have been the ten kingdoms.

W. Keene adds together Naples and Sicily, for the fourth kingdom, and Savoy, Piedmont, and Sardinia, for the fifth, making in all thirteen kingdoms!

It is generally considered by commentators, that the lower parts of the metalic Image represent the Roman Empire, and that the legs symbolize the two parts, into which it was divided, commonly called the Eastern and Western: and that the ten toes represent the ten parts into which the Western Empire has been divided. But is there not a great incongruity in representing the ten toes as belonging to one foot, while the other is utterly destitute?

TABLE VI.

THE various nations, kingdoms, and persons, supposed by different authors to be the Ten Horns of Daniel's fourth beast.

AN ELUCIDATION

OF THE

APOCALYPSE,

OR

EXPOSITION OF THE REVELATION.

THE first three chapters do not appear to me to be prophetic: I shall therefore only give a brief outline of their contents, as introductory to the prophetic scenes.

CHAPTER 1.

The introduction from verses 1-4 comprises, the Title, which the learned Archdeacon Woodhouse translates thus, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must come to pass in a short time; and he signified them, sending by his angel to his servant John." This rendering gives the master key to all prophetic times mentioned in this Book, the longest of which is not four years. It is therefore very properly called a short time. But the phrase, "Things which must shortly come to pass," ill accords with the long period which has elapsed since the time of the Apostle John. Then follows a commendation of the prophecy to the reader,

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."-The inscription, "To the seven churches which are in Asia."-The usual salutation, "Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;"—and a doxology to the Lord Jesus. "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." ver. 6. The grand theme of the prophecy is then announced, which is the SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST, with which every part of the book is intimately connected. "Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." ver. 7. Then follows the Apostle's account of his circumstances in the isle of Patmos, where he was a prisoner "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.' This island was the place where he received the first vision. Here he heard a voice as of a trumpet, announcing the presence of the Lord Jesus. This vision of the "Son of man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle," was preparatory to other visions, in which he would appear conspicuous. ver. 11-18. Then we have the command of the glorified Son of man to

record the vision. thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." ver. 19. This chapter concludes with an explanation of the symbolic figures, "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." ver. 20.

"Write the things which

CHAPTER II.

This chapter contains the epistles addressed to the churches at Ephesus 1-7. Smyrna 811. Pergamos 1217. and Thyatira 1829.

CHAPTER III.

This chapter contains the Epistles to the churches at Sardis 1--6. Philadelphia 7-13. and Laodicea 14-21. Each epistle is addressed to the angel, that is the Pastor or President of the Church. These chapters contain an account of "the things which are," i. 19. That is, things which did exist at the time the Apostle wrote. They are historic and preceptive, but not prophetic of future times: yet they contain many salutary cautions, warnings, and promises, adapted to the churches of Christ in every part of the world; and in every age of time.

CHAPTER IV.

This chapter records a vision of the Lord God Almighty, sitting on the throne in heaven, which is introductory to the subsequent prophetic visions, of which several