its calamity.
The sixteenth chapter of the book of Reve-
lation contains an account of the outpouring
of the seven vials of God's wrath. It is re-
corded in Rev. xvi. 1,2: " And I heard a great
voice out of the temple saying to the seven
angels. Go your ways, and pour out the vials
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 91
of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the
first went, and poured out his vial upon the
earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous
sore upon the men which had the mark of the
beast, and upon them which worshiped his
image."
The science of scriptural algebra, like algebra
itself, is applied to the investigation of things
unknown. The proper use of gospel equiva-
lents consists in simply substituting, in some
instances, equivalent gospel expressions for one
another. For example in the pouring out of
the vials recorded in Rev. xvi., I merely substi-
tute some equivalent for the object upon which
it was poured, taking all other parts of the de-
scription in their most obvious and acknowl-
edged meanings. The first angel poured out
his vial upon the earth. The word earth is not
to be taken in its inanimate form, but to be
substituted for the bodies of men. As it is
written, " dust thou art," and as it is said in the
burial service, "earth to earth, and dust to
dust." The theory is, that God wa& about to
execute signal vengeance upon the civilized
92 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
world for their persecution of the church. And
so he had prepared the northern barbarians to
overthrow the Koman empire, and obliterate
civilization with its genial physical develop-
ments. For who will deny that civilization is
more conducive to bodily ease and comfort
than a state of barbarism ? So, then, the first
vial was poured out upon the earth, or the
bodies of men, when 'the Koman empire was
displaced by northern barbarism.
Nor is it a valid objection to this theory be-
cause it is recorded in the second verse of the
same chapter, that " there fell a noisome and
grievous sore upon the men which had the
mark of the beast, and upon them which wor-
shiped his image." Admitting that the char-
acters described as having the marks of the
beast, and as being worshipers of his image,
were not in existence when the Roman empire
was destroyed, the results of the first vial
poured out did not terminate with the first ob-
jects of God's displeasure. For the substitu-
tion of barbarism for civilization was not
only detrimental to the bodily ease and enjoy-
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 93
ment of its first victims, but was also detrimen-
tal to Christian light and knowledge, and was
attended with mental degradation, ignorance,
superstition, and many other concomitant
evils. And the adherents of the apostate
church, in after ages, also felt the evils attend-
ant on an obliterated civilization. Their ca-
lamity was not of the same kind as that ol the
first objects of God's displeasure, but was,
nevertheless, the natural consequence of the
manifestation of that displeasure.
Rev. xvi. 3: "And the second angel poured
out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the
blood of a dead man : and every living soul
died in the sea."
Although the effect of the second vial
poured out was partly produced by the pour-
ing out of the first; yet God had not relin-
quished his providential care of his intelligent
creatures. He did not, in this instance, per-
mit its direful effects to fall upon the innocent
For he doth nothing without a cause. Ac-
cording as it is written in Prov. xxvi. 2 : " The
curse causeless shall not come."
94 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
In the solution of the book of Kevehation
by the system I have adopted, the object upon
which the second vial was poured out is not so
plainly obvious as are the objects upon which
the other vials are poured, but the connection
with the other vials and concurrent circum-
stances conspire to prove it to be the professing
church of Christ, wiiich had apostatized from
the true faith. It may not be considered a vi-
olation of sound interpretation to consider the
phrase translated many waters, in the first
verse of chapter seventeen, equivalent to the
w^ord sea in this. For the phrase might, with
propriety, be translated "much water," which
is the natural equivalent for the sea. If this
should be admitted to be so, we have given us,
by divine inspiration, the interpretation of
many waters to be peoj)les, and multitudes,
and nations, and tongues of which the visible
church, whether of Christ or antichrist, was
composed. For the church is composed of in-
dividual members of different nations and lan-
guages. Nor are the points of resemblance
few or unimportant. The sea, like the church,
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 95
receives the refuse and impurities of earth,
and purifies them. They both have received
constant accessions in all ages of the world,
and from all parts of the earth, and yet there
is room in each. The sea is salt, and true
Christians are the salt of the earth. The
church is composed of the human family, and
the sound of men, in the busy haunts of life,
resembles the sound of many waters. The sea
possesses the elements of self-preservation, as
does also the church. So, then, it is maintained
that the sea, the object upon which the second
vial was poured out, was the nominal church
of Christ.
