The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 454

tione of intense interest to the disciples. The time le generally indicated by the signs, These 11,re- I. APOSTASY TBROUOil THE INFLUENOE OF FALSE CHRISTS. 1. Many antichrist.~ appeared before the destruction of Jerusalem. (1) Even in apostolic days the mystery of iniquity was already working (see 2 Thess. ii. 7; 1 John ii. 18). Note: .Antiquity is no certain evidence of truth. Error is very nearly as ancient. The spirit of false- hood invaded the garden of Eden. (2) Many came professing to be the Christ. "Theophylact has recorded that one Dosathens, a Samaritan, put himself forth as the prophet foretold by Moses; that Simon of Samaria also declared himself to be the great power, that is, the • great power of God,' mentioned in the .Acts. This prophecy alw seems to contemplate Theudae, and 'that Egyptian' (see Acts xxi. 38), and another impostor mentioned, but not named, by Josephus, 11,ll of whom styled themselves prophets, though only rebels and deceivers, Manes, in later times, presumed to call himself the Christ, 11,nd to choose twelve apostles, in imitation of our Lord" (Joachim Camerarius). Since Christ in Christianity is all that is Divine and saving, so all false systems of Christianity are false Christs. 2. Many have since been deceived by the popes. (1) 'l'he popes affect to be vicars of Christ, and usurp his prerogatives. They claim infallibility. They assert dominion over the faith of Christians. They undertake to forgive sins committed against God. (2) Multitudes have apostatized through their deceptions. The state of Christendom was deplorable before the Reformation. The m,,schief is still extensive (see Rev. xiii. 3). (3) This seems to be the apostasy indicated by Paul as that destined to be developed when the restraining power of the Roman emperors should be taken out of the way (see 2 Thess. ii. 7, 8). 3. Many have been deceived in the Mohammedan delusion. (1) Mohammed was an antichrist, as he set himself above the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) He made converts by hundreds of thousands by the eloquence of his sword. How extensive were the conquests of the Saracens I What an empire was once that of the Turks! (3) Mohammedan Mahdis are ever arising. We are warned to take heed against deceivers. "The colour of the greatest good is often the cover of the greatest evil" (Henry). Seducers are enemies more dangerous to the Church than persecutors. II. EXCITEMENTS OF MILITARY COMMOTION. 1. These existed before the de.strw:tion of Jerusalem. (1) When Jesus was born there was peace. The temple of Janus was shut. (2) But think not that he came to continue such a peace (see Luke xiii. 49-53). War comes of refusing the gospel. (3) "Rumours of wars." When Caius [Caligula] resolved to erect his statue in the temple at Jerusalem, the consternation was so great that the people omitted to till the land. (4) Christians were to" hear of wars." They are more apt to "hear" of them than to engage in them. Many of them submitted to die rather than serve in the armies. (5) "Nation rising against nation." In Palestine, before the time of Joshua, there were "many nations and great." .At this time there were many divisions in the land-Judrea with Samaria, Galilee, Iturll!a, .Abilene. These were in conflict and commotion (see Bishop Newton's 'Diss. on Prophecy'). 2. They are to precede the millennial reign. (1) The war-spirit, born in depraved human nature, has become organized in these last times, viz. since the great prophetical era marked by the first French Revolution. (2) Standing armies have now swollen to enormous proportions; and science has been taxed to render weapons of war terribly destructive. (3) To support this system industry is oppressed. Ploughshares are beaten into swords-a process which was destined to precede the reverse operation of beating swords into ploughshares (cf. Isa. ii. 4; Joel iii. 9, 10; Micah iv. 3). III. FEARFUL PUllLIC CALAMITIES. 1. Famines. (1) Such there were before the destruction of Jerusalem. One of these was foretold by Agabus (see .Acts xi. 28). Josephus and Eusebius mention two famines which took place in the days of Claudius; and Josephus expressly says, "There was a great famine throughout Judrea" (' .Ant.,' xx. 2). (2) Such have occurred in modern times, and are likely to become increasingly destructive as the population of the world increases, and the war-spirit increases with it. 2. Pestilences. These are the usual attendants of famines. (1) Epidemic disorders are generally produced from the scarcity or badness of provi.sions. (2) The carnage of the battle-field is also a source of epidemic disease. 3. Earthquakes. (1) Such there were before the destruction of Jerusalem. The first of the series was that in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus. The histories of Claudius and of the  460 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [en. xxiv. 1-l!l.