The signs of the times, as denoted by fulfilment of historical predictions

DANIEL'S VISIONS OF THE GREAT IMAGES AND OF THE
FOUR BEASTS, INTERPRETED KINGDOMS.

The successive empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and

Rome

Division of the Roman empire into ten kingdoms

Rise among them of the Papacy

The persecuting of the Saints, &c.

Duration of its dominion

CHAPTER III.

DANIEL'S VISION OF THE RAM AND THE HE-GOAT.

Persian Empire

Conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great

Division of his empire iuto four kingdoms

Duration of the Vision 2300 years

Rise of Mahometanism in the East

Character, conquest, prevalence, and fall of Mahometanism

DANIEL'S LITERAL PROPHECY OF THE
THINGS NOTED IN THE SCRIPTURE OF
TRUTH.

A.C.

CHAPTER IV.

Revealed in the days of Cyrus

Page

Xerxes invaded Greece

534

481

Three Kings in Persia from Cyrus to Xerxes
Xerxes stirred up all against Greece

480

323

302

334-331 Conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great His death, on the immediate consolidation of his empire

323*

Subdivision of his empire into four kingdoms

CHAPTER V.

The Prophetic history of the Lagida and
Seleucidæ, or of the kings of the south
(Egypt), and of the North, (Syria), the
two chief kingdoms into which the empire
of Alexander was divided, and to whom
Judea was alternately subject.

Ptolemy Lagus, king of Egypt, possessed at
first of great power, and the first of the
Ptolemies

311-281 Seleucus, strong above him, the greatest of
Alexander's princes, the founder of the
Seleucidæ

249

246

"In the end of years" peace was established
and an alliance formed between the king-
doms of Egypt and Syria, by the marriage
of Antiochus Theos to Berenice the daugh-
ter of Ptolemy Philadelphus
Divorce and death of Berenice
Invasion and conquest of Syria by her bro-
ther, Ptolemy Euergetes, the successor of
Philadelphus

The era of the Lagidæ commenced in this year, the very year of the death of Alexander; that of the Seleucidæ in 311, before Christ.

A.C.

223-192 Antiochus the Great succeeds to the throne

191

of Syria, is defeated at Raphia by the
Egyptians, forms a confederacy against
the king of Egypt, vanquishes his army
and gives his daughter in marriage to
Ptolemy Epiphanes

Invasion of Greece by Antiochus the Great,
who is vanquished by Lucius Cornelius
Scipio, the Roman consul

187-175 Reign and murder of his son, Seleucus Phi-

lopator

175

170

168

A. C.

A. D.

Assumption of the throne of Syria by An-
tiochus Epiphanes. His vile character
and profuse liberality

He defeats Ptolemy Philometor, and sub-

dues Egypt. Mutual deception prac

tised between them. Antiochus Epi-

phanes returns to Syria, and grievously

oppresses the Jews

Returning to Egypt, he is met by an em-

bassy from the Roman Senate, which,

when solicited, assumed the guardianship

of the young king of Egypt, and An-

tiochus retired from that country at the

dictation of the ambassador of Rome

Great cruelties again exercised by Antiochus

Epiphanes against the Jews

The kingdom of Macedon conquered by the

Romans, who henceforth exercised a high

influence over the kingdoms of the East

CHAPTER VI.

Subjection of Judea to the Romans; the

Mosaic dispensation abolished by their

instrumentality, and the abomination of

desolation, or that maketh desolate,—ac-

cording to the words of Christ, spoken of

by Daniel the prophet-set up

33-313 The subversion of Judaism coincident with

the propagation of Christianity. The

preaching of the gospel, or of the true

knowledge of God. The conversion of

A.D.

320

many to the faith, accompanied and fol-
lowed by long continued persecution
Conversion of Constantine; after which
many make a hypocritical profession of
the Christian faith. Renewed period of
persecution announced to continue to the
time of the end, or for an appointed time

Page

379

445

CHAPTER VII.

Rise of the papacy, and renewal of perse-
cution; conformity of this prediction to
the previous vision of the little horn of
the fourth beast

History of the rise of the papal power
Edict of Gratian and Valentinian

Of Theodosius

529-533 Code of Justinian published. Letter and
appeal to the pope, as "Head of all the
churches."

730

755

The Emperor Leo, who destroyed images,
excommunicated by Pope Gregory

The temporal dominion of the pope com-
mences. Donation of the exarchate of
Ravenna to the pope, by Pepin

770-800 The forged decretals and donation of Con-
stantine. Exaltation above all, and the
supreme power of the рарасу, &c.
The celibacy of the Romish clergy

The honouring and invoking of tutelary
saints, and trust in their protection.
Proofs from Roman Catholic authors, and
from the authorized Roman Catholic
Prayer-Book

Devotion paid to the Virgin Mary
Worship of the host

Canonization of saints

Rich offerings to the saints, in their
churches, gold, and silver, precious
stones, &c. Church plate

Dividing of the land for gain. Church lands