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OX TI1E NECESSITY OF C0N-TIXDOUS C0N-TIXDOUS REVELATION, Oris the Bible SuOU-lccl for the Guidance of Urn to Miration. r.v J.jt. s. Third raper. Zephanlah, B. C. 610-G09, revives the prophetical officu again after fifty years' interval. It seems that God left tho people to themselves during tbo reign of the wicked King Mannasseh, and first when Joalah had ascended the throne the voice of God was again heard. This prophet announces Uio approaching Judgment upon Judali on account of their idolatry and other sins. Baal, with his black-robed priests (cbcmarln, and Moloch arc to bo cutoff, men and beasts, fowls nnd fishes to be consumed (ch. lj. In the second chapter he predicts the overthrow of tho Philistines, tho Moabite?, Ammonites and Ethiopians, Ethiopi-ans, as well ib the desolation of the great Assyrian capital, ilccveh. Tho book closes with promises of a restoration yet future. JuurJiAH, B. C. 62S-&S5, was called to the prophetical office some years before the death of Zephanlah. His prophecies are delivered in various places. He commences in his native place, Analbotb, but he was soon compelled to flee from here on account of persecutions; wherefore ho took up IiU residence iu Jerusalem. During the reign of Josiahand Jehoahaz he continued .his ministry uninterrupted, but when Jehojachim ascended tho throne. Jeremiah was Incarcerated and sentenced to death, although the sentence was never carried out. In prison the prophet committed his message to writing nnd commissioned commis-sioned one Baruclt to read it in tho temple on a fast-day. Thu reckless monarch, after having heard a few pages, had the roll cut to pieces and burned. During Uio reign of tbo next king, Jehojacliin, the prophet again utters a voice of warning, but without effect, Zcdckiah became king. Nebuchadnezzar, thu king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem, but withdrew on hearing that the Egyptians were coining to rescue. On this occasion tho Prophet delivered deliv-ered the prediction that tho Chal-dxans Chal-dxans should come again and take tho city and burn it with fire. Having delivered tills message he-left he-left Jerusalem, as did, according to the Book of Mormon, at the same time, another righteous man with his family, L-hl. But Jeremiah was apprehended and thrown Into prison, where ho remained until the city was taken by XebuchaJnez-zer. XebuchaJnez-zer. The incarceration of the Prophet of God was the sin that filled the cup of Iniquity of tho Jews at tlil-time, tlil-time, and It brought speedy Judgment. Judg-ment. The Babylonian king gjvo the Prophet the choice of following the' captives to Babvlou or to remain with tho remnant. He chose the latter; and from this time 'all his endeavors are to turn tho people to God, premising them that if thoy would do so, God would yet build them up in their desolate country. But they did not listen to his advice. ad-vice. 'Iliey left thu country and emigrated to Egjpt, bringing the Prophet with them (Ch. 43). Here be once more lifts his voice, trying to induce the people to turn to the Lord. After this we bear no. more of him. Tridltion says he was put to death in Egypt by his own people. peo-ple. Among the predictions of this remarkable re-markable Prophet, we note the following: fol-lowing: Thu fate of Zedekiah (31. 2, 3); the precise duration of the Babj lonlsli cai tlvlty, viz. 70 years (IS: 11, 12J; the downfall cf Bibylon and tho return of the Jews (9: 10 H) There are also many predictions predic-tions concerning Messiah, whom he calls "Jehovah our righteousness." The final salvation of Israel is set forth in many passages: 3:1515; 31:31 31; 50: A, 5. As the predictions of Jeremiah are not ebronologlcally arranged, and no clue is left as to their true chronological order, it Is sometimes very difficult to decidu which predictions pre-dictions have already been fulfilled and w hlch refer to eveDts yet future. Only through tho Spirit of revelation revela-tion can this bo determined. HAttiKKnc, B.C. 612-593, Is thought to have lived in Judca shortly before the captivity. If this supposition is correct, he was a I on-temporary on-temporary with Jeremiah. The Prophet commences his book with a lamentation over the sins of Judali, foretelling the Judgment that w as to be poured out over the people through the invastonof the Chaldeans. Then the destruction of the Chaldeans is shown unto him in a vision (eh. II.), and the book closes with a rong,coni-osed rong,coni-osed probably for the use of the Iople in public worship and designed de-signed to romrort them under the coming affiictlons. Damel. B.C. (503-534, was born shortly before, the Babylonish captivity cap-tivity and carried to Babylon in his eighteenth year. Here, through his faithfulness to his God, lie soon rose to an eminent position, and retained his power during both the Ilaty Ionian Io-nian and tho Persian dynasties. He pro phed ed during the whole of the captivity, his last two prophecies being delivered two years after thu return of the captives. He did not return to Paletlnc,but died iu Babylon, at least IX) years old. The first six chnpters are a hUtorical record, setting faith the events w hlch led to tho recognition ofDanielasa Prophftof God, nl o thu conversion of Nebuchadnezzar, Hie fall of Bclshazzar nnd Uio promotion pro-motion of Daniel to the officu of a president overl 120 priuecs "who