Some Objections Considered
No. I. It Discourages Missions.
It is objected that this doctrine discourages missions.
This is not tme. The mission aiy spirit among the evangelists of to-day is a sufficient answer to this. And let us name, among the missionaries who held this faith, Ben Ezra, Joseph Wolf, James McGregor Bertram, L. D. Mansfield, Gonsalves, Dr. Kelley and Hewitson.
“This was the hope that inspired Heber, the gi-eat missionary bishop of the English Church, who gave us that glorious missionary hymn, ‘From Greenland’s ley Mountains,’ and who spent his strength and rested from his labors ‘on India’s coral strand!’
“This was the hope that energized Gutzlaff, the opener of China, and Bettleheim, the opener of Japan; that inspired the noble Duff, who, under its influence, woke moderate Scotland from its lethargy, and was the pioneer of his indomitable race in India. This was the hope that inspired and cheered and ever joyed McCheyne and our own Poor, and Lowrie, and Rankin, and Lowenthal, and a host of others.”
Mr. Lord affirms that among missionaries of all denominations, there is as great proportion of pre-millennialists, as there is among the ministry at home. They earnestly labor, as did the apostle, to save some from the wrath to come.^
(1) Rom. 11:14. If by any selves shew of us what manner
means I may provoke to emula- of entering in we had unto you,
tion them which are my flesh, and how ye turned to God from
and might save some of them. idols to serve the living and true
1 Cor. 9:22. To the weak God;
became I as weak, that I might 10. And to wait for his Son
gdin the weak: I am made all from heaven, whom he raised
things to all men, that I might frorn the dead, even Jesus, which
by all means save some. delivered us from the wrath to
1 Thes. 1 :9. For they them- come.
(118)
No. II. It Discourages Work.
It is objected that it discourages work. This is most inconsistent and untrue, for the very essence of the doctrine is to Watch Work and Wait and to work now for the night Cometh when no man can work.-
No. III. So Many Unsaved Friends.
Some object that they have so many unsaved friends, they cannot wish Jesus to come.
Work then for we read “all that my Father giveth me shall come to me” (John 6:37-39), and whosoever will may come.^ Knowing the terror (fear) of the Lord, let us persuade men. 2 Cor. 5:11.
The Antedeluvians would not heed the preaching of Noah, and even Lot’s kindred (his sons-in-law) would not go with him out of Sodom. So there will be those who will not accept of Christ. But of all who believe in Him* not one will be lost.^ The Israelites were often led to repentance, in the midst of adversity and calamity, and so if our friends will not be entreated to accept of Christ now, it is perhaps possible that they may do so under the visible judgments of God, during the Tribulation.
But whether they will or not, let us consider, that the great mass of humanity are engulfed in the maelstrom of sin, which is sweeping its millions down to graves of de-Jas. 5:20. Let him know, that (4) John 1:12. But as many
he which converteth the sinner as received him, to them gave he
from the error of his ways shall power to become the sons of God,
save a soul from death, and shall even to them that believe on
hide a multitude of sins. his name:
(2) John 9:4. I must work (5) John 10:27. My sheep the works of him that sent me, hear my voice, and I know them, while it is day: the night com- and they follow me:
eth, when no man can work. 28. And I give unto them eter-See also page 143. nal life; and they shall never
(3) Rev. 22:17. And the perish, neither shall any man Spirit and the bride say. Come. pluck them out of my hand. And let him that heareth say. Mat. 7 :13. Enter ye in at Come. And let him that is the strait gate: for wide is the athirst come. And whosoever gate, and broad is the way, that will, let him take the water of leadeth to destruction, and many life freely. there be which go in thereat.
struction (Mat. 7:13), and compared to them, in numbers, the tiiie believers are but a handful. In the Millennium all this will be changed, “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9), and all men shall bow to the righteous scepter of King Immanuel.*’
We would not sacrifice the hundreds of lives upon a passenger train, to save the life of even a friend who willfully exposed himself to danger upon the track; and are not all men our brothers’? and shall we not yeam to save them from the tide of spiritual death? Oh! then, let us cry with the Holy Spirit: “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22 :20. For when He comes the work will be cut short in righteousness.’^
No. IV. My Kingdom Is Not of This World.
It is objected that Jesus said: “My Kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36. True! not of the spirit of the world (1 John 2:15-17); just as believers are not of the world. John 15 :19. The correct rendering of the passage is, “My Kingdom is not ( e/c ) out of this world.” That is, it does not emanate from this world. He is not (ck) out of this world.* Both He and His Kmgdom are from above.^ But it will be set up on this earth, in accordance
(6) Isa. 45:22. Look unto and shall be called the Son of
me, and be ye saved, all the ends the Highest; and the Lord God
of the earth: for I am God, and shall give unto him the throne
there is none else. of his father David:
23. I have sworn by myself, 33. And he shall reign over
the word is gone out of my the house of Jacob for ever; and
mouth in righteousness, and of his kingdom there shall be
shall not return, That unto me no end.
every knee shall bow, every Also Rom. 14 :11; Mic. 4 :l-7.
tongue shall swear. (7) Rom. 9:28. For he will
Phil. 2 :10. That at the name finish the work, and cut it short
cf Jesus every knee should bow, in righteousness: because a short
of thijigs in heaven, and things work will the Lord make upon
in earth, and things under the the earth,
earth; (8) John 8:23. And he said
11. And that every tongue unto them, Ye are from beneath;
should confess that Jesus Christ I am from above: ye are of this
is Lord, to the glory of God the world; I am not of this world.
Father. (9) Col. 3:1. If ye then be
Luke 1 :32. He shall be great, risen with Christ, seek those with the prayer which He taught us “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” Luke 11 :2.^^ Earthly kingdoms are corrupted by the deception of Satan. But in the Millennial Kingdom he will not deceive them, for he shall be bound.^^
There is nothing essentially sinful in matter. Adam was sinless before his fall and he had a material body. Christ has a material body and is without sin. The earth was cursed because of sin and the spirit of the world clings to sin.^2 But when the curse is removed,!^ and all things that offend are gathered out of the kingdom,^* then shall
things which are above, where
Christ sitteth on the right hand
of God.
2. Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the
earth.
3. For ye are dead, and your
life is hid with Christ in God.
4. When Christ, who is our
life, shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with him in glory.
Gal. 4:26. But Jerusalem
which is above is free, which is
the mother of us all.
(10) Dan. 2:44. And in the
days of these kings shall the
God of heaven set up a kingdom,
which shall never be destroyed:
and the kingdom shall not be
left to other people, hut it shall
break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall
stand for ever.
Dan. 7:18. But the saints of
the Most High shall take the
kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and
ever.
Jer. 23 :5. Behold, the days
come, saith the Lord, that I will
raise unto David a righteous
Branch, and a King shall reign
and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the
earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be
saved, and. Israel shall dwell
safely: and this is his name
whereby he shall be called, THE
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
(11) Rev. 20:1. And I saw
an angel come down from
heaven, having the key of the
bottomless pit and a great chain
in his hand.
2. And he laid hold on the
dragon, that old serpent, which
is the Devil, and Satan, and
bound him a thousand years,
3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up,
and set a seal upon him, that
he should deceive the nations no
more, till the thousand years
should be fulfilled: and after
that he must be loosed a little
season.
(12) Rom. 1:32. Who, knowing the judgment of God, that
they which commit such things
are worthy of death, not only do
the same, but have pleasure in
them that do them.
(13) Rev. 22:3. And there
shall be no more curse: but the
throne of God and of the Lamb
shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.
(14) Mat. 13:41. The Son
of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out
of his kingdom all things that
offend, and them which do iniquity.
all creation have that for which it groans/^ and the righteous shall shme forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.^^
No. V. The Eangdom Within You.
It is objected, that the kingdom of God is not material and visible, but that it is spiritual and invisible. In support of this the follo^ng words of Jesus in Luke 17 :20-21 are cited: “When He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, lo, here! or lo, there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Observation should be translated “careful watchmg,” see Dr. Adam Clarke, or “narrow watching,” see Rotherham. The marginal, and better reading for “within you” is “among you,” see Rotherham, Wilson, Prof. Whitting, and others. He did not say that the kingdom of God was within, or in the hearts of those wicked Pharisees, but that it was among them, viz.: within the Jewish nation. As Bengel states it, “within is here used, not in any respect of the heart of individual Pharisees, .... but in respect to the whole Jewish people. The King, Messiah, and therefore the kingdom is here: ye see and ye hear.”
The sense, then, is as follows: The kingdom of God cometh not with “careful watching.” That is, not in such a way as to be discerned only by sagacious critics, nor is it
(15) Rom. 8:19. For the travaileth in pain together until
earnest expectation of the crea- now.
ture waiteth for the manifesta- 23. And not only they, but
tlcn of the sons of God. ourselves also, which have the
20. For the creature was firstfruits of the Spirit, even made subject to vanity, not we ourselves groan within ourwillingly, but by reason of him selves, waiting the adoption, who hath subjected the same in to -wit, the redemption of our hope; body.
21. Because the creature it- d) Mat. 13:42. And shall Felf alsx) shall be delivered from cast them into a furnace of fire: .he bondage of corruption into t’/,7„„f„’> t,^,th. “”’“^ ^”’ the glorious liberty of the chil- 43 hen shall the righteous flren of God. shine forth as the sun in the
22. For we know that the kingdom of their Father. Who whole creation groaneth and hath ears to hear, let him hear.
to be seen only by those who are scrupulously watching for it. They shall not say, Behold here or there, for the kingdom of God is among you, to-wit: it was then visibly present among them, in the person of Jesus the King. And so it will be visibly present when He comes again. ^’^ It did not, and will not, need scrupulous watching to discern it, Had they received Him with faith, — instead of (narrowly) watching Him with deceitful spies,^’^ they might have realized that their King was then visibly present, and ready to usher in the universal manifestation of the kingdom, which had been seen by the favored disciples of the Mount.i How gladly He would have then fully manifested Himself as King, and established His Kingdom among them, is shown by His words of tender yearning in Mat. 23:37-39:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord,”
He came in His Father’s name; but the Israelites to whom He spoke would not receive Him.^^
(17) Rev. 6:16. And said to until the Son of man be risen
the mountains and rocks, Fall on again from the dead,
us, and hide us from the face of 2 Pet. 1 :16. For we have not
him that sitteth on the throne, followed cunningly devised faand from the wrath of the bles, when we made known unto
lamb; you the power and coming of
17. For the great day of his our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
wrath is come; and who shall eyewitnesses of his majesty,
be able to stand? 17. For he received from God
(IS) Luke 20:20. And they the Father honour and glory,
watched him, and sent forth when there came such a voice to
spies, which should feign them- him from the excellent glory,
selves just men, that they might This is my beloved Son, in whom
take hold of his words, that so I am well pleased,
they might deliver him unto the 18. And this voice which came
power and authority of the gov- from heaven we heard, when we
ern)or. were with him in the holy
(19) Mat. 17:9. And as mount,
thpy came down from the moun- (20) John 5 :43. I am come
tain, Jesus charged them, say- in my Father’s name, and ye
ing, Tell the vision to no man, receive me not: if another shall “He came unto His own and His own received Him not.” John 1:11.
