If we read with the Vatican septuagint 2400 days, or years, and reckon the number from the end of seventy years from the commencement of the captivity, that is to say, from 512 B. C., as ́ fixed by Dr. Hales' computation, which gives B. c. 582, for the date at which the temple was destroyed; this period will then have elapsed in 1888 years from the advent of our Lord. But on looking at the successive dates appropriated to the "vials," we find that the sixth vial, which is said to be poured "upon the great river Euphrates," falls upon the year 1887. These numbers, indeed, being in a much greater degree conjectural, than those which have preceded them, the same argument of previous design cannot be drawn from them. In the last column, however, I have noted a coincidence which is very remarkable. The Apocalypse has expressly taught us, that power was given to that beast, by whom, in common with our most accurate commentators, I understand the Mahometan power, to "continue forty and two months." But if the use of "months" ought here, as I apprehend, to designate such years as are mea sured by the moon's course, and such also as are used in the computation of the Hegira; then 1260 such years will amount to 1222 of our years. But if, as before, we take 666 for a key to this duration, 666 added to 1222, will amount to 1888, being, as I have already observed, the very year in which, by the independent calculation of the series of vials, the sixth vial is poured upon the Euphrates." Whatever importance we may allow to these various coincidences, it will be at least so difficult to attribute them to chance alone, that I cannot but consider them as affording no slight evidence in favour of the computation with which they coincide; and of the book from which that computation appears to have been derived. If, indeed, one who should find various portions of some machine scattered from place to place, should discover, on comparison, that the several wheels were fitted to each other; that their proportions corresponded in a certain relation, and that, when put together, they would form a series capable of fulfilling some result of mechanical contrivance, the finder would scarcely attribute such an adaptation to chance, but would at least infer from it, that the machine must have been previously made in some similar form, if not identically with the same combinations, as those of which he might have observed it to. be susceptible. And thus I would add, in this case also, may we observe some trace of combination, in order to produce a determined result, not only in that agreement of numbers which I have detailed, but in the relation of those numbers to the agreement of facts indicated by them. It has been observed by many commentators that there is a certain correspondence between the trumpets and vials as to the sequence of their subjects, each in turn relating to the earth, the sea, the waters, the sun, the seat of the beast, and the Euphrates; but it will be seen, on consulting the table, that the space intervening between each trumpet and its corresponding vial is, in every case, 1334 years, if we reckon the initial and final years of the series, while if these two years are omitted, the sum corresponds with the amount of two periods of 666 years. In both these results it seems that we can hardly be tracing the work of chance. In my description of this table, I have only referred to it, as being a strong collateral test of the antiquity and truth of that calculation which is contained in the book of Enoch. I believe, however, that if we were to trace the facts of the moral history of Christianity, as they bear upon those mutations of opinion, and upon that increase of various knowledge which has taken place in the world, it would be found that the series of numbers which I have described has still greater claim on our attention, from the manner in which its use tends to clear up many difficulties in the Apocalypse, than from the singular numerical evidences which belong to it, when compared with the prophetic numbers of the Scripture. I have not, however, felt sufficient confidence in my own judgment to advance as an hypothesis what I have stated only as a subject for inquiry. If the attention of others more competent than I am to analyse this subject, should thus be directed to it, my purpose will be fulfilled. But if such an inquiry should be thought to trench too closely upon ground which ought ever to be inviolate, as seeking to pry into things unseen "as yet," let it be remembered that an unreflecting and implicit faith is as fruitful of error as too bold a spirit of curiosity can be. I humbly trust, that in the preceding pages, I have neither sought to take away from the words of the book of life, nor to add unto them, as of my own mind; and with a fervent prayer that the God who "6 giveth sound wisdom and under standing" will prosper such truths as may be herein contained, and render each error harmless, I now conclude my labour. THE END. JAN 12 1920 GILBERT & RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, |