Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 53

11. How is the closing work of the gospel under the outpouring of the Spirit described by the revelator?

"After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and _the earth was lightened with his glory_." Rev. 18:1.

12. What does this angel say?

"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, _Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen_, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Verse 2.

NOTE.-The religious world will then be in much the same condition as was the Jewish nation after it had rejected Christ at His first advent. See 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

13. What did Peter on the day of Pentecost tell his hearers to do?

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, _Save yourselves from this untoward generation_." Acts 2:40.

14. What similar call and appeal will be made under the final outpouring of the Spirit?

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, _Come out of her, My people_, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and G.o.d hath remembered her iniquities." Rev. 18:4, 5.

NOTES.-A great work will be accomplished in a short time under the final outpouring of the Spirit. Many voices all over the earth will sound the warning cry. Signs and wonders will be wrought by the believers, and, as at Pentecost, thousands will be converted in a day.

Those who fail to heed this final gospel call, like the unbelieving Jews, will be doomed to destruction. The seven last plagues will overtake them, as war, famine, death, and destruction overtook the Jews, who, not believing in Christ, failed to heed His call to flee, and shut themselves up in Jerusalem to their doom. Those who heed the call, and separate themselves from sin and from sinners, will be saved.

Come, Holy Spirit, come, Let Thy bright beams arise, Dispel the sorrow from our minds, The darkness from our eyes.

Convince us all of sin, Then lead to Jesus' blood, And to our wondering view reveal The mercies of our G.o.d.

Revive our drooping faith, Our doubts and fears remove, And kindle in our b.r.e.a.s.t.s the flame Of never-dying love.

'Tis Thine to cleanse the heart, To sanctify the soul, To pour fresh life in every part, And new-create the whole.

Come, Holy Spirit, come, Our minds from bondage free; Then shall we know, and praise, and love The Father, Son, and Thee.

JOSEPH HART.

PART VI. THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Handwriting On The Wall. "In that night was Belshazzar ... slain, and Darius the Median took the kingdom." Dan. 5:30, 31.

Prophecy, Why Given

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Daniel In Babylon. "Surely the Lord G.o.d will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7.

1. Why were the Sacred Writings given?

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written _for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope_." Rom. 15:4.

2. By what means is all scripture given?

"All scripture is given _by inspiration of G.o.d_." 2 Tim 3:16, first part.

3. For what is it profitable?

"And is profitable for _doctrine_, for _reproof_, for _correction_, for _instruction in righteousness_." Same verse, last part.

4. How was the prophecy given?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but _holy men of G.o.d spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost_." 2 Peter 1:21.

5. What is the Lord able to do regarding the future?

"Behold, the former things are come to pa.s.s, and new things do I declare: _before they spring forth I tell you of them_." Isa. 42:9.

6. How far-reaching is G.o.d's ability to reveal the future?

"Remember the former things of old: for I am G.o.d, ... and there is none like Me, _declaring the end from the beginning_, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." Isa. 46:9, 10.

NOTES.-In contrast with this, note the following confession of a noted modern historian as to man's inability to reveal the future:-

"History has yet made so slight progress toward the scientific basis that she is able to foretell nothing that is to be hereafter. As to the future, she is stone-blind. There is not a philosopher in the world who can forecast the historical evolution to the extent of a single day. The historian is as completely dumb before the problems of 1895 as a charlatan weather-prophet ought to be with respect to the meteorological conditions of the next season. The year will come and go. It will fulfil its purpose in the great calendar of man-life. Its events and issues will be evolved with scientific exact.i.tude out of antecedent conditions.

But no man living can predict what the aspect and event will be.

The tallest son of the morning can neither foretell nor foresee the nature of what is to come in the year that already stands knocking at the door."-_John Clark Ridpath, in Christian at Work, Dec. 27, 1894._

Knowing all things, the future is present with G.o.d. More, perhaps, than any other one thing, the prophecies of the Bible and their fulfilment bear witness to its divine inspiration.

7. To whom does G.o.d reveal the secrets of the future?

"Surely the Lord G.o.d will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants _the prophets_." Amos 3:7.