40. Irony is the utterance of pointed remarks, contrary to the actual thoughts of the speaker or writer—not to deceive, but to add force to the remark. Examples.—“No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.” Job 12:2.

“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god: either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked.” 1 Kings 18:27.

41. The Interrogation—while its legitimate use is to ask a question—is also used to affirm or deny with great emphasis. Affirmative interrogations usually have no or not in connection with the verb. Example.—“Is not God in the height of the heavens?” Job 22:12. Examples of a negative.—“Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once?” Isa. 66:8. “Can the rush grow up without mire?” Job 8:11.

42. Exclamations are digressions from the order of a discourse or writing, to give expression to the emotions of the speaker, or writer. Example.—“O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest!” Psa. 55:6.

43. Fables are fictions—additions to the word of God. All false theories and doctrines supposed to be based on the Bible, all interpretations of Scripture which do violence to the laws of language and falsify their meaning, and all opinions which are the result of mere traditions and doctrines of men, are to be classed as fables. Mark 7:8-13; 1 Pet. 1:18; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; Tit. 1:14.

44. Synchronous Scriptures are the several passages which have reference to any one and the same event.

Each portion of Scripture respecting any subject, must be considered in connection with all the Scriptures that refer to the same subject.—Compare, for example, Dan. 2:34, 35, 44; 7:18, 27; Matt. 6:10; 13:37-43; 35:34; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:15-18.


EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE.