The world that now is; and the world that is to comeThe vvorld that now is; and the vvorld that is to come

But the last and greatest Apostasy noted in the holy Scripture of Truth, is both in Faith and Manners, by Men of corrupt Minds, and carnal Principles, having the Form of Godliness, but denying the Power thereof, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, unthankful, unholy, without natura laffection, Truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. The particle [Greek or Hebrew], v. 1. This, likewise, or besides, directs us to look back to the former Epistle, ch. 4. v. 1, 2, 3. before-mentioned, to wit, the Time of the first Apostasy; In the latter days, v. 1. But here the Apostle speaks of the Time of the Last Apostasy, v. 1. That in the last days, &c. The great Inquiry now will be, What ⟨p. 84⟩Days the Apostle meant here? I answer, My Opinion hereof is, That by the Last Days here, we are to understand those three Prophetical Days and an half of the 1260 Days that Christ's two Witnesses shall prophesy in sackcloth, Rev. 11.3, 7-12. And I will give power unto my two Witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days clothed in sackcloth. And when they shall have finished their Testimony, the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit, shall make War against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them: And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great City, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the Earth, shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another, because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth. And after three days and an half, the Spirit of Life from God entered into them: ⟨p. 85⟩And they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Read my Exposition of the Eleventh chapter of the Revelation, published 1679.