Now, the history of events in question is,
that the barbarians overthrew the civilization
of the world, and the nominal church of Christ
became corrupted by receiving into it unworthy
members, who did not partake of, appreciate,
or understand the purity of its design or
origin.
Kev. xvi. 4 : " And the third angel poured out
his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters 5
and they became blood."
96 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
The third vial was i^oured out upon the riv-
ers and fountains of waters. By rivers and
fountains of waters we are to understand some-
thing like ordinances of religion, or principles
of Christianity. According as it is written:
"And he showed me a pure river of water of
life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the
throne of God and the Lamb." — Rev. xxii. 1.
"And let him that is athirst come. And who-
soever will, let him take the water of life
freely." — Rev. xxii. 17. By blood is to be un-
derstood pollution. According as it is written
in Ezek. xvi. 6 : "And when I passed by thee,
and saw thee polluted in thine own blood."
The ordinances of Christianity, like the apostle
himself, are a savor of life unto life, or death
unto death. According to the declaration of
the apostle as found recorded in Cor. ii. 15, 16 :
"For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ,
in them that are saved, and in them that per-
ish. To the one we are the savor of death
unto death, and to the other the savor of life
unto life." So, then, when the apostate church
polluted the ordinances of Christianity, they
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 97
became an abomination in the sight of God,
and became the instruments of condemnation,
instead of the means of ^race And the third
vial of God's wrath may be said to be poured
out upon them when they had totally lost their
life-giving efficacy.
Rev. xvi. 8 : " And the fourth angel poured
out his vial upon the sun ; and power was
given unto him to scorch men with fire."
And the fourth vial was poured out upon the
sun. By the word sun is to be understood the
Scriptures of truth, which are shown to be the
equivalents in the following manner : Christ is
generally acknowledged to be the Sun of
righteousness. He is also called the Word of
God, according as it is written in Rev. xix. 13 :
" And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in
blood: and his name is called the Word of
God." But the phrase " Word of God " denotes,
also, the Scriptures of truth. Does any one
maintain that we have no authority for the
substitution of the word Scriptures for the word
Christ as the signification of the phrase Word
of God. For the benefit of such, I will prove
98 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
that this virtually corresponds with the usage
of the Scriptures. For the word Christ is, by
the usage of the Scriptures, considered equiv-
alent to the word gospel, which latter word I
will prove by the peculiarities of scriptural
algebra equivalent to the entire "Word of
God;" although, in so doing, I shall be com-
pelled to explain some principles of scriptural
algebra not otherwise necessary to the eluci-
dation of the subject. To preach Christ is to
preach the gospel, and the latter is the most
essential part of the Scriptures, and can not be
fully illustrated and established without the
writings of all other parts of the Old and New
Testaments. The gospel is like the vital parts
of the human or any other animal body, which
being destroyed the animal life is destroyed
with them. So, also, it is written the Scrip-
tures can not be broken. Nor was Christ's
bones broken on the cross. For it is written
in Heb.iv.l2 : "The Word of God is quick, pow-
erful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow."
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 99
The soul is the life and the spirit is the in-
tention. The Scriptures make a distinction
between the gospel, which is the life of the
Scriptures and the spirit or intention of other
parts, some of which were written for different
purposes. And a distinction should also be
observed between the joint and marrow. For
as it is possible to enter into life halt or
maimed, rather than having two hands or two
feet to be cast into hell fire. So, also, in the
living body, a man may have his hand or foot
severed from the body without the destruction
of his life. But the destruction of the spinal
marrow would cause death. The word quick
means living, and the Scriptures observe the
laws of animate nature. In inanimate na-
ture,, to which the principles of common
algebra are adapted, the whole is equal to
all the parts, and all the parts are equal
to the whole. But in animate nature, to which
the principles of scriptural algebra are
adapted, the chief part is equal to the whole,
and the whole is equal to the chief part. For,
destroy the head, heart or spinal marrow in the
100 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
human body, and the life of the body becomes
extinct. So, also, the gospel bears the same
relation to the rest of the Scriptures as the seat
of life does in animate nature, that is take it
away and life becomes extinct.
I have proved or have it granted that the
word Christ is equivalent to the Sun of right-
eousness, or the sun itself, the phrase Word of
God and the gospel. Therefore, they are sev-
erally equivalent to each other ; according to
the mathematical axiom, things which are
equal to the same are equal to each other.
And I have also shown that the gospel is
equivalent to all the Scriptures, because all
parts of the sacred writings are necessary to
its development. Nor is the sun an unsuitable
representative of the Scriptures of truth. For
as the sun in the natural world is the source
of light, heat, and vitality, so, also, the Scrip-
tures or the gospel in the spiritual world is the
source of light, life and the fervor of devotion.
The fourth vial was, therefore, poured out upon
the Scriptures. That is, their true interpreta-
tion became corrupted ; for how could a degen-
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 101
erate church receive unworthy members, and
corrupt the ordinances of Christianity, and
give their true interpretation in condemnation
of their conduct. They must, therefore, invent
false interpretations to justify themselves.
According as it is written: "And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do
those things which are not convenient." — Kom.
i. 28. They must, therefore, invent false in-
terpretations to justify themselves. And from
these false interpretations sprang the inquisi-
tion which persecuted with the sword and fagot,
tortured them in dungeons, and burnt them at
the stake. So, then, was the prophecy fulfilled
that power was given unto the sun to scorch
men with fire.
Rev. xvi. 10, 11 : " And the fifth angel poured
out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and
his kingdom was full of darkness; and they
gnawed their tongues for pain. And blas-
phemed the God of heaven, because of their
pains and their sores, and repented not of their
deeds."
102 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
The Mahometan power was raised up as a
scourge of the kingdoms occupying the terri-
tory which formerly belonged to the Roman
empire in its brightest days of earthly glory.
The conquests of the Saracens were limited on
the west at the Pyrenees mountains by the
successful valor of Charles Martel, a Christian
warrior of distinction and renown. And their
repeated attacks on Constantinople, on the
east, were equally unsuccessful. This city was
the capital of the eastern empire, which was
under the jurisdiction of the Greek church.
The northern part of Africa and the European
dominions of Rome, the seven-hilled city, were
the scenes of their devastations, pillage, and
slaughter. They were, therefore, emphatically
a scourge of those inhabiting the seat of the
beast — the great red dragon, having seven
heads and ten horns. But this providential
chastisement of the Almighty failed to accom-
plish its intended beneficial results. They did
not renounce their cherished corruptions, and
return to the true worship of God.
Rev. xvi. 12, 13, 16 : " And the sixth angel
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 103
poured out his vial upon the great river
Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried
up, that the way of the lungs of the east might
be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits
like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,
and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of
the mouth of the false prophet. And he gath-
ered them together into a place called in the
Hebrew tongue Armageddon."
The river Euphrates was the cause of the
greatness of Imperial Babylon, because rivers
have always been selected as eligible places
near which to build large cities, and as Baby-
lon represents the apostate church, as New
Jerusalem does also the church of Christ, the
sixth vial was, therefore, poured out upon that
which constituted the greatness of the Apos-
tate church. And what else constituted its
greatness but the assumptions of divine au-
thority ? Its false pretentions and assumptions
were the object of God's displeasure and ven-
geance. And in disturbing the blasphemous
pretensions of this church, the way was pre-
pared for the true interpretation of the Scrip-
104 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
tures, and the reception of the true Messiah,
whose original advent upon the earth was wel-
comed by the wise men of the east, who
adored him, and presented him with kingly
gifts, gold, frankincense,-and myrrh. But this
introduction of a better era was not effected
without violent opposition. The unreasonable
sources of wrath were opposed against this
reformation.
That the way has been prepared by the
pouring out of the sixth vial for the extension
of the knowledge of the Scriptures among
mankind may be seen from the following views
of the interposition of Divine Providence
among the nations of the earth. The war in
China, in 1848, between the British and the
Chinese governments, resulted favorably to the
English, although the object of the Chinese,
which was to suppress the ruinous sale and
smuggling of opium, was justifiable. It may
be that, in desiring to accomplish that object,
they deviated from moderation and equity, yet
their design was commendable. For it was
exceedingly expensive as well as injurious to
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 105
the health of the inhabitants. The result of
this war was to continue the sale of opium as
well as other commodities, and to open the
ports of several cities to the commerce of
Great Britain. The elfect of this new settle-
ment of the difficulties was to prepare the way
for the greater diffusion of knowledge, and of
the Christian religion into that extensive em-
pire, which is supposed to contain about one-
third of the population of the world.
The late great rebellion in China, which had
for its object the expulsion of the Tartar dy-
nasty and the restoration of the native Chi-
nese to power, had a tendency to open still
wider the gates of the Celestial empire, as it
is called, to the diffusion of knowledge, the
extension of arts and commerce, and the spread
of the gospel. So that such signal defeats and
revolutions in the most populous empire in the
world seem to be the work of God in prepar-
ing the way for the spread of the gospel. So
that good and wise men have not hesitated to
attribute it to his beneficial work.
A spiritual conflict is progressing on the
106 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
earth for the extension of Christian knowledge
and the means of grace among the inhabitants
of the earth. And to make the termination
of this conflict favorable to the reign of the
Redeemer's kingdom, God has overruled, and
still continues to overrule, the evil passions
of men to accomplish his benevolent purposes
among men. As another instance of the inter-
position of Divine Providence in the affairs of
men, and of his using their military prepara-
tions to accomplish his own purposes, I might
refer you to the present result and future pros-
pects gained by the suppression of the late
rebellion in our own country. The slave-
holder's rebellion in the United States has had
a tendency to elevate the African race in this
country. It has abolished those local restric-
tions in the slave states against the education
of the negroes. And, although of itself it has
not created schools nor supported teachers;
yet it has prepared the way for all who are fa-
vorably disposed to extend in that direction
the sphere of their usefulness. But the influ-
ence of the late civil war in America was not
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 107
confined to the United States or even Europe ;
for this war affected the commerce and indus-
try of the world. The great demand for raw
cotton stimulated the production of that com-
modity in the distant provinces of the British
in India. And the tendency of a greater social
intercourse of the British with their Asiatic
provinces, has been to elevate the moral and
intellectual condition of the natives of that
country. And the past and the present condi-
tion of Mexico has a tendency to encourage
Protestant emigration from the United States
into Catholic Mexico. Many of these emigrants
carry with them the leaven of Protestantism,
which may eventually leaven the whole lump
of the Mexican nation.
Rev. xvL 17: "And the seventh angel poured
out his vial into the air ; and there came a
great voice out of the temple of heaven, from
the throne, saying, it is done."
Rev. xvi 18: "And there were voices, and
thunders, and lightnings ; and there was a great
earthq^uake, such as was not since men were
108 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
Upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and
so great."
The sixth vial portrayed national calamities,
in which individuals suffered but only as com-
ponent parts of the nations. The seventh
vial portrays individual calamities directly of
a moral and intellectual kind, and indirectly
attended with the loss of pecuniary honors and
emoluments. The seventh vial may be said
figuratively to create an overseer over all the
channels of the communication of ideas.
Whatever is in accordance with the Word of
God will become honorable and approved.
And whatever shall not be in accordance there-
with shall be held in contempt and derision.
And then will be speedily carried out the dec-
laration : " He that honoreth me will I honor,
and he that despiseth me shall be lightly es-
teemed." And this supervision shall extend to
all the intellectual labors of the human race
without regard to the intentions of individuals,
and be directed by the infallible decisions of
the divine mind. The interpretation of the
Scriptures will be reduced to a mathematical
THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES. 109
certainty. Intellectual giants will appear and
carry the banner of inspiration from one vic-
tory to another, until every thing in science
and philosophy incompatible with the Word
of God will be routed and scouted from re-
spectable society.
