Home
Studies in the Scriptures
Zion's Watch Tower
Supplemental
Download Files
Help
Search
☰
Go Back
::page 1::
SUPPLEMENT TO
Zion's Watch Tower,
And "Herald of Christ's Presence."
==========
PITTSBURGH, PA., JULY 1, 1879.
==========
To the readers of the
"HERALD OF THE MORNING,"
DEAR FRIENDS: My connection with the
"Herald"
having been terminated rather suddenly, and under circumstances which must seem rather remarkable and peculiar to you, I feel it to be a duty both to you and to myself to offer an explanation of the manner of withdrawal and my reasons for so doing. Quite a number who were personally acquainted with me thought there must be more of the story to tell, and I have received a number of letters asking an explanation. To these inquiries and to many unexpressed of similar character, let me offer the following statement:
I have been a Bible student since I first had my attention called to the second coming of our Lord, by Jonas Wendel, a Second Advent Preacher, about 1869, who was then preaching
the burning of the world
as being due in 1873. But though he first awakened my interest on the subject, I was not a convert, either to the
time
he suggested nor to the events he predicted. I, in company with others in Pittsburgh, organized and maintained a bible class for the searching of the Scriptures, meeting every Sunday.
We reasoned that, if Christ's coming were to end probation, and bring irrevocable ruin upon ninety-nine in a hundred of mankind; then it could scarcely be considered desirable, neither could we pray with proper spirit, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come quickly!" We had rather request--much as we should "love his appearing"--that he remain away and our sufferings and trials continue so that "if by any means we might save some." Not only so, but great masses of scripture referring to the
Millennial
glory and teaching that "All nations which thou hast made shall come and worship before thee," &c., &c., would be left unfulfilled if at His coming there should be a wreck of matter and a crush of world.
We first saw Millennial glory--then the glorious work which is offered us as His Bride; that we are by faith the "seed of Abraham;" and as such, heirs of the promises, &c., in whom "all the families of the earth shall be blest." (`Gal. 3`.) This most certainly points to a probation in the future after He has come.
Thus, speedily, steadily and surely God led us to recognize the second coming of our Lord as being not the
sunset
of all hope to mankind, but the
"rising
of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings."
The Lord gave us many helps in the study of His word, among whom stood prominently, our dearly beloved and aged brother, George Storrs, who, both by word and pen, gave us much assistance; but we ever sought not to be followers of men, however good or wise, but "Followers of God, as dear children." Thus growing in grace and knowledge for seven years, the year 1876 found us.
Up to this time we persistently ignored
time
and looked with pity upon Mr. Thurman's and Mr. Wendel's ideas. (The latter was preaching the same time as Bro. Barbour; viz: The burning of the world in 1873.) We regarded those ideas as unworthy of consideration, for though we believed the event "nigh even at the doors," yet we recognized the fact that the church will be withdrawn--translated--before there would be any open manifestation to the world, or, in other words, the two stages of Christ's second advent, viz: coming for his saints, and coming
with
all his saints.
About this time I received a copy of the "Herald of the Morning," Bro. B. was its publisher; I read with interest how he and others had been looking for (to use his own expression) "a bonfire"; how scriptural arguments pointed to the autumn of 1874 as the time it was due; how that as the disappointment connected therewith began to abate, he and others had re-examined the scriptural proofs that appeared to teach that the end of the world was due at the time supposed; how clear and firm all those proofs still seemed; etc.; how that then, they began to examine what was due to take place at the end, and found that instead of a bonfire, scripture taught that "The
harvest
is the end of the world" (or age), and that though the
age ended,
the
earth remained
and a
new age
unfolded in which "All the families of the earth shall be blest."
When I read the account I was deeply interested, and as I read on I saw that, if the arguments were true they proved that we had entered and were then in the harvest or end; and if in the harvest, Jesus was due to be
here present.
This was all reasonable enough for it was much what we had been expecting, and it linked
time
to our expectation in a harmonious and beautiful manner. My thought now was: Are there sufficient proofs of our being in
the time of harvest?
If so, this brother and I were in perfect harmony. The paper came in the morning, and I had read it and written to brother B. before noon. I examined more of the time proofs, and though not yet settled with reference to them, made arrangements with brothers B. and Paton to come to Philadelphia, where I was engaged at the time (1876), and hold some meetings, giving evidences, etc., of
time,
to which I listened with interest, and of the truth of which I felt convinced.
Br. B. and I talked over various methods of promulgating these truths and finally decided to travel and preach them wherever men and women would hear, and to thus spend (D.V.) the remainder of the harvest, which we then supposed was three and a half years, and would close in 1878. While I was arranging my affairs, brother B. returned to Rochester to prepare for publication of the "Three Worlds." (We found during the Philadelphia meetings that such a book was necessary to furnish hearers with chapter and verse for what was claimed), and to
close up
the "Herald" as it could not be properly attended to while traveling, and the suggestion was made that if any new evidences or truths were developed, a paper could at any time be published and issued from any point. In the meantime, to do justice to subscribers and give them reading matter for the remainder of their year, brother B. had parts of the "Three Worlds" book, then on the press, arranged with a heading, "Herald of the Morning Quarterly," which were left with a sister in Rochester to be mailed as they became due.
We, Bros. Barbour, Paton and myself, traveled, lectured, etc., for some months, when it seemed advisable to us all that a paper should go continuously to those who were hearing, thus keeping alive and watering seed sown. This seemed good to us all, and while brother Paton and I continued lecturing, brother B. went to Rochester and fitted up our office, type, etc., for which I furnished the money. The old type, &c., had been sold before we started out, although I know nothing of how much was obtained for it, nor what was done with the money. The paper thus started was essentially
another paper
but took the same name because we could think of none better or more expressive. That it was a new paper, or had at least undergone a change of management, was witnessed monthly by the heading of its fourth page where it expressly states that it is "Published by C. T. Russell and N. H. Barbour." Since the paper's change of form, July 1878, this has been omitted. Possibly Bro. B. forgot it, or possibly he thought that the page being small this could be
advantageously
left out. What amount of money I invested in the paper I do not know. Of such things I never keep account. I remember sending Br. B. money several times; one of which was when we were leaving a camp meeting at Alton Bay, N.H.; I gave him $100 which he lost from his vest pocket as he afterwards wrote me, when, I presume I sent him another $100. I made neither mental nor written note of any money sent--I simply sent whatever money was called for and seemed to me to be needed, aggregating altogether perhaps $300 or $400 dollars. The $660 referred to by Bro. B. in the May
Herald
I never gave to the
Herald.
The paper has never been self-supporting, and particularly not at first, when we sent many thousands of copies to persons who had been readers of the paper of old when it did not advocate the
glorious "Restitution of all things"
as it now does, as well as to those who sent their names as
two months
subscribers free.
At its outstart considerable money was necessary; the receipts were slow and uncertain, so, to avoid the necessity of continually sending, or of the
Herald's
being in any way hindered from lack of money, I placed on deposit at Rochester the above sum which before, I had deposited in a Pittsburgh bank. I deposited the money in our joint names so that should occasion require, Bro. B. could draw and use it, but I repeat, I never gave that $660 to either Bro. B. or the
Herald.
It, as well as all I have, is the Lord's, and was intended to be used wherever and whenever it was needed, either by the
Herald,
any of the preaching brethren, or by myself. The greater part of it has been used for all these. When I was traveling, it was equally convenient for me at Rochester or at Pittsburgh.
Besides these cash items, the
"Herald" had a regular income from
the sale of the "Three Worlds," a book familiar to most of you. We published 3500 of them--prices twenty-five, fifty cents and one dollar, according to binding. These were all disposed of, some by each of us while traveling, the proceeds helping to defray traveling and other expenses, and a part were sold from the office--orders being filled from all parts of the country. It would be moderate to estimate that about one-fourth of the edition was thus disposed of from the office to the direct benefit of the
Herald,
which at an average of thirty cents each, would be over $260, besides a smaller amount--the proceeds from the sale of the hymn book, and more recently from the sale of the tract, "The Object and Manner of Our Lord's Return," the latter probably not so inconsiderable as some ordered by the dozen for distribution.
The moneys so received were all clear gain to the "Herald," as the cost of publication was paid by myself; Bro. B. doing the composition of the "Three Worlds" and hymn books. Whatever I gave to or invested in the "Herald," was not to Bro. B. but to the Lord, and I much regret that circumstances seem to demand this recital, but we are commanded, "Let not your good be evil spoken of." Bro. Barbour has put into the
Herald
his time and ability, and has drawn out of it his living. It was his own fault if during the last two years he did more than his strength justified, or if he did not live comfortably. It was not from lack of money. I know he lives frugally, and so do all who realize that all things are God's, and that they are simply His stewards. I am willing to admit that in investing his time and ability he put in that which was of greater value than the money I invested. Still, I think that our brother would claim that the time invested was not given to me, but to the Lord, and the pay he expects is not merely the living of the present time, but that his is
"The promise of the life
that now is,
and of that which is to come."
In consideration of the above, I confess I did not, and do not, feel that in supposing the
Herald
to be partly mine, I was
"immodest."
But there are other points of our brother's reply to my proposition that seem to require re-stating to be fully understood. First, however, read below an exact copy of the letter which I wrote to Bro. B., and to which the article referred to in the May "Herald" is the sole reply I have received.
