SCRIPTURE STUDIES

VOLUME THREE - THY KINGDOM COME

 STUDY X

THE TESTIMONY OF GOD’S STONE WITNESS

AND PROPHET, THE GREAT PYRAMID IN EGYPT

THE

CORROBORATIVE TESTIMONY

OF

GOD’S STONE WITNESS

AND

PROPHET

THE GREAT PYRAMID IN

EGYPT

PREFACE TO STUDY X

A KINDLY COMMENT ON THIS CHAPTER
WHEN IN MANUSCRIPT, FROM THE PEN
OF THE ESTEEMED
PROF. C. PIAZZI SMYTH, F.R.S.E., F.R.A.S.
EX-ASTRONOMER ROYAL FOR SCOTLAND

          Brother William M. Wright, on learning that this chapter on the Great Pyramid was written, requested that he might have the reading of it before it would be put into type, as he had already considerable knowledge of the Pyramid.  This we gladly granted, assuring him of our desire for all the criticism possible.  After reading the MS., Bro. Wright concluded that, as we desired criticism, the higher the standing of the critic the better.  Accordingly he made a typewritten copy of the MS., and by permission mailed it to Prof. C. Piazzi Smyth, who is generally accorded a greater knowledge of the Great Pyramid’s construction and measurements than any other man in the world, requesting that he examine the MS. carefully and note upon it any criticism he might have to offer in the interest of the truth.  The Professor’s answer to that letter, together with the MS. copy sent him, which bore his marks of criticism, when received were sent to the author.  We thank Bro. Wright and Prof. Smyth for their kindness, and have followed the corrections indicated; which, however, only three in all, we were pleased to note were not of special importance.  Only one of the criticisms was upon measurements, and it showed a variance of only one inch, which we gladly corrected. [page 312] 

           Thinking it might be interesting to our readers we give below Prof. C. Piazzi Smyth’s Letter.

          Clova, Ripon, England, Dec. 21, 1890 Wm. M. Wright, Esq.,  

          Dear Sir: I have been rather longer than I could have wished in looking over the MS. of your friend, C. T. Russell of Allegheny, Pa., but I have now completed a pretty careful examination, word by word. And that was the least I could do, when you so kindly took the pains to send it with such care between boards by registered parcel, with every page flat, and indited by the typewriter in place of the hand.  

          At first I could only find slips of the said typewriter, but as I progressed through the pages, the powers, the specialties and the originalities of the Author came out magnificently; and there were not a few passages I should have been glad to take a copy of for quotation, with name, in the next possible edition of my own Pyramid book.  But of course I did nothing of that sort, and shall wait with perfect patience and in most thankful mood of mind for when the author of Scripture Studies shall choose his own time for publishing.  So I merely remark here that he is both good and new in much that he says on the chronology of various parts of the Pyramid, especially the First Ascending Passage and its granite plug; on the Grand Gallery, as illustrating the Lord’s life; on the parallelisms between the King’s Chamber and its granite, against the Tabernacle and its gold; and generally on the confirmations or close agreements between Scripture and the Great Pyramid, well commented on.  

          In the meanwhile, it seems that I am indebted to you for your kind gift of long ago of the first two volumes of Scripture Studies.  I did not at the time get further than the first half of the first volume, finding the matter, as I thought, not quite so new as I had expected.  But after having profited, as I hope, so much by a thorough reading of this advanced pyramid chapter of the third volume, I must take up the first two volumes again, de novo.  

          The parcel will go back between its boards, registered.  I remain, with many thanks,

Yours respectfully,  
C. Piazzi Smyth

STUDY X

THE TESTIMONY OF GOD’S STONE WITNESS
AND PROPHET, THE GREAT PYRAMID IN EGYPT

General Description of the Great Pyramid — Why of Special Interest to   Christians — The Great Pyramid a Storehouse of Truth — Scientific, Historic and Prophetic — Bible Allusions to It — Why, When and by Whom Built — Importance of Its Location — Its Scientific Lessons — Its Testimony Concerning the Plan of Redemption — The Plan of the Ages — The Death and the Resurrection of Christ Indicated — The Downward Course of the World, Ending in a Great Time of Trouble — The Nature of the Trouble — The Great Reformation Movement Marked — Length of the Jewish Age Indicated — The “High Calling” of the Gospel Church Shown — The Course of the Church’s Consecration — The End of the High Calling Marked — Date of the Second Advent of Christ — How Restitution Blessings for the World are Indicated — The Course of the World During the Millennial Age — Its End — Contrast of the Two Conditions, Human and Spiritual, as Indicated in the Pyramid — The Pyramid Refutes Atheism, Infidelity and all Evolution Theories, and Verifies both the Plan of the Bible and Its Appointed Times and Seasons.

“In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt.” Isa. 19:19,20

[page 314]

          THE ancients recounted seven wonders of the world, and at the very head of the list named the Great Pyramid of Gizeh. It is situated in Egypt, not far from the present city of Cairo.  No other building in the world equals it in size.  One of the leading granite men of this country, who made a personal inspection of the Great Pyramid, says: “There are blocks of stone in the Pyramid which weigh three or four times as much as one of the obelisks.  I saw a stone whose estimated weight was 880 tons.  There are stones in it thirty feet in length which fit so closely together that you may run a penknife over the surface without discovering the breaks between them.  They are not laid with mortar, either.  There is now no machinery so perfect that it will make two surfaces thirty feet in length which will meet together as these wonderful stones in the Great Pyramid meet.”  It covers an area of about thirteen acres.  It is 486 feet high and 764 feet broad at its base.  It is estimated that the Great Pyramid weighs six million tons, and that to remove it would require six thousand steam engines, each drawing one thousand tons.  In fact, the wealth of Egypt is not sufficient to pay laborers to demolish it.  From these facts it is evident that, whoever was its great designer, he intended that it should be an enduring monument. 

          Viewed from whatever standpoint we please, the Great Pyramid is certainly the most remarkable building in the world; but in the light of an investigation which has been in progress for the past thirty-two years, it acquires new interest to every Christian advanced in the study of God’s Word; for it seems in a remarkable manner to teach, in harmony with all the prophets, an outline of the plan of God, past, present and future. 

          It should be remembered that, aside from the Great Pyramid here referred to, there are others, some of stone and some of brick; but all of them are mere attempts to copy it, and are in every way inferior—in size, accuracy and internal arrangement.  And it has also been demonstrated that, unlike the Great Pyramid, they contain no symbolic features, but were evidently designed and used as sepulchers for the royal families of Egypt. 

