every person will believe it and be converted, but whosoever will may come and take the water of life freely.

The last message of inercy is now preached not only in America, but in the different countries of Europe: Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. It is also preached in Egypt, Algiers, South Africa, Australia, and other countries.

This message will ripen the harvest of the earth.21 When the earth has been lightened by its glory," the end will come. That will be the end of the present world, and of the preaching of the gospel. Then the great Judgment Day will appear, and the saints will enjoy that Sabbath rest which is left to the people of God.

CHAPTER VII.

THE TRIBULATION AND DESTRUCTION OF

JERUSALEM.

E have now considered a whole chain of events, reach

WE

ing from the time of Christ until the end of the world. These events are all plain fulfillments of the prophecies of Jesus given in answer to the question of the disciples: "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" But Jesus had not yet answered their first question, "When shall these things be?" which had special reference to the destruction of the temple.1 Their minds should first be turned to something more important. He now answers their first question.

In this answer our Saviour first speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem, and presents again a chain of events reaching from that point to the end of the world, and to his own glorious appearing. These events are recorded in verses 15-28. We wish to consider the different links of this prophetic chain one by one.

Jesus Calls Attention to the Prophecies of Daniel.

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand): then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house neither let him who is in the field turn back to take his clothes."

Jesus did not warn against reading and studying the word of prophecy. On the contrary, he exhorted his dis

1 Matt. 24: 1–3.

Matt. 24 15-18.

ciples and all others to understand it. When we compare this prophecy with its fulfillment, as we find it recorded in history, it is evident that it proved a great blessing to the early Christians. They could not possibly have avoided the tribulation, if they had not believed and obeyed the warning contained in this prophecy. When they saw the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place, they should flee. This was the sign given them.

In Luke this is expressed as follows: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto." 3

A Remarkable Sign.

This was really a wonderful sign. Any one would think that when Jerusalem was compassed with armies it would be too late to flee, but the result showed that the Master had made no mistake. He saved them in the most remarkable manner, so that they could clearly see his guiding hand in this. Thus their faith was strengthened.

Josephus in his history of the wars of the Jews speaks of a number of signs that were seen and heard before the city was taken. Let us notice the following:

"There was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. Thus also, before the Jews' rebellion, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Nisan, and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone around the altar and the holy house that it appeared to be bright day-time; which light lasted for half an hour."

"Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner court of the temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there

3 Luke 21:20, 21.