Pittsburgh, Pa., May 3, 1879
Dear Brother N. H. Barbour:--Your postal card and letter came duly to hand, and I hope my delay in answering will not be attributed to lack of interest. The fact is that with moving of house and store, spring purchasing of goods (for which I went East), and the work which our Father seems to have put into my hands for the present, viz.: ministering to His children the bread of life each Sunday, as well as baptism and prayer meetings &c., &c., I have been kept so busy as to seldom get above six or six and a half hours sleep per night. With this explanation, let me reply to your letter.
First: It was not possible for me to attend the proposed meeting at R., and I presume, though invited warmly, you scarcely expected me, knowing my pressure of time, &c.
Second: I cannot understand how our bank account has so suddenly decreased. I expected that we still had $100 to $125 in bank. If I recollect aright the balance in bank when I was in R. was $163. Am I right? In your reply, please let me know how our account stands, viz: How much was to our credit in bank Jan. 1, '79, how much has been received in cash since, and how much in bank and on hand now, also, what largest items of expense have been, &c.
While I still feel that you are a brother in Christ, and still love you as such, while there are many pleasant memories of the past to refresh my heart, yet my brother, there has arisen a difference of view between us as to the teaching of our Father's word (see note 1.) and while giving you credit for all sincerity and honesty in your views,
::page 2::
which I claim for myself in the opposite view, yet I must be guided by my own understanding of our Father's word, and consequently think you to be in error. Now I do not think that every difference of opinion need necessarily break fellowship and communion, yet in this case the points of variance seem to me to be so fundamental and important that the full fellowship and sympathy such as
should exist
among publishers and editors of a paper or magazine, no longer obtains between you and me, and because this is the case, I feel that our relationship should cease.
I believe that we are both children of God, and anxious to know and teach the
truth.
Our Father's promise is that all truth seekers shall be guided into it therefore permit me to express the hope that we shall yet see in harmony and understand in unison, the
Word.
May whichever of us has truth be strengthened and established in it, and the one in error be led to discern the error. Now how shall we dissolve? Will Bro. Withington or some other brother buy out my interest for you, or take my place himself, or do you wish to resign your connection with the
Herald.
(See note 2.) In that case I shall continue it (D.V.) As you are the senior, I give you the opportunity to mention the terms of purchase or sale, I know not whether you feel disposed to purchase or not. In case you and friends wish to purchase, I expect to start another paper. I do not know that, as I feel at present it would be an auxiliary, as I had at first intended, but neither should it be understood to be an
opposition
paper, it should be an independent one. I should be the more studious of this, because I should fear that if the friends--the readers--knew of our difference, &c., the truths which we both aim to honor and advance, might be reflected upon unfavorably in consequence. Please let me know your answer and proposition as soon as possible, within a week certainly.
Truly your brother in Christ, C. T. RUSSELL.
EXPLANATORY.--Note 1. The doctrine of Substitution, or Atonement.
Note 2. When I first mentioned
another paper
to brother B. January last, he suggested that I take editorial charge of the
Herald,
which I then declined; I did not know but that he might still be of the same mind.
The answer which I received through the May No. of the Herald is known to you all perhaps. In reply to it I wrote brother B. as follows:
101 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, May 22nd, 1879
Brother N. H. Barbour:--I was much disappointed at your reply in last
Herald
(May No.) to my letter of the 3d. inst. I did not expect that its proposition would be made public--as intimated in the last clause--and I certainly did not expect that it would be stated in so partial and one sided a manner. To my mind it was unjust. And now I leave the
Herald
with you. I withdraw entirely from it, taking nothing from you; or it, or anyone, save christian charity, which we owe one another. This is exactly the amount expected when I wrote to you the former letter. Please announce in next No. of the
Herald
the dissolution and withdraw my name. Yet still believe me, the
Herald's
friend, and yours. Respectfully, CHARLES T. RUSSELL.
I have other reasons than those stated in my letter to Bro. B. which I might as well mention here, as
"other management"
has been suggested. One feature of the
Herald's
management which gave me much annoyance, and of which I wrote to Bro. several times, was the careless handling of names of subscribers, by which many were lost, and the failure to keep any proper account of when money was paid, or when a subscription expired. He simply marked P opposite the name, and when he thought from the color of the ink that the subscription was about expired, he stopped sending. Time after time I have been asked personally and by mail, "Why don't I get my paper?"
Another objection is that in some cases there has been too much
management.
Articles sent by Bro. P. and myself, were not to my mind respectfully treated. If I had a right to the paper and I think I had and I wished Bro. P. to have, while Bro. B. had an equal right to write an opposing article, he had no right to cut up and interpolate ours. Nor was an appended answer proper when the writer was an "Associate Editor" and had a right to present his views over his own name. Further, while writing against
Substitution,
Bro. B. was seemingly anxious to publish letters from subscribers, which mentioned
his view
commendingly. Among others was one from Rev. W. V. Feltwell, of Philadelphia, a personal acquaintance of mine. In this extract Bro. F. is made to endorse
the new views
strongly.
I was much surprised, and seeing the brother in
March,
I inquired; why? He informed me that the article referred to had not stated him correctly--that he had written to Bro. B. to have it corrected, and said he, "Didn't you see the correction in the March
Herald?"
No, I answered. Then he got me his copy. There it was--Bro. B. regrets at any error, &c., and a quotation from Bro. F's. last letter: "I am now and always have been a believer in the
vicarious
atonement
of Christ." This seemed all right and I know that it was possible for any one to make a mistake, when merely making an
extract
from another's letter, and I was rejoiced to think that the correction was so freely made.
But judge of my surprise and sorrow when upon attempting to show it to Bro. P. a few days after, I found that in my March No. a notice of Bro. Rice's paper "The Last Trump;" occupied its place--How was it in yours? We could not understand it, it seemed like double dealing--too much
management
for a
Herald
of the Millennial Morning. Alas!, I said to myself; is this the fruit of the
new views
of the atonement?
To Summarize:--In money direct and through publications, I presume that I furnished the
Herald
with about, as nearly as I can approximate six or seven hundred dollars, in addition to its type &c. Bro. B. put in all he had--his time &c. He drew out what he has since lived on, and by this new arrangement has drawn the
"Herald" as well.
In the light of the above it may not be amiss to offer a few criticisms of the May article. How does it appear now, about those thousands of gratuitous papers? Did Bro. B. do all the giving? [I take no credit to myself in the matter, I did what was my greatest pleasure.]
Then too from the account above given, which many of the brethren here can corroborate, does it indeed look as though "our dear
young
brother Russell came into these views, and a small interest in the paper so recently?" Is it true that "this
young
man came into the views advocated by the Herald, no longer ago than Nov. 1876?" Again, is it true that Bro. B.
"advocated all the
advanced
truths
and all the prophetic arguments?" And did the "young brother learn all these beautiful truths by hearing repeated courses of lectures by Bro. B.?" Let us see what are these
beautiful advanced truths?
Is it the time of Christ's coming? No, there is no beauty in time, it is only a thing of dread, unless the glorious
object of His coming
is recognized. Bro. B. can scarcely be considered the one, who brought this
most glorious and most beautiful
truth to our attention, for, while he believed a
bonfire
to be the end of the world, and that
probation
ended with it, Bros. Geo. Storrs, Henry Dunn and others were preaching and writing of "the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy Prophets." [`Acts 3:21`,] and that "In the ages to come, God would show the exceeding riches of his grace." (`Eph. 2:7`.) Again, of what value would it be to know the
time
if we know nothing of the
manner
of Christ's coming? But while Bro. B. was looking for and preaching outward demonstrations, others saw and taught the two stages of the second advent, viz: Coming
unobservedly
for His bride and his
appearing,
when "we also shall appear with Him in glory." Lest some should suppose these statements unwarranted by facts, let me here give extracts from writings on the subject by Rev. Jos. Seiss. "The Last Times" a work published by him in 1856, says of: "THE DAY OF THE LORD" (PP. 150-151.)
"There shall be upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves thereof roaring, great popular and revolutionary disturbances; men's hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." These words describe scenes of the judgement, which are to be witnessed before the visible manifestations of Christ, scenes which will glide in upon the world
without
the least suspicion on the part of men generally,
that they are the beginning of the great judgement. Yes, "every eye shall see him" but not necessarily at the same time, and only when he shall come "with all his saints with him," and all his saints cannot be with him until after the pious dead are raised and the pious living be translated. The day of judgement shall come "as a thief in the night."
He will be here,
gathering and removing His elect before the world shall have become aware of it. Referring to THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS (PP. 206-209.)
"The Jews shall return to their ancient home. Jehovah Elohim shall come down again more glorious than when of old, he dwelt in cloud and flame in the Holy of Holies, even Jesus in His own glorified humanity and they shall say: "Lo, this is our God! we have waited for him and he will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Jerusalem's light shall then have come, and the glory of the Lord have risen upon her and she shall arise and shine. But Jerusalem below, radiant in all its untold glory shall be but a type and earthly picture of the higher and sublimer Jerusalem that is above.--[The Church.] Concerning the OFFICE OF THE GLORIFIED CHURCH. (PP. 221.)
"Much of the great plan of redemption
yet remains unfulfilled and this Church of the first born is exalted to its high place, not only for its own glory and the Savior's praise, but as another great link in the chain of agencies, and administrations by which
the entire world
is to be
restored
to the high sphere for which it was destined. When this elect Church shall have been completed and its members come to be Priests and Kings with Christ in the glorious Messianic kingdom, the same general calling which they now fill will continue.
These sublime princedoms of the eternal empire are a part of God's great plan to
let forth His love, wisdom and blessing upon earth's generations.
Blessed shall it then be for the world, when once the saints shall be installed with their promised dominion and set with Christ upon His throne. And again, concerning SPIRITUAL BODIES. (PP. 220.)
