"SEAL NOT THE SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, FOR THE "THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE REVEALED BELONG UNTO US AND TO OUR LONDON: GEORGE BERGER, HOLYWELL STREET, STRAND. 1857. 100.4,225. PREFACE. THE following Lectures were delivered in the Moravian Chapel, Fetter Lane, London, during the year 1853, at the request of several kind and valued friends,-members, like myself, of the congregation assembling there. When I began to prepare them for delivery, I had not seen the Rev. E. B. Elliott's Horæ Apocalyptica; but from the subsequent perusal of that learned and instructive work, I have derived much valuable information, which I here thankfully acknowledge. I have, however, differed from the gifted author on many points, of more or less importance. I may refer particularly to the opinions I have expressed regarding the stability of the Turkish empire, and the results of the war in the East, because of their special interest in the present day. The extraordinary revolutions and combinations that have taken place around us, lead to the conclusion, that the time is at hand when those predictions will be accomplished which intimate the universal spread of the Gospel, and the final overthrow of every Antichristian power. It is the duty and the privilege of Christians to watch the signs of coming judgments; and to seek with earnestness to understand what has been declared by the prophets in visions and symbols, concerning events which are yet future. A blessing is promised to those who read the Apocalypse; and we may believe that it will become clearer and more perspicuous, to the sincere inquirer, as the end draws near. It was not my intention to publish these Lectures; but a dear relative, in a distant land, to whom the original manuscript was sent for private perusal, resolved to print them on his own responsibility. He kindly transmitted the proofsheets as they were passing through the press, accompanied by many valuable suggestions, and thus enabled me to add a few additional notes, and make several corrections. These Lectures, which had their origin in conversations and correspondence with members of my own family, are the result of much research and patient study, carried on, however, rather as an evening recreation than as a task, after the wearying mental and manual labours of the day were ended. The verses appended to each Lecture, are taken, with one or two exceptions, from the extensive and admirable collection of Hymns used in the Church of the United Brethren. My great desire, in the preparation and delivery of the Lectures, was to render more simple and clear a portion of the Holy Scriptures which is confessedly involved and obscure. I trust I have succeeded in my object-but to what extent, I must leave to the judgment of the candid and intelligent reader. London, March 25th, 1856. R. SKEEN. CONTENTS. The Epistles to the Seven Churches.-The Court of Heaven.-The PAGE. The White-robed Multitude.-Opening of the Seventh Seal.-Silence The sounding of the Second, Third, and Fourth Trumpets.-Genseric the Vandal.-Attila the Hun.-The Barbarians in Italy.-Odo- acer.-Theodoric.-Proclamation of coming Woes.-Forebodings |