First your questions. Ezekiel's temple is not the temple built by the Jews in unbelief. It is all by divine measurement, directions given how the prince is to come in when all is in order, connected with the permanent division of the land in its proper place in connection with the i city, and from that day the city is to be called, "The Lord is there." It is possible that they try and imitate it in unbelief; but their temple will be destroyed, their service there is rejected. (Isa. 66) Still, even so, there will be a temple then. (Ver. 6.) And here I would remain, that the house under all circumstances is accounted one and the same house. In Haggai it should be "the latter glory of this house," not "latter house"; literally, "the glory of this house shall be greater, the latter than the former." See Psalm 74 for the ruin of theirs. I know of no prophetic scriptures referring to Herod's temple. It is said he built it over the then temple, leaving the Ezra one and its service going on till all was finished, but it was always the same house. Neither Ezra's nor Herod's were subjects of prophecy that I know of. Dan. 9:2424Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24) takes in the whole period, but does not take in the temple. Zech. 4 identifies Ezra's temple with the end.
We were all thankful to hear of you, and I bless the Lord with all my heart that He has led you by a right way. "If one member be honored, all the members rejoice with" him; besides it is pleasant in these last days to see the gracious Lord working in the grace that none can hinder. He is doing so everywhere; in Germany and Russia, in Sweden and Norway; in the States, too, His work is spreading. There is considerable blessing, and to see this in the midst of corruption and infidelity is a great relief of heart, and subject of praise to Him. It seems to point out the speedy coming of the Lord. It is not that I look for any signs; I await His coining with desire; but He says, "How is it that ye do not discern this time?" At any rate, our hearts ought to be waiting for Him with longing desire, though with patience—for we have need of it that after we have done the will of God we should inherit the promises—and meanwhile never be weary in well-doing.
I feel it of all importance that we should evangelize. I quite recognize the difference of gifts, and we cannot appropriate what is not given; still there is a love to souls, the love of Christ constraining us, which is an important element in our own state. I feel it as to myself. I do not doubt I fail in everything, but in a certain sense my heart is filled with the desire of the blessing of the church, of Christ's glory in it, for that I could spend myself with His grace; but love to sinners' souls—I could not say I have none, and I anxiously evangelize when I can; but it does not press on my spirit like the other; yet I constantly see that a me-ting goes on well when the love of souls is there. The same Christ does both. The Lord be abundantly with you, and give you grace, and courage, and wisdom, for it is all His. The great point is to be nearer Him in heart than even the work, and then we do the work from Him, and in some measure as He would.
London,
November 4th, 1878.