Jerusalem, that included the inhabitants of Palestine in the decree that "all the world"

should be taxed, and that finally crucified the Messiah and destroyed both the City and

the Temple. To quote these facts, too well known to necessitate chapter and verse, seems

to indicate something adrift in the principles of interpretation that would leave out Rome

altogether. The present power that holds Jerusalem under its control seems on the verge

of collapse; the powers are gathering for the final development, and one of the signs of

the times is the growing prominence of the right of Israel to the land of Palestine.

While Israel has been a wanderer among the nations, the land too has steadily

declined, until it, the "land flowing with milk and honey", has in its turn become an

astonishment and a proverb. God has, however, recently been preparing the land to

receive His people. The Gentile nations, for the purposes of their own, have been making

roads and building railways. Natural elements also have been employed by Him to the

same end. Until "the former rains" have softened the ground, ploughing and sowing is

impossible in Palestine. "The latter rains" in March also are essential to the ripening of

the grain. God promised to restore the latter rain (Joel 2: 21-23), and meteorological

reports provide data to show that the long withheld latter rain is being restored (see,

Jerusalem the Holy City, by Consul Wallace).

Without falling into what appears to us to be an error, in attempting to compute "times

and seasons", it must be evident to the thoughtful student of prophecy that the times of

the Gentiles are fast running out, and although "that blessed hope" which is before us is

in no sense connected with Nebuchadnezzar's dreams or Daniel's visions, yet seeing

these things are so, "what manner of persons ought we to be?"

Since writing the above, Jerusalem has fallen to the Allies, and is no longer under

Turkish control. It is still, however, under Gentile dominion, and must continue so until

"the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled". Believing as we do that power over Jerusalem

places the nation or nations exercising it in the line of succession from Nebuchadnezzar

(the head of gold), we cannot help looking with great interest towards the future turn of

affairs regarding that city. This taking of Jerusalem brings the number of its sieges, that

sacred and profane history record, up to twenty-eight. We know not how many more

may have to be endured before the day of its final emancipation shall come, but

Zech. 14: records that the Lord will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and

that this siege will be raised by the coming of Christ to the Mount of Olives.  The Lord

declares that He will yet rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in His people (Isa. 65: 19);

that Jerusalem shall yet be holy (Joel 3: 17); yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah

shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts, and in that day there shall be no more the

Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts (Zech. 14: 21).  The name of the city

from that day shall be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there (Ezek. 48: 35).  Truly

"glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God", and it is written, "Pray for the

peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love Thee".