An Address to the Public, and Especially the Clergy

SECTION VI. THE THREE WOES, AND THE TWO WITNESSES

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR STUDYING THE BOOK OF REVELATION

As the limits I have prescribed for myself in this work will not admit of my entering so fully into an examination of the book of Revelation as I could wish, I shall content myself with remarking upon some of the most important (if it is proper to use the term) points presented in that most deeply interesting book. APEC 111.1

I am not unaware of the prejudice existing in the Christian world, against the study of this book, with the idea of understanding its meaning; but so long as I believe it to be, what it professes in its introduction to be, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John; who bare record of the word of God;” so long shall I feel justified in studying this sacred book. And again, while it is recorded, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein,” I shall be encouraged, whatever my fellow-creatures may think of it, to endeavor, according to my ability, to read and understand these words; for God has pronounced his blessing on such a work. Can we ask, then, for stronger encouragement for reading and endeavoring to understand the book? It is Heaven’s own book, and as such, it is every way worthy of our perusal. We will, therefore, enter on the examination of one of the subjects presented in this interesting prophetic book, viz., the sounding of the three wo trumpets spoken of in the 9th, 10th and 11th chapters. I have selected this particular subject, because it affords some striking and tangible evidence of the near approach of the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. For, when the sixth angel has done sounding, the second wo will be passed, and the third wo and the seventh trumpet will come quickly. And when the seventh trumpet does sound, and third wo come, then, “the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” APEC 111.2