          The Great Pyramid, however, proves to be a storehouse of important truth—scientific, historic and prophetic—and its testimony is found to be in perfect accord with the Bible, [page 315] expressing the prominent features of its truths in beautiful and fitting symbols.  It is by no means an addition to the written revelation: that revelation is complete and perfect, and needs no addition.  But it is a strong corroborative witness to God’s plan; and few students can carefully examine it, marking the harmony of its testimony with that of the written Word, without feeling impressed that its construction was planned and directed by the same divine wisdom, and that it is the pillar of witness referred to by the prophet in the above quotation. 

          If it was built under God’s direction, to be one of his witnesses to men, we might reasonably expect some allusion to it in the written Word of God.  And yet, since it was evidently a part of God’s purpose to keep secret, until the Time of the End, features of the plan of which it gives testimony, we should expect that any reference to it in the Scriptures would be, as it is, somewhat under cover—to be recognized only when due to be understood. 

          Isaiah, as above quoted, testifies of an altar and pillar in the land of Egypt, which “shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt.”  And the context shows that it shall be a witness in the day when the great Savior and Deliverer shall come to break the chains of oppression and to set at liberty Sin’s captives—of which things our Lord preached at his first advent. (Luke 4:18)  The scope of this prophecy is but dimly seen, however, until Egypt is recognized as a symbol or type of the world of mankind, full of vain philosophies, which only darken their understandings, but ignorant of the true light.  As Israel typified the world which shall be delivered from the bondage of Sin by the great antitype of Moses, and whose sin-offering has been given by the antitype of Aaron, so Egypt represents the empire of Sin, the dominion of death (Heb. 2:14), which for so long has held in chains of slavery many who will be glad to [page 316] go forth to serve the Lord under the leadership of one like unto but greater than Moses. Acts 3:22,23 

          In many passages of Scripture the symbolic character of Egypt is indicated; for instance, Hosea 11:1 and Matt. 2:13-15. Here, aside from the fact that our Lord as a babe was for a time actually in the land of Egypt, and Israel also for a time actually in Egypt, there is evidently a typical significance as well.  The Son of God was in the world for a time for the sake of those he came to redeem and deliver; but he was called out of it—Egypt—to the higher, divine nature. Likewise those who are called to be his brethren and joint-heirs, the “members of his body,” the true Israel of God, are called out of Egypt; and the Master testifies, “They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world.” 

          Isaiah (31:1,3), referring to the great trouble now impending, says, “Woe unto them that go down to Egypt [to the world] for help [for worldly ideas and plans, and for counsel as to how they should act in the crisis of this great day]; and stay on horses [who endeavor still to ride the old, false doctrinal hobbies], and trust in chariots [worldly organizations] because they are many; and in horsemen [the great leaders in false doctrines] because they are very strong; but who look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord [for the safety and victory in this day of trouble will not be with the multitude]!...Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses flesh, and not spirit.  When the Lord shall stretch out his hand [his power—the power of the truth and other agencies—as he will do shortly], both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is helped [by the powers of Egypt—the world’s ideas] shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.” 

          It will be after all human plans and schemes have failed them, and when men shall have learned their own sinfulness and helplessness, that they will begin to cry unto the [page 317] Lord for help.  Then Jehovah will show himself a great Savior; and he has already prepared the Great Pyramid as a part of his instrumentality for convincing the world of his wisdom, foreknowledge and grace.  “It shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts [a witness to his foreknowledge and to his gracious plan of salvation, as we shall presently see] in the land of Egypt: for they [the Egyptians—the poor world, during the great time of trouble coming] shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Savior, and a great one; and he shall deliver them.  And the Lord shall be known to Egypt [the world], and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day [in the Millennial day—at the close of the time of trouble], and shall do service with sacrifice and oblation: yea, they shall make vows unto the Lord and perform them. But the Lord shall smite Egypt [the world—in the great time of trouble just at hand].  He shall smite and heal it. And they shall return unto the Lord, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them.” Isa. 19:19-22 

          While the additional, corroborative evidence given by the Great Pyramid to the written Word of God will be a fresh cause of rejoicing to the saints, it is manifest that its witnessing is chiefly intended for the world of mankind during the Millennial age.  The testimony of this peculiar and remarkable witness will give to mankind fresh ground for faith and love and zeal, when in due time their hearts are prepared for the truth.  It is remarkable, too, that (like the Plan of the Ages in the written Word) this stone “Witness” kept silence until now, when its testimony shall shortly be delivered to (Egypt) the world.  But the saints, the friends of God from whom he will hide nothing, are privileged to hear the testimony of this witness now, before the worldly mind is ready to appreciate its testimonies.  Only when ready to obey the Lord can any appreciate his witnesses. [page 318] 

          Jeremiah (32:20), when speaking of God’s mighty works, declares that he hath “set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day.”  God showed signs and wonders in Egypt when he brought Israel out in triumph; but he also “set signs and wonders” there, which remain “even unto this [our] day.”  The Great Pyramid, we believe, is the principal one of these very signs and wonders; and it now begins to speak to scientists in their own language, and through them to all men. 

          The Lord’s questions and statements to Job (38:3-7), concerning the earth, find a remarkable illustration in the Great Pyramid, which is believed, in itself and by its measurements, to represent the earth and God’s plan with reference to it.  The illustration used is that of a building, and we believe that it fits only to a structure of pyramid shape.  The language, while it applies primarily to the earth, is framed to fit the illustration given in the Great Pyramid.  First, the preparation of the foundation, the rock on which the Great Pyramid is built, is noted.  Second, the arrangement of its measures, a feature very prominently shown in the Great Pyramid, which abounds in significant measurements. “Who hath stretched the line upon it?”  The perfection of the shape of the Great Pyramid, and its exactness in every respect, prove that its construction was guided by some master architect.  “Whereupon are the sockets thereof made to sink?”  The Great Pyramid has four corner socket-stones sunk into the solid rock.  “Or who laid the corner-stone thereof?”  A pyramid has five corner-stones, but the reference here is to one particular corner-stone—the top stone. The four sunk as socket-stones into the rock have already been referred to, and the remaining one is the top corner-stone. This is the most remarkable stone in the structure—itself a perfect pyramid, the lines in the entire structure conform to it.  The question, therefore, with reference to it is significant, [page 319] and calls attention to its peculiar fitness, and the wisdom and skill which prepared and placed it as the top stone. 

          This ancient structure being thus repeatedly referred to in the Scriptures, we cannot doubt that, if questioned, this “Witness” of the Lord in the land of Egypt will bear such testimony as will honor Jehovah, and fully correspond with his written Word.  We thus introduce this “Witness” because the inspiration of its testimony will doubtless be as much disputed as that of the Scriptures, by the prince of darkness, the god of this world, and those whom he blinds to the truth.

