In answer to the disciples questions," What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the age?" the Lord says, "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places" (Matt. 24).

Such calamities have been overtaking the world through the centuries to the present. What is the force then of His speaking of the occurrence of these things as an indication of the end of the age? I believe the force of the prophecy is that these things will happen in conjunction-that wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places will be taking place in the earth at the same time. While up to the present writing there has been but one earthquake of any great magnitude, yet what has already occurred, and is at present transpiring is enough surely to make the hearts of God's people awake to the nearness of the realization of the Christian's hope.

There are unmistakable evidences that the last week of Daniel's prophecy is about to be fulfilled. The middle of this eventful week of seven years is very clearly defined in prophecy; the beginning not so clearly, except it be that the then ruling Gentile power, which is an alliance of powers under one leadership, makes a covenant with Israel for seven years. This covenant evidently comes into force at the beginning of the week. Is there any present prospect of such an agreement being entered into with the Jewish people ?

The nations of Europe are at war. What the outcome will be is not ours to say. The terms of peace .may bring about such a readjustment as to bring again into being the fourth great world-power of which the prophets speak. This is the power that will make the seven years' covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27). For the last fifteen years the Jews have been wonderfully active in Palestine. The Turkish government has granted concessions to them that had been previously denied; and the persecution in other lands has caused them to turn their faces to the land of their fathers.

Turkey has now entered into the European strife which may reduce her territory, or result in her ceasing to be a nation. However this may be, there is every prospect that Palestine will change hands; and as no one power will be satisfied to have it in the possession of the other, it is only natural to suppose that it will be given to the Jews, and the Gentile powers will mutually agree to protect them in its possession, and give them liberty of conscience as to their ancient faith. This, we believe, is God's way of working out His designs, bringing them about in the natural course of affairs.

The Jews are fully alive to the probable outcome of the present strife. Very recently Dr. Max Nordau, in a letter addressed to the English Zionist Federation, says that great events are in store for Judaism, and that they must maintain the Zionist organization in good condition, so as to be able at a given moment to convince those responsible for the destinies of Palestine that the Jews are ready and able to assume administrative, political, and financial responsibility. This is evidence that the
Jews desire to gain control of their country from which they have been aliens for 1800 years. The prophecies indicate that they will be restored in unbelief, and build their temple, and the great tribulation of which the Lord goes on to speak in Matthew 24, will overtake them in their land. As in the case of Joseph's brethren their consciences must be reached, and their hearts searched to their depths to produce in them conviction and repentance for their awful sin in rejecting and crucifying their King.

Not the least among the significant signs of the times is the sending of an ambassador by Great Britain to Rome. This is the first ambassador that England has sent to the Vatican since the yoke of Rome was broken from her neck over 400 years ago. France also, who but a few years ago refused to recognize papal control, is now urged to send its representative also, lest when terms of peace are made, they suffer from lack of representation.

The unerring page of prophecy clearly indicates the revival of this great religious power in the last days. With the revival of the ten-horned beast, there comes also the woman who rides the beast, and for a short time she will assume ecclesiastical control in the Empire. When the true Church is translated to heaven, the apostate mass that is left will return to the Romish church, and she may again in a measure control the kingdoms of the earth. But their submission to her will shortly turn to hatred, and the nations will destroy her (Rev. 17).

In destroying Romanism the world will think to destroy the last vestige of Christianity from the earth; and Antichrist will then arise, boasting great things, and ability to solve the religious problems of the day. To quote from another :'' Babylon is not the only evil which must perish that Christ may reign; and Babylon's removal only makes way at first for the full development of another form of it more openly blasphemous than this. The woman makes way for the man:what professes at least subjection to Christ, for that which is in open revolt against Him "-Rev. 14:8-10, Num. Bible, p. 449.

Into what solemn and awful times the world is entering ! It may be the final crisis of all ages past. The beginning of sorrows; the beginning of the end of "man's day," while "the day of the Lord," of which the Prophets are full, will come upon the total wreck of all human governments. What shall we say in view of these things ? The Lord would have us in daily expectation of His return. Soon we shall have done with the wilderness, and go home to Him whom unseen we love.

"He comes! He comes! the Bridegroom comes!
The ' Morning Star' appears ;
The 'cloudless morning' sweetly dawns;
Saints, quit this vale of tears.
Your absent Lord no longer mourn;
Reproach no longer bear; He comes!
He comes! Rise, happy saints,
To meet Him in the air.

He comes! He comes! the Bridegroom comes!
The Church is now complete;
Her Lord beholds her clean and fair,
A partner for Him meet.
He comes, His purchased Bride to claim,
Her mansion is prepared; Becomes!
He comes! Rise, waiting saints,
To meet your coming Lord." R.B.E.