For a speaker to refer to the study of the prophecies in a way which tends to minimise their importance in the minds of his hearers is to dishonour both the sacred Word and Him who inspired it. It is significant that the book of the Revelation opens with a promise of blessing to him who reads (the reference is especially to public reading) and to those who "hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein" (chap. 1. 3), and at the close repeats the blessing for him who keeps its words (chap. 22. 7).

The quotations in the present volume are from the Revised Version, the comparatively greater accuracy of its translations being important for a correct understanding of many of the passages considered.

While the book is published at the request of several friends, the author fulfils such request with the earnest desire that in matters of doctrine that only may be accepted which can be confirmed from the Word of God itself, and that the Lord may graciously own what is in accordance with His mind for the glory of His Name and the profit of the reader.

W. E. VINE.

Bath, 1916.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.PAGE
The Times of the Gentiles,[9]
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream,[11]
The Chaldean, Medo-Persian, Grecian Kingdoms,[12]
The Fourth Kingdom,[13]
CHAPTER II.
The Roman Dominion,[15]
Rise and Progress of the Roman Empire,[16]
Eastward Extension,[18]
The Empire Completed,[22]
The Crushing of the Nations,[23]
The Twofold Division,[25]
The Tenfold Division,[27]
A Comparison of the Visions,[29]
Testimony of Early Christian Writers,[32]
Processes at Work Since the Twofold Division,[34]
CHAPTER III.
The Overthrow in the West—Germanic Invasions,[35]
Disintegration of the Western Half,[37]
Alaric and the Goths,[37]
Attila and the Huns,[39]
Genseric and the Vandals,[40]
Northern Limits of the Empire,[41]
Ten Kingdoms not Formed by Germanic Invasions,[42]
CHAPTER IV.
The Overthrow in the East—Turkish Empire,[44]
Mohammed and the Khaliphs,[45]
Eastern Empire at End of 10th Century,[46]
The Appearance of the Turks,[46]
The Turks Embrace Mohammedanism,[47]
The Turks Enter Europe,[48]
Constantinople Taken,[49]
A Comparison of the Two Divisions,[50]
Decline of the Turkish Empire,[51]
The Coming Overthrow,[54]
A Blank in Prophecy,[55]
Continuation of the Roman Government,[56]
Roman Imperialism Continued,[57]
CHAPTER V.
Coming Revival of the Roman Empire,[59]
1. Geographical Considerations,[59]
Review of the Ancient Territories,[62]
Divisions of the Greek Empire,[63]
Other European Territories,[65]
The British Empire,[67]
2. Political Standpoint,[69]
European Federation,[69]
The Sea Symbolic of National Unrest,[72]
Revolutions and their Issues,[74]
The Iron and the Clay,[74]
Unprecedented Political and Social Upheaval,[77]
3. The Religious Standpoint,[77]
The Papacy: Its Present Power,[79]
A Reunion of Christendom,[80]
The Doom of Religious Babylon,[81]
Satanic Authority of the Emperor,[82]
The "Superman,"[83]
Spiritism—The False Prophet,[84]
Universal System of Commerce,[87]
CHAPTER VI.
The Everlasting Kingdom,[88]
The Jews,[88]
The Seventy Weeks,[88]
The Last "Week,"[89]
Fierce Persecution,[92]
Armageddon and After,[93]
The Scene of the Conflict,[94]
The Epiphany of His Parousia,[97]
The Voice of the Lord,[98]
The Treading of the Winepress,[99]
Overthrow of the Man of Sin,[100]
The Scene of Judgment,[102]
The Jews in their Extremity,[104]
Seismic Disturbances,[104]
The King Eternal,[107]
Index to Maps.
Roman Empire in Apostolic Times,[22]
Western Roman Empire Under Germanic Tribes,[36]
Turkish Empire in the 16th Century,[44]
Turkish Empire in 1914,[54]
Palestine To Illustrate Psalm 29,[88]