"That the glorified saints will to some extent mingle with those who live in the body and at times unveil their radiance to them, I think there is reason to believe. If they are to govern, direct and minister to those in the flesh, it is natural to suppose they will also be visible at least occasionally.
Angels in the performance of similar offices have often been manifested to living men, and why should it not be so with Christ's servants in the wonderful administrations of his glorious kingdom. Glorified or spiritual bodies are perhaps in their nature insensible to our earthly senses.
Christ after His
resurrection,
was not visible,
except at certain times when he manifested himself. The angels are invisible and yet we have many instances in which they were revealed to the view of mortals.
And in that new world in which the glorified saints are to be enthroned and commissioned as the ministers of Christ to execute his orders and administer his government over the nations, we may reasonably expect that they will often appear and converse with those who live in the flesh, and that intercourse between them and those in the body, will be as real familiar and blessed as that which Adam enjoyed with heavenly beings in Paradise."
At the time the above was written Bro. Barbour was entirely uninterested in these matters, a gold miner in Australia, and even since his return to the United States, and his interest in the second coming of Christ, his preaching and teaching has, until quite recently, opposed rather than favored these doctrines.
From whence came all these beautiful and advanced truths to young Bro. Russell and others of the flock? Surely not from Bro. Barbour, nor, we may add, from any
man.
These precious truths are given freely to all in Christ by the Lord, the Holy Spirit being our teacher and the only one, for "The anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth." (`1 John 2:27`.) Truth and knowledge are the food upon which God's children feed, and He himself has made perfect arrangements for their supply, as it is written, "Light is sown for the righteous." (`Psa. 97:11`.)
He supplies the light to the "Pathway of the just that shines more and more unto the perfect day," and as the Master promised so we have had
"The spirit
of
truth
to guide us into all truth, and He has shown us things to come." (`Jno. 16:13`.)
But while the spirit guides, human instrumentality is often employed by the spirit.
Men
are only the "earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us." (`2 Cor. 4:7`.) The vessel is nothing, the treasure has the value. All God's children are to some extent vessels, some with greater capacity than others. O that we might all be very humble as treasure bearers.
"Broken and emptied vessels,
For the Master's use made meet.
Rather be nothing, nothing--
To Him let their voices be raised,
He is the fountain of blessing,
He only is most to be praised."
Truth when due, is
due to the household,
and it is of little consequence either to the Spirit, who has it to communicate, or the Church for whom it is intended, whether it come by one vessel or another. If Luther had refused to carry the message given him for the Church, some one else would have carried it. And what he brought was not his, it was the Church's, and each member of the Church was as much the owner as Luther.
The Lord's way seems to be to give truth through various channels "--Here a little and there a little." Possibly, the reason is, lest the vessel should "be puffed up above measure," and that the Church should know that its
Head
is the "Fount of every blessing."
But is there nothing which Bro. B. has brought us as the Spirit's vessel? Oh yes, while he did not bring the
glorious and beautiful advanced truths,
nor yet the
"prophetic arguments." [The chronology,
showing scripturally that the 6000 years from Adam ended in 1873, was I believe, first dug from the Bible, arranged and printed by Rev. Bowen of England, and is there known as "Bowen's chronology." Most of the Prophetic arguments which we now use, were used long ago by Second Adventists--misapplied--and their harmony not being seen, they were thrown aside.] Bro. B. was permitted to so
arrange,
(gradually) and harmonize these various Prophetic teachings of
time,
that now, they give those of us who see them,
great joy.
He has caused
these
Precious Gems (God given) to sparkle and shine because of their
harmonious arrangement,
and the light which he brought us (God given) on the time of the realization of "The exceeding great and precious promises of God." For this harmony of time we thank God. For his labor in bringing it to us we sincerely and heartily thank Bro. Barbour, and pray that as a vessel the Lord may use him still further to the edification of the body of Christ.
This has been to me a painful recital, and it will be the same to every reader of the
"Herald"
who is truly interested in what has been taught through it for the last two years, but I believe it is absolutely demanded as an explanation of the article in the May
"Herald."
I have finished. My wish is to dismiss the matter entirely from my attention, and I now expect
never to refer to the
subject
again under any circumstance.
I have published this as a
"Supplement,"
because first I wanted it to go to none but
"Herald"
readers, and secondly, I would not want the pages of
"Zion's
Watch Tower"
sullied by a recital so derogatory in some respects to the character of a member
of the body.
I have been extremely careful in preparing this article that no part of it should be over stated. First: Because I do not wish to
misrepresent,
and Secondly: Because I have every reason to expect that some sort of an answer will be attempted, and desiring
never again
to mention the subject, I want to make such statements as cannot be contradicted. Yours, &c., C. T. RUSSELL
====================
::R3 : page 1::
ZION'S
WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.
==========
"Watchman, What of the Night?" "The Morning Cometh."--`Isa. 21:11`.
==========
VOL. I. PITTSBURGH, PA., JULY, 1879. NO. 1.
==========
ZION'S
Watch Tower
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST'S PRESENCE.
----------
PUBLISHED MONTHLY.
101 Fifth Ave., PITTSBURGH, PA.
----------
C. T. RUSSELL, Editor and Publisher.
----------
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS.
J. H. PATON, . . . . ALMONT, MICH. W. I. MANN, . . . . ALLEGHENY, PA. B. W. KEITH, . . . .DANSVILLE, N.Y. H. B. RICE, . . . W. OAKLAND, CAL. A. D. JONES, . . . .PITTSBURGH, PA.
----------
In no case will the Editor be responsible for all sentiments expressed by correspondents, nor is he to be understood as indorsing every expression in articles selected from other periodicals.
----------
TERMS, 50 CENTS PER YEAR,
In Advance--includes postage.
----------
All communications should be addressed to "ZION'S WATCH TOWER," as above, and drafts, money orders, etc., made payable to the Editor.
==========
::R3 : page 1::
PROSPECTUS.
This is the first number of the first volume of "ZION'S WATCH TOWER," and it may not be amiss to state the object of its publication.
That we are living "in the last days"--"The day of the Lord"-- "the end" of the Gospel age, and consequently, in the dawn of the "new" age, are facts not only discernable by the close student of the Word, led by the spirit, but the
outward
signs
recognizable by the
world
hear the same testimony, and we are desirous that the "household of faith" be fully awake to the fact, that--
"We are living, we are dwelling
In a grand and awful time;
In an age on ages telling
To be living is sublime."
And not alone to help awaken, but to assist them to "put on the
whole
armor of God, that they may
be able
to stand
in the
evil day;"
and, besides all this, that giving all diligence, they add to their faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge, self control, [temperance,] brotherly kindness, charity; when, as a result of these indwelling and flourishing graces, they shall be God-like [godly].
But, recognizing the beauty and necessity of these
adornments
of the spiritual man, they fail not to recognize that the merit toward God lies not in these moral virtues, but in
Christ's perfect sacrifice,
and though adorned by all these gems of character,
we
could not be recognized as God's children now, nor permitted ever to enter His presence without
the robe of Christ's righteousness,
the "wedding garment" necessary to our participation in "the marriage of the Lamb."
"Let us wear the white robe here,
E'en on earth our Father dear,
Holding fast they hand, and so
Through the world unspotted go."
Christians to whom an apology would be needed for directing attention to these things, should blush and be ashamed. Everything desirable, hopeful and precious stands closely and ever connected with them. They embrace nearly all the great motives to faith, watchfulness, obedience, holiness.
If God has given us a revelation, and tells us that
it is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good word and work, where do so many Christians who profess to accept that Word of God as their rule and guide, get liberty to ignore more than one-half of it, thereby virtually saying
it is unprofitable?
When God has given us "a sure word of prophecy whereunto
we do well to take heed,"
and when "the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to
show
unto His servants the things which must shortly be done," shall those servants feel under no obligation to seek to understand those heavenly messages?
Should they heed worldly men and a worldly church who deem it pious and wise not to bother with these things, who would have us put them aside as empty fables and curious stories, and strange imagery, which could only unsettle our minds and interfere with Christian work; or shall we heed God who declares "these saying faithful and true" and says: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein?" Surely He knows what is best calculated to inspire "a
zeal
according to knowledge," and what is necessary that we
"be not
soon
shaken in mind."
"To him that hath an
ear
to hear what the spirit saith unto the churches," ZION'S WATCH TOWER hopes to give assistance and encouragement. It is in bondage to no man, no party and to no creed but the Bible; yet in the bonds of love and sympathy to "all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in truth and sincerity." It aims to represent "the chaste virgins," the prospective "Bride of Christ," and with them acknowledges only one master and head--Christ Jesus.
As its name indicates, it aims to be the lookout from whence matters of interest and profit may be announced to the "little flock," and as the
"Herald of Christ's Presence,"
to give the "meat in due season" to the "household of faith."
It issues monthly, and
if you desire
its visit to your home, address
at
once
as per notice on this page. If you have a neighbor or friend whom you think would be interested in or benefited by its instructions, you might call it to their attention; thus preaching the Word and doing good unto all men as you have opportunity.
The terms, fifty cents a year, (postage paid,) are moderate; but to all interested and desirous of having it, who cannot afford to pay, we will
gladly send it free,
but you must ask that ye may receive.
====================
::R4 : page 1::
Why will there be a Second
Advent?
That the second coming of our Lord Jesus occupies a prominent and important position in the teaching of the apostles and prophets, as well as of Jesus himself, is a fact that can scarcely fail to have been noticed by every Bible student. Yet, from various causes, very many of those who profess to love Him, and whom we have reason to believe do, are not much interested in it. A few endeavor to figure it away by applying it to the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; others to the destruction of Jerusalem, &c.; all apparently forgetting the fact, that in the last book of the Bible, written more than sixty years after Pentecost, and twenty-six years after Jerusalem's destruction, He that was dead and is alive speaks of the event as
yet
future,
saying: "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me." And the inspired John replies: "Even so
come
Lord Jesus."
Quite a number endeavor to satisfy themselves with the thought that it is a spiritual coming--that when any are converted, that forms a part of the coming of Christ, and that so He continues
coming
until all the world is converted--then, say they, He will have
fully
come.
They evidently overlook the fact that the world will not be converted
when
He comes; that the Bible, our only guide on the subject, declares that, "In the
last times
perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." That "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived;" and that Jesus gave special warning to His little flock, saying: "Take heed to
yourselves
lest
that day
come upon
you
unawares, for as a
snare
shall it come upon all
them"
(not taking heed) "that dwell upon the face of the whole earth, and they shall not escape."
Again, we may rest assured that when Jesus said, "All the tribes of the earth shall mourn and wail because of Him when they see Him coming;" He did not refer to the conversion of sinners--Do the tribes mourn and wail because of the conversion of a sinner?--And if it refers, as almost all admit, to Christ's personal presence on the earth, it teaches that
all
on earth will not love His appearing, as they certainly would do if all were converted.
But, "If I go away, I will come again,"
cannot
refer to a spiritual coming
again,
because, spiritually, He never went away, as He said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world," [age.] Therefore, Jesus taught His
second
PERSONAL
coming.
The word
Millennium
Signifies one thousand, and is the term used by Christian people generally in speaking of a time future, when "the
knowledge of the Lord
shall
fill
the whole earth as the waters do the sea, and none need to say unto his neighbor, "Know thou the Lord?"
"All
shall know Him, &c." The time when there shall be no more curses; "when the wilderness shall blossom as the rose," and "streams break forth in the deserts," when "the tabernacle of God will be with men and He shall dwell with them,"
::R4 : page 2::
when Satan shall be restrained and righteousness shall control. "Then nation shall not lift up sword against nation," "nor learn war any more," but "they shall beat their swords into plow shears, and their spears into pruning hooks."
These prophetic pictures and statements are expected to have fulfillment some time by
nearly all Christians,
and they call it the millennial age because it is said (`Rev. 20:2-6`) to be for a thousand years that Satan is bound and Christ reigns.
This far nearly all of the Church are agreed. They are
millennialists,
but there are
post-
millennialists and
pre-
millennialists;
post
signifies after,
pre,
before; so the former believe Christ will come after the millennium and the latter that He comes before it.
As these are the only views which contain sufficient truth to make them worthy of our consideration, we shall devote more time to them. All who believe in the
second
personal coming of Christ, should be interested in knowing what the general teaching of the Bible is on the subject. It is necessary, however, that we come to the consideration with a child-like mind, desirous of knowing how God has arranged the matter, and anxious to have the teachings of His word, and ready to lay aside
our ideas
and, as God's children, take His plan. Thus, let us inquire
Why does Christ Come?
and examine briefly the arguments presented by both
Post-
and
Pre-
millennialists, comparing them with
the Word
-- and
Plan
of God.
The first expect that through the efforts of the Church, the world will be converted, and thus the millennial age introduced, at the close of which the Lord will come, wind up earthly affairs, reward believers and condemn sinners. That to
convert the world, bind Satan,
make "the knowledge of the Lord to fill the whole earth," and "nations to learn war no more," are the work of the Church
without
JESUS, and in her present mortal condition. When she has accomplished this great and difficult task, Jesus comes to wind it up, &c.
They have much Scripture, which taken disconnectedly, seems to favor this view. But even this, we believe, when God's word and plan are looked at as a whole, will be found to favor the other view, viz., that Christ comes before the conversion of the world; that the Church is now being tried, and that the reward promised the overcomers is, that they shall share in that reign: "To him that overcometh will I give to sit with me in my throne." `Rev. 3:21`. "And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." `Rev. 20:4`.
There are two texts in particular used by our post-millennial brethren, to which we would refer: "This Gospel must first be preached in all the world for a witness. Then shall the end come." They claim this to refer to the Gospel converting the world before the end of the Gospel age. We pre-millennial believers claim, that
witnessing
to the world does not mean converting the world, but as it reads, to witness or testify.
This witness has already been given. In 1861, the Bible Societies' reports showed that the Gospel had been published in every language of earth; not that all earth's myriads had received it. No; not one in a hundred of the twelve hundred millions have ever heard of the name of Jesus. Yet it has fulfilled the text--it has been a
witness
to every
nation.
We understand that the object of the present witnessing is "To take out
a people
for His name"--the Church--who at Christ's coming are united to Him, and receive His name. `Rev. 3:12`.
The second text is, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool." The thought generally gathered from this Scripture is, that in heaven God has a throne on which He sits continually, and that when "Christ sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high," He sat down also upon the same throne. This is a misconception. The throne of God referred to is not an ivory or golden seat, but refers to His supreme authority and rulership, for "Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool," and Paul says, "God hath highly exalted Him [Christ], and given Him a name above every name." He hath given Him authority above every other, next to the Father. If Christ sits upon a material throne until His enemies are made His footstool [all subdued], then, of course, He could not come until the millennium was fully inaugurated. But if it means
the exalting to
power,
it would not interfere with His coming and subduing all things unto Himself.
To illustrate: King William is on the throne of Germany, we say, yet we do not refer to the royal bench, and as a matter of fact, he seldom occupies it. We mean that he rules Germany.
Right hand signifies the chief place, position of excellence or power, and the words of Jesus to Pilate agree with this thought: "Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." `Mark 14:62`. He will be on the right hand
when coming,
and remain at the right hand during the millennial age.
There are able arguments possible on both sides, yet both are not true. We propose, therefore, to take a glance at the general
Plan of Salvation,
to see which view is in harmony with it. In so doing, we shall find the relation and bearing of both the first and the second comings, and know where to locate.
First, then, Has God a plan? All must agree that He has, although almost all are inclined to think and talk of His dealings as though He were dealing by a rule of chance, and governed entirely by circumstance. No; He that would condemn a man for building a tower without first counting the cost, shall He build and people a universe without counting the cost? No, brethren; "Known unto the Lord are all His ways from the beginning." God has a plan, a purpose, and we know that "all His purposes shall be accomplished." But how shall we find that plan? It is revealed to us in His word. "Search the Scripture," as Paul says, "Compare Scripture with Scripture," for
"God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain."
We are too much inclined to ask What does my church say about any question, instead of What saith the Scriptures? Too much theology studied, and the Bible not enough. With the thought, then, that "The Scriptures are able to make us wise," that "the testimonies of the Lord are sure making wise the simple," let us examine.
::R5 : page 2::
We will not here discuss the question,
Why evil was permitted.
We take the fact which sickness, death, vice, &c., make so plainly and painfully evident, viz., Evil exists. Its existence is attributed in Scripture to the devil. Evil continues because Satan's power is continued. It will last throughout the present age, because "the devil is the prince [ruler] of this world" [age]. He will continue its ruler as long as he can, or until he is bound. He cannot be bound until a stronger than he takes the control out of his hands.
God, of course, can control him; and of Jesus it is written, "All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me."
But while Christ has all power, for wise purposes He has not made use of it, permitting evil to reign and measurably control the world, and permitting the devil to be "prince of this world," or epoch. But the time is coming when "He shall take to Himself His great power, and reign," exalting His Church, giving her "power over the nations," so that instead of, as now, being "subject to the powers that be," she shall "rule the nations." But when will He thus assume control? When the Gospel Church, "His body," Ecclesia, is complete. Evil now being permitted for "the trial of your faith," the perfecting of the saints. This time is synchronous with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. `Rev. 11:15`. Here the mystery [church] of God is finished, and "the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His anointed" [church]. Now, we inquire, is this transfer of authority
From Satan to Christ
caused by the conversion of the nations to Christ through preaching the Gospel? We answer, No. At this time the nations are not converted (`vs. 18`), "And the nations were angry; and thy wrath is come." If converted, they would not be thus hostile, neither would God's wrath come upon them. On the contrary, God teaches in many Scriptures that a great time of trouble will come upon the nations. "Come, behold the desolations which the Lord hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the earth." This is the way God tells us He will make wars to cease. The next clause informs us that then He "will be exalted among the heathen and in all the earth." This chastisement of nations will be for their good, and is necessary to them as is the chastisement which God now inflicts upon His children, and it will have a good effect, for "When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." It is in this new dispensation that, with evil restrained--Satan bound--the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth, as the waters do the sea." The conversion of the world, instead of being due now while "the devil is the prince of this world," will, David says, be "When the kingdom is the Lord's and He is the Governor among the nations, [then] all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and the kingdoms of the nations shall come and worship before Him."
During the infancy of the human family --say from Adam to Moses--God treated his creatures like very young children. So far as we know, they had very little knowledge of their Creator's power or character. They had scarcely any revelation, the exception being the few cases where God favored special persons, as Abraham, Lot, &c., communicating to them by angels, giving to Abraham and Eve peculiar promises, which they could only vaguely comprehend.
The next age was to the Jewish nation a schooling season, during which God taught them to respect His promises and laws. They were yet minors, under age, therefore not treated as children, but kept under the law, their schoolmaster. `Gal. 4`.
While the Word of God was being written and committed to the Jews for keeping, &c., the remainder of the world seems to have been left in the darkness of heathenism. They bowed down to wood and stone, destitute of truth as they are to-day.