Preferring a robber, they rejected and crucified their King and so the kingdom waits until they shall accept Him,2i when the kingdom of the world shall become the kingdom of our Lord’s and of His Christ’s and He shall reign for the ages of ages. See Greek. —
Oh! Blessed “King of Kings.!” come, and may “Thy Kingdom Come.’^
The King there in His beauty,
Without a veil is seen;
It were a well-spent journey,
Though sev’n deaths lay between.
The Lamb, with His fair army,
Doth on Mount Zion stand.
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel’s land.
No. VI. The Kingdom Is Not Meat and Drink.
It is objected that Paul said, “The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Rom. 14:17.
come in his own name, him ye Rom. 11 :25. For I would not,
will receive. brethren, that ye should be ig-
(21) Zech. 12:10. And I will norant of this mystery, lest ye
pour upon the house of David, should be wise in your own conand upon the inhabitants of ceits, that blindness in part is
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace happened to Israel, until the fuland of supplications; and they ness of the Gentiles be come in.
shall look upon me whom they 26. And so all Israel shall be
have pierced, and they shall saved: as it is written, There
mourn for him, as one mourn- shall come out of Sion the Deeth for his only son, and shall liverer, and shall turn away unbe in bitterness for him, as one godliness from Jacob:
that is in bitterness for his first- 27. For this is my covenant
ljQj.y unto them, when I shall take
Zech. 13 :6. And one shall say away their sins,
unto him What are these wounds 28. As concerning the gospel,
in thine hands? Then he shall they are enemies’ for your sakes:
answer. Those with which I was but as touching the election, thep
wounded in the house of my arc beloved for the fathers’
friends sakes.
Mat 23:39. For I say unto (22) Rev. 11:15. And the
you, Ye shall not see me hence- seventh angel sounded; and
forth, till ye shall say. Blessed there followed great voices in
is he’ that cometh in the name of heaven, and they said,
the Lord. The kingdom of the world
Indeed it is not “meat and drink,” or eating and drinking, or simply outward observances. Neither was the Kingdom of Israel meat and drink, nor the Roman Empire. But the subjects of each did eat and drink, and Paul simplytaught that they should do so circumspectly and with charity. So will the subjects of the kingdom of God eat and drink. “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:15. “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Rev. 19 :9, See the Feast of Isa. 25:6-8.-3
Jesus himself said, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Mat. 26 :29.
And again: “1 appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.” Luke 22 :29-30. This is the strongest proof that the kingdom will be literal and material, though it shall be freed from the curse of sin.^*
No. VII. Flesh and Blood.
It is objected that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.^^
Certainly we do not inherit it through the flesh — the unregenerate man. But through the Spirit we are born
is become the kingdom of faces; and the rebuke of his peoour Lord, and of his Christ: pie shall he take away from off
and he shall reign* for ever all the earth: for the Lord hath
and ever. spoken it.
*Gr, unto the ages of the ages. (24) Mat. 13:41. The Son
(23) Isa. 25:6. And in this of man shall send forth his anmountain shall the Lord of hosts’ gels, and they shall gather out
make unto all people a feast of o kingdom all things that
fat things, a feast of wines on offend, and them which do in the lees, of fat things full of
iquity
marrow, of wines on the lees f- And shall cast them nto
wPll rPfinPd furnace of fire: there shall be
wen rennea., wailing and gnashing of teeth.
7. And he will destroy m this 43 ^1,^^ gyu y righteous mountain the face of the cover- ^hine forth as the sun in the ing cast over all people, and the kingdom of their Father. Who veil that is spread over all na- hath ears to hear, let him hear, tions. (25) 1 Cor. 15:50. Now this I
8. He will swallow up death say, brethren, that flesh and in victory; and the Lord God blood cannot inherit the king-Will wipe away tears from off all dom of God. again,^^ created anew in Christ Jesus,^^ and made “joint heirs” with Him.-^ The flesh profiteth nothing. The Spirit quickeneth.-^
Paul in this chapter (1 Cor, 15) is treating of the subject of the resurrection which he proves to be so important, that without it, we could not inherit, or become possessed of the kingdom of God. “Flesh and blood” he says cannot inherit it, and therefore he shows that at the resurrection, our bodies of corruptible flesh and blood, which have died, shall be raised in incorruiDtion and immortality. And the bodies of those who are living at that time shall be changed and ‘’fashioned like unto His glorious body“^^ Now, in our flesh and blood, we are bearing the image of Adam, the first man, ‘’which is of the earth, earthy.” But at the resurrection we shall be changed so as to “bear the image of the heavenly” “the second man,” “the Lord from heaven. “^^
(26) John 3:3. Jesus answered and said unto him. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he Kannot see the kingdom of God.
4. Nicodemus saith unto him,
How can a man be born when
he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb,
and be born?
5. Jesus answered. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into
the kingdom of God.
(27) Eph. 2:10. For we are
his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.
(28) Rom. 8 :15. For ye
have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but ye
have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.
16. The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we
are the children of God:
17. And if children, then
heirs; heirs of God, and joint
heirs with Christ; if so be that
we suffer with him, that we may
be also glorified together.
(29) John 6:63. It is the
Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh
profiteth nothing: the words that
I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life.
(30) Phil. 3:20. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21. Who shall change our vil?
body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby
he is able even to subdue all
things unto himself.
(31) 1 Cor. 15:45. And so it
is written. The first man Adam
was made a living soul; the last
Adam loas made a quickening
spirit.
46. Howbeit that was not first
which is spiritual, but that which
is natural; and afterward that
which is spiritual.
47. The first man is of the
earth, earthy: the second man is
the Lord from heaven.
48. As is the earthy, such are
And He who raised up Christ from the dead, and who hath given us the Spirit of adoption (sonship) whereby we become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, will, by His Spirit that dwelleth in us, also quicken (or make alive) our mortal bodies.-^- Then, and then only, can we inherit,^^ or come into possession of the kingdom,^“* which God hath promised to give unto us.^^ Hence, we see the vital importance of the resurrection, without which we could not inherit the kingdom of God,* verse 50. The evident purpose of this objection is to support the assertion made by Post-millenialists that the kingdom is only spiritual and that there is nothing literal or material in it. But Paul says nothing of the kind and his whole argument is entirely to the contraiy. For he asserts that our crojfxa (soma — body) which is sown in corruption, dishonor and weakness, will be raised in incorruption, gloiy and power, or if living, will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.^^ In these glorified bodies we shall “inherit the kingdom prepared
*Here let it be noticed is another evidence that the Kingdom is yet future.
they also that are earthy: and little flock; for it is your
as is the heavenly, such are Father’s good pleasure to give
they also that are heavenly. you the kingdom.
49. And as we have borne the (36) 1 Cor. 15:42. So also
image of the earthy, we shall is the resurrection of the dead,
also bear the image of the heav- It is sown in corruption, it is
enly. raised in incorruption:
(32) Rom. 8:11. But if the 43. It is sown in dishonour, it Spirit of him that raised up Je- is raised in glory: it is sown in sus from the dead dwell in you, weakness, it is raised in power: he that raiseth up Christ from 44. It is sown a natural body, the dead shall also quicken your it is raised a spiritual body, mortal bodies by his Spirit that There is a natural body, and dwelleth in you. there is a spiritual body.
(33) 1 Cor. 15:50. Now this 51. Behold, I shew you a mys-I say, brethren, that flesh and tery; We shall not all sleep, blood cannot inherit the kingdom but we shall all be changed,
of God; neither doth corruption 52. In a moment, in the
inherit incorruption. twinkling of an eye, at the last
(34) Dan. 7:22. Until the trump: for the trumpet shall Ancient of days came, and judg- sound, and the dead shall bement was given to the saints of raised incorruptible, and we shall the Most High; and the time be changed.
came that the saints possessed 53. For this corruptible must
the kingdom. put on incorruption, and this
(35) Luke 12:32. Fear not, mortal must put on immortality. ior” us “from the foundation of the world.“-” For Christ the rightful heir of all things’^ will be there and we shall be there to reign with Him.^^
And He will have his glorified body, His body that was raised*^ and ascended and entered into heaven.
The glorified body which Stephen saw there,^^ and which Paul saw (Acts 9:5) and also John, Rev. 1:13.
The body which bears the scars of the cross;’** “A Lamb as it had been slain.” Yes, He will return in the flesh. Acts 1 :11. The true reading of 2 John 7, is, “who confess not Jesus Christ coming* in the flesh.” See also Isa. 63: 1-6, and Rev. 19: 11-16. And “we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him.” 1 John 3:2. Therefore it is clear, that we, in these same bodies, changed into the image of Christ’s glorious body, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
*Gr. epxoMevov coming”. See page 200.
(37) Mat. 25:34. Then shall
the King say unto them on his
right hand, Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
(38) Mat. 21:38. But when
the husbandmen saw the son,
they said among themselves.
This is the heir; come, let us
kill him, and let us seize on his
inheritance.
Heb. 1:2. Hath at the end
of these days spoken unto us in
his Son, whom he appointeth heir
of all things, through whom also
he made the worlds.
*Gr. ages. Comp. 1 Tim. 1 :17.
Also 1 Tim. 6 :15.
(39) 2 Tim. 2:12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Tiim; if we deny Mm, he also will deny us.
Also Rom. 8 :17; John 17 :24.
