by various symbols in Daniel’s first vision. (Dan. ii. 36-45; vii. 17-27.) But in the next, the eighth chapter, Daniel is favored with still clearer information relative to what he had already seen in vision; and in the eleventh chapter, his attention is called to the most obscure, but most interesting parts of his former visions; and, after all, the “vision is sealed,” so that he sees not “the end of these things.” (ch. xii. 8, 9.) “I heard, but I understood not,” (1 Pet. i. 10, 11.)

In this book, styled Apocalypse, or Revelation, we are told in the first verse, that the Lord Christ “signified,”—­made known by signs, to his servant John the things that were to come to pass.  We have thus far seen that the customary method has been pursued in using signs, symbols or emblems.  Henceforth we will find “multiplied visions” employed, more clearly to illustrate events which have already passed under review, but of which we could see little more than a profile:—­“men, as trees walking.”

14.  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

15.  And the seventh angel sounded:  and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.

Vs. 14, 15.—­“The third wo cometh quickly,”—­the time elapsing since the end of the second, is not to be so long as that intervening between the first two woes.—­The first wo is thought to have begun about the year 612, and continuing by the Saracenic conquests about 150 years, to have terminated in 762.  The second woe-trumpet, it is alleged, sounded about 1281, and continuing for 391 years,—­the period of the ravages by the Euphratean horsemen, ended about 1672.  The destructive influence, however, of these two judgments, may be considered as reaching to the time of the third woe, the one which is to demolish the whole antichristian fabric.

Many eminent expositors,[3] in the early part of the present century, while the first Napoleon was waging successful war with the other powers of Europe, expressed their belief with much confidence, that the seventh angel had begun to sound.  They were evidently mistaken.  Christendom will not fail to hear the voice of the third woe.  It may be so that an individual may “not be conscious of having an interest inconsistent with fidelity to the Scriptures,” while political “bias” may in fact so influence “sentiments, as to render conviction less dependent upon evidence than upon his wishes.”  And we doubt not that misapprehensions and misinterpretation of “the other scriptures,” are to be attributed to this cause, insensibly influencing the minds and hearts of learned and godly men, as well as in their expositions of the Apocalypse.  Indeed the misapplying of God’s word, precept and prophecy, to political and ecclesiastical organizations, has been the principal means of combining and continuing the antichristian apostacy.  Thus it is precisely, that the great adversary has been successful, as “an angel of light.”