"And the seventh angel poured out his vial
into the air." Wind in the natural world is air
put in motion. Wind or air puffeth up ; as we
can fill bladders with wind or air. It is also
recorded in 1 Cor. viii. 1 : " Knowledge puffeth
up," which, of course, must be understood to
refer to false knowledge, or as it is otherwise
described by the apostle Paul as philosophy
falsely so called: "Beware lest any man spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit." — Col.
ii. 8. The conclusion of the matter is this, that
air in the natural world is the gospel equiva-
lent for false philosophy in the moral and in-
tellectual world. And the seventh vial of God's
wrath is poured out into the air when it is
poured out upon false philosophy. But it may
be said, how can that be a plague which must
inevitably be a general blessing to the church
110 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
and the world. To this it is replied that a par-
tial evil may be a general good. So, also, it is
written in 1 Cor. iii. 12, 15 : " Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious
stones, wood, hay, stubble. If any man's work
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss." The in-
terpretation of the prophecy relating to the
outpouring of the seventh vial makes that
event almost entirely, yet in the future. And
consequently it can be proved only by the tes-
mony of one witness, namely, the book of in-
spiration. I shall not, therefore, pretend that
this vial can now be fully explained in all its
minute details. This I have not even attempted
to do in interpreting the six which are already
or almost entirely past. For this simple rea-
son, that the time allotted to one individual,
burdened with domestic cares, and deprived
of many facilities of investigation are too
brief for so stupendous a task. I have, there-
fore, come to a conclusion of the subject, and
submit the matter for the candid consideration
of the religious world.
CONCLUSION. Ill
CONCLUSION.
I HAVE completed the present writing on the
last seven plagues. The subject is not ex-
hausted, nor are all the difficulties overcome.
For it is written in Rev. xv. 8 : "And the tem-
ple was filled with smoke from the glory of
God, and from his power; and no man was able
to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of
the seven angels were fulfilled." It should be
noticed that the text does not say no man was
able to see into the temple, but that no man
was able to enter there. But it may not be
amiss to inquire what is meant by the word
temple. The Jewish temple was the local hab-
itation of the Deity. Christ compared his
body to the Jewish temple, when he said,
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will
112 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
rear it again." It is, therefore, a gospel equiv-
alent by comparison. But Christ is called the
Word of God, which also means the Scriptures
of truth. As the temple is the equivalent for
Christ, which is also the equivalent for the
Word of God, temple and Word of God must
be equivalent. For things that are equal to
the same are equal to each other.
Although it is not possible now to enter the
temple of truth or fully understand all the
prophecies of Scripture, because the seventh
vial is not fully poured out, yet, at the com-
mencement of the outpouring of that vial, the
smoke begins to disappear from the temple,
and we are able to see into it. As Moses, the
servant of God, could see the promised land
of Canaan, although he was not permitted to
enter therein. Especially is this the case in
this instance, because it is also written in Rev.
X. 7 : " But in the days of the days of the voice
of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to
sound, the mystery of God should be finished as
he has declared to his servants the prophets."
By this last prophecy, I understand that all ob-
CONCLUSION. 113
stacles heretofore placed in the way of a proper
understanding or elucidation of the subject
will be removed by the interposition of Divine
Providence. And the subject thereafter will
yield to human investigation and persevering
study. I do not expect, under the most favor-
able circumstances, to be able to fathom all
the mysteries of the Apocalypse. In his own
suitable time, the Lord will raise up the proper
men to accomplish that work. But what I do
expect to accomplish is to show to the world
that it is possible to explain that book in a
consistent, intelligible, and reliable manner, to
the understandings of all men, whether learned
or unlearned.
Nor do I expect to accomplish this without
divine assistance. For God has reserved the
honor of that discovery to himself. The battle
is not to the strong, nor the revelation to the
most profound in biblical attainments. Ac-
cording as it is written in Matt. xi. 25, 26 : "I
thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, because thou hast hid these things from
the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
114 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
unto babes. Even so, Father ; for so it seemed
good in thy sight." Accordingly, the primary
cause of all my efforts in studying, speaking,
and writing on the book of Revelation was the
following dream. I dreamed that I was in the
New Jerusalem. That I was disappointed in
finding it an earthly city instead of a heavenly
one. That I was in a room of a house of an
ordinary appearance in which I saw men and
women dressed differently. That I noticed one
woman in particular who was dressed in a
common calico dress, having a pale counte-
nance. That I asked why she looked so pale,
and was informed the reason was that she
might be known. And that I saw in the room
a barrel resembling a flour barrel about half
full of fruit, about the size of a large peach or
a small apple as bright as gold. Then I awoke
and found it was a dream. The subject, I
doubt not, will meet the scrutiny of the learned
and unlearned. For God's mysterious provi-
dence hovers over my path, making me willing,
in the day of his power, to risk the necessary
pecuniary means, and to forego the ease and
CONCLUSION. 115
comforts of home, in order to spread a knowl-
edge of my investigations among the hovels
of the poor, and the mansions of the wise and
great. The sympathy of mankind will be ex-
cited in my behalf, and cause them to buy the
book from motives of humanity as well as
from a sense of religious duty. And when the
end designed is accomplished, I trust the af-
fliction will be removed, and we will all rejoice
in the mercy as we now grieve under the power
of God.
