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HE state of the world hereafter will be quite similar to what it has been heretofore; for the great change which has been effected in the spiritual world, does not induce any change in the natural world as regards the outward form; so that the affairs of states, peace, treaties and wars, with all other things in general and in particular which belong to societies of men, will exist in the future as they have existed in the past. The Lord's saying that, "In the last times there will be wars, and that nation will then rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and that there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in divers places" (Matthew xxiv. 6, 7), does not mean that such things will exist in the natural world, but that things correspondent with them will exist in the spiritual world; for the Word in its prophecies does not treat of the kingdoms or nations upon earth; nor, consequently, of their wars, or of famines, pestilences and earthquakes in nature, but of such things as correspond to them in the spiritual world.

But as for the state of the church, this will be dissimilar hereafter. It will be similar indeed in the