Unavoidably omitted from last number, but inserted here to complete the series.

Our portion for the present month is the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament and the Revelation in the New. There is a close similarity between the two books, and the points could be traced out profitably. For instance, the cherubim in each, the sealing of the remnant and the description of the city and the river. It must always be remembered that in Ezekiel the standpoint is earthly, while in the New Testament book all is viewed from heaven.

In passing, a word as to the study of prophecy may not be out of place. To say the least, most of God's people neglect prophetic scripture. The historical portions of Old and New Testaments may be fairly well known (in their letter) by those who rarely turn the pages of the Prophets. Then too, where this is not the case, there is danger in going to the Prophets for predictive instruction rather than spiritual. It need hardly be said that the first is of great value, and should be neglected by none. But an ordinary reading of the Prophets will show that prediction forms a small part of their contents. They do not – as no scripture does – gratify mere curiosity. Their address is ever to the conscience and heart, bringing faithful witness of sin, denouncing defiant disobedience, and declaring the sure judgment of God because of this. Then, when the full measure of judgment has been visited, the prophet turns to the blessed recovery of those who bow and confess their sin. Principles of government remain ever the same, and it will be found that while Israel as a nation is in the foreground, the word of divine truth will have a sanctifying effect upon those of this dispensation who have " ears to hear." It may be well to add that this is especially true in a day of decline and failure, like the present.

Ezekiel deals chiefly with the holiness of God and the sin of His people. Part of the nation is already in captivity, and the prophet is with these, while he is the messenger of the final overthrow of the remainder who are still at Jerusalem. The throne of God upon the cherubim, with all the attendant glory, is described. That glory is seen gradually to remove from the sanctuary to the threshold of the temple, and finally to depart entirely from the sinful city.

We may say, roughly speaking, there are four main parts to the book.

1. In the first twenty chapters, the witness is to Israel of their sin and the certainty of judgment. The book of "lamentation and woe" is eaten by the prophet, who, thus identified with his message, is to go to the " rebellious house " of Israel and bear his testimony, " whether they hear or forbear." Indeed their rejection is foretold. With divine pathos is it declared that had the message been to other than His own people, they would have heard. " Surely had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee; but the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee, for they will not hearken unto Me" (chap. 3:6, 7). Chap. 4:gives minute details of the famine and the siege of Jerusalem. Chaps. 5:and 6:dwell upon the sin of Israel, greater than that of the nations about, and her corresponding judgment. This doom is described in chap. 7:The abominable idolatries of even the leaders is shown in Chap. 8:, and a striking separation of the godly-known by their sorrow and mourning, let us mark it well, not by their greatness and power-who have the mark of God put upon them. These subjects are continued, with many illustrations in the succeeding chapters. Chap. 16:is noteworthy, as giving a picture of Israel as the unfaithful wife of Jehovah; and chap. 20:
is a most faithful recital of the apostasies of the people even while in Egypt, then in the wilderness, and in the land. God shows how He had intervened for His own name's sake, and had not cut them off as they deserved. Touchingly, at the close, He foretells their recovery, in self-abhorrence at last, to worship Him in truth.

2. From Chaps. 21:to 32:, we have largely the judgment of the nations about Israel, with whom they had been closely connected. Moab, Ammon, Egypt, and notably Tyre, with others come in here for judgment because of their sins and because of their joy at Israel's destruction. The king of Tyrus is manifestly a type of Satan, the prince and god of this world.

3. Chaps. xxxiii-39:bring in the recovery of Israel. The nation is to be raised from its death, and with a new heart will at last delight to serve God.

4. The closing eight chapters have to do with the rebuilt sanctuary, the city and the land, reapportioned among the twelve tribes. It is most beautiful and instructive. The glory of God, which at the beginning had departed, is seen to return to His abode and the name of the city is, "The Lord is there."

Revelation, as has been said, gives the heavenly side of things, and a view of the heavenly city at the close- passing beyond the Millennial period dwelt upon by Ezekiel. Its divisions are familiar:

1. "Things that are" Chaps. 1:-3:, giving in type the entire history of the Church in the seven churches of Asia. Here Ephesus would stand for the Church at the close of the apostolic era; Smyrna answers to the time of persecution, and the tendency to Judaize; Pergamos shows the Church and state united, under Constantine; Thyatira leads on to Rome, which continues to the end, as do the others which follow; Sardis is the Protestant establishment set up in the state churches at the Reformation; Philadelphia is a spiritual revival and a maintenance, in much weakness, of the honor of Christ's word and name, with a fellowship based upon that. Laodicea closes the Church period with a state of satisfied ease which leaves nothing but divine rejection possible.

2. " Things that shall be " Chaps. 4:-22:Here we see the throne of God and the Lamb, to whom all judgment is committed. This will be visited upon the earth after the removal of the true Church. The time will be short -the "great tribulation" lasting but three and half years. We have the judgment of the seals, trumpets and vials, giving in increasing intensity the final woes upon the earth. The sealing of the remnant of Israel, and the salvation of the great multitude out of the nations is announced. The doom of Babylon, the professing Church is recorded. We have also the account of the "beast," the head of civil government in the Roman empire, and the Antichrist, the leader of apostate Judaism. Finally, after all judgments have been inflicted, heaven is opened and the Son of God, with His attendant army of angels and ransomed saints, issues forth. Antichrist and the beast are cast into the lake of fire, Satan is bound, and the Millennial reign begins with its glories and blessings. We see the heavenly city which will, both during the Millennium and throughout eternity, be the abode of God and the Lamb, and the heavenly redeemed. The solemn final judgment of the wicked dead is recorded, at the close of the Millennium, and all evil finally under restraint, and Christ having fully glorified God, nothing is left but the desire for His speedy coming to bring all this to pass.
What themes are here to occupy mind and heart! May they have a sanctifying effect upon us all.