The period here mentioned is “the dispensation of the fulness of time,” when “the fulness of the gentiles shall come in,” and “the dispersed of Judah” shall be restored, and Christ shall “gather together in himself all things in heaven and in earth,” overthrow his enemies, establish his everlasting kingdom, deliver the groaning creation from its bondage, glorify his people with himself, imprison the devil and his angels in the bottomless pit, and punish with destruction from his presence them that obey not the gospel. To this glorious consummation, the great travail of redemption, and all the events of time, are only preparatory. It was promised in Eden, and the promise was renewed and enlarged to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. It was described in gorgeous oriental imagery by Isaiah, and “the sweet psalmist of Israel;” and “spoken of by all the prophets, since the world began.” Christ came into the world to prepare the way for his future triumph—to lay on Calvary the “chief corner-stone” of a temple, which shall be completed at the end of time, and endure through all eternity. He began the great restitution. He redeemed his people with a price, and gave them a pledge of redemption by power. He made an end of sin, abolished the Levitical priesthood, and swallowed up all the types and shadows in himself. He sent home the beasts, overthrew the altars, and quenched the holy fire; and, upon the sanctifying altar of his own divinity, offered his own sinless humanity, which was consumed by fire from heaven. He removed the seat of government from Mount Zion in Jerusalem, to Mount Zion above, where he sits—“a priest upon his throne”—drawing heaven and earth together, and establishing “the covenant of peace between them both.” Blessed be God! we can now go to Jesus, the mediator; passing by millions of angels, and all the spirits of just men made perfect; till we “come to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel.” And we look for that blessed day, when “this gospel of the kingdom” shall be universally prevalent; “and all shall know the Lord, from the least even to the greatest”—when there shall be “a new heaven, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”—when both the political and the moral aspects of our world shall be changed; and a happier state of things shall exist than has ever been known before—when the pestilence, the famine, and the sword shall cease to destroy; and “the saints of the Most High shall possess the kingdom,” in “quietness and assurance for ever.” “Then cometh the end,” when Emmanuel “shall destroy in this mountain the vail of the covering cast over all people, and swallow up death in victory!”