The Bible is the only book of real prophecy in the world. The marvelous way in which the predictions of the Old Testament have been fulfilled in relation to Christ Himself, the chosen people of Israel, and the nations with which the Jews came in immediate contact, is one of the clearest proofs of the Bible's superhuman character, and marks it out as distinct from all other literature because divinely-inspired. But there is much prophecy still unfulfilled, and we are exhorted to give heed to these intimations in regard to coming events in order that we may not be taken unaware.

We need, however, to be on our guard against hastily-arrived at and ill-considered conclusions. I have seen in print, and heard it affirmed by many, that II Duce, Premier Mussolini of Italy, the great Fascist leader, is the predicted Antichrist, the Man of Sin, who should arise at the end of this age. This is quite unwarranted for a number of reasons. Mussolini is a civil leader, not the head of a religious system. Thus far his efforts to bring about a rapprochement with the papacy have been thwarted by the Pope himself. That some kind of a coup may be accomplished in the near future is not only possible but, in my judgment, probable. If so, it may result in the fulfilment of the seventeenth of Revelation, placing the mystic woman in the saddle, where for a brief time she will again dominate the Roman earth. But the Antichrist is the lamb-like Beast depicted in the last part of the thirteenth chapter. He is the imitation Lamb of God who is to be energized by Satanic power. This one will utterly deny the Father and the Son. "This," says St. John, "is the deceiver and the antichrist." He will be accepted by apostate Christendom and apostate Judaism as the promised Messiah. His seat will be in Palestine; while, in the West, in the revived Roman Empire of the last days, there will be a great civil leader, a Napoleonic "Man of Destiny," who will for a brief time attempt to exercise autocratic sway over the civilized world. Both this leader, called emphatically, "the Beast," and the Antichrist are to act together as. the enemies of God and His truth. But they are distinct personalities.

Mussolini, once a socialist of the reddest type, now the advocate of autocratic power, has already declared it is his intention to restore the ancient glory of the Roman Empire. Once an infidel, he has become a Catholic, and is eager that there be a concordat established between the Empire and the Vatican. The Fascist Creed, as it is called, is said to be the foundation of the instruction of the youth of Italy. It begins with, "I believe in Rome Eternal, the Mother of my Fatherland," and it ends with, "I believe in the genius of Mussolini; in our holy father Fascism, and in the communion of its martyrs; in the conversion of the Italians, and the resurrection of the Empire. Amen." Mussolini may be the forerunner of the Beast; he might even be that sinister figure himself, but it is better not to play the role of the prophet, but simply to be a humble student of the prophetic Word.

That we are on the eve of great world-changes both statesmen and religious leaders are agreed. The nature of those changes affords endless cause for speculation. ' For the devout Christian the next stupendous event that shines through the darkness is the corning of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him. We do not wait for the Antichrist. We look for the Lord from heaven. We are only interested in the signs of the times as they harmonize with the warnings given whereby we may know that the end of the age is approaching. H. A. Ironside