type of an event now pending upon antichristian nations, we peruse it with new interest; and it must be viewed in the light of a most impressive warning to this age of the world. The factions, madness, and self-ruin of the former, give but a lively practical comment upon the various predictions of the latter. Three great and noted factions introduced the destruction of Jerusalem. And of the destruction of Antichrist we read [perhaps alluding to that very circumstance] Rev. xvi. 19; "And the great city was divided into three parts." Then it follows; "and the cities of the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath." In the desolation of Gog and his bands, faction draws the sword of extermination. "I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God; every man's sword shall be against his brother." (Ezek. xxxviii. 21.)
The great coalition against the Jews, in the time of Jehoshaphat, was destroyed by the sword of mutiny and faction: (See 2 Chron. xx.) And in allusion to this very battle which God fought for his church, the vast coalitions of Antichrist, in the last days, when the Jews are restored, is said to be gathered "to the valley of Jehoshaphat:" (See Joel iii.) The various circumstances of the destruction of Jerusalem afforded a lively incipient comment on the many denunciations of the battle of that great day of God Almighty, which awaits the antichristian world; while it is fully evident, that the passages more especially allude to the tremendous scenes of judgment, which shall introduce the Millennium.
DESTRUCTION OF THE JEWS.
The number of people that perished at Jerusalem, by the sword, fire, sea, wild beasts, famine and pestilence, amounts to one million four hundred thousand. Ninety-seven thousand were captured and dispersed among the nations. [Josephus.]