(40) Luke 24:39. Behold my
hands and my feet, that it is I
myself: handle me, and see; for
a spirit hath not flesh and bones,
as ye see me have.
(41) Acts 1:9. And when he
had spoken these things, while
they beheld, he was taken up;
and a cloud received him out of
their sight.
(42) Heb. 9:24. For Christ
is not entered into the holy
places made with hands, which
are the figures of the true; but
into heaven itself, now to appear
in the presence of God for us.
Also Heb. 4:14.
(43) Acts 7:55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost,
looked up steadfastly into
heaven, and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing on the
right hand of God.
(44) Rev. 5 :6. And I beheld,
and, lo, in the midst of the
throne and of the four beasts,
and in the midst of the elders,
stood a Lamb as it had been
slain, having seven horns and
seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all
the earth.
No. Vm. The Work of the Holy Spirit a Failure.
It is objected that this doctrine disparages the work of the Holy Spirit.
Not so! For what is the work of the Holy Spirit? He is gathering the bride. He teaches, guides, and comforts her,’*5 until she is presented to Christ.-**^
At the same time he reproves the world of sin, and of righteousness, and judgment. John 16 :8.
He may be grieved,-^” resisted,’*^ and quenched*^ now, but He will not always strive with man.^^ His present work will be finished, and the King of kings and Lord of lords will come forth with the armies of heaven to subdue His enemies (Rev. 10) and finish the work.^^
(45) John 14:17. Even the
Spirit of truth; whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth
him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth with yo-u, and shah be in
you.
26. But the Comforter, which
is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto you.
John 16:13. Howbeit when
he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth:
for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and
he will shew you things to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for
he shall receive of mine, and
shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father
hath are mine: therefore said I,
that he shall take of mine, and
shall shew it unto you.
(46) Eph. 5:25. Husbands,
love your wives, even as Christ
also loved the church, and gave
himself for it;
26. That he might sanctify
and cleanse it with the washing
of water by the vjord,
27. That he might present it
to himself a glorious church.
not having spot, or wrinkle, or
any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish.
(47) Eph. 4:30. And grieve
not the Holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the
day of redemption.
(48) Acts 7:51. Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
(49) 1 Thes. 5:19. Quench
not the Spirit.
(50) Gen. 6:3. And the Lord
said. My Spirit shall not always
strive with man, for that he also
is flesh: yet his days shall be an
hundred and twenty years.
(51) Rev. 19:11. And I saw
heaven opened, and behold a
white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful
and True, and in righteousness
he doth judge and make war.
12. His eyes icere as a flame
of fire, and on his head were
many crowns; and he had a
name written, that no man
knew, but he himself.
13. And he was clothed with
a vesture dipped in blood: and
his name is called The Word of
God.
14. And the armies which were
in heaven followed him upon
white horses, clothed in fine
linen, white and clean.
It was “the Spirit of Grod,” which ‘’moved upon the face of the waters” in the beginning (Gen. 1:2), and we believe He had a part in all the work of creation, Gen. 1 :26. He strove with sinners before the flood, Gen. G:3. He spake by the prophets, Acts 1 :16; 2 Pet. 1 :21. He was specially granted unto Joseph and others. Gen. 41:38; Ex. 31:3; Num. 11:17; 24:2; 27:18; 2 Kings 2:9, etc. In short, He has been engaged in all the work of creation and redemption. We do not believe that His work is a failure because of the flood, nor because the Jews have rejected Christ, and as natural branches, have been broken off. Rom. 11:20. Neither do we believe His work will be a failure, though the preaching of the gospel in the present dispensation shall only result in the salvation of “some.”^^ Vv’^e feel sure that He shall have a part in the glory and triumph of the millennial dispensation, for even the Israelites shall then have a new Spirit withua them.^^ And the nations are to be ruled, in peace and righteousness, by Him upon whom the Spirit of the Lord doth rest.^*
15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations,
and he shall rule them with a
rod of iron: and he treadeth
the winepress of the fierceness
and wrath of Almighty God.
16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rom. 9 :28. For he wull finish
the work, and cut it short in
righteousness: because a short
work will the Lord make upon
the earth.
(52) Luke 13:23. Then said
one unto him, Lord, are there
few that be saved? And he said
unto them,
24. Strive to enter in at
the strait gate: for many, I say
unto you, will seek to enter in,
and shall not be able.
25. When once the master of
the house is risen up, and hath
shut to the door, and ye begin
to stand without, and to knock
at the door, saying, Lord, Lord,
open unto u&; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.
1 Cor. 9 :22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might
gain the weak: I am made all
things to all men, that I might
by all means save some.
(53) Ezek. 11:19. And I will
give them one heart, and I will
put a new spirit within you; and
I will take the stony heart out
of their flesh, and will give them
an heart of flesh.
See references.
(54) Isa. 11:2. And the
Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon
him, the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of
knowledge and of the fear of
the Lord;
3. And shall make him of
quick understanding in the fear
of the Lord: and he shall not
judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Let us then have no fear of jealousy on the part of the Spirit, because of the triumphs of Christ. Rather let us be sure that He seeks to hasten the presentation of the bride, — which is being sealed by Him (Eph. 4:20), — unto her Lord — who hath the Spirit without measure,-“”’” that these twain, united into one,^^ may be the one perfect man,“^^ the Holy temple,^^ built for the habitation of God in Spirit.^^ And who can estimate what shall be accomplished by the Spirit, through this holy, living Temple, in which He shall dwell. No wonder that He yearns to hasten its completion. See the type of His haste in Gen. 24:56.6<^ But this completion shall not take place until the Lord comes, when the Head shall forever be united to the body. 1 Thes. 4:18. Therefore, in this we may realize, to some extent, the meaning of that yearning cry of the Spirit “Even so come Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22 :20.
No. IX. The Gospel a Failure.
It is said that it makes the gospel a failure.
But this is not so. Man is a failure. The gospel is the
4. But with righteousness the measure of the stature of the
shall he judge the poor, and re- fulness of Christ, prove with equity for the meek (53) 1 Cor. 3:16. Know ye
of the earth: and he shall smite of that ye are the temple of
the earth with the rod of his God, and that the Spirit of God
mouth, and with the breath of dwelleth in you? his lips shall he slay the wicked. v q .^g 2 Cor. 6 :16.
Isa. 61 :l-3. See pg. 56.
(59) Eph. 2:20. Being built
(55) John 3:34 For he whom foundation of the apos-God hath sent speaketh the words y prophets, Christ Jesus of God: for God giveth not the himself being the chief corner
Spirit by measure unto him
stone;
(56) Eph. 5:30. Because we 2I. In whom each several are members of his body. building, fitly framed together,
31. For this cause shall a man groweth into a holy temple in leave his father and mother, and the Lord;
shall cleave to his wife; and the 22. In whom ye also are
two shall become one flesh. builded together for a habita-
32. This mystery is great: but tion of God in the Spirit.
I speak in regard of Christ and (60) Gen. 24 :56. And he
of the church. said unto them. Hinder me not,
(57) Eph. 4:13. Till we all seeing the Lord hath prospered come in the unity of the faith, my way; send me away that I and of the knowledge of the Son may go to my master.
of God, unto a perfect man, unto 57. And they said. We will power of God unto salvation to eveiy one that believeth (Rom. 1:16). It is not the incomiDetency of the gospel, but the willful unbelief of sinners that prevents the conversion of the world. Jesus said: ‘Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. But He also said “Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life.” John 5:40. While we are to preach the gospel everywhere, we are not to expect that all will receive it. For, when He said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” He also added, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16 :15-16. But “what if some did not believe’? Shall their unbelief make THE TRUTH of God of uouc effect? God forbid.” Rom. 3:3. Salvation shall be revealed in the last time.^^
Jesus shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Isa. 53:11.
“After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Rev. 7:9-10.
Alleluia; Amen; Alleluia.
No. X. The Gospel Not Preached in All the World.
It is objected that the gospel has not yet been preached in all the world, as Christ asserted it should be, in Mat. 24:14, and therefore we cannot yet look for Christ, nor the end to come. Let us carefully examine this passage:
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
call the damsel, and enquire at faith unto salvation ready to be her mouth. revealed in the last time.
58. And they called Rebekah,
and said unto her, Wilt thou go
with this man? And she said, I
Col. 1 :23. If ye continue in
the faith grounded and settled,
and be not moved away from the
jii hope of the gospel, which ye
have heard, and which was
(61) 1 Pet. 1:5. Who are preached to every creature which
kept by the power of God through is, under heaven.
1st. The end is unquestionably the end of the age (tov ataivos — tou aionos) of which the disciples asked in verse 3.
2d. The world (otKov/xei/r; — oikoumenee) means habitable, that is, the inhabited earth.
3d. The gospel of the kingdom is the good news, or glad tidings of the kingdom to come.
These glad tidings, it is asserted, shall be proclaimed in all the inhabited earth for a witness unto all nations and then (t6t€ — tote) shall come the end of this age — or dispensation. It will be noticed that the time, during which the preaching shall continue, is determined entirely by the qualifying clause “for a witness unto all nations.” When the witness is complete, then shall the end come.
When the Witness Is Complete.
Now, no finite mind can determine when the witness is complete. If we could, the evidence is to the effect that it has passed already. For when the gospel was preached on the day of Pentecost, there were present “devout men out of eveiy nation under heaven.” Acts 2 :5. Afterward the disciples were scattered abroad and vv-ent about preaching the Word. Acts 8:4. “And they went forth and preached everywhere.” Mark 16:20.* Paul says, in Rom. 10 :18, “Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world,”*f (world here being from the same word olKovfxivr — oikoumenee that is used in Mat. 24:14).
And again he says in Col. 1 :23*t that the gospel had already been “preached to every creature which is under heaven.”
These inspired statements as to the universal preaching cf the gospel ought to be conclusive. Mighty as it makes the work of the early disciples, I do not see how Ave can refuse to accept it. (See Dr. A. Clarke on Mat. 24:14 as to the special point of the universality of this preaching, also the authorities previously cited.) Surely we must
*See Bengell’s Gnomon.
tSee Jamieson, Faussett and Brown, also Alford.
give no broader meaning to the word oikov/xcVt, (oikoumenee) used by the Holy Spirit in Mat. 24:14 than in Rom. 10 :18, or than to the equally strong words used in Col. 1 :6 and 23.^- If we limit the one, we can, with equal propriety, limit the other. Because we have so full an account of Paul’s work, we are apt to depreciate what was accomplished by the other Apostles and Disciples. Peter was in Babj’lon (1 Pet. 5:13), and tradition gives us account of the preaching of the gospel in Parthia, India, Ethiopia, Scythia, Spain and Britain.
