The only intimation which we have recorded under the seventh seal is, that at its opening, "Silence is observed in heaven for about the space of half an hour." In order to understand this mysterious expression, and to see how completely it agrees with all we have said before concerning the seals, we must recal the recollection of the reader to the interpretation we have given of them, as having reference only to the civil aspect of Christendom in relation to the governments or kingdoms of the world. The "hour" here mentioned, doubtless relates to the same period referred to in chap. xiv. 7, where it is said, "the hour of His judgment is come, called also in chapter iii. 10, "the hour of temptation;" shown also in chapter xvii. 12, to be the time in which the kings of the earth exercise a power not given or recognized of God, but derived from the people, and used in direct opposition to the Lamb; and also the time thrice mentioned in chapter xviii., in which Babylon is judged-" in one hour is thy judgment come." The time specified in the vision of the seventh seal is half an hour, which intimates that the hour spoken of in the places above noticed is divided into two parts, during the first half of which there is a symbolic silence in heaven; and the question is, What is meant by this silence in relation to civil affairs or action ? An answer may be given to this inquiry by reference to the trumpet phase which synchronizes with this period: for at the sounding of the seventh trumpet we learn that the time is come when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our LORD and of His CHRIST; and the voices heard in heaven announcing this event, we may suppose succeeded the silence noticed in the opening of the seventh seal, when this great change was contemplated by the hea

venly host for at this time, CHRIST has made His appearance within the region of the earth, to claim it as His inheritance. And it is remarkable, in connexion with these prophetic intimations, that when He comes out of heaven, it is said, "He hath on His head many crowns;" showing thereby that the regal power has entirely reverted to Him, a crown being the symbol of such power. This symbolic silence therefore in heaven, must refer to the LORD's position in the air with His saints; during which time, He is as it were, inactive, or "keeping silence," so far as regards the government of men, in consequence of His not recognizing any transactions in civil affairs as done in His Name, or by persons commissioned by Him, or who hold any power of Him or for Him. For it is said, that "the kings of the earth give their power and strength unto the beast, and reign one hour with him." During part of this time the LORD looks on, and is silent, as though He would see what His enemies would do, or while He is gathering His saints who are on the earth unto Himself. We therefore understand the expression to mean, that at this time, there is no authorized power upon earth ruling for Him, or acting under Him; which circumstance is worthy of particular attention, for in all former periods they have so ruled; the powers that then were, being ordained of GOD; and until the personal Antichrist shall be revealed, exercising the power from beneath, and exalting himself above all that is called GOD, the civil power will be recognized by the LORD, as ordained of GOD. But as there is no mention of the exercise of such power under this seal, it is evident that the powers which were originally ordained of GOD, and which have been until now acknowledged in heaven and earth, have passed

away--that those who now reign are His avowed and direct antagonists, and that the LORD cometh to put them down, and to take unto Himself His great power and reign.

This interpretation will receive additional confirmation, by considering the Ecclesiastical phase of this last period of Christian history, as revealed to us in

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET.

-19.

15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices Rev. xi. 15 in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD and of His CHRIST: and He shall reign for ever and ever.

16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped GOD,

17 Saying, We give Thee thanks, O LORD GOD Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.

18 And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldst give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy Name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth.

19 And the temple of GOD was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

The third woe trumpet includes the period of the end, or all the acts or judgments of the LORD, from the taking up of the witnesses, to the establishment of His kingdom. As it was intimated under the seventh seal, so the LORD is here announced as having taken unto Himself His great power to reign on the earth. But before this can be done, He must gather His saints, and clear the earth of His enemies. The seventh trumpet includes the time that He shall be engaged

in doing this. "The great voices in heaven" can be none other than the rejoicing of the gathered saints, who in the fourteenth chapter, under the symbol of the 144,000, sing the new song which those only can learn who have been redeemed from the earth; and they rejoice that the LORD has taken to Himself His great power, because they delight in His righteous judgments; knowing also that the time is come, when they shall reign with Him upon the earth, as kings and priests unto GoD and His FATHER for ever.

"And the four and twenty elders, which sat before GOD on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshipped GOD, saying, We give Thee thanks, O LORD GOD Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power and hast reigned." We learn from this portion of the prophetic vision, that "The mystery of GOD" in His Church is completed, as was foreshown in the prefatory visions to the seals: for we find that the four and twenty seats are occupied or filled, showing thereby, as we conceive, that God hath accomplished the number of His Elect under His twofold Apostleship, who are here introduced as rulers together with Him. It is also remarkable that the two phases, namely, the civil and ecclesiastical, which have hitherto been distinct, are here notified as being merged into one, by which it is manifest that He is come in whom alone they can be united; viz., The King and Priest after the order of Melchisedec. And these four and twenty Elders worship Him and give glory to Him. The manifestation of His glorious kingdom, wherein He sitteth as Priest upon His throne, is no longer an event to be anticipated, but one to be rejoiced in as having actually commenced. The first act of His reign is here repre

sented to be the breaking of the nations; as it is written of Him in the second Psalm, where David, speaking of the wicked confederacy of the last days, says, "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." This prophecy exactly answers to the position which things shall assume upon the earth in the seventh and last period of the Christian age. this confederate body, which shall then be gathered together, against the LORD and against His anointed, under the beast and false prophet, shall be destroyed by the LORD from heaven, at Armageddon, in that great day of the battle of GOD Almighty, and they shall be cast alive into the lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

For

"And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints and to those that fear Thy Name, small and great and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth." At this time will be the resurrection of those saints who did not attain to the anointing and yet have looked forward to, and loved the appearing of the LORD; they shall stand in their lot, or in their respective bands, and shall receive their reward according to their works in their day and generation-the prophets, and saints, and those that feared His Name, both small and great : while those who have corrupted the earth shall be destroyed. We may also observe (judging by analogy,) that the persons last referred to, are probably such as