Some may scoff at the idea of the interpo-
sition of Divine Providence in this age of the
world, and suppose that such interpositions
were confined to the Jews, the chosen people
of God in the Old Testament dispensation, and
to the apostles and evangelists of the New.
They may obliterate from their own memories,
but they can not blot out from the pages of
history the record of such interpositions. The
history of Cyrus the Great is recorded by
Heroditus and Justin, as well as by the words
of inspiration. The dream of his grandfather
Astyages, its interpretation by the wise men
116 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
of that time, and the means used to defeat it,
are all a matter of history. The dream, ac-
cording to the interpretation of the wise men,
predicted the birth of a grandson, who would
dethrone his grandfather, and conquer all
Asia. Astyages took measures to defeat this
catastrophy, by even plotting the exposure of
the child to a cruel death. But the devices
of men proved unavailing, and, in the hands
of God, the means of its fulfillment. So, also,
Alexander the Great was inspired with his ex-
traordinary courage, perseverance, and un-
bounded ambition, by a dream inviting him to
come over and conquer Asia. And when the
Jewish high priest met him with a supplicating
train beseeching his clemency and forbearance,
the great conqueror acknowledged the fulfill-
ment of the dream, and conferred upon the sup-
pliants the blessings they sought. Need I
add that Julius Caesar and Bonaparte also be-
lieved in a Divine Providence, or predeter-
mined destiny. If such men as these were
raised up to accomplish some purposes pre-
dicted in the divine record, is it absurd to sup-
CONCLUSION.
117
pose that the prophecies relating to the Mil-
lennium will not be fulfilled by the interposi-
tion of Divine Providence in the affairs of men.
I trust there will be few intelligent Christians
willing to controvert this position.
And the question only remains whether the
means proposed are adequate to so stupendous
a task as the unfolding the mysteries of the
Apocalypse, or ushering in the light which
shall illuminate the world in the Millennial
day.
The author of this book contends that the
science of scriptural algebra, when fully and
universally understood, is competent to the
task. He has given practical examples of the
solution of some problems by means of this
science, without explaining those principles in
a formal manner. Necessity required this
method in order to be understood.
The principle of the substitution of equiva-
lents is so obvious that many suppose they
have always practiced it. Perhaps such per-
sons do not know the trials and experiments
which the author has used to come at these
118 ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN.
conclusions. The principles of a science are
often learned as well by trying examples in
which the solution is not solved, as in those
which are. It is reserved for another occasion,
and the publication of another book, to treat
the subject in a more formal and scientific man-
ner. Perhaps, on the examination of some of
the curious results of this science, some people
might be better prepared to judge whether
they have always practiced these principles in
exactly the same manner.
But I will bring my book to a close by an-
swering one objection, which, I suppose, will
be asked. If the principle of the substitution
of equivalents is so obvious as to appear al-
most inherent in the human mind, how has it
happened that'the extension and scientific ar-
rangement of this principle should have been
overlooked. It can only be accounted for on
the supposition that God ordained it so to be.
According to the declaration of inspiration
recorded in Rev. x. 1 : " And I saw another
mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed
with a cloud." And this prophecy of the vision
CONCLUSION. 119
of John was fulfilled by those changes and
obliterations of the learning of antiquity when
those libraries, which contained the scientific
attainments of the ancient nations of the world,
were destroyed by fire, during the wars of the
barbarians and Saracens with the civilized
world. Thus verifying the declaration, he doeth
his will among the armies of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of the earth.
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