So then we may rest confidently on the plain statement of Col. 1:23, as being such fulfillment of Mat. 24:14, that the Church from that day to the present has not had, neither can have, in this, any sign or prophesied event standing between believers and the Lord’s coming. If we take it upon ourselves to judge that the witness is not complete, or more presumingly, that it cannot be complete for centuries to come, then are we foolishly assuming a prerogative which belongs to God only.
Only God Knows.
Surely, only God can judge when the witness to all nations is complete, and here lies the essence of this entire question. If the Church is the agent which is to proclaim the gospel until the witness is complete, no mortal can judge but what the witness shall be completed this moment. But we have no evidence that the Church is the only agent, and it is quite probable that she is not, for we read of another agent in Rev. 14:6.®^
Therefore the witness may not be completed, until after the Church is taken away, and this other heavenly messenger proclaims the everlasting gospel to them that dwell on the earth, even unto every nation and tribe and tongue
(62) Col. 1:6. Which is come (63) Rev. 14:6. And I saw
unto you, as it is in all the another angel fly in the midst
world; and bringeth forth fruit, of heaven, having the everlastas it doth also in you, since the ing gospel to preach unto them
day ye heard of it, and knew the that dwell on the earth, and to
grace of God In truth. every nation, and kindred, and
23. See page 132. tongue, and people.
and people. Rev. 14:6 (see Greek). In this ease it is not the Church which shall complete the witness and it evidently can be no sign to her.
We conclude then that like the “day and hour,”^* it is known to God only, and the Church can have no definite sign in it. Therefore nothing is left for us to do, but faithfully to continue proclaiming the glad tidings of the coming kingdom while we watch momentarily for the Bridegroom.
No. XI. Some Here Live to See Kingdom.
It is objected, that we are taught in Mat. 16:28; Mark 9 :1, and Luke 9 :27,^5 that the coming of Christ, and of the kingdom, should occur during the lifetime of some of the multitude (Mar. 8:34)^^ to whom Jesus spake, and that therefore His coming and kingdom can only be interpreted spiritually, viz.: the establishment of the power of the gospel by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, or as some hold, figuratively, viz.: the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish polity by the Romans, and the establishment of the Church. That is, as they say, — Christ came, by His Spirit, on the day of Pentecost and manifested His power through the disciples, in the preaching of the gospel, performing of miracles, etc., — or. He came through the Roman army, destroyed Jerusalem and overthrew the Jewish polity, — and that His Kingdom is the Church over which He now reigns, or (as some say) in which or through which He now reigns over the nations of the earth.
(64) Mat. 24:36. But of that of death, till they have seen the day and hour knoweth no man, kingdom of God come with power, no, not the angels of heaven, but Luke 9 :27. But I tell you of my Father only. a truth, there be some standing
(65) Mat. 16:28. Verily I here, which shall not taste of say unto you. There be some death, till they see the kingdom standing here, which shall not of God.
taste of death, till they -see the (66) Mark 8:34. And when
Son of man coming in his king- he had called the people unto
dom. him with his disciples also, he
Mark 9 :1. And he said unto said unto them, Whosoever will
them, Verily I say unto you, come after me, let him deny him-That there be some of them that self, and take up his cross, and
stand here, which shall not taste follow me.
We answer — The Holy Spirit is a distinct person, not to be confounded with the person of Christ. The Savior expressly said: “I will pray the Father and He shall give you another comforter” (John 14:16), and if it be another, it cannot be Himself. He, the Holy Spirit, came according to the promises,*^’^ and it is entirely inconsistent to confound this event with Christ’s return, which latter is in accordance with other promises, that He should Himself come again. They are two events, as distinct as the births of Moses and John.
It is true that Christ is spiritually with, or in, believers,®^ and it is just as true that He always has been, and that in this sense He has never left them, for He said: “Lo! I am with you alway,” Mat. 28:20. Mark the language: “I am with you alway.” He was with them during those days of prayer previous to the day of Pentecost, and He has been with His people all the time. But suddenly the (Parakleetos) Comforter came, another person and for a special and glorious purpose. It is, therefore, conclusive, that this coming of the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of the Divine presence, entirely different from, and superadded to, the spiritual presence of Christ, which latter, according to His own language, has never been withdrawn from His people. He never went away spiritually, but He did go bodily and visibly, and in like manner shall He return.
(67) John 14:16. And I will and make our abode with him, pray the Father, and he shall john 17:23. I in them, and give you another Comforter, that thou in me, that they may be he may abide with you for ever; made perfect In one; and that
26. But the Comforter, which the world may know that thou
is the Holy Ghost, whom the hast sent me, and hast loved
Father will send in my name, them, as thou hast loved me. he shall teach you all things, (jal. 4:19. My little children,
and bring all things to your re- of horn I travail in birth again
membrance, whatsoever I have until Christ be formed in you. said unto you. ,„... - ..-. r,. •..,
(69) Acts 1 :11. Which also
Also 15:26 and 16:7. aid, Ye men of Galilee, why
(68) John 14:23. Jesus an- stand ye gazing up into heaven? swered and said unto him, If a this same Jesus, which is taken man love me, he will keep my up from you into heaven, shall words: and my Father will love so come in like manner as ye him, and we will come unto him, have seen him go into heaven.
Again, after the day of Pentecost, the disciples continued to talk of the comuig of Christ, which they surely would not have done if His promise to return was fulfilled on that day. And after the destruction of Jemsalem (about A. D. 71), St. John wrote the book of Revelation (about A. D. 96), in which he repeatedly speaks of the coming of Christ as being yet future, clearly showing that it could not have been fulfilled in the destruction of Jemsalem.
Again, as we have before shown, the Church is not the kingdom, but the body of Christ,^” and His bride. Eph. 5. She is not to be reigned over,^i but to suffer and reign with Christ.’^- She is “to be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which she suffers,“”^ and therefore Paul exhorts the disciples (members of the Church) “that they must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), and Peter stirs us up, putting us in remembrance to add the Christian graces and give all diligence to make our calling and election sure, for so an entrance shall be ministered unto us “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Salaor, Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 1:5-11.
Surely this language plainly distinguishes between the Church and the kingdom, and as plainly asserts that the kingdom is yet future. So we see that both the spiritual and figurative interpretations of the coming of Christ are without foundation.
Another theory has been advanced, viz.: that the coming of Christ in His Kingdom (Mat. 16:28) was fulfilled
(70) Eph. 1:22. And hath dren, then heirs; heirs of God, put all things under his feet, and joint heirs with Christ; if and gave him to he the head over so be that we suffer with him, all things to the church, that we may be also glorified to-
23. Which is his body, the ful- gether.
ness of him that filleth all in all. 2 Tim. 2 :12. If we suffer, we
(71) John 15:15. Henceforth shall also reign with him: if we I call you not servants; for the deny him, he also will deny us: servant knoweth not what his (73) 2 Thes. 1:5. Which is a lord doeth: but I have called you manifest token of the righteous friends; for all things that I judgment of God, that ye may have heard of my Father I have be counted worthy of the kingmade known unto you. dom of God, for which ye also
(72) Rom. 8:17. And if chil- suffer.
in what they term the spiritual coming on the day of Pentecost, — and that His coming in the clouds of heaven, in the glory of His Father, with the holy angels, etc., is his real, personal, visible coming at the end of the gospel age (which they also hold to be the end of time and of the world).
This seems to us to be founded upon a mere distinction of terms, where there is no difference in fact. For is it not at His coming in His Kingdom that He shall be manifested in His gloiy*?”* History proves — and all our ideas of the gloiy of Kings coincide with the fact — that such glory is identical with the majesty and manifestation of their kingdoms.
It is in Christ’s Kingdom that He shall rule all nations with a rod of iron,’^^’’ and it is in His Kingdom that He is to be manifested as “the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”^^ Therefore His coming in His Kingdom and His coming in His glory are synonymous, and both are yet future.
Some of Them Did See the Kingdom.
Then what do the passages mean, to wit: Mat. 16:28, “verily I say unto you, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom,” — or as in Mark 9 :1, “till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power,” — or as in Luke 9 :27, “till they see the Kingdom of God.”
We answer first, the limiting clause “shall not taste of
(74) 2 Thes. 1:10. When he Also Rev. 12:5 and 19:15. shall come to be glorified in his
“ZTZ^°.^^.L ZIIVJ” n”.^r keep this commandment without them that believe (because our f i., v., x., x,
testimony among you was be- T.^J.^^’’^? ‘T’ ^”^
lieved) in that day. ^’l’y’,^ °^ °”^ ^°^^
(75) Psa. 2:8. Ask of me, ‘-Q’^ist.
and I shall give thee the heathen 15. Which in his times he
for thine inheritance, and the ^^^’^ shew, who is the blessed
uttermost parts of the earth for o’^ Potentate, the King of
thy possession. kings, and Lord of lords.
9. Thou Shalt break them with Rev. 19 :16. And he hath on
a rod of iron; thou shalt dash his vesture and on his thigh a
them in pieces like a potter’s name written, KING OF KINGS,
vessel. AND LORD OF LORDS.
death” may have the deep signification, in which sense the true believers, who were standing there, shall never experience it.^’^ This is certainly the signification the same language has in Heb. 2:9,” and if we understand it likewise in these passages, then we have all eternity for the fulfillment. However we only suggest this. We do not rely upon it, for we believe the word “till” more than hitimates that the “some” should taste of death, and that therefore natural death or separation of soul and body was meant.
Peter Saw It.
But now let us mark well what the “some” standing there were to see, and then let us go up the Mount of Transfiguration, and gaze through the favored eyes of Peter, James and John upon the scene which is recorded immediately after the passage we are considering. Behold His face shining as the sun and His raiment white and glistening as the snow, or as the light. See Moses and Elias as they appear in glory with Him, and listen to the communings of this exalted trio. Then bow in silent awe, as the cloud of surpassing glory overshadows them, and reverently listen to the voice of God, the Father, saying “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him.” No wonder that even the favored and beloved disciples trembled with fear beneath this supernatural majesty and effulgent glory. Surely this was I Am’^’^ spanning the centuries and giving these apostles a view of His coming and kingdom.
