Page:Darby - Notes on the Book of Revelations, 1839.djvu/63



There was to be the wide-spread field of this testimony again resumed. This part of the testimony took the subject up afresh, and, though connected in fact, a full subject and scene of itself.

Thus, this little open book gave the historical account, when it assumed its place in external history, of the state of things under the great apostasy, in order to closing the whole scene as a history in the seventh trumpet; while the detail of the apostasy, its origin and source, before it was matter of the Church’s progressive history at all, the power and intent of Satan as manifested in it, were reserved for a distinct account, that is, all its moral workings and developments.

It is to be remarked, in addition, that the seventh woe is not given here at all. When the seventh trumpet sounds, there are voices in heaven celebrating the coming of the worldly kingdom of Christ: and the scene is described in very general terms, as embracing its introduction and results ; but the woe is not described. In truth, all the detail of circumstances is reserved for the accounts which would follow: but “delay no longer” is the thing here evidenced. I have only to add, that if the times that are are taken for the whole dispensation, then the twelfth chapter may be taken