The little book, or, A close and brief elucidation of the 13,14,15,16,17, and 18th chapters of Revelations, by Eben-ezer. [With] First (Second) suppl. [and] Addenda

voice represented as the roar of a lion, causing or producing terror and dismay), and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

VERSE 4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Which means that there were seven distinct rolls of thunder, but no distinguishable expression so as to be wrote down.

VERSE 5. And the angel (or messenger) which I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven.

Which must be a personal action; see the 7th verse of the 12th chapter of Daniel.

In the latter part of the 6th verse, the angel (a witness or messenger appointed by God to perform his will) sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, that there should be time no longer. Mr. Wakefield has it " no longer delay."

VERSE 7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel (or messenger), when he shall begin to sound, the mystery (the hidden design) of God (should be finished, should have an end, or should be explained in the vision) as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets.

Which alludes to the time of the end so often mentioned. See the five last verses of the next chapter.

VERSES 8, 9, and 10.

And the voice which

I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go, and take the little book which is open

in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea, and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little hook. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey; And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

The expressions in the three preceding verses, means that a Little Book," or a small publication, would be read with eagerness, as if they were eating" or devouring it; and that during its first perusal, having had but a slight discernment of it, or just tasting it, before their serious reflections took place, it would be found "sweet," luscious, or alluring: but when properly digested, and attentively considered it would be found" bitter," nauseous, or unpleasant.

VERSE 11. And he said unto me, thou must prophecy again (that is after the afore-mentioned time) before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

The latter part of this verse, and the 9th verse of the following chapter; "And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations" have a direct allusion to the 7th verse of the 13th chapter, the 6th verse of the 14th chapter, and the 15th verse of the 17th chapter.

CHAPTER XI

The city in the 2d verse of this chapter is a Gentile city which is to be trampled upon for "forty and two months."

VERSE 3. And I (the Lamb) will give power (a power which I have received) unto my two witnesses (two human beings bearing witness to the truth of the Christian dispensation), and, they shall prophecy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (forty and two months) clothed in sackcloth. (A course linen garment, emblematical of mourning.)

This verse and the preceding one must be compared with the 5th verse of the 13th chapter, and other parts of the prophecy; I have not a doubt of the time mentioned being literal, for I cannot see how it should be taken in any other manner.

Compare the 4th verse of this chapter, with the four last verses of the 4th chapter of Zachariah.

Mr. Wakefield has the latter part of the 4th verse "which stand upon the earth before God." The fifth verse differs in spine degree in the two translations, the old one has it: "And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed."

Mr. Wakefield's is as follows: "And if any man design to hurt them (the witnesses) fire is

repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. (See the 20th verse.)

CHAPTER X.

VERSE 1. And I saw a mighty angel (or a powerful messenger) come down from heaven, (or appointed by the God of heaven) clothed with a cloud, (or surrounded by a cloud) and a rainbow was upon his head, (a luminous appearance upon his head) and his face was as it were the sun, (indicating light or warmth) and his feet as pillars of fire:

The two expressions may signify that his face and his feet were upon a glowing heat, or it may be a visible phenomena.

VERSE 2. And he had in his hand a little book, open: (a literal expression) and he set (of course a personal action) his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.

Which means that the angel, or messenger was stationary upon the waters of the river.' See the 12th chapter and 6th verse of Revelations. And it may be a strongly figurative operation, as representing a maritime and a continental power; his right foot upon the former, and his left foot on the latter.

VERSE 3, And cried with a LOUD VOICE, as when a lion roareth (the angel, or messengers'