So they understood it and Peter especially confirms it.
“For,” he says, “we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and com-
(77) John 8 :51. Verily, veri- Jesus, who was made a littlely, I say unto you, if a man lower than the angels for the keep my saying, he shall never suffering of death, crowned with see death. glory and honor; that He by
52. Then said the Jews unto the grace of God should taste
him, Now we know that thou death for every man. hast a devil. Abraham is dead.
and the prophets; and thou say- (79) John 8:58. Jesus said
est. If a man keep my saying, unto them, Verily, verily, I say
he shall never taste of death. unto you. Before Abraham was,
(78) Heb. 2:9. But we see I am.
ING of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and g’lory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent g-lory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.” 2 Pet. 1:16-18.
We cannot tell how much of the future they saw in that enraptured hour, but doubtless they had a specific vision of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in His kingdom and glory.
John Saw It.
We have only to turn to Revelation, where we find that He “which is and which was, and which is to come” permitted John to see (Rev. 1:2, 11, etc.) it most definitely. His enraptured vision swept the centuries. Time, to him, was annihilated and he gazed upon the literal facts. He actually saw them. Thirty-six times does he say “I saw,” seven times “I beheld,” and five times “I looked,” besides many similar expressions. And he saw the very things mentioned in the passages.
“And I SAW heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and Truth, and in righteousness He doth judg-e and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire and on His head were many
crowns and He was clothed with a vesture dipped
in blood: and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.... And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
He saw the beast and kings of the earth gathered and taken and cast into the lake of fire. He saw Satan bound, and he saw Christ and His saints reigning for a thousand years. He saw it all in perfect fulfillment of the statements in the passages we are considering. Rev. 19 :20.
Paul Saw It.
Paul also saw Christ in His glory and doubtless he saw all that John did, and probably more, for he saw things that it was impossible for a man to utter. (2 Cor. 12:4, margin.) Surely these are an absolute and literal fulfillmerit of what Jesus promised “some” should see, and satisfactorily explain the passages in question.
Ye Shall Not Have Gone Over the Cities of Israel.
Another passage is cited in support of the above theories, viz.: the spiritual coming on the day of Pentecost or the figurative coming, in the destruction of Jerusalem, etc., and that is Mat. 10 :23, “verily I say unto you ye shall not have gone over (or finish) the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come.”
In regard to this we answer, that this was spoken to the twelve disciples, when Jesus sent them forth two by two, with a message especially for and exclusively to Israel. We find from Mark 6 :30, and Luke 9 rlO,^^ that they returned to the Master, of course, without finishing the cities. And there is no evidence that they ever, in like manner, renewed the visitation preaching the message “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”^^ Indeed they could not, for Israel had rejected their King, and the kingdom had become like a nobleman which went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and return.
But from the force of the word “till” we believe that the message will be renewed (perhaps by the “two witnesses” after the Church is taken away), to the unbelieving Israelites, who shall yet return to their land and restore Judaism, ^2 and before they shall have gone over the rebuilt cities, the Son of Man shall appear again.
(80) Mark 6 :30. And the they heard these things, he addapostles gathered themselves to- ed and spake a parable, begether unto Jesus, and told him cause he was nigh to Jerusalem, all things, both what they had and because they thought that done, and what they had taught. the kingdom of God should im-Luke 9 :10. And the apostles. mediately appear,
when they were returned, told 12. Ke said therefore, A cerhim all that they had done. And tain nobleman went into a far
he took them, and went aside country to receive for himself a
privately into a desert place be- kingdom, and to return,
longing to the city called Beth- (83) Isa. 40:9. O thou that
said a. tellest good tidings to Zion, get
(81) Mat. 10:7. And as ye thee upon a high mountain; O go, preach, saying, The kingdom thou that tellest good tidings to of heaven is at hand. Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with
(82) Luke 19:11. And as strength; lift it up, be not
No. XII. Gloomy View of the Future.
It is objected that this doctrine presents a gloomy view of the future; that “it is the philosophy of despair,” — that it stands opposed to the popular idea, viz.: that the world is growing better, and “if it is true,” it is sarcastically said, “we might as well fold our hands and wait for Christ to come.”
We candidly think that many who raise these objections have altogether mistaken the spirit and work of pre-millennialists.
We do Not Despair.
We neither despair, nor fold our hands to sleep. On the contrarv, we are filled with a lively (Greek — living) hope (1 Pet. 1:3), the most “blessed hope” (Tit. 2:13), while we strive to save some from this worldly, sinful and adulterous generation, which is nigh unto cursing and whose end is to be burned.^*
We would not deceive them with the hallucination that they are ‘growing better,” for, as the apostle has said, “we know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness” (Greek — in the wicked one), 1 John 5:19 — and therefore we would tell them in the plain words of Scripture, that they are in the broad way that leadeth to destruction (Mat. 7:13), and that they must repent or perish. Luke 13:3. And further, that this same world, once overflowed by the flood, is now “stored with fire*
*See the Greek.
afraid; say unto the cities of (84) Gal. 1:4. Who gave
Judah, Behold your God; himself for our sins, that he
10. Behold the Lord Jehovah might deliver us from this preswill come as a mighty one, and ent evil world (age), accordhis arm will rule for him: Be- ing to the will of God and our hold his reward is with him, and Father.
his’ recompense before him. Heb. 6 :8. But that which
11. He will feed his flock like beareth thorns and briers is rea shepherd, he will gather the .iected, and is nigh unto cursing; lambs in his arms, and carry whose end is to be burned, them in his bosom, and will Mai. 4 :1. For, behold, the gently lead those that have their day cometh that shall burn as young. an oven; and all the proud, yea.
against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Pet. 3:5-7.
We rejoice over every one of those, who, by believing the gospel, the good news of the coming kingdom,*^ are saved from this awful fate and made ‘’joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17) “to an inheritance ... reserved in heaven for us.” and “who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time,” and who “hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto” us “at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:4-5-13.
Surely this positive conviction of coming doom is a mightier incentive to action than can be the quieting fallacy that things are moving on prosperously and that even
THE WORLD IS GETTING BETTER.
And this is clearly proved by the zeal and faithful work of the ministers, evangelists and laymen, who hold and proclaim this doctrine of the pre-millennial coming of Christ.
It is tiTie that they do not expect the conversion of the world in this present evil age* (Gal. 1:4), but they do believe that a millennial age of peace is coming, and they do strive “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,” to “shine as lights in the world holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:15-16), that they may snatch some brands from the burning (Mai. 4:1; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; Jude 23), to increase the godly company who shall be ready to welcome the Bridegroom.^®
*See the Greek.
and all that do wickedly, shall to continue in the faith, and
be stubble: and the day that that we must through much tribcometh shall burn them up, saith ulation enter into the kingdom
the Lord of hosts, that it shall of God.
leave them neither root nor (86) Mat. 25:10. And while
branch. they went to buy, the bridegroom
(85) Acts 14:21. And when came; and they that were ready they had preached the gospel to went in with him to the marthat city, and had taught many, riage: and the door was shut, they returned again to Lystra, 11. Afterward came also the and to Iconium, and Antioch, other virgins. saying. Lord,
22. Confirming the souls of Lord, open to us. the disciples, and exhorting them 12. But he answered and said.
Why, then, should they be so bitterly opposed for proclaunmg this scriptural doctrine? Are they not all members of the body of Christ?” And, as such, do they not merit the warmest sympathy and prayers of the Church? Shall they be condemned because, like the early Church, they are holding the traditions (or teachings handed down) of the apostles,^** and looking for Jesus ?s God forbid! But let us remember that “we be brethren,” stl’angers and pilgrims (Heb. 11:13), whose “citizenship” is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). And let us speak “the truth in love,” be built up in love (Eph. 4:15-16), and “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2), “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”^*^
The Days Are Evil.
Yes, THE DAYS ARE EVIL and we freely admit that this doctrine does present a gloomy future in the present evil age, for this world of sinners, who are full of unbelief and radically opposed to Christ, His people and His salvation.^^ They are rejecting God’s gracious entreaties for
Verily I say unto you, I know
you not.
13. Watch therefore; for ye
know neither the day nor the
hour wherein the Son of man
cometh.
(87) 1 Cor. 12:25. That
there should be no schism in the
body; but that the members
should have the same care one
for another.
26. And whether one member
suffer, all the members suffer
with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice
with it.
(88) 2 Thes. 2:5. Remember
ye not, that, when I was yet
with you I told you these
things?
15. Therefore, brethren, stand
fast, and hold the traditions
which ye have been taught,
whether by word, or our epistle.
(89) Phil. 3:20. For our
conversation is in heaven; from
whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb. 9 :28. So Christ was
once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look
for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Also Tit. 2 :13.
(90) Eph. 5:15. See then
that ye walk circumspectly, nof
as fools, but as wise,
16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
(91) 2 Cor. 6:14. Be ye not
unequally yoked together with
unbelievers; for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath
Christ and Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an
infidel?
16. And what agreement hath
the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk
in them; and I will be their
reconciliation,^^ and rushing madly on toward the day of
wrath. Rev. 6:15-17.
But there is no gloom in the future for those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us,”^^ and “who have received the Spirit of adoption,” become “children” and “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ... For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” Rom. 8:15-18.
There seems to be a prevailing disposition to balance up the good and the bad in the world by a process of general average, in which the triumphs of art and science, the progress in inventions, discoveries, etc., are counted as moral goodness, and it is conclniTed that the world, on the average, is growing better.
But this is utterly fallacious and, we fear, a grand deception of Satan.
The Church and the World.
First, there is no such thing as averaging together the true church and the world. There is no possible consanguinity. The one is “from beneath,” — the other “from above.” The one “is of this world,” — the other “not of this world.” John 8:23. They must not be yoked together, for there is no fellowship, communion, concord, part or agreement between them. They are and always
God, and they shall be my peo- are in the world. If any man pie. love the world, the love of the
17. Wherefore come out from Father is not in him.
among them, and be ye sepa- Also John 14 :18-22, 16 :33,
rate, saith the Lord, a»d touch 17 :14, James 4 :14, 1 John
not the unclean thing; and I 5:19.
will receive you, (92) 2 Cor. 5:20. Now then
18. And will be a Father unto we are ambassadors for Christ, you, and ye shall be my sons. as though God did beseech you
Eph. 5 :11. And have no fel- by us: we pray you in Christ’s
lowship with the unfruitful stead, be ye reconciled to God.
works of darkness, but rather re- 21. For he hath made him to
prove them. he sin for us, who knew no bin;
12. For it is a shame even to that we might be made the
speak of those things which are righteousness of God in him.
done of them in secret. (93) Heb. 6:18. That by two
1 John 2 :15. Love not the immutable things, in which it
world, neither the things that was impossible for God to lie, must be separate.* The true church is in the world, but not of it.^-^ There are three parties in the world, viz.: the Jew, the Gentile and the Church of God.°^ As the Jews were a separate, called-out and peculiar people,^*^ not to be reckoned among the nations,^ so is this true church a separate and peculiar people,^* called unto cleansing and holiness,^^ sealed by the Spirit of God, unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30), no longer darkness, but “children of light,” and exhorted to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:8-11). They are of God, while the whole world lies in the wicked one.^*^° There is an irrepressible conflict between them —
we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail;
20. Whither the forerunner is
for us entered, even Jesus, made
a high priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec.
(94) John 17:11. And now
I am no more in the world, but
these are in the world, and I
come to thee. Holy Father,
keep through thine own name
those whom thou hast given me,
that they may be one, as we are.
15. I pray not that thou
shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shoulde&t
keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world.
See (91) pg. 144.
(95) 1 Cor. 10:32. Give none
offence, neither to the Jews, nor
to the Gentiles, nor to the church
of God.
(96) Ex. 19:5. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.
6. And ye shall be unto me a
kingdom of priests, and an holy
nation. These are the words
which thou shalt speak unto the
children of Israel.
Ex. 33 :16. For wherein shall
it be known here that I and thy
people have found grace in thy
sight? 7s it not in that thou
goe&t with us? so shall we be
separated, I and thy people, from
all the people that are upon the
face of the earth.
Also Deut. 7:6, Psa. 135:4.
(97) Num. 23:9. For from
the top of the rocks I see him,
and from the hills I behold him:
lo, the people shall dwell alone,
and shall not be reckoned among
the nations.
(98) Tit. 2:14. Who gave
himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works.
1 Pet. 2 :9. But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal prie’=;thood, a holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth
the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness iilto
his marvellous light.
(99) 2 Cor. 7:1. Having
therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh
and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God.
Also Eph. 5 :25-27.
(100) 1 John 5:19 We know no possible harmony exists. On the contraiy, their principles and tendencies are absolutely opposite. It is therefore entirely inconsistent that they should be spoken of as forming one general mass.
Art, Science and Invention.
Second, the triumphs of art and science, the progress in inventions, discoveries, etc., by no means argme an increase in godliness.
Many of the acknowledged leaders today in science and philosophy — yes, even those who rank the veiy highest among them, are positive infidels. And very many more, who disclaim absolute infidelity, deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.
It is strange, indeed, that the Christian optimists, in their noisy trumpetings of the strides of science, should lose sight of this momentous fact. And history bears a similar testimony. The power, splendor and wisdom of David and Solomon were followed by the idolatiy and innocent blood of Ahab and Manasseh, resulting in the overthrow of Jerusalem and the Babylonish captivity.
The temple, built by Herod, was one of the grandest works of art. It fairly flashed with splendor, and the temple service was conducted on a magnificent scale. The Jews of his time enjoyed great privileges in literature and learning, and yet they crucified the Lord Jesus.
The Greeks rose to a pinnacle of triumph in literature, poetiy and art, and yet they failed by wisdom to find out God. To them he was the unknown God.^*^^ See how plainly this is brought out in 1 Cor. chapters, 1, 2 and 3: “For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1:21). The trouble is not with the heads, but with the hearts of men. No matter how great the learning, man must have a new
that we are of God, and the tions, I found an altar with this
whole world lieth in the evil inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN
one. GOD. Whom therefore ye ig-
(101) Acts 17:23. For a.s I norantly worship, him declare I
passed by, and beheld your devo- unto you.
heart, and this is obtained not by education, but by the operation of the Spirit of God. It was not many wise men after the flesh who received the grace of God in Corinth, but the simple and the despised. “I thank Thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” said Jesus, “that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent (discerning ones) and hast revealed them unto babes.” Luke 10 :21.
The world, then, by “wisdom” or “philosophy” (Col. 2: S), or “science falsely so called” (1 Tim. 6:20), can never find out God. Indeed, we have a clear evidence of this in the rationalism, infidelity and atheism of our day. No matter how refined and polished is their garb or the delicacy with which they may be set forth, still they are only the poisonous deceptions of him who can appear as “an angel of light.“^”^ ty -g g -g le arch
enemy of God, and the world, in this present evil age (Gal. 1:4), is in his power (1 John 5:19), so that he besets the people of God with his “wiles,” and arrays against them “principalities .... powers .... and the rulers of the darkness of this world.” Eph. 6:11-13. Therefore the Christian must “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2 :15-16.
The World Not Growing Better.
Surely, then, this wicked world, which is so radically opposed to God, and under the present control of His arch enemy, is not growing better. On the contrary, judgment, fire and perdition are before it.^^^ Perilous
(102) 2 Cor. 11:13. For such transformed as the ministers of
are false apostles, deceitful righteousness; whose end shall
workers, transforming themselves be according to their works,
into the apostles of Christ. (103) 2 Pet. 2. And many
14. And no marvel; for Sa- shall follow their pernicious tan himself is transformed into ways; by reason of whom the an angel of light. way of truth shall be evil spoken
15. Therefore it is no great of.
thing if his ministers also be 3. And through covetousness times are coming.^^* “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” The tares, which naturally grow much faster than the wheat, shall continue up to the harest. Mat. 13:40. “The mystei’y of iniquity” which already worked in the days of the apostles, shall culminate in “the man of sin,” the personal antichrist, whom even the mass of the Jews will receive,^^^ and who will be so great and rule with such universal authority that he is to be destroyed only by the personal appearing of the Lord Himself. ^°^
There is no hope, then, for the world, but in the coming of Christ the King. And, praised be God for the proiuises, the Lord will come at the end of this age. Antichrist will be destroyed.i°^ All things that offend shall be gathered out,^^^ and the Millennial Kingdom of righteousness shall be established on the earth. So, while there is a gloomy prospect for the world during this evil age, there is a bright and glorious prospect during the coming millennial age.
shall they with feigned words (106) 2 Thes. 2:8. And then
make merchandise of you: whose shall that Wicked be revealed,
judgment now of a long time whom the Lord shall consume
lingereth not, and their damna- with the spirit of his mouth, andtion slumbereth not. shall destroy with the brightness
2 Pet. 3:7. But the heavens of his coming:
and the earth, which are now,
by the same word are kept in 9. Even him, whose coming is
store, reserved unto fire agam.^;t working of Satan with
the day of judgment and perdi- power and signs and lyingtion of ungodly men. wonders.
Also Jude 7, Mark 9 :43-48. ^jgQ jjgy q .on
(104) 1 Tim. 4:1. Now the ...
Spirit speaketh expressly, that (107) Matt. 13:41. The Son
in the latter times some shall of man shall send forth his andepart from the faith, giving gels, and they shall gather out
heed to seducing spirits, and doc- of his kingdom all things that
trines of devils; offend, and them which do in-
2 Tim. 3 :1. This know also, iquity;
that in the last days perilous ^«. ^, ,,
times shall come. 42. And shall cast them into
(105) John 5:43. I am come furnace of fire: there shall be in ray Father’s name, and ye re- S and gnashing of teeth, celve me not: if another shall 43. Then shall the righteous come in his own name, him ye shine forth as the sun in. the will receive. kinedom of their Father. Who
Also Isa. 28 :15-22. hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Civilization and Beneficent Institutions.
But perhaps it is still insisted that the world has made great progress in civilization and refinement, in benevolence, in personal liberty, international fraternity. Christian work, etc. In proof of this, the abrogation of slavei-y is cited; also the cessation of the inquisition and martyrdom, the establishment of charitable institutions, the great postal and commercial means of communication, built upon the agencies of steam and lightning; the right of trial by jury, international arbitration, missionary triumphs, etc.
Well, first of all we answer that Civilization and Befmement are not the Source of Holiness. They may elevate the head, while the heart is untouched. The gilded palace of sin is as certainly the gateway to hell as the darkest den of vice.
The cultured and scientific atheist is as surely in the service of Satan as the thief or the murderer. Jesus Himself classed them all together when He said, “He that is not with Me is against Me.” Mat. 12:30. So it matters not how much more like an angel of light the serpent may appear, nor how civilized and refined the world may be.
Satan is the devil still.
And the world is still the world.
His manifestations and methods may be changed, but the spirit of darkness is the same. And accordingly we see that while slavery is disappeai-ing, communism, socialism and nihilism are lifting their godless, headless forms. And darker are their forebodings than were even the days of the inquisition and martyrdom. Oppressing monopolies, systematic peculation and fraud are parallel with charitable institutions. The mails, so useful for news and correspondence, afford a most convenient agency for disseminating the flood of obscene literature which is blasting the morals of the young. Trial by jury has too often proved a mere farce, in which the criminal escapes. The nation which opened the way for the missionary also forced upon the teeming millions of China the awful curse of opium.
While missionaiy efforts have been greatly blessed abroad (and praise God that they have), infallibility, ritualism, skepticism and desecration of the Lord’s day have more than equally triumphed at home. And let it not be forgotten that the monstrous assumption of infallibility has triumphed in what was once an apostolic church of Christ, the mother of us all.
The past century has had its full share of war and carnage. Numerous, dark and fearful have been the fields of blood up to this very year. In short, Satan is on the alert and fully up to the times, multiplying his deceptions on either hand, as he will continue to do, until chained by the angel at the beginning of the Millennium.^^^
Is the Church Progressing?
Lastly, it is argued that, as Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth,^^^ the greatly increased number of professed Christians must certainly have augmented the light and the salt, and consequently have made the world better.