should be over thu whole kingdom." This historical his-torical record is interwoven with predictions relating to the various kingdoms of tho world. Thus in tho 2nd chapter we see before u, as in a beautiful anorama, a succession suc-cession of kingdoms until the kingdom king-dom of God is being established, ''never to be destroyed;" "but It shall break iu pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and It shall stand forever." This prediction is distinct and clear, yet the remark mado repeatedly repeat-edly before is applicable here: lleve-lationis lleve-lationis necessary in order to understand under-stand the details of its fulfilment. That God in tho last days should establish an everlasting kingdom, is foretold plainly enough. But "except "ex-cept a man bo born again, lie cannot can-not see the kingdom," so that the prediction given docs not exclude tho necessity of continuous revelation. revela-tion. Through revelation Daniel was enabled to predict the establishment establish-ment of this kingdom; through revelation, only, can wo perceive the establishment thereof and recognize recog-nize Its existence. The second part of the book is prophetical and comprises In its wotiJcrful views events from the time of Daniel to the final resurrection resurrec-tion of the deaJ. It Is an epitomized epitom-ized history of the world, written in advance of the events In chapter vii, the Babylonian, Medo-l'ersUn, Grecian and Boruau empires are represented by the four beast-: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a fourth beast "drradfuland terrible, and strong exceedingly." This tho Roman beast (or kingdom) has ten horns, among which a "littlohorn" came up. havlog "eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things." The Prophet follows the proceedings of this beast nnd particularly the little hom until ' the ancient of da s" alts In Judgment, 'ote that the whole of this vision "has reference refer-ence to the four empires In their religious re-ligious connection with each other, as the dream of 2vebucbadnezzar (Ch. 2) represents them in their political connection. The "little horn" Is therefore to bo understood to represent tho papal power, which afterward is said to have a time of 1260 years allotted to its blasphemous blasphe-mous rule, after which time comes the triumph of tho "Saints of the Most High." In the eighth chapter tho prophet has a vision concerning the Medo-Perslan Medo-Perslan aud the Grecian empires. the second and tho tblrd"besU' of the previous vision. The Medo-Perslan Medo-Perslan empire is represented by a ram with two horns, and the Grecian Gre-cian by a goat having a "notable horn," Alexander tho Great, between be-tween its oyes. The conquests of Alexander are described and also the divisions of his kingdom into four parts. Then rises "a little horn" as in the previous Uslon, a false, crafty tyrant, probably Antlochus Eplph-anes, Eplph-anes, whose character Is outlined, aud whose oppressions of the people of God causs Daniel to faint and feel sick for many days. That this little horn represents Antlochus Eplphanca is a view enteitalned by Uio most ancient writers, but this docs not exclude tho probability that the Papal power is also referred to as tho complete fulfilment of tills part of the prorhe-cy. What Antlochus Antl-ochus was to the Jews during the timo of tho Maccabees, tho papal pa-pal power has been to thu Church of Christ In all ages. The ninth chapter contains a prayer offered by thu Prophet In behalf of himself and his people. Ho particularly supplicates God to again restore tho sanctuary in Jerusalem. As an ansn er to this prayer, Gabriel Gabri-el appears and Informs hint of the precise timo for the coming of Messiah, Mes-siah, "to finish tbo transgression, and to make an end to sin, aud to made a reconciliation for iniquity, aud to bring in everlasting righteousness righte-ousness and toseal up the vision and propbc-cy.and to anoint tho most Holy." In seven weeks, or in forty-nine years, reckoning from tho decree of Artaxerxes 457 B. (i, the walls of Jerusalem were to be rebuilt, re-built, though in times of great trouble. trou-ble. In sixty two weeks, or 434 years Christ was to appear, autI n the midst of one week, and after three- years nnd a half, to be slain. I n the tenth chapter we- are allowed to cast a glance behind thu veil and contemplate the wonderful tict that heavenly messengers are cmplo e-d to convey intelligence to holy men, aud that they, while to doing, have to overcome opposing pow en, much as mortal men have in tun r-formanct: r-formanct: of their duties. A divine messenger lias lecn sent to Instruct DivU concerning some records in TheScrlpture of Truth," a heavenly heaven-ly record, but this messenger is met and opposed by "the priuceof the kingdom of Persia,'' whereupon a struggle that lasts for twenty days follows. Tiio victory would apparently appar-ently have been dubious had not Michael himself come to the assistance assist-ance of the messenger. In the llth chapter, the things noted in "The Scripture of Truth" are set forth. Thc-so things commence com-mence with the Ill-story of Persia. Four kings arc foretold: Cnmbyscs Stncrdls Darius and Xerxes v. 2. Then follows a prediction of Alexander Alex-ander the Great, his history and his successors in "the south" (Egypt) and tho north (Syria), down to the tImeofAutlociiusEpiphanus(v.3-29) Tlien follows the conquest