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I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE END OF TIME. Time, as far as man has any concern with it, is that portion of duration which is commensurate with the existence of our world, and which is measured by its diurnal and annual revolutions. It began when this world began to exist. The end of time, and the end of the world, are, then, expressions of the same import.

II. WHEN WILL THE EVENT DENOTED BY THESE EXPRESSIONS ARRIVE? We learn from our text that it will arrive when the mystery of God shall be finished. God's great object in creating this world and its inhabitants was to gratify and glorify Himself. Now, God at once glorifies and gratifies Himself when He displays His perfections in His works. Some of His perfections, as, for instance, His power, wisdom, and goodness, He displayed in the creation of the world; and they, as well as some other perfections of His nature, are still displayed in its providential government. But the principal display of His perfections is made in the work of redemption by Jesus Christ, the great object to which all His works of creation and providence ultimately refer. Agreeably, inspiration informs us, that for Jesus Christ all things were created; and that to Him there is given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him. When the purposes for which this kingdom was given to Christ, and set up in the world, are accomplished, the mystery of God, mentioned in our text, will be finished. Now the purposes for which this kingdom was given to Christ include two things. The first is, the complete salvation of all who are given to Him by the Father. The second is, the complete and final subjugation of His enemies.

III. WHAT WILL BE THE ATTENDING CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THIS EVENT?

1. With respect to ourselves, considered as individuals, the end of time, or, which is the same thing to us, the end of our lives will be attended by circumstances, and followed by consequences, most important and interesting.

(1) We shall then be separated at once from all temporal and earthly objects.

(2) With the end of time our state of probation and our day of grace will end. We shall be removed from our present religious privileges and means of spiritual improvement.

(3) When time ends, eternity will begin. The moment in which we leave this temporary and mutable state, we shall enter a state which is eternal, and, of course, unchangeable.

2. The circumstances and consequences which will attend and follow the end of time with respect to the human race.

(1) When the end of time shall arrive, the general resurrection will take place.

(2) At the end of time, the day of judgment, the great day for which all other days were made, will arrive.

3. It remains only to consider what will then be the fate of the globe which we inhabit. Then the gold, the silver, the jewels, and all the glittering but delusive objects, for which so many thousands have bartered their souls, shall be destroyed. Lessons:

1. In view of this subject, however insignificant, how unworthy of an immortal being, do all merely temporal and earthly pursuits appear I

2. In full view of the end of time let me ask, are you all, my hearers, prepared for it?

(E. Payson, D. D.)

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KJV: And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

WEB: The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky,