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Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 5.djvu/55

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Let us then apprehend and realize the idea, thus clearly brought before us, that, sheltered as the Church has been from persecution for 1500 years, yet a persecution awaits it, before the end, fierce and more perilous than any which occurred at its first rise.

Further, this persecution is to be attended with the cessation of all religious worship “They shall take away the Daily Sacrifice,” words which the early Fathers interpret to mean, that Antichrist will suppress for three years and a half all religious worship. St. Augustin questions whether baptism even will be administered to infants during that season.

And further, we are told: “They shall place the Abomination that maketh desolate,” they shall “set it up:” our SAVIOUR declares the same. What this means we cannot pronounce. In the former fulfilment of this prophecy, it has been the introduction of heathen idols into GOD’S house.

Moreover the reign of Antichrist will be supported, it would appear, with a display of miracles, such as the magicians of Egypt effected against Moses. On this subject, of course, we wait for a fuller explanation of the prophetical language, such as the event alone can give us. So far, how ever, is clear, that whether real miracles or not, whether pretended, or the result, as some have conjectured, of discoveries in physical science, they will produce the same effect as if they were real, viz. the overpowering the imaginations of such as have not the love of GOD deeply lodged in their hearts, of all but the elect. Scripture is remarkably precise and consistent in this prediction. “Signs and wonders,” says our LORD, “insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” St. Paul speaks of Antichrist as one “whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause GOD shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” And St. John: “He doeth great wonders, so that He maketh fire come down from heaven