Mention a striking prophecy about Egypt. Isaiah xix. How was this prophecy fulfilled? By civil strife, and the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, of Mention another prophecy; and its fulfilment. Jer. xlvi. Fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar; ver. 1—12. B.C. 607. ver. 13, &c. B.C. 573. Mention a third prophecy; and its fulfilment. Ezek. xxix-xxxii. Fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar. III. ASSYRIA. Where is Assyria first mentioned in the Bible? What empire or monarchy do we call this? The Assyrian, or Chaldæan. Do these words describe one and the same empire? Assyrian describes that of which Nineveh was the capital. Chaldæan, that of which Babylon was the capital. Who was the founder of this empire? Nimrod, the son of Cush. What two capitals are mentioned, Gen. x. 10, 11? Babel or Babylon, and Nineveh. Show them on the map. The first, on the Euphrates; the second, on the Tigris. How long did the first Assyrian Empire last? About 1487 years. B.C. 2234—747. Mention some kings of this early period. Belus, Ninus, Semiramis (a queen), Ninyas. Mention the 40th and last king. Sardanapalus; B.C. 747. 12th year of Jotham. What event then took place? Three kingdoms were soon established. Mention them. The second Assyrian, the Babylonian, and the Median. State the matter more particularly. 1. Arbaces (Tiglath-pileser) became king at Nineveh. 2. Belesis (Nabonassar) became king at Babylon. What is the name of this king in the Bible? Baladan. Is. xxxix. 1. Mention the third kingdom. 3. Dejoces became king of Media. B.C. 709. How did he become king? The Medes revolted from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and made him king? Mention his capital. Ecbatana; now Hamadan, in Irak Persia. How long did the second Assyrian Empire last? Nineveh was destroyed by Cyaxares and Nabopolassar, by the Medes and Babylonians. What prophecies did this event fulfil? Those of Nahum and of Zephaniah. Where, in the Bible, have we an account of Nineveh? What is your general notion of it ? It was large and populous, strong and wealthy. What may we account Babylon and Nineveh? The rival queens of the East. What kings of Nineveh are mentioned in the Bible? 1. Pul. 2 Kings xv. 9. Perhaps the king warned by Jonah. B.C. 771. 2. Tiglath-pileser. 2 Kings xv. 29. B.C. 747. 3. Shalmaneser. 2 Kings xvii. 3. xviii. 9, 12. Hosea x. 14. B.C. 728. 4. Sennacherib. 2 Kings xviii. 13. xix. B.C. 714. 5. Esarhaddon. 2 Kings xix. 37. B.C. 706. What do you say of this empire, with regard to the Church? I view it as an instrument raised up to punish idolatrous What country occupies the site of ancient Assyria? IV. THE FOUR GREAT EMPIRES. Where are the four great empires mentioned in the Bible? In the book of Daniel. Why is so much notice taken of them in the Bible? Because of their connexion with the Church. Mention a great truth, a great lesson, which the prophecies respecting these empires teach us. They prove that, in the wonderful government of God over all, the rise, the changes, and the fall of earthly kingdoms, are connected with the accomplishment of His purposes with regard to His Church. All events have, in one way or other, a reference to what we may call―The Great Moral Object. How are these empires represented by the prophet? 1. In chap. i. by an Image. 2. In chap. vii. by Four Beasts. Mention the first of these empires. 1. The Babylonian, or Chaldean. How is it represented by the prophet? In chap. ii. by the Head of fine Gold. In chap. vii. by a Lion with wings of an Eagle. What was its duration? The period of Judah's captivity; B.C. 606-536 = 70 years. Who was the chief king? Nebuchadnezzar. B.C. 606-561 = 45 years. Who was the last king? Belshazzar. B.C. 555—538 = 17 years. What then took place? Babylon was taken by Cyrus. Dan. v. Mention the second of these empires. 2. The Persian, or Medo-Persian. How is it represented by the prophet? In chap. ii. by the Breast and Arms of Silver. In chap. vii. by a Bear: in chap. viii. 4, by a Ram. From Cyrus to Alexander the Great. B.C. 538-331 Why do you call it Medo-Persian? Media and Persia were united by Cyrus. B.C. 551. Mention the third of these empires. 3. The Grecian, or Macedo-Grecian. How is it represented by the prophet? In chap. ii. by the Belly and Thighs of Brass. = In chap. vii. by a Leopard with four heads, and four wings of a Fowl. In chap. viii. by a He-Goat. What was its duration? From the battle of Arbela to that of Pydna. B.C. 331— 163 years. 168 = Mention the fourth of these empires. 4. The Roman. How is it represented by the prophet? In chap. ii. by legs of Iron, and feet partly Iron, partly In chap. vii. by a Beast dreadful and terrible, with iron What was its duration? From the battle of Pydna to Augustulus. B.C. 168644 years. A.D. 476 = How does this empire now exist? In the kingdoms represented by the ten horns. Dan. vii. 20, &c. How do you view these four empires with regard to the Church? 1. The Babylonian afflicted, tried, and purified it: 2. The Persian favoured, restored, and disregarded it: tors. How did the Greek empire prepare for its extension? 2. By translating the Old Testament into Greek: Tell the sum of the periods of these four empires. From B.C. 606 to A.D. 476, there are 1082 years. What was the state of the Church at the beginning and at the close of this period? At the beginning it was limited, feeble, corrupt, depressed. At the close it was diffused, powerful, but marked with much corruption. What do you see at the beginning of this period? A small band of Jews, captives at Babylon. What do you see at its close? Hosts of Christians in almost all lands. What do you see and acknowledge in this? The ways of God, wonderful and gracious. Such is the general outline of the four great Empires, as the subjects of prophecy. Babylon is not an empire in the eye of prophecy till the days of Nebuchadnezzar. B.C. 606. Nor Persia till Cyrus. B.C. 536. Nor Greece till Alexander the Great. B.C. 331. |