The book of Revelation is not dissimilar in form to the ancient drama, in which the songs may be considered as choruses; and the whole composition may be viewed as a sacred drama, the scene always commencing in heaven (the firmament, Gen. i. 8), and presenting thence various symbols, hieroglyphic figures, successions of angels performing symbolical acts, and exhibitions of visions of futurity. These acts are seven, and comprehend in time the duration of the Gentile dispensation: the first five terminate with the judgments of the last day, and marriage of the Lamb; the last two extend to the final day of judgment, and describe the New Jerusalem.

To place the view here introduced in a more commodious shape, the following diagram is formed; shewing in the Apocalypse these seven series of actions, and constituting seven subdivisions of the contents. The epistles to the seven churches being considered to refer to the seven successive periods in the history of the Gentile church, their names have in consequence been introduced at the head of the divisions of time. Upon this plan, this part of the Apocalypse might be best divided into seven chapters, each of which contains some portion of the period of the Gentile dispensation, and all include the end, except the seventh, which is carried into the period beyond, when the new heaven and new earth take the place of the old. These seven subdivisions comprise the whole of the book, except the first three chapters, which form an introduction, with seven admonitory epistles to the successive stages of the church in the Gentile times.

It may be added, that the subdivisions of time at the head of this table are not periods of equal duration. The fifth trumpet contains one hundred and fifty years, and the sixth three hundred and ninety-six years and a fraction; and there are intervals between the trumpets. The divisions merely imply epochs of important events, the subject of the prophecy. The twelve hundred and sixty days or years, so frequently named in the Apocalypse and in Daniel, it may suffice here to say, begin before the rise of the Saracens, A.D. 612; and consequently pass through the fifth and sixth trumpets, and the fifth, and probably the sixth, vial.

An interpretation of the prophecy is not here introduced. Every one may apply the scheme which is presented to his own system. If a brief outline of exposition might here be offered, it would, though differing from many, be as follows:The Seals would be considered to be spiritual: the first denoting Christianity; the second, Mohammedanism; the third, the Papacy; the fourth, Infidelity; the fifth, the saints under the preceding apostasies; the sixth, the final fall of all aposta

sies.

The Trumpets describe political events: the first to the fourth relate to the irruption of the Northern nations; the fifth, the Saracens; the sixth, the Turks; the seventh, the restitution of all things and Christ's kingdom.

The Vials are the Divine judgments on the instruments of wrath designated by the trumpets; the vials falling severally upon the same objects as the trumpets; the first of both being on the earth; the second on the sea, &c. (Isaiah x. 11-15.) The other symbols describe incidental matters: the twenty-four elders, the Jewish church; the four living creatures, the Gentile church in heaven; the two witnesses, the Old and New Testament; the beast with seven heads and ten horns, the Roman Empire while under Papal domination.

Those who may not be disposed to adopt any particular exposition must perceive and assent to this, that the several subdivisions terminate in a great catastrophe, involving judgments on the enemies of Christ and the triumph of his followers. These are manifested in the sixth seal, seventh trumpet, and seventh vial; and in the descriptions of the nineteenth and following chapters.

In the history of the Gentile dispensation (Luke xxi. 24; Rom. xi. 11, 25), which the Apocalypse contains, it is this latter period to which we are now evidently arrived. The progressive decline of the Ottoman empire, the lapse of the 1260 years, the manifestations of infidelity, and numerous other signs, testify the entrance of mankind upon the last times. However the earlier trumpets and vials may be interpreted, it is the last with which we are more immediately interested, particularly the period contained in the sixth and seventh vials. Although the precise events indicated in them may not be in every case precisely obvious, something of the order in which they are to occur may be traced out, and afford a useful guide in their actual, and at the present daily, development. With this view the following scheme, or calendar, is submitted, with the texts of the Old and New Testament attached, for reference.

Dan. vii. 26.

Isa. xiv. 29.

Order of Events of the Sixth and Seventh Vials.

| Commencement of the decline of the Ottoman | Rev. xvi. 12.
Empire.

Three unclean spirits, out of the mouth of Rev. xvi. 13.
the dragon, the beast, and the false pro-
phet-that is, the conflict of the principles
of Infidelity, Tyranny, and Popery, among
the kings and people of the world, previous
to the great day of God Almighty.

The rise of ten states, or republics, out of this Rev. xvii. 3-12.
conflict; or kings without crowns, elected

by the people.

The people and the ten states hate the Papacy, Rev. xvii. 16.
deprive of authority, and consume her pos-

sessions.