In Scripture the period from Adam to the flood is called "the world [age] that was." From the flood to the second coming of the Lord, "the world [age] that now is," and "the present evil world," [age], and the next is called "the world to come."
"The present evil world" contains three
Separate Ages.
The Patriarchal, lasting from the flood to the death of Jacob; the Jewish age, lasting from the death of Jacob until the death of Christ, when He gave them up, wept over them, and said: "Your house is left unto you desolate;" the Gospel age, lasting from the resurrection of Christ, when He became "the first-born from the dead, and the beginning of the new creation," until the full company of "the Church of the First-born" is complete, and He comes. The time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the resurrection and reward of prophets, saints, &c. `Rev. 11:16`.
We know not how many ages may be in "the world to come;" but that there is more than one, we are sure, for Paul speaks of "the ages to come." `Eph. 2:7`. The first of these alone is dealt with in Scripture, the millennial age, during which we live and reign with Christ a thousand years. `Rev. 20:4`.
Having got an outline, let us look more particularly at God's doings and sayings, and, first, it will astonish you, doubtless, until you reflect, when I say, that according to His word, God has not exhausted His resources for the world's salvation; that, in short, He is not
now
trying to save the world, nor has he been during past ages. What has He been doing? "Taking out a people--Church--for His name." Don't think this wonderful, as it is only putting in a striking form what all Calvanists believe, among whom are Baptists, Presbyterians and others, viz., That God is now electing, or choosing His Church out of the world. Yes, and all our brethren who believe in free grace must admit, that if "all His purposes shall be accomplished," and "God's word shall accomplish the thing whereto it was sent," if these Scriptures are true, God did not purpose the conversion of the world during the past six thousand years, else it would be accomplished. Neither did He send His word to convert the world up to the present time, else it
did not
prosper in the thing whereto He sent it. These two views have been a dividing point in the churches for centuries, viz.:
Election vs. Free Grace.
We believe the Scripture to teach both, but that it requires the observance of "Heaven's first law,"
order,
to rightly divide the word of truth on this subject.
First we will glance at Election. During the age preceding the deluge, there is no Scriptural account of God giving mankind any law, and very little light of revelation. One promise shines out, "The Seed of the Woman to Bruise the Serpent," and even this required future revelation in order to be comprehended. God had, however, a few patriarchs or servants who had light above the masses, as lamp-posts in a dark way.
The Patriarchal age had increase of light. It is now revealed that this seed is not only to crush evil [serpent], but to "bless all the families of the earth," still God's Church is represented by one man, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, &c., &c.
(Continued on page 7.)
::R5 : page 7::
Why will there be a Second Advent?
(Continued from Second Page.)
----------
These patriarchs were elected--chosen. "God called Abraham, and said," &c. Abraham, and not his kin, was called. His parents were idolators. He had "many sons and daughters," but only one is chosen. "In Isaac shall thy seed be called." Of Isaac's two sons, only one was chosen, "as it is written," says Paul, `Rom. 9:7-13`, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (loved less). God chose before they were born, "that the purpose of God according to election might stand." Now, remember, I do not say that God elected one to go to heaven and the other to hell. No; far from it. That is the common misconception of the
Scriptural,
and when properly understood,
beautiful
doctrine of Election.
At Jacob's death another advance step in God's plan is taken, and typical or fleshly Israel is formed. From this time one man no longer represents God in the world; but a nation, all the sons of Jacob and their posterity. And now we have an elect nation or church, and God gives all His special blessings to it. Other and larger nations--Egypt, Chaldea, &c. --are passed by, left without light and without knowledge, while these are given to Israel. "What advantage, then, hath a Jew?" Much, every way, chiefly because to them were committed the oracles (laws and testimonies) of God. This is Paul's statement. God speaking to them, says: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." This people alone was recognized, and thus continued until Christ came. Yes; and after it.
During Christ's ministry He preached to them, and would not suffer His disciples to do otherwise, saying as He sends them out, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not." Why so, Lord? "I am not sent save, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." All his time was devoted to them until death, and here was His first work for the world, and
God's Grandest Gift,
not for Israel only, but for all, for "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for
every
man." And now, also, in the Gospel age, a certain sort of election obtains. Some parts of the world are more favored with the Gospel (which is free to all who hear) than others. Contrast yourself, with your privileges and knowledge, with the heathen man who never yet heard the call. When this called-out company, (called to be "sons of God," "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord,") is complete, then the
::R6 : page 7::
plan of God for the world's salvation is only beginning. Not until then will the seed "bruise the serpent's head," and "bless all the families of the earth." For the seed is not Christ, the head, alone, but the Church, which is His body, as Paul informs us, `Gal. 3:29`, "Which seed is Christ; and if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." The same company are to bruise the serpent. `Rom. 16:20`. The very God of Peace shall bruise Satan under
your feet
shortly.
The Gospel Age.
The Gospel age makes ready the chaste virgin (church) for the coming Bridegroom. When ready, the Bridegroom comes, and they that are ready are united. The second Adam and the second Eve become one, and are thus the beginning of the new creation, and then the glorious work of elevating mankind in general begins. The river of living water flows, and the work of the Church begins. In the next dispensation, new heavens and new earth. She is no longer the espoused Virgin, but the Bride. THEN "the Spirit and the Bride say come, and whosoever will let him come and drink of the water of life freely."
As Adam, the beginning of the fleshly race, was composed of man and the helpmeet taken from his side, as it is written, "Male and female created He them and He called
their
name ADAM," `Gen. 5:12`, so the
"Second Adam,"
of whom Paul says the first
"was a figure,"
or type, has a helpmeet taken from His side, and when she is fully formed and perfected, the Bridegroom comes and they go in to the marriage; they become
one,
"the new creation of God" (read `Eph. 5:25,30,32`), making in
"Himself
of twain (Jews and Gentiles)
"One New Man."
(`Eph. 2:15`.) This new man we have found to be the seed "to crush the serpent's head." "The seed of Abraham," "in whom all the families of the earth shall be blest." That the Gospel age so far from closing the Church's mission, was only a school of affliction to enable her, as well as her head, to be touched with a feeling of earth's infirmities, that they might sympathize with mankind, and during the millennial age assist them, when "the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth," scattering the darkness of sin and ignorance, causing "wars to cease unto the ends of the earth." These are the "times of restitution," which Peter says are due when Christ comes. `Acts 3:17-19`. For this "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now, waiting for the
manifestation
of the
sons
of God." `Rom. 8:22,19`. These sons are not now
manifest.
There are in Christ's flock many "wolves in sheep's clothing." Among the wheat there are many tares; but when in "the harvest" ("the end of the age"), they are separated,
then
shall the righteous
shine forth
as the sun in the kingdom of their Father--
be manifested
--and
then
to the groaning creation (mankind) shall this "Sun of Righteousness arise, with healing in His wings."
But let us leave this bright and pleasant picture of the coming day, of which, with the poet, we could say:
"Haste thee along, ages of glory,
Haste the glad time when Christ appears," and turning, look at a dark picture. Have you ever asked yourself, while rejoicing in the glorious opportunities to be offered to mankind during the millennial age --What about those who have died before the plan of God has thus reached its fullness? There have lived on earth since creation (six thousand years), about one hundred and forty-three billions of human beings. Of these the very broadest estimate that could be made with reason would be, that less than one billion were
Saints of God
--the Church--the Bride. What of the one hundred and forty-two billions who died out of Christ? What is their condition?
Atheism answers:
They are eternally dead. There is no hereafter.
They will
never live again.
Calvinism answers:
They were not elected to be saved. God foreordained and predestined them to be lost--to go to hell--and they are there now, writhing in agony, where they will ever remain without hope.
Arminianism answers:
We believe that God excuses them on account of ignorance, and that if they did the best they knew how, they will be as sure of being a part of the "Church of the First-born" as is Paul himself.
To this last view the great majority of Christians of all denominations hold, from a feeling that any other view would be irreconcilable with justice, on God's part.
But, we inquire, what do the Scriptures teach on this last point? That ignorance is a ground of salvation? No; the only condition known in Scripture is FAITH. "By grace are ye saved,
through
FAITH." Justification by faith is the ground-rock of the whole system of Christianity. When, on the day of Pentecost, Peter was asked, "What must we do to be saved?" he answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized, and thou shalt be saved."
Again he says, `Acts 4:12`, "There is
none other name
under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved," than the name of Jesus.
Paul reasons that a man must
hear
the Gospel
before he can believe: "How shall they believe on Him of whom they have not heard?" This--God's plan-- that men shall be saved on account of faith, Paul says was to the Jews a stumbling block (because they expected salvation as a reward of keeping the law) and to the Greeks (the worldly wise) foolishness. But, nevertheless, it has "pleased God by the foolishness (in the eyes of men) of preaching
to save
Them Which Believe."
I want to Scripturally close you in to the thought, that all who have
not heard
could not believe, and
not believing,
could not be a part of the Bride of Christ. But, you object, Paul, in the `first two chapters of Romans`, teaches "that these having not the law are a law unto themselves," and that this law which their conscience furnishes, is sufficient to
justify
them. No, I answer, you understand Paul differently from what he intended. Paul's argument everywhere is, that "all the world is guilty before God." "For if I had not known the law, I had not known sin. For by the law is the knowledge of sin." The law given to the Jew revealed his weakness, and was intended to show him that he was unable to justify himself before God. "For by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in His (God's) sight." As the law thus
condemned the Jews,
so Paul says it is with the Gentiles also. Though ignorant of
the law,
they had light enough of conscience to
condemn them.
