prophet. These were cast alive into this lake of fire. Those, as we have seen, who remained out of the temple, abroad in the city, were slain by the sword. It was for their wickedness they were doomed to this miserable fate. 'But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerors, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.' Rev. xxi: 8.

It was with these Jews as it was with Sodom and Gomorrah. These places were set forth as examples, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 7. They suffered in this world by a storm. of fire and brimstone, which is called eternal, from the circumstance of its coming from heaven. They suffered it in their body, for the deeds committed while they were in the body. So with

the fallen part of Israel; they were doomed to a like miserable fate,—to a similar punishment, as a warning to those who should afterward live ungodly lives. Indeed their punishment was far more dreadful and severe than that which fell on those places, according to the word of Christ. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.'

6

This is the lake of fire and brimstone, into which the beast and false prophet, and death, and hell, and the devil were cast, which represented the fallen part of Israel, which are called dead. That they are called the devil is plain from what John says. Behold the devil shall

cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried.' Rev. ii: 10. Fallen Israel, as we have seen,* were those angels which kept not their first estate, * See page 40.

and were called devils because they were opposed to every thing which was more benevolent and kind than their merciless and corrupt religious system. They were utterly overthrown and destroyed as a nation, from which they have not yet recovered.

Before we close this chapter, we will take a view of the books out of which Israel was judged, and note a few more texts which refer to their overthrow. 'Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at an agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.' Isa. xxviii: 14, 15. But this was not a refuge which would protect them from that judgment which awaited them.

Hence it is said, 'Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. He that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding places. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge then ye shall be

shall pass through, trodden down by it. From the time it goeth forth, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night; and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.' Isa. xxviii: 16-19.

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations

of the mountains. I will heap mischief upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction. I will also send the teeth of the beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also, with the man of gray hairs. Deut. Xxxii : 22-25.

When this came upon the Jews, was the time when it was declared, 'He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.' Rev. xxii: 11. All those signs which the apostles as well as the Saviour foretold, happened previous to that time and ushered it in. 'Let no man deceive you by any means: