also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal. Matt. xxv: 41–46.

De

Christ told these fallen Jews, they were of their father the devil. based Israel, in the scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, is called

the dragon, devil and satan, and likewise the beast. These were the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, who were reserved under chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day, of which Jude and Peter speak. This was that great and terrible day of judgment which was to fall upon the unbelieving Jews-such a time as never had been from the foundation of the world to that period, and should never again occur.

As for the period they were to remain in this state, here called 'everlasting,' we are simply to understand a long period, as in the following passages. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession.' Gen. xvii 8. Of this land they have been long dispossessed. The priesthood of Aaron is called an everlasting priesthood.'

Gen. xl 15. Yet it was designed to continue only until the times of reformation, when the new and better covenant should be introduced, established upon better promises. So in this case, their punishment was to continue only till the fullness of the Gentiles should be gathered in; so all Israel shall be saved.' Rom. xi: 26.

Should it be said, the same word is applied to God and life, and means endless, why should we not understand it in the same sense when applied to punishment? I reply, there are many things that might be urged against its being so understood in this case. The nature of punishment forbids such an idea. The character of God forbids it, and the good of his spirtual kingdom forbids it. And the word itself by no means necessarily implies it, for it is not only used repeatedly in a limited sense in the scriptures, but in all cases where it

means endless, this sense is imparted to it by the subject to which it is applied. It is not given to it by this word, for it is a term of exceeding equivocal meaning.

Thus it is said: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God,to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with us; when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.' 2 Thess. i 6—9.

This punishment fell on the Jews who persecuted the saints or believers in the gospel, soon after it was written by Paul. It took place when the temple was set on fire, and the holy of holies

was burnt up, where the Lord had declared his presence should remain, and his glory rest. When this took place, this people were banished from the presence of their God and the glory of his power. Then their old heavens were on fire, and their heavens and earth were burnt up. This was what Peter referred to when he said, 'But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.' 2 Pet. iii: 7. This destruction was to come sudden and unexpectedly. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up.' Do. v: 10. This judgment fell on the dragon, which represented Israel, and the works that were