Page:The rock of wisdom.djvu/118

 perhaps, is doomed to wander in darkness, doubt, and perplexity, through the valley of this world forlorn and ignorant of a life to come, without a true knowledge of his maker and his God. If in this life only, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1st Cor. 15: 19.

He who sitteth on the white horse, is Christ, going forth to subdue the world by his gospel; the other horses which follow, represents the judgments and punishment which were to fall on the enemies of Christ and his church; the red horse signifies war, the black horse, famine, and the pale horse, which has death for its rider, plagues or pestilence. Thus the great mystery was solved, and the christian now knew which of the true principles in the Roman Empire, would at last prevail. The lion of Judah had overcome, and now by a second victory laid even the throne and residence of Satan under his feet. The holy Martyrs were promoted to a higher state of felicity, and no doubt, the unhappy dead have been placed into a more painful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb. 10: 27, 31; Math. 8: 29. Now we see that the power of Satan has been very much abridged by the passion of Christ, for n thousand years he was bound, that is, for the whole time of the New Testament, but especially from the time of the destruction of Babylon or Pagan Rome, till the new efforts of Gog and Magog against the church towards the end of the world, during which time, the souls of the Martyrs and saints live and reign with Christ in heaven. In the first resurrection will be that of the body, at the day of the general judgment. This demonstrates that the beatitude of the saints is not deferred until the general resurrection, but that in the mean time, and while they are absent from, they are present with the Lord in the particular judgment. Immediately after death the soul is rewarded or punished according to what it has done in the body here below, therefore, it is great wisdom, indeed, for us to try and make a sure work for heaven and eternal glory, and there to live with him forever, and enjoy his presence. This reward shall be given unto all the true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, who gave himself for us, and made us kings and priests unto God. Joel 3: 16. God's