 Why, When and by Whom
was the Great Pyramid Built?

          This question has been much discussed of late years, from both scientific and Scriptural standpoints.  For thousands of years no satisfactory answer to the question was discovered.  The old theory that it was built as a vault or tomb for an Egyptian king is unworthy of credence; for, as we shall see, it required more than the wisdom of the present day, to say nothing of that of Egypt four thousand years ago, to design such a structure.  Besides, it contains nothing in the way of casket, mummy or inscription.  It was not until we had come into the time called in Daniel’s prophecy “the Time of the End,” when knowledge should be increased, and the wise should understand God’s plan (Dan. 12:4,9,10), that the secrets of the Great Pyramid began to be understood, and our questions began to have a reasonable answer. 

          The first work of importance on the subject, proving that the Great Pyramid possessed scientific features, was by Mr. John Taylor, of England, A.D. 1859, since which time the attention of many able minds has been given to the further study of the testimony of this wonderful “Witness”; especially [page 320] since Prof. Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer-Royal for Scotland, visited it, for several months made its peculiarities a study and gave to the world the remarkable facts of its construction and measurements, and his conclusions therefrom. To his scholarly and scientific work, “Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid,” we are mainly indebted for the data made use of in this chapter.  Our illustrations are copies of a few of the twenty-five plates with which the latest edition of that work is embellished. 

          A few years after Prof. Smyth’s return, came the suggestion that the Great Pyramid is Jehovah’s “Witness,” and that it is as important a witness to divine truth as to natural science.  This was a new thought to Prof. Smyth, as well as to others.  The suggestion came from a young Scotsman, Robert Menzies, who, when studying the scientific teachings of the Great Pyramid, discovered that prophetic and chronological teachings coexist in it. 

          Soon it became apparent that the object of its construction was to provide in it a record of the divine plan of salvation, no less than the record of divine wisdom relating to astronomical, chronological, geometrical, and other important truths.  However, not having discerned the scope and completeness of the plan of salvation revealed in the Scriptures, these gentlemen have thus far failed to note the most wonderful and beautiful features of the Great Pyramid’s testimony in this direction, which we now find to be a most full and complete corroboration of the plan of the ages and the times and seasons therewith associated, as taught in the Scriptures and presented in this and the preceding volumes of the Scripture Studies series.  And, further, we see that this storehouse of knowledge, like the major part of the Bible store, was kept purposely sealed until its testimony should be needed and appreciated.  Does this imply that its great Architect knew that a time would come when its testimony [page 321] would be necessary?  In other words, that a time would come when God’s written Word would be lightly esteemed, and even his very existence questioned? when human philosophy, under the name of science, would be lauded and every proposition subjected to its tests?  Has God decided to prove himself and his wisdom by those very tests?  So it would appear.  This structure will yet confound the wisdom of the wise as a “Witness” for the Lord of hosts—“IN THAT DAY”—which is already begun. 

          Prof. Smyth has concluded that the Great Pyramid was built in the year 2170 B.C., reaching this conclusion, first, from astronomical observations.  Perceiving that the upward passage angles correspond to a telescope, and that the “Entrance Passage” corresponds to an astronomer’s “pointer,” he set about to investigate to what particular star it could have pointed at any time in the past.  Calculations showed that a Draconis, the dragon-star, had occupied a position in the heavens which looked directly down the entrance, at midnight of the autumnal equinox, B.C. 2170.  Then, considering himself as an astronomer at that date, with his pointer fixed upon a Draconis, and considering the ascending passages as though they were a telescope, which they much resemble, he calculated what constellation or what notable star would have been before his telescope thus fixed at the particular date indicated by his pointer, and found that it must have been the Pleiades.  So wonderful a coincidence convinced him that the date of the Great Pyramid’s building was thus indicated; for a Draconis is no less a symbol of sin and Satan than Pleiades is a symbol of God and the center of the universe.  The Great Pyramid thus indicates that its Architect knew of the prevalence of evil and of its domination over the downward course of mankind, and indicates also what lies beyond all human sight—that the only hope for the race is in Jehovah.

[page 322

          This conclusion of Prof. Smyth’s as to the date of the Great Pyramid’s building, was most abundantly corroborated, later, by certain measurements by which the Great Pyramid indicates its own date of construction.  A realization of the fact that the Great Pyramid exhibits a wisdom of design which the Egyptians could not have possessed—a divine wisdom which must have been worked out under the supervision of some inspired servant of God—has led to the conjecture that Melchizedek was its builder.  He was “king of Salem [that is, king of peace] and priest of the Most High God,” and as a person and type occupied so high a position as to be a blesser of Abraham, who also paid him tithes.  Of this we can know little, except that Melchizedek was a great and peaceful king, and that he lived about that time, and not far distant from the site of the Great Pyramid. 

          It is conjectured that Melchizedek, though not himself an Egyptian, used Egyptian labor for the construction of the Great Pyramid.  And to some extent the traditions of Egypt support such a theory.  They reveal the fact that Egypt had a peculiar invasion about this date by a people whom tradition merely denominates Hyksos (i.e., Shepherd Kings or Peaceful Kings).  These invaders seem not to have attempted to disturb the general government of Egypt, and, after staying a time for some purpose not recognized by the tradition, they left Egypt as peacefully as they had come.  These Hyksos or Peaceful Kings are supposed to include Melchizedek, and are assumed to have been the builders of the Great Pyramid—God’s altar and “Witness” in the land of Egypt. 

          Manetho, an Egyptian priest and scribe, is quoted by Josephus and others as saying: “We had formerly a king whose name was Timaus.  In his time it came to pass, I know not how, that the deity was displeased with us; and there came up from the East, in a strange manner, men of ignoble

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race [not warriors], Hyksos, who had the confidence to invade our country and easily subdue it by their power without a battle.  And when they had our rulers in their hands, they demolished the temples of the gods.”

Its Peculiar Location

          The Great Pyramid is situated on an elevated rocky plain, overlooking the river Nile, not far from the city of Cairo, in Egypt.  A remarkable thing in connection with its situation is, that the delta of the Nile forms a seacoast which in shape is a true quarter circle, with the Great Pyramid marking the inner angle. 

          This relationship of the Great Pyramid to the coast was discovered by Mr. Henry Mitchell, Chief Hydrographer of the United States Coast Survey, who visited Egypt in 1868 to report the progress of the Suez Canal.  His observation of the regularity of the curvature along the whole of Egypt’s northern coast led him to conclude that some central point of physical origination was indicated.  On searching for this grand center, he found it marked by the Great Pyramid, which led him to exclaim: “That monument stands in a more important physical situation than any other building erected by man.” 

          A line drawn from the entrance passage due north would pass through the northernmost point of Egypt’s coast; and lines drawn in continuation of the northeast and northwest diagonals of the structure would enclose the delta’s either side, thus embracing the fan-shaped country of Lower Egypt.  (See illustration, page 323.)  Built upon the northernmost edge of the Gizeh cliff, and looking out over this sector, or open fan-shaped land of Lower Egypt, it may be truly said to be at the very border thereof, as well as in its nominal center, as described by the prophet Isaiah.  “In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land [page 326] of Egypt, and a pillar [pyramid] at the border thereof, to the Lord.  And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt.”  Another fact worthy of notice is that the Great Pyramid is located in the geographical center of the land surface of the world—including North and South America, unknown for centuries after the location and construction of the Great Pyramid.

Its Scientific Lessons

          The Great Pyramid speaks to us, not by hieroglyphics, nor by sketches, but only by its location, its construction and its measurements.  The only original marks or figures found were in the “Construction Chambers” over the “King’s Chamber”; there are none whatever in the passages and rooms of the Pyramid proper.  The scientific lessons of the Great Pyramid we omit for economy of space, because not one in a hundred ordinary readers would understand the scientific terms, so as to appreciate the demonstrations, and especially because they would be no part of the gospel which it is our mission to present.  Suffice it, therefore, that we merely suggest the manner in which it teaches the scientist. For instance: The measure of the base of the four sides, at the level of the “sockets,” added, is found to be as many pyramid cubits as there are days in four years, to the fraction—including the leap year fraction.  The measures diagonally across the base from northeast to southwest, and from northwest to southeast, added, give as many inches as there are years in the precessional cycle.  This cycle astronomers had already concluded to be 25,827 years, and the Great Pyramid corroborates their conclusion.  The distance to the sun it is claimed is indicated, by the height and angle of the Great Pyramid, to be 91,840,270 miles, which almost exactly corresponds with the latest figures reached by astronomers. Astronomers until recently had calculated this distance to be from ninety to ninety-six millions of miles, [page 327] their latest calculation and conclusion being ninety-two millions.  The Great Pyramid has also its own way of indicating the most correct standard of all weights and measures, based upon the size and weight of the earth, which it is also claimed to indicate. 

          Commenting upon the scientific testimony and the location of this majestic “Witness,” Rev. Joseph Seiss, D.D. suggests: 

          “There is a yet grander thought embodied in this wonderful structure.  Of its five points there is one of special pre-eminence, in which all its sides and exterior lines terminate. It is the summit corner, which lifts its solemn index finger to the sun at midday, and by its distance from the base tells the mean distance to that sun from the earth.  And if we go back to the date which the Pyramid gives itself and look for what that finger pointed to at midnight, we find a far sublimer indication.  Science has at last discovered that the sun is not a dead center, with planets wheeling about it, and itself stationary.  It is now ascertained that the sun also is in motion, carrying with it its splendid retinue of comets, planets, its satellites and theirs, around some other and vastly mightier center.  Astronomers are not yet fully agreed as to what or where that center is.  Some, however, believe that they have found the direction of it to be the Pleiades, and particularly Alcyone, the central one of the renowned Pleiadic stars.  To the distinguished German astronomer, Prof. J. H. Maedler, belongs the honor of having made this discovery.  Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be ‘the midnight throne’ in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe.  And here is the wonderful corresponding fact, that at the date of the Great Pyramid’s building, at midnight of the autumnal equinox, and hence the true beginning of the year* as still preserved in the traditions of many nations, the Pleiades were distributed over the meridian of this Pyramid, with Alcyone (A Tauri) precisely on the line.  Here, then, is a pointing of the highest and sublimest character that mere human science has ever been able so much as to hint, and which would seem to breathe an unsuspected and mighty meaning into that speech of God to Job, when he demanded, ‘Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades?’”

—————

*The beginning of the Jewish year, introduced by the Day of Atonement,  as shown in Scripture Studies, Vol. II.

[page 328]

Its Testimony Relating to the Plan of Redemption

          While every feature of the Great Pyramid’s teaching is important and of interest, our greatest interest centers in its silent but eloquent symbolism of the plan of God—the Plan of the Ages.  It would be impossible, however, to understand God’s plan as illustrated by it, had we not first discovered that plan in the Bible.  But having seen it portrayed there, it is strengthening to faith to see it again so beautifully outlined here; and to notice, further, that both the truths of Nature and the truths of Revelation are owned and testified to by the same great Author in this wonderful stone “Witness.” 

          In this aspect of its teaching, the Great Pyramid, viewed from without, has a beautiful significance, representing the plan of God completed, as it shall be at the end of the Millennial age.  The crowning feature will be Christ, the acknowledged Head over all; and each other stone will be fitly framed into the glorious building, complete and perfect. All this chiseling, polishing and fitting process will then be completed, and all will be bound and cemented together, to each other and to the Head, with love.  If the Great Pyramid, as a whole, represents the plan of God complete, its top corner-stone should represent Christ, whom God hath highly exalted to be Head over all.  And that it does represent Christ is indicated, not only by its exact fitness as a symbol of Christ,* but also by numerous references to the symbol by prophets and apostles and by our Lord Jesus himself. 

—————

*See Vol. I, Chap. v; also the Chart of the Ages, Vol. I, x,y,z,W.

[page 329]

          Isaiah (28:16) refers to Christ as the “precious corner-stone.” Zechariah (4:7) refers to its placement at the top of the completed edifice, with great rejoicing, saying, “He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying, ‘Grace, grace unto it.’”  Doubtless when the head-stone of the Great Pyramid was laid there was great rejoicing among the builders and all interested in it, to see this crowning feature of the finished work.  Job also (38:6,7) speaks of the rejoicing when the chief corner-stone was laid, and he specifies the head, or crowning corner-stone, by mentioning the other four corner-stones first, saying, “Whereupon are the socket-stones made to sink? or who laid the corner-stone thereof, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”  (See margin.) The Prophet David, too, refers to our Lord, and uses a figure of speech exactly corresponding to that of this stone “Witness” of Egypt.  He says, prophetically, from the standpoint of the future, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head-corner-stone.  This is Jehovah’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day [the Millennial day of Christ’s glory as the Head and Ruler of the world] which Jehovah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psa. 118:22-24)  Fleshly Israel failed to accept Christ as their head-stone, and hence were rejected from being the special house of God—Spiritual Israel instead being built up into Christ the Head.  And we remember that our Lord applied this very prophecy to himself, and showed that he was the rejected stone, and that Israel, through their builders, the priests and Pharisees, were the rejecters. Matt. 21:42,44; Acts 4:11 

          How perfectly the head-stone of the Great Pyramid illustrates all this!  The head-stone, being first finished, would serve the workmen as a pattern or model for the whole [page 330] structure, whose angles and proportions must all be conformed to it.  But we can readily imagine that, before this top-stone was recognized as a pattern for the whole structure, it would be rejected, set at naught, by the builders, some of whom could think of no place suitable for it; its five sides, five corners and sixteen different angles making it unsuitable to the structure until the very top-stone was needed, and then no other stone would do.  During all the years in which the building work progressed, this Chief Corner-stone would be a “stone of stumbling” and a “rock of offense” to those not acquainted with its use and place; just as Christ is, and will continue to be, to many, until they have seen him exalted as the Head-Corner-Stone of God’s plan. 

          The pyramid figure represents perfection and completeness, and speaks to us in symbol of the plan of God, showing that “in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he will gather together [into one harmonious family, though on different planes of being], under one Head, all things in heaven and on earth, under Christ”—all not being conformable being cut off. Eph. 1:10; 2:20-22—Diaglott

How the Internal Construction of the
Great Pyramid Outlines the Plan of Redemption

          But while the outward testimony of this great structure is thus complete, and in accord with God’s written revelation, its inner construction is even more wonderful.  While its outward form illustrates the completed results of God’s Plan of Redemption,* the inner construction marks and illustrates every prominent feature of that plan as it has developed from age to age, down to its glorious and complete consummation. Here the stones upon the various levels or planes represent the perfection of all who, under Christ Jesus our Head, shall become conformed to God’s perfect will, as we have already seen from Scripture testimony. Some will be perfected on the human plane and some on the spiritual and divine planes or natures.  Thus the floor of the “King’s Chamber” is described as being on the fiftieth course of masonry, that of the “Queen’s Chamber” on the twenty-fifth course, and the lower end of the “First Ascending Passage,” if extended by the “Plug,” as will presently be shown, would reach down to the basal line of the Pyramid. Thus from its base-line upward the Great Pyramid seems to stand as an emblem of God’s plan of salvation, or lifting up out of sin and death, provided for all mankind.  The base-line thus corresponds with the date of the confirmation of God’s promise to typical Israel—the beginning of the uplifting or saving process. 

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*See the Chart of the Ages in Vol. I.

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          A careful study of the accompanying diagram, showing the interior arrangement of this wonderful structure, is suggested. The Great Pyramid has but one proper “Entrance Passage.”  This passage is regular, but low and slanting, and leads down to a little room or “Subterranean Chamber,” cut in the rock.  This room is of peculiar construction, the ceiling being well finished, while the sides are only commenced and the bottom is rough and unfinished.  This to some minds has suggested the thought, “bottomless pit,” which term is used in the Scriptures to represent disaster, oblivion and extinction.  This “Entrance Passage” fitly represents the present downward course of mankind toward destruction; while the “Subterranean Chamber,” by its peculiar construction, illustrates the great trouble, disaster, destruction, the “wages of sin,” to which the downward course leads. 

          The “First Ascending Passage” is of about the same size as the “Entrance Passage,” from which it branches off.  It is small, low and difficult of ascent, but opens at its upper end into a large, elegant hallway, called the “Grand Gallery,” [page 332] the ceiling of which is at seven times the height of the passages leading to it.  The low “Ascending Passage” is supposed to represent the Law dispensation, and Israel as a nation, from the going out of Egypt.  There they left the nations of the world and their downward course, to be God’s holy nation and under his law—proposing thenceforth to walk an upward and more difficult path than that of the heathen world, viz., to keep the Law.  The “Grand Gallery” is understood to represent the period of the Gospel call—still upward and difficult, but not hampered as that behind it.  The loftiness and greater width of this passageway well represent the grander hopes and greater liberties of the Christian dispensation. 

          On a level with the floor of the “Grand Gallery” at its lower end, there starts a “Horizontal Passage” under it, which leads to a little room commonly termed the “Queen’s Chamber.”  At the upper end of the “Grand Gallery” is another low passageway, leading into a little room called the “Ante-Chamber” which is of very peculiar construction, and which to some has suggested the idea of a school—a place for instruction and testing. 

          But the chief room of the Great Pyramid, for both size and importance of location, is a little farther along, and separated from the “Ante-Chamber” by another low passageway. This room is known as the “King’s Chamber.” Over it are a number of small apartments called “Construction Chambers.”  The significance of these, if they have any significance, relates not to man, nor to any other creature which walks, but to spirit beings; for it will be observed from the diagram that though the sides and the top are squared and finished, there is no floor surface to any of them.  The “King’s Chamber” contains a “Coffer” or stone box, the only piece of furniture found in the Great Pyramid. Ventilation is provided in the “King’s Chamber” by

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two air-passages which pierce its walls on opposite sides and extend to the outer surface—left for this purpose by the builders.  It has been speculated by some that there are yet other rooms and passages for future discovery; but we do not share this opinion; to us it seems that the passages and rooms already discovered fully serve the divinely intended purpose in witnessing to the entire plan of God. 

          From the west side of the lower or north end of the “Grand Gallery,” extending downward, there is an irregular passage called the “Well,” leading into the descending “Entrance Passage.”  Its route passes through a grotto in the natural rock.  The connection between this passage and the “Grand Gallery” is very disordered.  It would appear that originally the passageway into the “Queen’s Chamber” had been concealed, being covered by the flooring slabs of the “Grand Gallery”; and also that a stone slab covered the mouth of the “Well.”  But now the whole lower end of the “Grand Gallery” is torn away, opening the passage to the “Queen’s Chamber,” and leaving the “Well” open.  Those who have been there and who have examined it say that it looks as though an explosion had taken place at the mouth of the “Well,” bursting it open from beneath.  It is our opinion, however, that no such explosion ever occurred; but that things were left by the builders as they are, purposely, to indicate the same thing that would be indicated by the supposed explosion, which will be referred to later.  As a matter of fact, none of these stones are now to be found, and it would have been very difficult to remove them. 

          At the upper or south end of the “Grand Gallery,” the floor-line of the “Ante-Chamber” and the “King’s Chamber” extends into the “Grand Gallery,” forming an abrupt barrier, or high step at its upper end.  This step projects from the south wall sixty-one inches.  This south end wall of the “Grand Gallery” has a peculiarity also: it is not vertical, but leans [page 336] northward—at the top 20 inches*—and at its very top there is an opening or passageway connecting with the so-called “Construction Chambers” over the “King’s Chamber.” 

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*Dr. J. Edgar’s report.

          The passageways and floors of the Pyramid are of limestone, as indeed is the entire structure, except in the “King’s Chamber,” the “Ante-Chamber” and the passage between them, where the floors and ceilings are of granite.  The only piece of granite elsewhere in the structure is the granite “Plug,” which is tightly wedged in the lower end of the “First Ascending Passage.”  As originally left by the builders, the “First Ascending Passage” was sealed with a close-fitting angular stone at its lower end, where it connects with the “Entrance Passage”; and this was so neatly done that the “First Ascending Passage” was unknown until, in “due time,” the stone fell.  Close to the lower end of this “First Ascending Passage,” and just behind the sealing stone, was the granite “Plug,” made slightly wedge-shaped, and evidently intended to remain there, as it has thus far resisted all efforts to remove it. 

          Though the “Entrance Passage” was well known to the ancients, as attested by historians, yet Al Mamoun, an Arabian Caliph, was evidently ignorant of its exact situation, except that tradition located it on the north side of the Pyramid, when, in A.D. 825, at great expense he forced an entrance, as shown on the diagram, in the hope of finding wonderful treasures.  But though it contained vast intellectual treasures, now being appreciated, it contained none of the kind sought by the Arabs.  Their labor, however, was not wholly in vain; for, while they worked the stone which sealed the upward passage jarred from its position, fell into the “Entrance Passage” and told the secret, thus disclosing the “First Ascending Passage.”  The Arabs supposed [page 337] that they had at last found the way to secreted wealth, and, unable to remove the granite “Plug,” they forced a passage along-side quarrying much more easily the softer limestone.

The Great Pyramid’s Testimony
Concerning the Plan of the Ages

          In a letter to Prof. Smyth, Mr. Robert Menzies, the young Scotsman who first suggested the religious or Messianic feature of the Great Pyramid’s teaching, said: 

          “From the north beginning of the Grand Gallery, in upward progression, begin the years of our Savior’s life, expressed at the rate of an inch to a year.  Three and thirty inch-years, therefore, bring us right over against the mouth of the Well.”

          Yes, that “Well” is the key, so to speak, to the whole story. It represents not only our Lord’s death and burial, but also his resurrection.  This last is shown by the feature already noted, that the mouth of the “Well” and its surroundings look as though an explosion had burst it open from beneath. Thus our Lord burst the bonds of death, thereby bringing life and immortality to light—opening up a new way to life. (Heb. 10:20)  It was not possible for him to be holden of death (Acts 2:24), is the seeming language of the torn rocks surrounding the upper opening of this “Well.”  As the “Well” was the only way of access to each of these upward passages of the Great Pyramid, so by the death and resurrection of our Redeemer is the only avenue to life on any plane for the fallen race.  As the “First Ascending Passage” was there, but impassable, so the Jewish or Law Covenant stood as a way to or offer of life, but a useless or impassable way to life: none of the fallen race ever could or ever did reach life by walking its prescribed course.  “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified” to life. (Rom. 3:20)  That [page 338] which the “Well” symbolizes, viz., the ransom, is the only way by which any member of the condemned race can reach the grand provision of the divine plan—lasting life. 

          Years before this suggestion, that the “Grand Gallery” represents the Christian dispensation, Prof. Smyth had, by astronomical observation, fixed the date of the building of the Pyramid at B.C. 2170; and when Mr. Menzies suggested that the floor-line inches of the “Grand Gallery” represent years, it occurred to some one that, if that theory were true, the measuring of the floor-line backward from the lower edge of the “Grand Gallery,” down the “First Ascending Passage” to its junction with the “Entrance Passage” and thence upward along the “Entrance Passage” toward the Pyramid’s entrance, should discover some mark or indication in the passageway to correspond, and thus prove the date of the Pyramid’s construction, and the correctness of the inch-year theory.  This, though not unreasonable, was a crucial test, and the service of a civil engineer was obtained to visit the Great Pyramid again and make very accurate measurements of passages, chambers, etc. This was in 1872; and the report of this gentleman was confirmatory to the last degree.  His measurements show the floor-line just described to be 2170 1/2 inches to a very finely ruled line in the walls of the “Entrance Passage.”  Thus the date of its construction is doubly attested, while the floor-lines of its passages are shown to be scrolls of history and chronology, which shall yet be generally heard as “a witness unto the Lord in the land of Egypt.” 

          Here, thanks to the very accurate measurements of all the passages, furnished by Prof. Smyth, we are enabled to reach what to us are by far the most interesting features of the testimony of this “Witness” yet delivered. 

          When we first came to appreciate what we have already mentioned of the testimony of the Great Pyramid, we said

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at once, If this, indeed, prove to be a Bible in stone; if it be a record of the secret plans of the Great Architect of the universe, displaying his foreknowledge and wisdom; it should and will be in full accord with his written Word.  The fact that the Pyramid’s secrets were kept until the close of six thousand years of the world’s history, but that it now begins to give its testimony as the Millennial Dawn draws on, is in perfect harmony with the written Word, whose abundant testimony relative to the glorious plan of God has likewise been kept secret from the foundation of the world, and only now is beginning to shine forth in its completeness and glory. 

          We have already presented, in previous volumes, and in previous chapters of this volume, the clear testimony of the written Word, showing that we stand on the threshold of a new age—that the Millennial Day is dawning, with its change of earth’s rulership from the control of the “prince of this world” and his faithful, to the control of him “whose right it is” (by purchase) and his faithful saints.  We have seen that though the result of this change will be a great blessing, yet the time of the transfer, while the present prince, the “strong man” is being bound and his household driven out of power (Matt. 12:29; Rev. 20:2), will be a time of intense trouble.  The Scriptural time-proofs which we have considered show that this trouble was due to date from the time of Christ’s second advent (October, 1874), when the judging of the nations would commence, under the enlightening influences of the Day of the Lord.  This is shown in the Great Pyramid thus: 

          The “Descending Passage,” from the entrance of the Great Pyramid, leading to the “Pit” or “Subterranean Chamber,” represents the course of the world in general (under the prince of this world), into the great time of trouble (the “Pit”), in which evil shall be brought to an end. [page 342] The measuring of this period and determining when the pit of trouble shall be reached are easy enough if we have a definite date—a point in the Pyramid from which to start. We have this date-mark in the junction of the “First Ascending Passage” with the “Grand Gallery.”  That point marks the birth of our Lord Jesus, as the “Well,” 33 inches farther on, indicates his death.  So, then, if we measure backward down the “First Ascending Passage” to its junction with the “Entrance Passage,” we shall have a fixed date to mark upon the downward passage.  This measure is 1542 inches, and indicates the year B.C. 1542, as the date at that point.  Then measuring down the “Entrance Passage” from that point, to find the distance to the entrance of the “Pit,” representing the great trouble and destruction with which this age is to close, when evil will be overthrown from power, we find it to be 3457 inches, symbolizing 3457 years from the above date, B.C. 1542.  This calculation shows A.D. 1915 as marking the beginning of the period of trouble; for 1542 years B.C. plus 1915 years A.D. equals 3457 years.  Thus the Pyramid witnesses that the close of 1914 will be the beginning of the time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation—no, nor ever shall be afterward. And thus it will be noted that this “Witness” fully corroborates the Bible testimony on this subject, as shown by the “Parallel Dispensations” in Scripture Studies, Vol. II, Chap. VII. 

