Chapter I: Foreword: To Fourth Impression

Those of us who have been watching political events from the prophetical standpoint, have seen during the last thirty years the steady drying up of that overflowing river which once flooded Europe. Turkey’s fate we knew to be certain, but there were fluctuations so we had to be patient.

Two years ago when writing the Foreword and notes to the first reprint of this little book, I drew attention to the “amazing collapse” of Turkey’s power “during the last few months.” Half a year later it seemed as if only a thread of littoral would be left to Turkey in Europe; then came a certain apparent return of vigour as when the ebbing tide sends back a wave that seems to claim once more part of the dominion it had lost; just in the same way Turkey regained some of the territory wrested from it during the Balkan War, and we who were watching wondered for how long this would be.

One year and a half has passed and now it really seems as if the clock had struck. Only a few days ago the daily papers told the world that Turkey, deluded, or bribed, or both, had thrown in her lot with Germany. In a leading article dated Nov. 2, “The Times” summed up the matter thus—“Whatever may be the immediate consequences of Turkish intervention, there is a general consensus of opinion throughout the world that it means the end of Turkey.” Bible students grasped the situation at once recognizing the immense significance of the event, and on the same day at the C.M.S. Anniversary at Exeter I pointed out the overwhelming importance of this intelligence, in connection with Missionary work, the future of the Jewish Nation and our Lord’s Return. I have heard from Jerusalem of the keen excitement of the Jews there, and of the hope often expressed that England would take action on their behalf. The secular press in many quarters is already suggesting that the Allies at the conclusion of the War might well establish the Jews in Palestine as a buffer-state; this is exactly what some of us have for many years pointed out, from the study of prophecy, as a likely solution of the near Eastern question. Perhaps, it may be so—God’s promises unfold very quickly when the time for their appearance is ripe. Our business is to watch and pray, giving the Lord no rest till He establish and until He make Jerusalem a praise on the earth, and above all constantly sending forth the cry of His waiting Church—“even so, come Lord Jesus.”

J. H. T.

_November 20th_, _1914_.

FORWARD

It is now thirty-six years since these remarkable sermons were preached by the late Canon Hoare. Published at the time, they had a very large circulation and passed through several editions. An earnest desire having been manifested for their re-issue with the addition of some footnotes bringing them up to date, I have consented to undertake that simple office. With happy memories of work under the beloved Vicar long ago (1877–81) there is, to me, something indescribable in being permitted once more in this unexpected way to unite with one who now within the Veil walks not by faith but by sight and who instead of knowing but in part now _knows_ even as also he is known.

It is a great tribute to the sagacity of the preacher, his deep knowledge of Scripture, and his keen prophetic instincts, that these sermons need no alteration, and only the necessary additions demanded by the history of passing years.

The advance has been all along the exact lines which he as a diligent student of the prophetic Scriptures was able to lay down. “The wise shall understand” (Daniel xii. 10) is a promise which we see here strikingly fulfilled.

Could the venerable preacher have seen the extraordinary developments that have taken place in Jerusalem and the Holy Land during the last few years, or the amazing collapse of the Mohammedan power which Europe has witnessed in the past few months, how his heart would have rejoiced at the fulfilment of Scriptural predictions, and how earnestly would he have proclaimed afresh His Master’s Words—“When ye shall see these things, know that He is nigh, even at the doors.”

_December_, 1912.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE.

It is a source of pleasure to the Editor, the Publisher, and all those interested in the re-issue of this book, to know that a further edition is so soon called for, and to receive so many testimonies to its usefulness as a Guide to the Prophecies of Holy Writ.

_April_, _1913_.

ROME.