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that Jesus will see, in its fullest measure, "of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied." For during the whole of the age to come the redemptive virtue of Christ's death will be taking effect, till the close of that age. But when that shall have closed, sacrifice, atonement, and priesthood, will have finished their purpose, and the whole result of the redemptive economy will be seen in the vast "multitude whom no man can number." And it will be then, we presume, that the great song of redemption will be sung in the one vast chorus of the redeemed from

among men.

Then shall the whole of the sacramental host of God join in their glorious doxology of praise, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His blood; and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. i. 5, 6).

And now, dear reader, perhaps you will ask, And what is the USE of studying unfulfilled prophecy, and especially writing on the Millennial kingdom? Well, the question has been often asked, if not as often answered. Our reason is this:

1. Whatever God has revealed is for our perusal and study. Had it not been so, it would not have been revealed; and our wisdom, as well as our profit, is "to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it." For God's truth can never be without benefit to our life and character, even where it bears in its application upon far distant ages.

2. The study of unfulfilled prophecy leads the reader into a far more searching and thoughtful study of the

Scriptures than any mere historical or devotional study would do. Dispensational truth, which is almost always hidden from the ordinary reader of Scripture, gradually dawns upon the student of unfulfilled prophecy, and gives him a wider range, and a more comprehensive view of the great outlines of revealed truth, both past and future. For in order to understand the latter, he is often obliged to look back into the former; and so, by the help of God's Holy Spirit, he does with unfulfilled prophecy what the prophets of former times did. See 1 Peter i. 11; see also Luke xxiv. 25: "O fools and slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have written.""

3. The reader of unfulfilled prophecy, as he looks round on the world and the Church, as it is, and as it will be right on to the Second Advent of our divine Lord, will often become sad and depressed at the dark outlook, if he will compare the statistics of population with the actual number who hear the Gospel, even hoping that all who hear are saved.2

But the study of unfulfilled prophecy gives great relief and comfort to the mind, in the face of these sad facts, and shows how bright and beautiful will be the future, when Jesus shall have come, and "turned the disobedient to the wisdom of the just," and ushered in an age and state in which "all the ends of the earth shall fear Him" (Psa. lxvii.).3

But, of course, we only urge this duty on those who ARE saved already. If the reader is unsaved, this

1 "Burgh on Book of Revelation," pp. 160, 161.

2 " Coming Great Revival," p. 95.

3 See Dr. Pusey, "Daniel the Prophet," p. 80.

unfulfilled prophecy is not for him. The first thing for him to do is to flee for refuge to Jesus, and seek and receive His gracious and abundant pardon.

If, however, the reader is saved, and has the witness. of the Holy Ghost "bearing witness with his spirit" that he is a child of God; then though, of course, ALL Scripture which bears on the duties and privileges of the present, should not be neglected; yet hours and days now spent in idle gossip, worldly associations, or light and injurious reading, if spent in this blessed. and delightful study, will not fail to yield a large revenue of hallowed pleasure, sacred joy, and spiritual profit; and God's Word will become increasingly interesting, as the mind becomes enlightened in "the things which shall be hereafter."

May the Holy Ghost lead both writer and reader by His gracious teaching to "grow in grace," to become daily more like Christ,' and to be "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life" (Jude 21).

"Jerusalem, my happy home!

Name ever dear to me;

When shall my labours have an end,

In joy, and peace, and thee?

When shall these eyes thy heaven-built walls
And pearly gates behold?

Thy bulwarks, with salvation strong,

And streets of shining gold?

O when, thou city of my God,
Shall I thy courts ascend,

Where congregations ne'er break up,
And Sabbaths have no end? "

1" Our Daily Life," by Canon Bell, p. 224.

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