Christ? Worldliness has so invaded the Church in modern times, that many of these cannot be distinguished from the ungodly. Yet they all have a "form of godliness." In Christian lands in modern times the Church gives respectability; it is the proper thing to belong to some Christian body. So we find men going into these organizations to secure positions in society. Yet they have no spirituality. Our Lord came to the world at a time when his Church had degenerated into a lifeless formality. He will come again at just such a time. For He says (Luke 18:8):"When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" This living faith is now very rare. Spiritual declension is now the rule in all our churches. If the picture drawn by the apostle truthfully represents this age of the world, may we not conclude we are now living in the period just before the second great coming of the Lord?

Thus we find the Millennium will not begin until after Christ comes. For the "latter days" will have nothing of the spirit of that glorious period. Nor must we look for it until after the "great tribulation" spoken of in Matthew. Nor can we expect it as long as that "little horn" of Daniel, the "man of sin," remains in the world. Instead, all manner of wickedness will abound throughout the whole earth. Then shall the Son of God come.

LECTURE V

BIBLE STUDY ON REV. 16, AND SPECIALLY ON THE

THREE FROGS, VERSE 13.

A blessing to those who study prophecy. Remarkable events before Christ comes. The seven last vials of wrath. First vial; poured on the earth. Became a grievous sore. Second vial; poured upon the sea. Third vial; poured on rivers and fountains. Song of thanksgiving for God's righteous judgment Fourth vial; poured on the Sun. Who, or what was the Sun? Fifth vial; poured on the seat of the beast. Sixth vial; poured on the great river Euphrates. Rome is the mystical Babylon. Revolution of 1848 to 1870. Europe a great volcano. Three unclean spirits like frogs. First frog, Spiritualism. Second frog, Communistic Anarchism. Third frog, Mormonism.

IN regard to this Book of Revelation the Master said: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." And in closing the book, He said: "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any

man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." From this we learn two important things. One is that it is our duty to search the Scriptures for the meaning God intended to convey to His people in regard to future as well as past events. The other is that we are neither to add to, nor detract from the word of God; but we are simply to interpret it, without having preconceived opinions to maintain.

To this end let us approach the study of the text with proper docility, looking unto the Great Teacher for light. No part of the word of God was written as a rhetorical flourish, nor to fill out a beautiful story, but was intended to give definite information to God's people of important things that have, or shall come to pass. The question arises, what can we learn from this strange text, Revelation 16:13? We answer: If we can properly interpret these vials of the wrath of God, and can understand what is meant by these "three unclean spirits, like frogs," we may learn in what period of the world's history we are now living, and when we may look for the second coming of Christ. Not that any man can tell the day or hour thereof, for the Savior said: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

In this discussion we do not pretend to go behind what is written, for while the second coming of Christ is as clearly taught as any other doctrine, yet the precise time is withheld. Therefore we can only approximate it. One thing our Lord has told us, that a number of remarkable events shall take place before He comes. And when these things happen, then know that "the end is near, even at the doors." The Lord did not discourage inquiry upon this very subject, but rather enjoined us to make investigation of these things and to try to know the times and seasons in which we live. One of the most thrilling narratives of the last events in the world's history is found in Luke 21:2531. He says: "And when these things begin to

come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Behold the fig tree and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." Then he warns his people lest they should become ensnared by worldliness, and "that day come upon you unawares." Let us study one of the prophecies bearing on this subject.

The Book of Revelation was revealed to men as a prophetic history of the Church from the days of our Lord till the end of time. We can trace this history partly through the 16th chapter. The remainder of the book contains the account of the closing scenes of the world's history. The events ushering in the coming of Christ will take place at the close of the pouring out of the seventh vial of God's wrath. If by lawful interpretation of God's word we can determine these vials, then may we decide where we stand in point of time. It is generally supposed we are living in the period between the sixth and seventh, and that we are near the time when the last shall be poured out. Let us consider these plagues in their order.

There is a little confusion attending their consideration, for in some of these vials before one is finished, another is begun; and the two will in a few cases overlap one another. These angels follow one another in quick succession. Now if we can discover the first vial of God's wrath we may trace them to the end.

Finally the time came and God said to the seven

angels, "Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and upon them who worshipped his image." In prophetic language, the "earth" is a symbol of a settled government, in opposition to "waters, seas, rivers and fountains," which represent simply large bodies of men. Then this first vial must have been poured out on some established government or people of that government. This plague took the form of a grievous and distressing ulcer. It must have been a fearful malady, either moral or physical. Again, it fell on the men which had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. Now, to whom does this apply? What nation above all others has suffered in the manner indicated by this prophecy? Undoubtedly the French. Had they the mark of the beast? Did they worship his image? It is a fact that the French did more than any other nation to establish the Papacy. It was the French to whom the Pope appealed at first to aid him in obtaining the three kingdoms over which he maintained his supremacy. was the French who were always called in to uphold him. It was French arms that held the Italians in subjection to Rome until the year 1870. In fact, the French monarchs for many centuries were called the eldest sons of the Church. Therefore it must be the French who have the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. Then to what does this vial of wrath refer? Is it not to the French Revolution that occurred

It