PREFACE. THIS volume is an attempt to expound Apocalyptic prophecies of scenes, events, and glory yet to come. The Author believes that these are about to emerge far sooner than many believe. He desires that more may be found with their lamps burning and their loins girt, and ready to meet the Lord. He longs to attract a greater number from the too ardent pursuit of this world, to great, permanent, and all but instant things, by unfolding their greater beauty, glory, and magnificence; and thus displacing the earthly preference by the appliance of heavenly hopes. It is his sincere prayer that the reader may enjoy a portion at least of the pleasure felt by the writer in studying and expounding these parts of the Apocalypse. His only regret has been that time was so short, and that the Apocalypse has an end. He trusts he has shown no presumption in endeavouring to expound parts of this blessed Book, very little opened up, either in the pulpit or by the press. He is sure that the precious truths he has unfolded. will, by the blessing of the Spirit of God, produce good fruit; and that the hopes, drawn from the future and the heavenly, will refresh, as with the air and the aroma of Eden, those who are covered with the dust and weary of the din of this incessant and besetting world. We are plunging into a state, in which the lights of the Apocalypse will be pre-eminently useful. We shall soon see scenes, events, and changes which will make those stagger whose minds have not been previously directed to this Book. "I come quickly. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." |