Jesus was indeed the light of the world, but He shone in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. Men loving and clinging to the darkness, because their deeds were evil, would not see the light, and were not made better by it.^^^ So true Christians, reflecting the light from
(108) Rev. 20:1. And I saw salt have lost his savour, wherean angel come down from with shall it be salted? it is heaven, having the key of the thenceforth good for nothing, but bottomless pit and a great chain to be cast out, and to be trodden in his hand. under foot of men.
2. And he laid hold on the Phil. 2 :15. That ye may be dragon, that old serpent, which blameless and harmless, the sons is the Devil, and Satan, and of God, without rebuke, in the bound him a thousand years, midst of a crooked and perverse
3. And cast him into the hot- nation, among whom ye shine as t’^mless pit, and shut him up, lights in the world.
and set a seal upon him, that (110) John 1:4. In him was
be should deceive the nations no life; and the life was the light
more, till the thousand years of men.
should be fulfilled; and after 5. And the light shineth In
that he must be loosed a little darkness; and the darkness comseason. prehended it not.
(109) Mat. 5:13. Ye a»e the John 3:19. And this is the salt of the earth: but if the condemnation, that light is come heaven, only intensify the darkness about them. The darkness is still darkness and cannot be improved. The sinner must forsake it and come to the light, or he can never be saved.
Losing the Saltness.
Let us notice carefully that Jesus speaks of the salt losing its saltness and becoming good for nothing, and He also intimates that the light may he hid under a bushel. And therefore He exhorts, “Have salt in yourselves.” Mark 9:50. Evidently the Jews lost their “savour” (Mat. 5:13) and “were broken off.”^^^ This leads to the solemn queiy, is the professing Church progTessing or declining in faith and spiritual life?
The kingdom in mystery,!^^ qj. q gfte of Christendom until Christ comes again, is taught us, we believe, by the parables of Mat. 13.
The Parables.
“The parable of the Sower shows the varied and imperfect reception of the Word. The parable of the Tares shows the early and continued effects of Satan’s presence among the saints. The parable of the Mustard-seed shows outward growth sheltering evil. The parable of the Leaven shows the gi’adual and utter corruption of the trath. The parable of the Treasure hid in a field shows what Israel is to be in the world. The parable of the Pearl of great price shows what the Church is to Christ. And the parable of the Dragnet shows the cleansing of the kingdom at His second coming.”
into the world, and men loved by faith. Be not highminded,
darkness rather than light, be- but fear:
cause their deeds were evil. 21. For if God spared not the
20. For every one that doeth natural branches, take heed lest evil hateth the light, neither he also spare not thee.
cometh to the light, lest his (112) Mat. 13:10. And the
deeds should be reproved. disciples came, and said unto
21. But he that doeth truth him. Why speakest thou unto cometh to the light, that his them in parables?
deeds may be made manifest, 11. He answered and said unto
that they are wrought in God. them, Because it is given unto
(111) Rom. 11 :20. Well; be- you to know the mysteries of
cause of unbelief they were the kingdom of heaven, but to
broken off, and thou standest them it is not given.
The Leaven.
There is, perhaps, but little opposition to this interpretation of the parables, excepting that of the Leaven, which has quite extensively been interpreted to teach exactly the opposite, viz.: that the power and influence of the gospel or Christian life is to permeate the masses of the world, until the whole is leavened into holiness. The inconsistency of this is seen when we consider that precisely the contrary is taught by the parable of the sower and the tares, each of which most undisputedly shows that evil is to continue and grow up to the end of the age. This is surely the most sufficient and scriptural reason for assigning the same typical meaning to the Leaven, in this and the correlative passage,^ which we find it to bear in the numerous other passages, where the same word is used, viz.: the corrupting influence of evil and the symbol of death. See carefully Mat. 16 :6-12.ii4
(113) Luke 13:20. And again
he said, Whereunto shall I liken
the kingdom of God?
21. It is like leaven, which
a woman took and hid in three
measures of meal, till the whole
was leavened.
(114) Mat. 16:6. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7. And they reasoned among
themselves, saying. It is because
we have taken no bread.
8. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye
of little faith, why reason ye
among yourselves, because ye
have brought no bread?
11. How is it that ye do not
understand that I spake it not
to you concerning bread, that ye
should beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12. Then understood they how
that he bade them not beware
of the leaven of bread, but of
the doctrine of the Pharisees and
of the Sadducees.
Mark 8 :15. And he charged
them, saying. Take heed, beware
of the leaven of the Pharisees,
and of the leaven of Herod.
Luke 12 :1. In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all. Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
1 Cor. 5 :6. Your glorying is
not good. Know ye not that a
little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump?
7. Purge out therefore the old
leaven, that ye may be a new
lump, as ye are unleavened. For
even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the un-Here then we are most emphatically taught not only that the world is growing no better, but that the professing Church itself will lose its saltness, becoming nominal and lukewarm, fit only to be spued out of the Mastei-’s mouth.^^^ The entire teaching of the Word of God, we believe, agrees with this.
And we have but to take an unprejudiced sur’ey of the Church even now, to see the tnith of it. The loss of spiritual power in the different branches of the gTeat nominal Church has not resulted from the casting out of truth, but from the imbibing and internal workings of false doctrine, which, like heaven, has fermented the mass. Little by little the ordinai-y bishop of Rome has developd into an infallible Pope. Image worship, the confessional, world conformity and post-millennialism have all worked out their enormous growth like the little leaven in the meal.
How do the gieat Papal and Greek churches, in their stateliness, formality, popularity and spiritual weakness of to-day, compare with the despised Nazarene and his foUowers,^^^ or with the persecuted, consecrated and godly congregations (ekkleesias) of the first two centuries’?
And are not the present evangelical denominations, by v7orldly confoiTaity and increeping doubts regarding the inspiration of the Word, etc., dangerously tending in the same direction ■? How very few of the members in them are to-day ciying out for separation and holiness. Surely, no one can fail to see the corrupting influences of the leaven permeating them.
We realize that this is an awful fact. It is not even pleasant to state it. But, while Noah’s preaching was not pleasant to them that heard it, still it was true and the
leavened bread of sincerity and (115) Rev. 3:16. So then betruth. cause thou art lukewarm, and
Gal. 5 :7. Ye did run well; neither cold nor hot, I will spew
who did hinder you that ye thee out of my mouth, should not obey the truth? (116) 1 John 4:17. Herein Is
8. This persuasion cometh not our love made perfect, that we of him that calleth you. may have boldness in the day of
9. A little leaven leaveneth judgment: because as he is, so the whole lump. are we in this world. flood did come. Likewise the prophesying of Jeremiah was exceedingly unpleasant, but it was true and was followed by the terrible late of the city, and the Babylonian captivity. The preaching of Jesus was at times of fearful severity,^^^ but was it not true So would we humbly yet faithfully proclaim the Word of God. We would “cry aloud and spare not,”^^^ fully believing that, upon an apos-
(117) Mat. 11:20. Then Began he to upbraid the cities
wherein most of his mighty
works were done, because they
repented not:
21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin!
woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for
if the mighty works, which were
done in you, had been done in
Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth
and ashes.
22. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23. And thou, Capernaum,
which art exalted unto heaven,
Shalt be brought down to hell:
for if the mighty works, which
have been done in thee, had been
done in Sodom, it would have
remained until this day.
24. But I say unto you. That
it shall be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom in the day of
judgment, than for thee.
Mat. 18 :7. Woe unto the
world because of offences! for it
must needs be that offences
come; but woe to that man by
whom the offence cometh!
8. Wherefore if thy hand or
thy foot offend thee, cut them
off, and cast them from thee:
it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather
than having two hands or two
feet to be cast into everlasting
fire.
9. And if thine eye offend thee,
pluck it out, and cast it from
thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye.
Mat. 23:13. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14. Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a
pretence make long prayer:
therefore ye shall receive the
greater damnation,
15. Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
compass sea and land to make
one proselyte; and when he is
made, ye make him twofold more
the child of hell than yourselves.
27. Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are
like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful
outward, but are within full of
dead men’s bones, and of all
uncleanness.
31. Wherefore ye be witnece*
unto yourselves, that ye are the
children of them which killed the
prophets.
32. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33. Ye serpents, ye generation
of vipers, how can ye escape the
damnation of hell?
(118) Isa. 58:1. Cry aloud, sjare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. tate cburch/i rebellious and murderous Israel/^*^ and a sinful world, the day of darkness is coming.^-
The Faithful Remnant.
But even in the darkness, so gloomy for the ungodly, there is hope — bright, glorious hope for the faithful.^^^ For God always has had, and ever will have a faithful remnant. ^-^ There were those, in blind unbelieving Israel, who waited for and accepted the Messiah. Luke 2, etc. So there will be those in the Church who will wait for (1
(119) 2 Tim. 4 :2. Preach the
word; be instant in season, out
of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.
3. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears;
4. And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and
shall be turned unto fables.
Also 2 Tim. 3 :5-9, Rev. 17.
(120) Mat. 27:25. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children,
(121) Joel 1 :15. Alas for the
day! for the day of the Lord is
at hand, and as a destruction
from the Almighty shall it come.
Amos 5 :18. Woe unto yon
that desire the day of the Lord!
to what end is it for you? the
day of the Lord is darkness, and
not light.
19. As if a man did flee from
a lion, and a bear met him; or
went into the house, and leaned
his band on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
20. Shall not the day of the
liOrd he darkness, and not light?
even very dark, and no brightness in it?
2 Pet. 2 ;17. These are wells
without water, clouds that are
carried with a tempest; to whom
the mist of darkness is reserved
for ever.
Also Zeph. 1 :14-18; Mai. 4 :1;
Jude 5-13.
(122) 1 Thes. 5:4. But ye,
brethren, are not in darkness
that that day should overtake
you as a thief.
5. Ye are all the children of
light, and the children of the
day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep,
as do others; but let us watch
and be sober,
7. For they that sleep sleep
in the night; and they that be
drunken are drunken in the
night.
8. But let us, who are of the
day, be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love;
and for a helmet, the hope of
salvation.
1 Pet. 1 :13. Wherefore gird
up the loins of your mind, be
sober, and hope to the end for
the grace that is to be brought
unto you at the revelation of
Jesus Chript.
