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judgment! There is but one place of safety, even in the bosom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us take refuge in His love. He is willing and able to save to the uttermost all who come to Him. He says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

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II.

THE OVERTHROW OF ANTICHRIST-THE DESTRUCTION OF THE EIGHT HEADS OF THE BEAST.

"And there are seven kings: five are fallen and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh he must continue a short space. And the beast that was and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings.

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them."-REV. xvii. 10, 11, 12, 14.

THESE passages contain a clear and emphatic announcement of the overthrow of the great Roman dominion of the West, and tell of Jesus Christ as the mighty Conqueror. In due time Christ assumes universal sovereignty. At the period fixed He will enter on the exercise of His peaceful, holy, and unlimited dominion. The time comes at last, which has been so long hoped for. "The kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of God and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever."

It has been a matter which, in past ages, has excited the eager inquiries of the people of God, When the illustrious reign of the Messiah should begin?

The disciples anxiously asked the Saviour when His coming should be, what should be the sign, and when the end of the existing inferior dispensation of things should come? Again, after the resurrection, and before the ascension of Christ, the disciples inquired, "Wilt Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" The Saviour administered no reproof for the questions put. They were not advanced in a spirit of vain curiosity. In reply, they are simply given to understand the time is not yet. "The prophets," says Peter, also "inquired and searched diligently-searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow." It is matter, therefore, of lawful inquiry for Christ's followers in every age, when the events predicted concerning the coming glory shall occur? far from fault being found with investigations into the meaning of prophecy, inspired men have been rewarded with a large increase to their knowledge of the future, according to the ardour of their studies. Daniel in particular inquired eagerly into the prophetic dates, not in presumption, but in an humble and prayerful spirit, and the result was a marvellous insight into the future. And in the beginning of this Book of Revelation we have a passage of striking encouragement to every diligent student of its pages, although full of mysterious emblems. "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

So

and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand."

Let it be kept in mind, that, in endeavouring to assist inquiries as to when Jesus Christ shall take to Himself His great power and reign, there is a wide wasting of worldly dominion to precede that glorious interposition. We have already pointed out the extreme prostration of Eastern dominion, which has within these few weeks taken place in the fall of Turkey, the conqueror and political successor of that division of the old imperial power of Rome. And it has also been shown that this great overthrow of the barbarous dominion of European Turkey had been clearly predicted under the sixth vial.

The destruction to which we are now to direct attention affects the Roman dominion of the West. This occurs under the seventh vial, the last and by far the most important of the vials of judgment. It is an arousing thought that the Church of God has already reached the very last of the sevenfold series of vials of divine wrath, which were to be poured out on the unbelieving and ungodly powers of the world. How long it shall take these wrathful forces to expend themselves, it is impossible for any one to say. It is surely sufficient to awaken the most solemn reflections and the most joyful feelings in every Christian's bosom, to know that the last vials are pouring out their dire contents, and that the grand consummation must be nigh at hand.

We would invite attention to the overthrow of the

seven Heads of the Roman Empire.

Referring to Rev. xvii. 10, 11, it will be seen that the great Roman Government was to be distinguished by seven distinct Heads or forms of power. There was to be an eighth, of the same rank and character as the seven. The religious character of the Roman dominion, as we learn from various prophetic passages, should be threefold-Pagan, Papal, and Infidel. And the eight Heads of power should belong to it in this triple aspect. These eight Heads should have a destructive end. They should all pass away. They should be completely overturned before Christ's kingdom would come in its glory. John furnishes us with a clear indication of the rule by which to interpret these Heads. It seems hardly possible to misunderstand the meaning of the prophecy in regard to the distinctive forms of supreme government which should characterise the mighty empire of Rome. There cannot be a doubt that the part which this great power was to act, especially in its relations to the Church of Christ, engaged the serious study of the Apostles Peter furnishes some most stirring thoughts as to the future results following the sufferings which should be inflicted on the faithful followers of Christ. Paul enters pretty fully into the character of the Roman Antichrist, and his overwhelming doom. Jude describes in terrific language the abounding forms of evil which should prevail in the last days,-of Roman