whether Roman or Jewish, preparatory to the setting up of Messiah's kingdom. 2. That by Christ's predicted departure they understood his temporary withdrawal, perhaps concealment, until the way should be prepared for his triumphant return. 3. That by his "coming," they meant his reappearing in his manifested character as the Son of David, to take possession of the now vacant throne, to which, as David's heir, he was legally entitled. They understood then, as Adventists understand now, that when Jesus should come again it would be to set up his kingdom, not to end it. And to correct this error, which has proved so fatal in its consequences, was a leading object throughout this portion of the discourse.

2. Having satisfied ourselves as to the meaning of the disciples, the second inquiry is, What was the proper meaning of their question, as they stated it?

As already seen, it evidently meant more than the disciples meant. And as we proceed, it will become apparent that the Master answered it, both according to their meaning, and according to its true import. This aspect of the case should not be lost sight of.

Matthew has probably given the question in the very words of the questioner: "When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

This question, evidently shaped under the guidance of an overruling power, is exactly coextensive in its range with the wonderful discourse that follows by way of answer. It takes in its course the predicted events that were then imminent, and sweeps on through the coming ages down to the last grand scene in the world's history. And the question is clear, though nothing was clear in the minds of the questioners. "When" should the things just predicted come to pass? This is clear. "What sign" should indicate Christ's coming, and the end of the world? This also is clear. Av is no doubt a correct translation of the Aramaic word used by the disciples, and very naturally applies to that chapter in the history of God's vast universe which describes man upon earth; or, as it may be known hereafter in the annals of eternity, the Era of Redemption. So the Master evidently construed it, and answered the question accordingly. He told the disciples

"when these things" should be. He also told them the signs of his coming, but not the time; which, he informed them, God had concealed from even his most trusted and trustworthy

creatures.

But, as already stated, in the minds of the questioners nothing was clear. The disciples had some idea, vague and uncertain, that the power of Rome was to be broken; the authority of the priests and elders abolished; the temple and city destroyed; and that, when all things were in readiness, Jesus, the Son of David, who had been somewhere in concealment during these convulsions, was to reappear, take possession of his throne amid the welcoming hosannas of his people, and reign thenceforward in undisturbed peace over the obedient nations of the earth. They had also some idea of "the resurrection at the last day;" but, until life and immortality were brought to light through the Gospel, the future was seen only in dim and confused outline.

They knew not of the long and bloody conflicts, the fiery persecutions, the dangerous heresies, through which Messiah's kingdom was to pass before reaching its final triumph. They had no idea that Jesus was really to die and be buried; that he was to rise again the third day, ascend into heaven, sit down at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence come again at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead. Yet these things were to take place, and under Divine guidance the question was shaped, and the answer given accordingly.

While Jesus was with his disciples, always at hand to direct their movements, warn them of danger, and protect them from imposture, their ignorance and mistakes could do but little harm. But now he was about to leave them, and they must be prepared for the hitherto unsuspected dangers and trials that awaited them. They must be furnished with a chart of the future, by studying which they and their successors might secure their own personal safety, and guide the gospel-ship, of which they were to be pilots as well as passengers, safe into the desired haven. That chart is before us.

3. The Answer of Jesus.

This, for the sake of convenience, is divided into sections.

SECTION I.-Verses 4-14.

This section is a preliminary survey of the whole field. It is an epitome of human history, especially as it connects itself with the history of Christianity, from the time then present down through coming centuries; beyond the destruction of Jerusalem, beyond the generations then living, and unnumbered generations that should come after, on down to that time in the still unknown future when "this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations." And it will be seen that throughout this survey, applicable to every moment of this vast period of time, there runs this one thought, this dominant idea, "Take heed that no man deceive you." We must never lose sight of this BléπETE, Βλέπετε, this initial "TAKE HEED."

