Gospel of John was not written probably until after the destruction of Jerusalem; and this is the reason, we conclude, why the luminous discourse of Jesus concerning that event, recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, is omitted by John. But this reason, which would lead us to assign a late date to the Gospel of John, would lead us to assign an earlier date to the Apocalypse; for therein we find most of the warnings, comparisons, metaphors, and prophecies, pertaining to the destruction of Jerusalem, which the three first-named Gospels and the Epistles contain. We conclude, then, with a repetition of the remark above made, that in our mind there remains not a doubt that the Apocalypse

was written before the destruction of Jerusalem. 6%

It will assist the reader greatly in understanding the Apocalypse, to become familiar, in the first place, with the plan, project, or design.

To assist him in this, the following map or description is drawn.

The Apocalypse is principally divided into Four PARTs. We are confident this was not understood by those who divided the New Testament into chapters and verses. It will not, therefore, be in our power to pay a strict reference to that division.

FIRST PART. This comprises the first three chapters, and contains the introduction, and the epistles to the seven churches in Asia.

SECOND PART. This comprises the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, Sth, 9th, 10th, and 11th chapters. . It is capable of a very important subdivision, as we shall show hereafter. The great topic of this general division is the overthrow of the Jewish nation, temple, and worship, and the establishment of the kingdom of God in the place of the Mosaic ritual.

THIRD PART. This part extends from the beginning of chapter xii. to xx. 10. The principal subject throughout is the overthrow of the Roman persecuting power.

FOURTH PART. The fourth and last part extends from chapter xx. 11, to the end of the book. It is to be regretted that the division of chapters had not been made at the end of the 10th verse of the 20th chapter. If the 21st chapter had commenced at the beginning of the 11th verse of the 20th, the division would have corresponded much more nearly to the true plan of the work than it now does. The subject is the final triumph of the Gospel. The principal visions of the Apocalypse will be found in the 2d, 3d, and 4th parts.

The following scale will put the four divisions before the eye

CHAPTER XXI. .

Jewish Nation and Religion,

the establishment of the
Kingdom of God.

A MORE CIRCUMSTANTIAL ACCOUNT OF THE DIVISIONS OF THE APOCALYPSE.

P A R T I.
CHAPTERS I. – III.

Preface, or Inscription, . . . . . . . . . chap. i. 1–3 Salutation and Introduction, . . . . . . . “ “4–20

EPISTLES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. CHAPTERS II. AND III. Epistle to the Church at Ephesus, . . . . chap. ii. 1–7 44

Epistle to the Church at Smyrna, . . . . . “ 8–11 Epistle to the Church at Pergamos, . . . . . “ “ 12–17 Epistle to the Church at Thyatira, . . . . “ “ 18–29

Eoisie to the Church at Sardis, . . . . . chap. iii. 1–6 Epistle to the Church at Philadelphia, . . . . “ “ 7–13 Epistle to the Church at Laodicea, . . . . . . “ “ 14–22

Description of the imaginary dwelling-place of God, and of his attendants and their employments, chap. iv. Opening of the book sealed with seven seals, which revealed the punishment and destruction of the Jews, chap. v.

EVENTS PRELIMINARY TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. Opening of the 1st seal—Preaching of the Gospel, vi. 1, 2. & 4 44

tion of the Jews, and the sealing of the one hundred and fortyfour thousand, . . “12—vii. 17 go “ 7th “ The sounding of th seven trumpets, . . viii. 1–xi. 19