they were expecting, that he wrote, nor that the promised advent was altogether spiritual and figurative.

"It was to repeat his declarations as to the certainty of that literal advent, but also to inform them that there was a certain event between them and it.

"It was to tell them that as soon as that intervening event had come to pass, then that very advent which they had been expecting, that very advent which had been troubling them, that very advent which seemed to be waiting for the accomplishment of the one intervening event, would certainly

come.

DR. ELLIOTT says: "In effect, few Anti-premillennarian expositors contest the personal character of the advent in verse 1. Alike Whitby allows this, and also Scott, Brown, and others. On what principle, then, can they have justified to themselves the giving of it in verse 8, a quite different meaning; whether, as Whitby, that of Christ's coming providentially to destroy Jerusalem; or as Scott, Faber, and Brown, that of his coming still providentially, not personally, to inflict judgment on the apostate Roman Empire? On none most assuredly but that of escaping from the Pre-millennial inference necessarily consequent on their giving the word the same meaning. I say, necessarily consequent. For admitting the Tapovσia to be Christ's second personal coming, it follows instantly and necessarily that there can intervene no Millennium of universal holiness and Gospel triumph before it."†

DR. DUFFIELD remarks: "The argument, therefore, we think is irresistible. It may be now summed up in a few words. The Apostle in the text is speaking of the personal coming of Jesus Christ, for he uses two words, neither of which is ever used in a figurative or metaphorical sense in the New Testament. If neither, when separately used, ean

*Coming and Kingdom, p. 340. † Hore Apoc., vol. iv., p. 178.

CHRIST COMES BEFORE THE MILI ENNIUM.

335

be metaphorically understood to denote a spiritual advent, much less can both when united. If the words 'the shining forth or appearance of his presence,' do not mean the visible personal revelation or manifestation of himself, it is impossible to employ terms that can express it. Human language

is utterly incapable of being interpreted on any fixed and definite principles whatever, if it be not a literal personal manifestation and coming. But this glorious personal manifestation or coming, takes place at the time, and for the express purpose, of the destruction of Popery or Antichrist, which it is conceded must take place before the Millennial day of prosperity. It follows, therefore, that JESUS CHRIST COMES IN GLORY TO JUDGE THE WORLD BEFORE THE MILLEN.

CHAPTER X.

THE PRESENT CENTURY.

OUR WARRANT-CHURCH CREEDS.

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."-DAN. 12: 4.

"And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come."-Matt. 24: 14.

TR

RUTH, said Matthew Henry, is the daughter of time. And the wonderful development of prophetic truth in the present century abundantly sustains the sentiment. Dr. Adam Clarke on the passage in Daniel's twelfth chapter thus criticizes:

Then

"Many shall endeavor to search out the sense, and knowledge shall be increased by these means, though the meaning shall not be fully known till the events take place. the seal shall be broken, and the sense become plain. This seems to be the meaning of this verse, though another has been put upon it, viz.: many shall run to and fro, preaching the Gospel of Christ, and therefore religious knowledge and true wisdom shall be increased. This is true in itself; but it is not the meaning of the prophet's words.""*

MICHELIS, a German scholar and critic of the last century

* Vide Commentary.

KNOWLEDGE INCREASED-COKE-HENRY.

337

says of this text: "Many shal. give their sedulous attention to the understanding of these things." A French translation by the A. B. S., makes it: "When many shall run all over it or through it, and to them knowledge shall be increased." A marginal note in an old English Bible, published in the sixteenth century, reads: "Many shall run to and fro to search the knowledge of these mysteries." DR. COKE comments as follows: " Many shall run to and fro at the time of the end, when the things here spoken of begin to be fulfilled, earnestly searching into this sealed book; and knowledge shall be increased; light will then be cast on the prophecies, so that the diligent inquirer shall be able to understand them more fully than they had ever been understood before. However dark and obscure any of the prophecies may now be, the time will come when they will be clear as if written with a sunbeam."

MATTHEW HENRY says: "Then-i.e., at the time of the end this hid treasure shall be opened and many shall search into it, and dig for the knowledge of it as for silver. They shall run to and fro to inquire out copies of it, shall collate them and see that they be true and authentic; they shall read it over and over, shall meditate upon it, and run it over in their minds; they shall discourse of it and talk it over among themselves, and compare notes about it, if by any means they may sift out the meaning of it, and thus knowledge shall be increased. By consulting this prophecy on this occasion, they shall be lead to search other Scriptures which shall contribute much to their advancement in useful knowledge. Those things of God which are now dark and obscure, will hereafter be made clear and easy to be understood. Scripture prophecies will be expounded by the accomplishment of them, therefore they are told us before, that when they do come to pass we may believe."†

DR. GILL comments on the passage as follows: "Towards the time of the end appointed, many shall be stirred up to inquire into these things delivered in this book, and will spare no pains or cost to get a knowledge of them, and will read and study the Scriptures, and meditate on them, compare one passage with another, or spiritual things with spiritual, in order to obtain the mind of Christ; will carefully read the writings of such who have gone before them, and who have attempted any thing of this kind, and will go far and near to converse with persons that have any understanding of such things, and by such means, with the blessing of God upon them, the knowledge of this book of prophecy will be increased, things will appear clearer and plainer the nearer the accomplishment of them, and specially when prophecy and facts can be compared."*

DR. DUFFIELD, on the passage, after observing that the season in which Christ will appear, is described as one of great increase of knowledge, with Gesenius for authority, he says: "The word translated run to and fro is metaphorically used to denote investigation, close, diligent, accurate observation--just as the eyes of the Lord are said to run to and fro, Zech. 4: 10. The reference is not to missionary exertions in particular, but to the study of the Scriptures, especially the sealed book of prophecy."t

With this inspired warrant, such being the meaning of the prophet's words,--and the time of the end having undoubtedly come, how exactly is this remarkable prophecy, together with the prediction of Sir Isaac Newton, fulfilled before our eyes! The doctrine of the Pre-millennial advent and personal reign of Christ on the earth, is in various ways, at the present time, leavening the churches of God, and many eyes are earnestly turned towards that blessed hope and glorious appearing, now near, even at the doors. For the information

* Vide Commentary.

† Duffield on Prophecy, f. 373.