"Take heed that no man deceive you," etc. The erroneous views of the disciples would render them exceedingly liable to be imposed upon. Supposing, as they did, that Christ's coming to reign in person was near, and not knowing the manner and circumstances of his coming, the information, artfully conveyed, "Lo, here is Christ, or there "-in the desert-or in the secret chamber, might mislead them fatally. And the danger was the greater, because of the signs and wonders with which the deceivers would authenticate their mission. And understanding, as they did, that his coming was to be preceded by violent commotions, they would very naturally suppose, when they should "hear of wars and rumors of wars," that the end, as they understood it, was near-that his triumph and their triumph with him was at hand. Supposing, also, that as the friends and favorites of this triumphant sovereign they would be advanced to positions of great honor and influence, it was but reasonable to expect that mankind would do them reverence that the king's name and favor would be a ready passport to the respect and friendship of all his subjects.

But Jesus corrects their mistakes, and prepares them for the disappointment of their worldly hopes. He tells them "the end is not yet;" that nations and kingdoms in deadly conflict, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, are but the beginning instead of the end of sorrows-of their sorrows. For he taught them, further, that these sorrows were not to be experienced

alone by his enemies, but by his followers also; and that, instead of finding honor and safety in his name, they should be despised and hated and persecuted on account of that name; that so bitter should be that hatred that the tenderest ties of kindred would afford no protection. He taught them also that this state of things was to continue for ages; and that through all this time there should be false prophets or teachers of religion, who would bring in divers and dangerous heresies, troubling the Church, and drawing away unstable souls after them. And still further, he taught them that the final triumph of his cause was not to be secured by the sword, nor, as some still hold and teach, by a sudden and terrible destruction of his enemies, but by the preaching of the Gospel. This certainly was a picture very different from that which their misguided imaginations had drawn, and was well calculated to prepare their minds for what was to come after.

SECTION II.-Verses 15-22.

This general survey having prepared the way for a more definite answer, Jesus now goes back to the starting point, to consider the question more in detail. But it will be observed that he considers it, not only according to their erroneous ideas of its meaning, but also according to its literal and true import.

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination," etc. This is a direct answer to the question as the disciples intended it, and, with the thirty-fourth verse, a complete answer. Quest. When shall these things be? Ans. This generation shall not pass, etc. Quest. What sign shall there be? etc. Ans. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place-when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies-when ye shall see the Roman eagles gathering about the city, like vultures around a fallen carcass-then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then make all possible haste to escape; let not one moment be lost.

SECTION III.-Verses 23-27.

"Then if any man shall say unto you," etc. This section is a special application of the " Take heed" with which the Master sets out. Its primary reference is probably to the impostors

and fanatics who abounded about the time of the siege of Jerusalem, though this by no means exhausts its force. The disciples, as is well known, taking heed to these instructions of the Master, escaped both classes of danger. They fled just at the critical moment from the falling city, and thus escaped death or bondage in its overthrow, and they resisted successfully all the attempts of false Christs and false prophets to lead them astray, endured unto the end, and were saved.

In the closing verse of this section, the twenty-seventh, Jesus, for the first time, speaks directly of his own second coming. And he does it in such a manner as to guard his followers in all coming time against false Christs and their lying prophets. The pretenders would show themselves in the desert, or conceal themselves in the secret chambers; but He, when he came, would appear in the heavens. They would be announced by heralds, crying, Lo, here, or there; but He, in his appearing, would be self-manifest, and every eye should see him. The establishment and manifestation of their claims should be gradual, as adherents should be gained one by one, and as they should rise to power step by step; but His manifestation of himself in the heavens should be sudden as the lightning's flash, and universal as its light, all the world over. Keeping these things in mind, Christ's followers were in no danger of being misled by impostors.

SECTION IV.-Verse 28.

"For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." This verse occupies a position so peculiar as to entitle it to special consideration. At first sight, it would seem as if this and the preceding verse must refer to the same event; either both to the destruction of Jerusalem, or both to Christ's second coming. Indeed, this is one of the principal stumbling blocks in the way of expositors of this discourse. Now the twenty-seventh verse refers to the second personal advent of Christ, as manifestly as any thing that follows; and yet, for reasons that will become more apparent as we proceed, the twenty-eighth verse cannot refer to that event, but to one much nearer at hand. The difficulty, however, is more apparent than real.

Ending with the twenty-seventh verse, our Lord had made FOURTH SERIES, VOL. XXII.—23