"That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God," `Rom. 3:19`, in order that eternal life may be seen to be "the
gift
of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord," to every one that
believeth.
Well, you answer, the Bible to the contrary, I believe and insist that God won't damn the world for ignorance. Now, let us see. Do you practice what you declare? Why do you assist in sending missionaries to the heathen, at a cost of thousands of valuable lives and millions of money? If they will all be saved-- or even half of them--through ignorance, you do them a positive injury in sending a preacher to tell them of Christ, for we know that only about one in a thousand
believe
when the missionary does go to them. If your idea be correct it were far better that no missionaries should ever be sent. Before, nearly all saved; now, because of knowledge, nearly all lost. In the same way we might reason, that if God had left
all
in ignorance, we would
all have been saved.
Then, instead of the Gospel being
good
news,
it would be more properly named
bad news.
No, my brethren;
you do believe
that "there is no other name given whereby we must be saved." Your actions speak the loudest, and speak rightly.
Now, suppose we look at these things just as God tells us of them, and leave the clearing of His character to Himself.
What Has Become of the 142
Billions?
First, we answer, that you may be sure they are not
now
in hell suffering; because not only do the scriptures teach that full and
complete
reward is not given to the Church until Christ comes, "when he shall reward every man," but the
unjust
are to receive their deserts then also. Whatever may be their present condition, it cannot be their
full reward,
for Peter says: "God knoweth how to
reserve
the unjust
unto the day
of judgment to be punished," and he will do so. But the thought of so many of our fellow creatures at
any
time being lost, without having had the knowledge which is necessary to salvation, seems terrible, indeed, to all who have a spark of love or pity. Then, too, there are a number of Scriptures which seem hard to harmonize with all this. Let us see in the light of his dealings how shall we understand the statement, "God is Love," or "God so loved
the world
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish."
Ah, Lord, it seems to poor, frail humanity that if you loved the world so much, you might have made provision, not only that believers might be saved, but also that
all might hear.
Again we read: "This is the true light that
lighteth every man
that cometh into the world." Lord, all our reason seems to say, not so. We cannot see how Jesus lighted more than a few of earth's billions. Yonder Hottentot gives no evidence of having been so enlighted, neither did the Sodomites and myriads of others.
::R7 : page 7::
Once more we read: "Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man." How, Lord, we ask? If he tasted death for the one hundred and forty-three billions, and from other causes it becomes efficacious only to one billion, is not his death comparatively a failure?
Again: "Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all
people."
Surely it is to but a little flock to whom it has been glad tidings, and not to
all people.
Another is: "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all." A ransom, then why should not
all
have
some benefit
from Christ's death?
Oh, how dark, how inconsistent do these statements appear when we remember that the Gospel Church is "a little flock." Oh, how we wish it would please God to open our eyes that we might understand the Scriptures, for we feel sure that did we but understand, it must all seem clear, it must all declare in thunder tone, "God is Love." Oh, that we had the key! Do you want it? --Are you sure you do? It is the last text we quoted, "Who gave himself a ransom for all,
to be testified in due time.
Due time. Ah, now we see. God has a due time for everything. He could have testified it to this one hundred and forty-two billions in their life time. Then that would have been their due time; as it was not so, their due time must be future. We know that now is our due time, because it is testified to us now. Christ was a ransom for you before you were born, but it was not due time for you to hear it until years after. So with the Hottentot; Christ was his ransom at the same time that he was yours; he has not heard it yet, and may not in this life; but in God's
due time
he will.
But does not death end probation? one enquires. There is no scripture which says so, we answer, and all the above and many more scriptures would be meaningless or worse,
If Death ends all
to the ignorant masses of the world. The only scripture ever quoted to prove this generally entertained view, is, "As
::R8 : page 8::
the tree falleth, so it lies." If this has
any
relation to man and his future, it indicates that in whatever condition of knowledge or ignorance he enters death, he remains the same until he is raised up again.
But can knowledge ever reach these billions in their graves while dead? No; God has provided for the resurrection of them all. For "as in Adam
all
die, even so in Christ shall
all
be made alive." As death came by the first Adam, so life comes by the second Adam. Everything that mankind lost in the first, is to be restored in the second. Hence, the age following Christ's second coming is spoken of as "the times of restitution."
Life is one of the things lost, and is to be one of the things restored. Mark me! I do not say eternal life is given them. No; Adam never had eternal life to lose; if he had it, he could not have died. He had natural life, lost natural life, and it is to be natural life that the second Adam restores. This is a certain sort of
salvation
that Christ accomplishes for all; but the
eternal
salvation, which believers receive, is entirely different. This enables us to use another text, which is little used except by Universalists, and although not Universalists, yet we claim the right to use all scripture. It reads: "We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of
all
men, especially of them which believe." All men are saved or rescued from the loss entailed on them through Adam, by having all those lost things, including natural life, restored to them. He is also the "especial Savior of them which believe." For believers who now constitute the body of Christ are the happy recipients of "The gift of God,
eternal
life. While those of the
world
are raised
natural
bodies, those of the
Church
are raised
spiritual
bodies, "neither can
they
die any more, but are like the angels of God."
Now we see that "the testimony in
due
time" explains all of those troublous texts. In due time it shall be "glad tidings of great joy to all people." In due time that "True Light shall lighten every man that cometh into the world," and in no other way can these scriptures be used without wresting. We take them to mean just what they say. Paul carries out the line of argument with emphasis in `Rom. 5:18,19`. He reasons that as all men were condemned to death and suffered it because of Adam's transgression, so also Christ's righteousness justifies
all
to life again. All lost life, not of our own will or choice, in first Adam; all receive life at the hands of the second Adam, equally without their will or choice.
When thus brought to life, and the love of God testified to them, their probation,
Their First Chance,
begins, for we do not preach a
second
chance
for any.
But Peter tells us, that "the restitution is spoken of by the mouth of all the holy prophets." They do all teach it. Ezekiel tells us of the valley of dry bones, "This is the whole house of Israel;" and God says to them, "I will bring you up out of your graves, and bring you into your own land." This agrees with St. Paul, `Rom. 6:25,26`. Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles (the Gospel Church, the elect company "taken out of the Gentiles") be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved," or brought back from their cast-off condition. For "God hath not cast off His people whom He foreknew." They were cut off from His favor while the
bride of Christ
was being selected, but will return to favor when that work is accomplished.--`Vs. 28 to 33`. The prophets are full of statements of how God will "plant them again, and they shall be no more plucked up." This does not refer to restorations from former captivities in Babylon, Syria, &c., for the Lord says,
"In that day
it shall no more be a proverb among you 'the fathers ate a sour grape and the children's teeth are set on edge;' but every man shall die for his own sin." This is not the case now. You do not die for your own sin, but for Adam's--"As in Adam all die." He ate the sour grape, and our forefathers continued to eat them, entailing further sickness and misery upon us. The day in which "every man shall die
for
his own sin,"
is this Millennial or Restitution day. But when restored to the same conditions as Adam, will they not be as liable to sin and fall again as he was? No; they will be liable, but not
as liable;
they have learned in their time the lesson which God designed to teach to all, viz., "The exceeding sinfulness of sin." They will be prepared to appreciate the good and shun the evil, and the Gospel Church then glorified will be, "the kings (rulers) and priests" (teachers) of that new age, for "Unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world (age) to come, whereof we speak," &c. Then through "the second Adam" and His helpmeet they may be begotten into their spiritual likeness.
But are we sure that God intends these blessings for any but the "people whom He foreknew" (the Jews)? Yes. He mentions other nations also by name, and speaks of their restitution. Let me give you
an illustration that will be forcible:
The Sodomites.
Surely if we find
their
restitution mentioned you will be satisfied. But why should they not have an opportunity to obtain eternal life as well as you or the Jew? They were not wicked in the proper sense, for they did not have law or much knowledge. True, they were not righteous, but neither were you when God gave you your opportunity. Christ's own words shall tell us that they are
not as
guilty
in His sight as the Jews, who had more knowledge: "Woe unto thee Capernium, for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom it would have remained unto this day." Thus Christ's own words teach us that they had not had their full opportunity. "Remember," Christ says of the Sodomites, that "God rained down fire and
destroyed them all."
So, if their restoration is spoken of, it
implies
their resurrection.
Let us look at the prophecy, `Ezek. 16:48` to the close. Read it carefully. God here speaks of Israel and compares her with her neighbor, Samaria, and also with the
Sodomites,
whom he says, "I took away as I saw good." Why did God see good to take away these people without giving them a chance of eternal life through the knowledge of "the only name?" Because it was not their
due
time.
They will come to a knowledge of the truth when
restored.
He'll save them from death's bondage first, and then give them knowledge as it is written. "God will have
all men to be saved,
and to come to a
knowledge of the truth."
When brought to the knowledge, then, and not until then, are they on trial for
eternal
life. With this thought, and with no other, can we understand the dealings of the God of love with those Amalekites and other nations, whom he not only permitted, but commanded Israel to butcher. "Slay Amalek utterly--leave neither man, woman or child." "Spare not the little ones." How often my heart has ached, and yours, too, as we sought to reconcile this apparent wantonness on God's part with the teachings of the new dispensation, "God is love," "Love your enemies," &c. Now we can see that the entire Jewish age was a type of the higher, Gospel age; Israel's victories and conquests merely pictures of the Christian's battles with sin, etc. These Amalekites and Sodomites and others were used to illustrate, or to be "examples" "for
our
admonition;" and these people might just as well die so, as of disease and plague, and it mattered little to them as they were merely learning to know
evil,
that when on trial,
"in due time,"
they might learn
good
and be able to discriminate and choose life.
