PART II.

Prophetic Studies

ON

THE DATES OF DANIEL.

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well to take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." (2 Pet. i. 19.)

Despise not thou therefore prophesyings.” (1 Thess. v. 20.)

"For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." (1 Cor. xiv. 31, 39.)

PREFATORY REMARKS.

Ir was not the intention of the writer, when he first entered upon his task of Bible Chronology, ever to have touched upon the prophetic periods; but finding the prophetic dates answering in such a striking manner with the Chronology,-finding he could get no rest day or night, he felt bound to make those thoughts known for the sake of mankind, "Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear." It is not written for the learned, but for the unlearned; and although it does not contain much fresh information, yet if the little it does contain, taken into consideration with the whole, should be the means of bringing only one strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, what joy in the presence of the angels of God! "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." I know it is said that those who study Unfulfilled Prophecy are prying into futurity, and are called meddlers. My dear friends, take no heed of those that say so. We are not meddlers; we are not prying into futurity. If the Holy Spirit of God thought fit to direct Daniel with the other inspired penmen to write, for what was it? For our good. Then are we not ungrateful, unprofitable servants if we do not read that which

He has caused to be written, and strive to understand it? "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets." (Amos. iii. 7.) Can any thing be more plain than that? Again, it is said that the study of Unfulfilled Prophecy is not necessary to salvation, and that it is better to keep to those things without which we cannot be saved. My dear reader, it does not become us to dictate to Divine Wisdom. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.) Are not the prophecies found in that "Book" whose author is God, the object of which is salvation? — In that "Book" which contains "the truth" without an error? The prophetic chart, then, is not, what some would like to have it called, "unprofitable," but "profitable." Study it then; and, in these our studies, we shall not only gather glimpses of the bright, the blessed future, butblessed be God for the preservation of the Bible through so many ages!—we can find directions to guide us through the troubled, the restless present.

May God add His blessing, and give strength to the author's weakness; and, if written according to His will, may this little book have a far and wide circulation: and, while we receive the good, may all power and praise be ascribed to one God and Father of us all, for Christ's sake. Amen.