of Syria by the Romans, "Clnttliu," (v. 30), Willi the rise of tho papal jotter. (v. 31-59 ) Tho character of this pow cr and many of its corru pt doc-triues doc-triues are here predicted with minuteness. Then come the invasions inva-sions of the Saracens (the king of the south) and of the Turks (the king of thu north.) The countries to bo conquered by tho Turks are enumerated (v. 41-43), as are also those tliat were to escape. Tiio clnpter closes with a prediction concerning the end of thu Turkish eni Ire, yH to be fulfilled: "He shall plant tho tabernacles tab-ernacles of his alace between the scasiu thu glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to lib eud, and none shall help him." Tho first verse of thu 12th charter predicU the full deliverance of the Jewish nation through tho inter-position inter-position of "the great prince," Michael, an event to bu looked for after tho fall of "the king of the north", or the Turkish empire, and the next Veres refer to the first resurrection of mankind. Tiio book closes with some chronological statements, unintelligible even lo thu Prophet, himself (v. S), but the promLsu is given that at the end of time many shall receive knowledge concerning the-so predictions (v. 4), n promise which rvMeully implies renewed revelations, bur how could these things bo known without such revelation, re-velation, any more than Daniel could know tlicni without revelation? revela-tion? One thlugls noticeable all through this prophetic record. Each new vision requireen new revelaUou from God. Daniel is constantly seeking knowledge from God concerning thu right understanding of the visions given, nnd It is only through this meaus that he receives his knowledge. know-ledge. Continuous revelation was necessary to this the must remarkable remark-able pruplict of thu ancient world. So it is to us if wo want to understand under-stand the plans and purposes of the Almighty. Where there is no revelation re-velation spiritual darkness prevails, In spite of tho plainest writings of God. A Bclshazzar ind tho whole-collegium whole-collegium of learned priests may see on the wall the: "Menu, menu, thckel, U hnrsin' but a Daniel, a man in constant communication with God, is niiuirc-d to interpret it according to Its right meaning. EzKKini-, B. C. 535 S74, was carried captive to Babylon at the first invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, eleven ears before thu destruction of Jerusalem, lie was conteiuporar with Jeremiah and Daniel, tut lived some 200 miles north of Bitty Bi-tty lou ou the banks of the river Chebar. Tradition lias It that lie was put to deatb by n feliow-etxilu feliow-etxilu whom ho had rebuked fur idolitry. Thu predictions of this Prophet were delivered soiuebefore aud some after Uio destruction of Jerusalem by .Nebuchadnezzar. Before this event hu calls Uuu tho l-eoplo to repent and warns thcniagaiiistseek-ingaid thcniagaiiistseek-ingaid by the Egyptians, liu assures as-sures thciu Uiat the fall of their beloved be-loved tity was now unavoidable. When thu Cliaidxan Mug commenced com-menced his siege of thu same, God revealed this to -thu Prophet in his exile: "Son of man," God says to him, "write thee thu name of thu day, even of this day: tile king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem Jeru-salem this same day" (24: 2). This was in the ninth year of his captivity. cap-tivity. Three years later ho received re-ceived (ho intelligence Uiat thu city hid fallen (33: l). During tliLs Icriod all thu predictions ot the Prophet are diiccted against foreign for-eign nations After he had heard of the fall of Jerusalem, his principal olject In view is to comfort the people peo-ple Willi promises of rvstoratiou and future blessings. Tho clo-lug charters (40-43) of the book of Lzekicl undoubtedly refer to events et future. Thedescrip-tionsof Thedescrip-tionsof the glorious building there given will nodcubt once be recognized recog-nized in a structure hereafter to be reared by thu peoploof God. Butas yet, like all unfulfilled predictions much of It is obscure and cannot bu understood unUI the light of revelation reve-lation removes all obscurity therefrom. there-from. OUADIAII, B. C. 5S3-5S3, Is supposed to have jjopliesied daring the feriod between tho fall of Jerusalem nnd the conquest of Edom, five years later. On thb supposition, hu was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekicl and Daniel. His ji re-dictions a redirected against the Edomites. And ho esclal-ly esclal-ly points out that there was a great difference between the Judgments 'executed upon Judah and upon Edom. For Judah should again be raised fro.n her present tail and finally possess not only Judca, but abo Uio land of the Philistines and that of Uie Edomltes while Edom should be "as though they hsd not been" (v. 16), a prediction that has been remarkably fulfilled to our own day. And while Edom is thus utterly swalloweJ up, "Saviors shall come up on Mount Zlon to udge the Mount of Esau, and the kingdom king-dom shall be thu Lord's" ( v. 21 ). Three nations were foremost In aflllcUng the ancient people of God; viz., the Assyrians, thu Chaldirsnj; and tho Edomltcs. Three Prophets were commissioned by tho Lord to announce the Judgment upon these three natlous: "Nahuni foretells Uie destrucUon of the Assyrians, Hab-bakkuk Hab-bakkuk of thu Chaldrons, and Oba-dlah Oba-dlah of tho Edomltcs. &To be eonunue 4. |