But let us read the prophecy further. After comparing Israel with Sodom and Samaria, and pronouncing her worse, `vs. 53` says: "When I bring again the captivity [in death, all are captives and
::R8 : page 8::
Christ came to 'set at liberty the captives and to open the prison doors' of the grave,] of Sodom and Samaria, then will I bring thy captives in the midst of them." (These will be raised together.) In `vs. 55` this is called "a return to
"Their Former Estate."
--restitution. But some one, who cannot imagine that God really could be so good or just, suggests God must be speaking ironically to the Jews, and saying He would just as soon bring back the Sodomites as them, but has no notion of either. Let us see. Read `vss. 61-62`. Nevertheless
"I will
remember my covenant with thee; I
will
establish it to thee." "Yes," says Paul, "this is God's covenant with them--they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance." `Rom. 11:27-29`. The `63d verse` concludes the argument, showing that the promised restitution is not based on the merits of the Jews, Samaritans or Sodomites. "That thou mayest
remember
and be confounded and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame,
when I am
pacified toward thee,
for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God." When God signs his name to a statement in this way I must believe it.
"Saith the Lord God."
And no wonder if they are confounded when "in the ages to come He shows forth the exceeding riches of His grace." (`Eph. 2:7`), and many of God's children will be confounded and amazed also when they see how
"God so loved
THE WORLD." They will be ready to exclaim with brother Paul: "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
But some will inquire, how comes it that this has not been seen long ago? We answer, God gives light and knowledge to his people just as it is due. The world was left in almost entire ignorance of God's plan until the
Gospel
age, when Christ came, bringing life and immortality TO LIGHT through the Gospel. The Jews up to that time supposed that all the promises of God were to and for them alone, but in
due time
God showed favor to the Gentiles also. Christians generally have supposed that God's blessings are to the church, but we begin to see that God is better than all our fears, and though he has given us the "exceeding great and precious promises," He has made
some
to the world also.
"The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth
more
and
more,
until the perfect day," and the fact that it now shines so brightly, and that we are able to see more of the beauty and harmony of God's word, is strong presumptive evidence that we are in the dawn of that glorious millennial day, when "we shall know even as we are known."
But we promised to harmonize those doctrines of the Church generally supposed to be antipodes, viz., CALVINISM, or
Election,
and ARMINIANISM, or
Free
Grace.
Perhaps you already see how they harmonize themselves by simply recognizing the order of the ages and applying each text to the place and time to which it belongs. Let me then point out to you
The Inconsistency of Either Calvinism
or Arminianism
when separated from each other. In doing so I do not wish to reflect on those who hold these doctrines. I shall merely call your attention to features which their warmest advocates must confess to be
their weak points.
First--Calvinism says God is all-wise: He knew the end from the beginning, and, as "all his purposes shall be accomplished," He never could have intended to save any but a few--the true Church, the little flock. These He elected and predestined to be eternally saved; all others were equally predestined and elected to go to hell, for "known unto the Lord are all His works from the foundation of the world."
This has its good features. It shows, and properly, God's
Omniscience.
This would be our ideal of a GREAT God, were it not that three essential qualities of greatness, viz., MERCY, LOVE and JUSTICE, are lacking, for none of these qualities find place in bringing into the world one hundred and forty-two billions of creatures
damned
before they were born and mocked by protestations of love. No, no.
"God is love;" "God is just;"
"God is merciful."
Second--Arminianism says: Yes, "God is love," and in bringing humanity into the world He meant them no harm, only good. But Satan succeeded in tempting Adam; thus "sin entered into the world and death by sin," and ever since, God has been doing all He can to deliver man from his enemy, even to the giving of His Son, and though now, six thousand years after, the gospel has only reached a very small portion of those creatures, yet, we do
hope and trust
that within six thousand years more, through the energy and liberality of the Church, God will have so far remedied the evil introduced by Satan, that all may at least know of His love, and the knowledge of God be co-extensive with the knowledge of evil.
The commendable feature of this view is, that it accepts the statement that
"God
is love."
But, while full of loving and benevolent designs for His creatures, He lacks
ability
and
foreknowledge
adequate to the accomplishment of those designs.
While God was busy arranging and devising for the good of His newly created children, Satan slipped in, and by one stroke upset all God's plans, and in one moment brought sin and evil among men to such an extent that even by exhausting all his power, God must spend twelve thousand years to even reinstate righteousness to such a degree that man will have an opportunity to choose Good as
readily
as Evil, and the one hundred and forty-two billions of the past six thousand years, and as many more of the next, are
lost to all eternity,
in spite of God's love for them, because Satan interfered with his plans as God had not foreseen. Thus Satan, in spite of God, gets one hundred into hell to one God gets to glory. This view must exalt men's ideas of Satan, and lower their estimation of Him who "Spake, and it was done; commanded, and it stood fast."
But how refreshing it is for us to turn from these fragments of truth, as separately considered, and
See How Harmonious
and beautiful they are when united. How, during the present and past ages God is
electing
or gathering, by the preaching of His word, the Gospel church. How He wisely permitted evil to come into the world, in order that He might develop His church, which, thus "being made perfect through suffering," might be prepared for her glorious work in the future; and how the
mass
of mankind, though not now on probation, are nevertheless getting a knowledge and experience by contact with sin which He foresaw they would be the better of; and, furthermore, how he took occasion, in connection with this, His plan, to show us His great love, by so arranging that the death of Christ was necessary to our recovery from sin, and then freely giving Him "to be a propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the
whole world,"
and then in the next dispensation--"The new heavens and earth" (`Rev. 21:1-9-10` and `22:17`) --when "The Spirit and the Bride say come, and whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely." He will show us His
"Free Grace"
in fullest measure.
Is not this the teaching of God's word? Men never would have thought of such a
glorious plan
of salvation. Truly God has said: "My ways are not your ways, nor my thoughts your thoughts." Hereafter when we address Him "Our Father," may it call to our mind that His love and compassion are far greater than the pity of our earthly parents, and while we study His word more and more, and seek to
"grow
in
grace
and in
the
knowledge
and
love
of God," let us ever remember that
"Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain.
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain."
Having seen how much of the great plan of God waits the coming of Christ for its accomplishment, and having, we trust, found
why
Christ comes, can we help loving His appearing? In our next we hope to examine with you what the Bible teaches of
How Christ Comes.
====================
::R9 : page 3::
He Seats Her on His Throne.
----------
"Leaning upon her Beloved."--
`Sol. Songs, 8:5`
----------
Upon her loved One leaning;
For thus the Bride appears,
The wilderness behind her,
With all its sighs and fears.
For Him in hope she waited
And loving tears she wept,
E'en in the darksome shadows,
She watched while others slept.
She knew He would be faithful,
And in His word she read,
That He was coming quickly,
She trusted what He said.
Ofttimes His precious promise
She told to those around,
To some it seemed good tidings,
To others empty sound.
Now, as the King of Glory,
He claims her as His own;
With hand for her once pierced,
He seats her on His throne.
M. R. J.,
Princeton, N.J.
====================
::R8 : page 3::
"WHAT IS TRUTH?"
This question is one which every sincere Christian should ask and seek to answer. We should learn to love and value truth for its own sake; to respect and honor it by owning and acknowledging it wherever we find it and by whomsoever presented. A
truth
presented by Satan himself is just
as true
as a
truth
stated by God.
Perhaps no class of people are more apt to overlook this fact than the Christian. How often do they in controversy overlook and ignore
truth
presented by their opponents. This is particularly the case when arguing with an
infidel.
They feel at perfect liberty to dispute everything he says on religious subjects. This is not the correct principle. Many infidels are
honest
--as anxious to speak and believe the truth as are Christians--and if in converse with them we ignore truths which they may advance, we not only fail to convince them of our
truths,
but put an end to all hope of reaching them; for our failure to admit the evident truth which they advance begets in them contempt for the one who is not honest enough to admit one truth because he does not see how it can be reconciled to another. Accept truth wherever you find it, no matter
::R9 : page 3::
what it contradicts, and rely for ability to afterwards harmonize it with others upon "The Spirit of truth, which shall guide you into all truth," as Jesus promised.
Truth, like a modest little flower in the wilderness of life, is surrounded and
almost
choked by the luxuriant growth of the weeds of error. If you would find it you must be ever on the lookout. If you would see its beauty you must brush aside the weeds of error and the brambles of bigotry. If you would possess it you must stoop to get it.
Be not content with
one
flower of truth. Had one been sufficient there would have been no more. Gather ever, seek for more.
Weave them together as a garland --"Bind them on thee as a bride doeth." "Bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man." `Prov. 3:3`.
C. T. R.
====================
::R9 : page 3::
"GOD IS LOVE."
This is the grand expression of the Bible--the key-note of Christianity. It is the foundation of the great plan of creation and redemption, and the underlying principle in the structure of the Word of God.
It is truth,
the
truth, as God is true, the embodiment of all other truths; so that whatever, rightly understood, is not in harmony with it must be false. "God
is
love," eternal and unchangeable. All that He has done or will do can but express His infinite fullness. All His attributes are moved and controlled by love.
"God
is love." Many feel, as a result of education, that
God
hates them, but that
Christ
loves them; others believe that Christ
purchased
the Father's love. Both are answered by Christ's words:
"God
so loved the world that he
gave
his son," &c. `John 3:16`. Christ's work is not to purchase the Father's love, but to manifest it.
Practically,
if not as theologians teach, Christ's words are true: "I and my Father are one" --one in purpose and in work.
