The successes of Japan in her war with Russia have I been a great surprise to many. Some are raising questions which make it necessary to consider a-fresh the interpretation commonly put upon certain passages of Scripture. It has been generally thought that prophecy indicates that Russia will ultimately acquire supremacy over both China and India. With this thought in the mind, the present check upon the expansion plans of the Russian rulers appears to be in conflict with the expected progress of Russia.

Now, if Russia should acquire sovereignty over both China and India, would she not by that means acquire what we commonly speak of as "world supremacy"? She would certainly dictate to the world. In the book of Daniel, however, we learn there are but four Gentile powers that are to have world supremacy, and it tells us what powers they are. Russia is not one of them. Both Daniel and the Revelation agree in testifying that world supremacy will be in the hands of the fourth, or Roman power, in the time of Jacob's final sorrows. Rev. 13:7 expressly states that, in the last half week of Gentile times, "authority over every kindred and tongue and nation" will be held by the last great Roman head-the head that receives a wound but is healed.

Beside this, Rev. 16:12 speaks of a very strong confederacy of "kings from the East." This company of associated kings must certainly be contrasted with, not only the great Western power (the Roman), but with Russia, or Gog, whose quarters are expressly said to be in the North. (See Ezek. 38:6, 15 ; 39:2.) It seems clear there are to be three confederacies-one in the West, one in the North, and one in the East.

But if we accept a great confederacy of kings in the East, we must abandon the thought of Russia extending her power until she brings China, Japan, and India under her control.

Looking upon the present struggle in the light of this, I think we may see in the successes of Japan a distinct check upon Russian aggression. God is using Japan to thwart Russia's purposes of expansion.

Another consideration seems to confirm this view. Just what role Russia will assume during the last week of the times of the Gentiles, does not seem to be revealed. The part she will play in the stirring events of that period does not form any part of the subjects of which the book of Revelation treats. What is clear is that her doom is later than that of the other two confederacies. That she will be represented in the fierce conflict, when the armies of the nations will be gathered for the battle of the great day of God Almighty, I quite believe. But evidently her entire force will not be there. While this conflict is going on the Lord Himself takes the issues into His own hand. He espouses the cause of His own people, judges unsparingly the assembled armies, and, so far as the powers of the West and the East are concerned, they are completely crushed. But Gog, or Russia, does not seem to learn the lesson of the judgments of the Lord. Of course, Israel is delivered and established in her own land, now "brought back from the sword "(Ezek. 38:8). Dwelling there under the wing of Jehovah, in safety and rest, Russia will look upon her and will " think an evil thought" (ver. 10). After the other powers of the world have been completely humbled by the Lord, disregarding the presence of Jehovah in the midst ,of His people and the lessons of the judgments by which He has returned them to their possessions, Russia will swoop down upon the mountains of Israel with all her armies (ver. 4); but, instead of taking Israel as a spoil and prey, she will be overthrown by the hand of God. This destruction of the mighty hosts of Israel's last, or Northern foe, seems to be the last of the judgments of the Lord as fulfilling the type of David. The Solomon type, or reign of peace, follows.

Whatever the humiliation Japan inflicts upon Russia now, and whatever the outcome of her present internal struggles, Russia will continue to be a great power; and the haughtiness which has so plainly characterized her rulers will at last boldly defy the God of Israel, even after He has displayed His power in judgment in the complete destruction of the armies of the West and of the East.

In the steadily rising tide of Japanese power and in fluence, we may see the initial element of what will culminate in the allied kings of the East. Truly the trees are putting forth leaves; the long looked for summer is near! How much nearer, then, must be our own hope !

C. CRAIN.