          Nor should any doubt the fact that the forty years of “harvest” began in the fall of 1874 because the trouble has not yet reached so portentous and unendurable a stage; and because, in some respects, the “harvest” period since that date has been one of great advancement in knowledge. Remember, too, that the Great Pyramid figures and illustrations including the diagram of the “Pit” were drafted by Prof. Smyth without any reference to this application. 

          Besides, we should remember that the Word of the Lord [page 343] clearly shows that the judgments of this time of trouble will begin with the nominal Church, preparatory to its overthrow, and in the strife of selfishness between capital and labor, both of which are now organizing for the culminating trouble. 

          The shape and finish of this lowest room or “Pit” are peculiarly significant.  While the top and parts of the sides are regular, it has no floor—its rough, unfinished bottom dropping lower and lower to its eastern side, giving reason for the name, “Bottomless Pit,” sometimes applied to it.  This room speaks of liberty and freedom as well as of trouble, of elevation as well as of degradation; for, as the traveler reaches it, cramped and weary from the crouched position enforced by the smallness of the “Entrance Passage,” he here finds not only a step downward into greater depths, and upon “a troublesome floor,” very uneven and broken, but he finds a great elevation also, part of this room being much more lofty than the passageway to it, which is suggestive of greatly enlarged room for his mental organism. 

          How true this is to facts, too.  Can we not already see that the spirit of liberty has reached the masses of civilized nations? We do not pause here to consider the consistencies and inconsistencies of the liberties being felt and claimed by the masses—both are suggested in this room by the elevation of the top and the depression of the bottom: we merely note the fact that the light of our day—the Day of the Lord—induces the spirit of liberty; and the spirit of liberty, coming in contact with the pride, wealth and power of those still in control, will be the cause of the trouble which the Scriptures assure us will eventually be very great. Though as yet it has scarcely begun, kings and emperors and statesmen and capitalists, and all men, see it coming, and “men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after the things coming”; for the powers of the heavens are being shaken, and shall ultimately be removed.  The evil systems—civil, social and religious—of “the present evil world” [page 344] will there sink into oblivion, into destruction, which the subterranean chamber or “Pit” also symbolizes, for we regard the “Pit” as not only a symbol of the overwhelming trouble which will involve the present order of things in an overthrow and destruction (because of their inconsistency with the better order of things to be established under God’s Kingdom), but also as a symbol of the certain end of every being who continues to pursue the downward course, and who, under the full enlightenment of the Millennial age, will refuse to break off his sins and pursue righteousness. 

          Notice another item in this connection: The “Entrance Passage” has a regular slope downward until it nears the “Pit,” when it ceases to slope and runs horizontally.  Measuring backward from the entrance of the subterranean chamber or “Pit” to the juncture of the horizontal with the angling portion of the passage, we find the distance to be 324 inches; consequently, the beginning of the level portion of the passage marks a date 324 years before 1915, viz., the year 1590.  This would seem to say that at that date (A.D. 1591) something transpired which had a great influence upon the course of civilization, and which in some measure arrested its downward tendency.  What transpired at that time?  What great movement, marked by that date, has had such an influence? 

          Unfortunately we find no exact measurements of this portion of this downward passage and we are convinced that Prof. Smyth’s diagrams are not sufficiently accurate to justify confidence in “paper measurements” based upon them.  An unconfirmed measurement is 324 Py. inches, which measured backward would indicate about the year A.D. 1590, or “Shakespeare’s day.”  However, we attach no weight to this suggestion. 

          One thing is certain—that low downward passage represents the course of the world, as the upward passages represent the course for the “called” Church.  The change from a downward to a horizontal path would therefore seem to imply moral or political enlightenment, or favorable restraint from the downward course. [page 345]

          The Protestant Reformation of the Sixteenth century certainly did accomplish much for the uplift of the world in every way, indirectly.  It purged the moral atmosphere of much of its ignorance and superstition, and is admitted by Roman Catholics as well as Protestants to have marked a new era of universal advancement.

          We are not claiming, as some do, that everything of our day is upward rather than downward.  On the contrary, we see many things in our day to which we cannot give assent as even civilized, not to say in accord with the divine will. We see a broader “humanitarian” view prevalent in the world which, while far from the religion of our Lord Jesus, is far in advance of the ignorant superstitions of the past.

          Indeed it is this social improvement of the world that has given rise to the “Evolution Theory” and caused many to conclude that the world is growing rapidly better and better, that it needed no Savior and his redeeming work, and needs no Kingdom to come with restitution work.  Very soon the poor world will realize that uplift and the basis of pure selfishness means increasing discontent, and eventually anarchy.  Only the Lord’s people, guided by his Word, are able to see these things in their proper light.

          But while the above measurements were giving their harmonious testimonies, another measurement seemed quite out of harmony with the Bible account; viz., that of the “First Ascending Passage,” which presumably represented the period from the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt to the birth of our Lord Jesus.*  The Bible account of the time, as already given,⁺ we could not doubt, having demonstrated its correctness in so many ways.  It showed the time from the exodus from Egypt to the year A.D. 1 to be exactly 1614

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*This period is not the same as that which, in Vol. II, Chap. vii, we have  denominated and described as the Jewish age.  The latter began 198 years  before the Exodus, at the death of Jacob, and did not end until the  Lord, whom they rejected, left their house desolate, five days before his  crucifixion. 

⁺Vol. II, pages 230-232.

