The Revelation Explained An Exposition, Text by Text, of the Apocalypse of St. John Showing the Marvelous Development of the Prophecies from the Time of their Delivery on the Isle of Patmos--The Establishment and Growth of Christianity--Rise of Mohammedanism in the Eastern Empire--Of the Papacy in the Western Division--Of Protestantism--The Civil History of the Territory Comprising the Ancient Roman Empire until the End of Time--Together with the Conflicts and Triumphs of the Redeemed until the Final Judgment, and their Eternal Reward and Home in the "New Heavens and New Earth." By F.G. SMITH Author of "What the Bible Teaches" and "The Last Reformation," etc. * * * * * "Behold the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isa. 42:9. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7. PREFACE. The subject of prophecy should be of interest to every Bible student. Its importance can not be overestimated. By it we are enabled to ascertain our true position in this time-world. From the early dawn of creation, Inspiration has foretold with certainty the great facts connected with the history of God's chosen people. By this means alone, the divinity of Jesus Christ and the truth of our holy religion has been established in many minds; for it is not in the power of mortals thus to vaticinate future events. With such surprising accuracy have these predictions been fulfilled that even infidels ofttimes bear witness to their truthfulness. "Behold the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isa. 42:9. "For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." Isa. 46:9, 10. The Revelation is a rich mine of prophetic truth. The history of the current dispensation is there delineated in advance so perfectly that we can not but attribute its authorship to Him who knoweth the end from the beginning, and worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. It was written for the special benefit of the people of God, and we should give it prayerful consideration.