The eighth head of the beast, the leader of In-Rev. xvii. 11.
fidelity, appears in the Roman Empire.

He established the seat of his empire at Rome. Rev. xvii. 9.
The ten states agree in giving their power to Rev. xvii. 13-17.
the eighth, or Infidel, head.

Ezek. xxxvii. 10; The Jews become visible to the world as a Luke xxi. 24.

Deut. xxx. 1--9;

Isai. xi. 10--16;

Hos. iii. 4-5.

Job xix. 25; Dan. vii. 13; Isai. xxv. 8, 9.

Dan. xi. 40, 41.

Dan. xii. 1.

Dan. xi. 44, 45.

Isa. Ixvi. 15; Joel iii. 1-17; Zeph. iii. 8; Zec. xiv. 4; Dan. xi. 45.

Zec. ix. 13; Isai.

lxiii. 1-6; xxxiv.; Jer. xlix. 13-17; Obad. 15-18.

Ezekiel

xxxix.

people "standing up,

and" trampled on."

""not trod down,"

The Ottoman Empire dried up, and the way Rev. xvi. 12.
prepared for the return of the Jews to Pales-

tine.

The second advent of our Lord, and the re-
surrection of the saints: the world engaged
in eating, drinking, buying, selling, &c.
The "great city," the Roman empire, has
become divided into three parts.
The Infidel head is attacked by the kings
of the South and the North: he prevails,
and enters Palestine.

A time of trouble unparalleled, persecutions Rev. xvii. 14.
and wars.

The Infidel head, having extended his con-
quests to Egypt, is recalled, by new wars,
to Palestine.

The battle of Armageddon; the miraculous
deliverance of the Jews; Christ coming
with his saints to punish his enemies; the
beast and false prophet cast alive into the
lake of fire.

Rev. xvi. 16; xiv.

911; xix. 11-20.

18-20.

Destruction of the Western nations not pre-Rev. xviii. 8; xiv.
sent at Armageddon — that is, Babylon
locally, or the Papal territory-by the
sword, famine, and fire.

Xxxviii. Destruction of the Northern nations under
Gog and Magog.

Ezek. xxxix. 6.

It is not here attempted to affix dates. The most interesting period in the Apocalypse to ascertain at present, would be that of the 1260 years. It is difficult to regard, as some do, the temporary deposition of the Pope in 1798, followed by his reinstatement in full authority, as their completion. An entire dissevering of the Papal connection from the government, as now witnessed in France, ought rather to be looked for and this to take place in Italy, as the accomplishment of this period. The prophet will afterwards only survive the ally and companion of the beast, the Infidel power, occupying the place of the ancient Roman empire, till the destruction of both at Armageddon. The cleansing of the Holy Land, and the re-establishment by the Jews of their temple and pure worship at Jerusalem, to be effected at the termination of the 2300 years of Daniel viii. 14, has by some been assigned to the year 1843, by others to 1847.

The time, however, is short, under any interpretation. Recurring to the series, or calendar, the first four events named are now in operation the fifth, the next to be expected, is, the appearance of the eighth, or infidel-head, possessing supreme authority. The Turkish empire has been long on the wane-in prophetical language, the drying up of the Euphrates-and it is yet further to decline, till it present no longer an obstacle to the return of the Jews, the kings of the East. The struggle of the three unclean spirits-despotism, popery, infidelity is visible in the news of every passing day, under various aspects. In France, for instance, despotism and popery have been ejected, to make way for infidelity. An attempt to bring about the same is at work in Italy. In Belgium, infidelity with popery has thrown off the established authority. Russia presents a simple despotism. Austria, Spain, Portugal, exhibit pure despotism and papacy united. The testimony of prophecy is, that infidelity will usurp the place of popery and despotism eventually; and will be followed by the final destruction which will attend the coming of our blessed Saviour. It may be remarked, that tyranny and popery, for the purpose of self-presevation, impose some restraints upon the natural propensities of the human heart: and while the lawlessness of popular commotion shakes off these, it is not, as is fondly imagined, for the substitution of reason and order, morality and religion, but that the heart may have free course to the gratification of its evil dispositions; and practically to prove at last that nothing but the influence of the Holy Spirit can change the human heart, and is the sole means of man's happiness and the reign of Christ in the world: and those who do not thus receive salvation in Christendom, must be destroyed. (Luke x. 10, 16; Heb. x. 27, 29).

The Old-Testament prophets, with the exception of Daniel, concern themselves with few or no occurrences to happen to the