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years, while the floor-line of the “First Ascending Passage” measures only 1542 inches.  Then, again, we knew beyond a doubt, from the words of our Lord and the prophets, that the Law age, and the “favor” to Israel after the flesh, did not cease at the birth of Jesus, but three and a half years after his death, at the close of their seventy weeks of favor, A.D. 36.*  This would make the period from the exodus to the full end of their favor (1614 plus 36) equal 1650 years. And though, in a sense, the grandeur and blessing of the new dispensation began at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10-14,25-38), yet the Great Pyramid should, in some way, indicate the full length of Israel’s favor.  This we finally found to be most ingeniously shown.  The granite “Plug” proved to be the exact length to fill out this period to the very limit. Then we knew why that “Plug” was so securely fixed that none had succeeded in displacing it.  The great Master-Builder had placed it there to stay, that we might hear its testimony today corroborating the Bible, as to both its plan and its chronology. 

          In measuring this passage with its “Plug,” we should consider it as though it were a telescope, with the “Plug” drawn out until the upper end reaches the place originally marked by the lower end of it.  The distance downward from the north entrance of the “Grand Gallery” to the lower end of the granite “Plug” is 1470 inches, to which if we add the length of the “Plug,” 179 inches, we have a total of 1649 inches, representing 1649 years; and the one inch-year of difference between this and the 1650 years shown by the Bible chronology of that period is easily accounted for when we remember that one end of this granite “Plug” had been considerably chipped by those who endeavored to force it from its fixed position in the passageway.

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*See Vol. II, Chap. vii.

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          Thus, exactly, does the stone “Witness” corroborate the testimony of the Bible, and show that the period from the exodus of Israel from Egypt until the full end of their national favor,* A.D. 36, was 1650 years.  But let none confound this period with the period shown in the Parallels of the Jewish and Christian dispensations—showing the two ages to be each 1845 years in length, the one from the death of Jacob to A.D. 33, and the other from A.D. 33 to A.D. 1878. 

          And not only was this an ingenious way of hiding and yet furnishing the length of the period from the exodus to the birth of our Lord (to be, in due time, a corroboration of the Bible testimony), but the careful reader will readily see that it could have been done only in some such way, for two reasons: First, because the Jewish dispensation and favor not only began at the death of Jacob, before the exodus from Egypt, but also ran into and parallel to the Christian dispensation for the thirty-three years of our Lord Jesus’ earthly life; and, second, because to have made the “First Ascending Passage” long enough to represent fully the Jewish age in year-inches would have necessitated the making of the Pyramid still larger, which in turn would have destroyed its scientific features and lessons. 

          Let us now examine the “Grand Gallery,” at the end of the “First Ascending Passage,” noting also its symbolic testimony. It is seven times as high as the “First Ascending Passage.”  It has seven courses of overlapping stones in its walls, of smooth, highly polished and once beautiful, cream-colored limestone.  It is twenty-eight feet high, though very narrow, being only six feet broad anywhere, but contracted to three feet at the floor and less at the roof. Prof. Greaves, an Oxford professor of the Fifteenth century, describing it, wrote:

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*See Vol. II, Chap. iii.

[page 348]

          “It is a very stately piece of work, and not inferior, either in respect of the curiosity of art or richness of materials, to the most sumptuous and magnificent buildings....This gallery, or corridor, or whatsoever else I may call it, is built of white and polished marble (limestone), the which is very evenly cut in spacious squares or tables.  Of such materials as is the pavement, such is the roof, and such are the side walls that flank it; the knitting of the joints is so close that they are scarce discernible to a curious eye; and that which adds grace to the whole structure, though it makes the passage the more slippery and difficult, is the acclivity and rising of the ascent....In the casting and ranging of the marbles (limestone) in both the side walls, there is one piece of architecture, in my judgment, very graceful, and that is that all the courses or ranges, which are but seven (so great are these stones), do set and flag over one another about three inches; the bottom of the uppermost course overflagging the top of the next, and so in order the rest as they descend.” 

          And Prof. Smyth declares that it would be impossible fairly to represent it by pictures, saying: 

          “The circumstances are above the scope of orthodox pictures by reason of the narrow breadth, the lofty, vaulting height, and the very peculiar sloping angle of the long floor; a floor, when one looks from its north end southward, ascending and ascending through the darkness, apparently forever; and with such steepness that no artist’s view of it, painted on a vertical plane, could ever hope to represent more than a small part of that floor, rising upward through the whole canvas and going out at the top.  While, on looking northward from the south end of the Gallery, you lose the floor instantly, and see on the level of your eyes, in the distance, part of the steeply descending ceiling.  Otherwise, it is the solemn overlappings of the high, dark walls, passing you by on either side; but all on an uneasy slant, speaking of toil in one direction, danger in another, and a mountain of strength everywhere.” 

          What a wonderful illustration is given in this “Grand Gallery” of the course of the true Christian Church and of [page 349] the path of the little flock of overcomers during the long period of the Gospel age.  Its once beautiful, cream-white walls and ceiling, formed of regular overlapping stones, all sloping upward, give not the history of the nominal Church, as some have supposed—else they would be far from regular and upward—but they tell of God’s great favor bestowed during the Gospel age, the “high calling” to certain liberties and privileges, offered conditionally to all the justified during the Gospel age, opened up by the Well—the ransom. 

          The lofty height of this “Grand Gallery”—seven times the height of the passage representing the Jewish dispensation (seven being a symbol of completeness or fulness)—represents that fulness of blessing contained in the Abrahamic promise, which is actually set before the Gospel Church.  The “King’s Chamber,” at the end of the “Grand Gallery,” represents the end of the race to which the present high calling leads all the faithful; and this “King’s Chamber,” as we shall shortly see, is a most apt symbol of the ultimate destiny of the Church.  By the “Well” (which represents the ransom), at the very entrance of this Gallery, and which all must recognize who enter upon this way, our justification is beautifully symbolized.  Thus the Great Pyramid tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” 

          The apparently interminable length of the “Grand Gallery” shows how long the Gospel age has appeared to individual members of the Church, while its narrowness well represents the “narrow way to life”; and its steepness, the difficulty with which the way is pursued, and the continual danger of backsliding to those who fail to watch vigilantly their steps.  Yet, within the confines of these walls of divine favor is the safety and security of all those who continue in well-doing, who continue to grow in grace, to ascend the difficult way, to “walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.”

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          Looking upward along the “Grand Gallery,” we see that it has an end as well as a beginning.  Thus we are told that the exceeding great and precious privileges extended during this Gospel age will some time cease—the wonderful high calling to joint-heirship with Christ, as his “bride,” will terminate when a sufficient number to complete the “little flock” shall have accepted the call.  That which this stone “Witness” thus points out in illustration, the written Word makes very plain, showing, as we have seen, that the privilege of running for the great prize of the “high calling” belongs exclusively to the Gospel age.  It was never granted to any before—our Captain, Jesus, being the first to whom it was offered, the first to accept its conditions of sacrifice and the first to enter into its rewards.  The south end of the “Grand Gallery