(123) 1 Kings 19:18. Yet I
have left the seven thousand in
Israel, all the knees which have
not bowed unto Baal, and every
mouth which hath not kissed
him.
Rom. 11 :5. Even so then at
this present time also there is a
remnant according to the election of grace.
Thes. 1:10) and welcome the coming Bridegroom. Mat. 25:10. And there shall be a remnant in Israel, who, passing through the darkness and fire (Zech. 13:9), will yet accept their King. Zech. 12:10 j Rom. 9 :27; 11:25-26. And there shall even be a remnant (residue or remainder) among the Gentiles (ungodly world) who shall seek after the Lord.124
Glory to God! the darkness shall yet flee away before the Sun of Righteousness, arising with healing in His wings,^^^ when He comes to sit in the throne of His glory.^2^ The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established and all nations shall flow unto it (Isa. 2:1-6; Mic. 4:1-5, please read it) durmg that bright millennial day of peace and glory,^^^ which shall follow “this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4) and in which even the creature “shall be
(124) Acts 15:16. After this
I will return, and will build
again the tabernacle of David,
which is fallen down; and I will
build again the ruins thereof,
and I will set it up:
17. That the residue of men
might seek after the Lord, and
all the Gentiles, upon whom my
name is called, saith the Lord,
who doeth all these things.
(125) Mai. 4:2. But unto
you that fear m-”’ name shall the
Sun of righteousness arise with
healing in his wings; and ye
shall go forth, and grow up as
calves of the stall.
3. And ye shall tread down
the wicked; for they shall be
ashes under the soles of your
feet in the day that I shall do
this, saith the Lord of hosts.
(126) Mat. 19:28. And Jesus said unto them. Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed roe, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his plory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(127) Acts 17:31. Because be
hath appointed a day, In the
which he will judge the world
in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof
he hath given assurance unto all
men, in that he hath raised him
from the dead.
Rom. 13 :12. The night is far
spent, the day is at hand: let us
therefore cast off the works of
darkness, and let us put on the
armour of light.
Rev. 20 :4. And I saw
thrones, and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto
them: and I saw the souls of
them that were beheaded for the
witness of Jesus, and for the
word of God, and which had
not worshipped the beast, neither
his image, neither had received
his mark upon their foreheads,
or in their hands: and they
lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years.
5. But the rest of the deaid lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is thie first resurrection.
6. Blessed and holy is he that
hath part in the first resturrection; on such the second death
tiath no power, but they shall
be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thou-
8&.nd. years.
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Rom. 8:21. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 11 :9.
“A better day is coming-, a morning promised long,
When girded Right, with holy Might, will overthrow the
wrong; When God the Lord will listen to every plaintive sigh, And stretch His hand o’er every land, with justice by and by.
The boast of haughty Error no more will fill the air.
But Age and Youth will love the truth and spread it everywhere;
No more from want and sorrow will come the hopeless cry;
And strife will cease, and perfect peace will flourish by and by.
Oh! for that holy dawning we watch, and wait, and pray. Till o’er the height the morning light shall drive the gloom
away; And when the heavenly glory shall flood the earth and sky. We’ll bless the Lord for all His Word, and praise Him by
and by.”
No. XIII. Cruel to the Unsaved.
It is objected that it would be cruel for Christ to come in Judg-ment upon the world, while there are so many millions unsaved.
We answer, — Is not such a declaration a presumptions criticism of God’s motives? Was the flood an expression of cruelty, or rather was it not a manifestation of God’s love and mercy, toward them who should live after, in that He swept away the great overflow of wickedness? Surely it was done in mercy. And now let us remember that this world DIES every thirty-three years. The average of human life is even a little less than this. The world is in the power of the devil,^^^ and he has the power of death. ^^9 jjg |^^g
(128) 1 John 5:19. We know of the same; that through death that we are of God, and the he might destroy him that had whole world lieth in the evil the power of death, that is, the one. devil;
(129) Heb. 2:14. Forasmuch 15. And deliver them, who then as the children are par- through fear of death were all takers of flesh and blood, he their lifetime subject to bondage, also himself likewise took part slain this world with the sword of death, over fifty times in the present dispensation.
Think of it! more than fifty worlds gone down in the ivhirlpool of death. Each generation brings on to the scene an entirely new world. And how few out of these are converted. How few are reached by the gospel life-boat, and how few of those reached heed the message of salvation. The great mass sweep on, like a wrecked vessel, m darkness and unbelief, to the JudgTnent.
The coming of Christ will inaugurate a far better state of things. For, when He comes, all things that offend shall be gathered out and the kingdom shall be established in righteousness.^^® And even though the subjects of the kingdom (not the reigning ones)^^^ may die during the millennial age, yet shall they die in a good old age, the child even a hundred years old,^^- and their death shall be blessed,^ 2^ and though the Millennium is not the perfect state, yet Judgment will speedily follow the sinner of that day, or the nation which shall swei-^’e from serving God.^^^
(130) Mat. 13 :49. So shall dred years old, shall be acit be at the end of the world: cursed.
the angels shall come forth, and (133) Rev. 14:13. And I
sever the wicked from among heard a voice from heaven say the just, ing unto me, Write, Blessed are
50. And shall cast them into the dead which die in the Lord
the furnace of fire: there shall henceforth: Yea saith the
be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Spirit, that they may rest from
„ „^ X,. .T- (134) Zech. 14:16. And it
L .^“^^v ^° •^^- .^”^ ^’^’ ball come to pass, that every which shall be accounted wor by .^ y j ^U
to obtain that world and the ^.^^^ ^,^.^^ against Jeruresurrection from the dead. y p
neither marry, nor are given m worship the King.
marriage: ^.y Lo.^^ hosts, and to keep
36. Neither can they die any te feast of tabernacles.
more: for they are equal unto 17. And it shall be, that whothe angels; and are the children so will not come up of all the
of God, being the children of the families of the earth unto Jeruresurrection. salem to worship the King, the
Also Rev. 20 :4-6. Lord of hosts, even upon them
(132) Isa. 65:20. There shall shall be no rain.
be no more thence an Infant of 18. AndMf the family of Egypt
days, nor an old man that hath go not up, and come not, that
not filled his days: for the child have no rain, there shall be the
shall die an hundred years old; plague wherewith the Lord will
but the sinner, heiyig an hun- smite the heathen that come not
Surely, then, His speedy coming cannot be counted an unmerciful event. The wonder is rather at the long-suffering of God, which now (as before the flood) waits in such patient pleading. But He will fulfill His promise, and the Coming One* will come and cut short the work in righteousness. Rom. 9 :28.
Then let us not look upon Christ’s coming as cruel or unmerciful. He has said “surely i come quickly/^ and let us have the mind of the Holy Spirit, who replied even so COME Lord Jesus.’-’ Rev. 22:20.
“Then welcome, thrice welcome, ye tokens of God. “What else but His coming can comfort afford? “What presence but His set this prisoned earth free? O Star of the Morning, our hope is in Thee!”
No. XIV. This Generation.
Jesus said: “This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.” Lu. 21:32. See also Mat. 24:34; Mar. 13:30.
Some have construed “generation” to mean a time of thirty or forty years; and, as Jerusalem was destroyed within forty years after Christ spoke, they refer all he said to that event.
Israel the Generation That Passes Not Away.
We believe “generation,” as there used, means the whole existence of the Israelitish race. Compare the following passages where the same Greek word is used.^^^
*So the Greek.
up to keep the feast of taberna- sometime were disobedient, when
cles. once the longsuffering of God
19. This shall be the punish- waited in the days of Noah,
ment of Egypt, and the punish- while the ark was a preparing,
ment of all nations that come wherein few, that is, eight souls
not up to keep the feast of taber- were saved by water,
nacles. Also Isa. 65:20. (137) Heb. 10:36. For ye
(135) 2 Pet. 3:9. The Lord have need of patience, that, after is not slack concerning his prom- ye have done the will of God, ye ise, as some men count slack- might receive the promise, ness; but is longsuffering to us- 37. For yet a little while, and ward, not willing that any should he that shall come will come, perish, but that all should come and will not tarry.
to repentance. (138) Mat. 11:16. But
(136) 1 Pet. 3:20. Which whereunto shall I liken this gen-In Psa. 22 :30, we read: “A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” And in Psa. 24 :6: “This is the generation of them that seek Him.”
In Prov. 30:11-14, the generation of the righteous and the generation of the wicked are clearly distinguished. Hence we conclude that the generation of the Israelites were not only to see the destruction of Jerusalem, but the COMING of Christ (at the revelation) and the end of the age. Mat. 24:3.
And their wonderful preservation, as a distinct people, through all the persecutions, vicissitudes and wanderings of the past eighteen centuries down to the present moment, is a standing miracle, attesting the truth of God’s word, and assuring us of His purposes in their future history.
Said Frederick the Great to his chaplain: “Doctor, if your religion is a true one, it ought to be capable of very brief and simple proof. TVill you give me an evidence of its truth in one word 9” The good man answered, “Israel.”
Other nations come and go, but Israel remains. She passes not away. God says of her, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer.” Isa. 54:7-8.
eration? It is like unto chil- prophets, which was shed from
dren sitting in the markets, and the foundation of the world, may
calling unto their fellows. be required of this generation;
Mat. 16:4. A wicked and 51, pom the blood of Abel
adulterous generation seeketh ^nto the blood of Zacharias
after a sign; and there shall no ^yih perished between the altar
sign be given unto it, but the nd the temple: verily I say
sign of the prophet Jonas. And ^nto you. It shall be required
he left them, and departed. f this generation.
Luke 9:41. And JesTis an- t,i,-i o -..r ,T,t. x
swering said. O faithless and ^^’^? •^^- That ye may beperverse generation, how long ^0™^ blameless and harmless,
shall I be with you, and suffer children of God without blemish
you? Bring thy son hither. ^° “^’^^^ of a crooked and
Luke 11:49. Therefore also Perverse generation, among
said the wisdom of God. I will ^^”-^ are seen as lights in
send them prophets and apostles, ‘^”^ world,
and some of them they shall Also Mark 8 :38.
slay and persecute: Luke 7 :31; 11 :29, 30, 31. 32:
50. That the blood of all the 16:8; 17:26. Acts 2:40.