Christ prayed to the Father that the disciples might be one, "even as we are one." "As thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they may be one in us," &c. `John 17:21`. He could thus be called "Immanuel --God with us." "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh." `1 Tim. 3:16`. God gave his Son. The Son "gave himself for us." Truly they are in harmony. The love of the infinite God could neither be created nor purchased, but it could be
shown.
This is one part of the work of the Son of God --to reveal the Father. To reveal his love is to reveal himself, for "God is love." Without Christ or, out of Christ God cannot be known. The Father does not reveal the Son, but the Son reveals the Father, "For no man knoweth who the Son is but the Father, and no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him." No theologian need attempt an
explanation
of the Divine Sonship of our Lord. "But it pleased the Father that in Christ should all fullness dwell,"-- "All fullness of the Godhead bodily." --`Col. 1:19`, and `2:9`. He is the Word, the truth, the personal embodiment of all that is good and true, and emphatically the Revelation of God. "The Word was with God and the Word was God." "The Word was made flesh." He took our nature, the "form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." `Phil. 2:7`. He of whom it was said, "Let
all
the angels of God worship him," [that must include Michael,] and "Thy throne, Oh God! is forever and ever," (`Heb. 1:6,8`); "Left the glory he had with the Father before the foundation of the world;" "made himself of no reputation;" "was made a little lower than the angels;" "for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he, by the
grace of
God,
should taste death for every man." `Heb. 2:9`.
Great condescension! Glorious love! Whose love? Both the Father's and the Son's, but primarily the Father's. "God so loved that he
gave."
The love
caused
the gift.
"God
commendeth
his
love to us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." `Rom. 5:8`. "And all things are of
God,
who hath reconciled us to
himself,
by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, to wit: that
God
was
in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them," &c. `2 Cor. 5:18,19`. The hymn line, "My
God
is reconciled," has well been changed, "To God
I'm
reconciled." It is man that is out of order--away from home-- and God is in Christ to win the wanderer back. God hates sin, but loves the man. One reason
why
he hates sin is
because
he loves the man, and sin destroys man's happiness and if persisted in will destroy the man himself. "Thou hast destroyed
thyself,
but in
me
is thy help found," saith the Lord. "The
grace of God,
that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared." Grace is love and favor. God in Christ brings salvation to all men absolutely, so far as relates to the recovery of what was lost in Adam, "Who will have all men to be saved." "As in Adam all died, so in Christ shall all be made alive." Thus, "We trust in the
living
God,
who is the Savior of ALL MEN, specially of them that believe." `1 Tim. 4:10`.
He has not
only
redeemed man from what was lost in Adam, but has made higher attainments possible, brought Salvation near,
within
reach
of all men, and is the "author of
eternal
salvation to them that
obey
him." `Heb. 5:9`. He not only "gave himself a ransom (to
buy man back
from death) for all," but it is "to be
testified
in due time." `1 Tim. 2:6`. He not only "will have all men to be saved" (from the Adamic penalty), but will also have them "come to the knowledge of the truth." `Ver. 4`. Thus, and in "due time," he is the
"true light
that
lighteth every man
that cometh into the world." `John 1:9`. All who have died without the true light, will be enlightened in future, and the words of the angel will be verified: "Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all people."
`Luke 2:10`.
The salvation from death is secured to all by the
Ransom;
the salvation from sin is made possible to all by the
light,
and all this is the
Father's
arrangement, through the
Son,
who is constituted Redeemer, and
also
the
"Head"--"Firstborn"
of a new race in a Spiritual and immortal life. He
restores
the
old
to
all,
and
imparts
the
new
to as many as
receive
and
obey the truth.
How true it is, that: "He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love." `1 John 4:8`. "Love is of God." `Ver. 1`. "In this was
manifested
the love of
God
toward us because that
God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him," (the Son.) (`Ver. 9`.) "Herein is love,... that He loved us," &c. (`Ver. 10`.) "We love him, because he
first
loved
::R10 : page 3::
us." (`Ver. 19`.) In view of so much testimony, who can doubt the
Father's
love, or believe that it was
purchased
by Christ's death. Christ's death meets a necessity of man, in relation to man's forfeited life; hence He purchased
man,
and not God. God arranged it as a grand
exhibition
of his love
for man.
"Ye are bought
with a price,
therefore glorify
God,"
&c. "Thanks be unto
God
for his unspeakable gift." We love the Giver and we love the Gift. "Whom having not seen, we love." Who can refrain from joining the grand chorus of the angels: "Glory to
God
in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men." `Luke 2:14`.
J. H. P.
====================
::R10 : page 3::
CHRIST'S PERSONAL
RETURN.
BY A LUTHERAN MINISTER.
To attempt to prove that the Son of Man will really and personally come again to this world, may seem quite superfluous. It is a doctrine which orthodox Christians universally admit; and yet, perhaps, there is not another article of Christian faith so coldly and indefinitely apprehended. Few men embrace it as a reality. Few men lay hold of it as an efficacious truth. People deny it not, but neither do they feel it. They have so much preoccupied their minds with
imaginary, figurative
comings of the Saviour,
in providence, in His Spirit, in His Word, and in His Church, that His only
real coming
has well nigh become obsolete-- a dead letter.
It no longer comes upon the heart and conscience with its awakening and commanding power. We recite it, and sing it; but we do not effectually receive it. It is in our creed, but it cannot be said to be of our faith. If we entertain it at all, it is at a great distance off. It cannot, therefore, be a matter of small importance for us to review our position and to endeavor to ascertain where we stand in regard to this
great
doctrine.
If we have been unconsciously saying to ourselves, "The Lord delayeth his coming," it is time that
::R10 : page 4::
we should wake up to the fact, lest that day should come upon us
unawares.
Christ bids us
"Watch,
for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh." "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." "As a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." And amid the tremendous heavings of society in our day, we are most solemnly admonished to look well to our hearts, and keep close to the directions of our Lord.
====================
::R10 : page 4::
THREE WORLDS.
The past, present and future of the family of man are all included in the "Three Worlds." The world that was before the flood, the world that now is, and the world to come. The history of mankind and the history of the Gospel of Christ are inseparable; hence, the plan of salvation spans these three worlds.
The Greek word "Kosmos," translated
world,
as above, relates to the
order
or
state
of things, and does not refer to the literal earth, as some suppose. The same word is often used when the
people
are meant, as, "God so loved the
world;"
"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world;"
"The field is the
world"
(Christ does not sow the good seed in the
ground
--mankind is his field of operation); "He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole
world."
Kosmos is thus used for the general "order" of things, or for the people, but we have yet to learn that the word is ever translated
earth,
or has that meaning. The nearest to it, perhaps, is when Peter speaks of these three conditions as three distinct "heavens and earth." `2 Peter 3`. The first "perished" (came to an end), the second is "reserved unto fire," and will end also, but the third, or "new heavens and new earth," is the "world without end."
These three exist in the order of succession as above,
no two at the same
time,
and the same planet, Earth, is the basis of all three.
The change at the flood was not so much physical as dispensational. The administration of God was changed, but the
earth,
with its "mountains" and consequent valleys, still remained. "The waters prevailed and all the
high hills
were covered." `Gen. 7:19`. The ark rose above the mountains, carried on the face of the waters, and when the waters abated "the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat." `Gen. 8:4`. The waters rose and fell, but there was apparently no change in the form of the earth itself. The trees seem to have remained in place, for had they been floating, the dove might have found a place "for the sole of her foot" (`ver. 9`), and "an olive leave plucked off" would have been no evidence that the waters were abating (`ver. 11`).
A few of these simple things well noted, might help to dispel some of the exaggerated expectations of many as to physical changes in the "new heavens and earth" promised. "New" does not necessarily mean absolute perfection.
The first "order" is called "the
old
world," `2 Peter 2:5`. Then "This present
evil
world" must have been
new
at first. As the second "waxes old" and passes away,
another
new one comes on, "Wherein dwelleth righteousness." It has been thought by some that it must therefore be absolutely free from sin from the very first. This is an
evil
world, but there is
some
good in it, and when Satan is bound--limited-- chained--it will be reversed. Righteousness will be the rule and sin the exception. "The sinner being an hundred years old, shall be accursed." `Isa. 65:20`. Sin and death go hand in hand, and neither shall be destroyed until the end of the thousand years: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." `1 Cor. 15:26`.
These three worlds are the basis of the Bible plan of salvation, and may therefore serve as a means of explaining the word in reference to the plan. If a statement of the word belongs to any one of these worlds, it will be a perversion to apply it to another, or to what lies outside of them altogether.
To get the true import of anything revealed by the Spirit of God must be important, in order that the
designed
effect
may be realized. Without an outline of the plan, it is not surprising that men have failed to "rightly divide the word of truth." If it be remembered that the "world to come" is not the "spirit world," or state of the departed in any sense, but a future state that does not begin until the second, or "present evil world," ends, many Scriptures will be plain. "Ye shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." The resurrection is at the last trump (`1 Cor. 15`) during which time Christ comes, and the reward is given to "prophets, saints, and them that fear God's name, small and great." `Rev. 11:15-18`. The reward is "eternal life" to them who seek for it "by a patient continuance in well-doing" (`Rom. 2:7`), and Jesus says, "in the world to come eternal life." This division of the word, by the plan of the ages gives an intensity of interest in the coming of our Lord, for whatever man's state in death may be, it is clear that our
reward
is not due till he comes at the beginning of the world to come. Man does not go to it, but it comes to us. Those who died in the world before the flood did not thus reach the present world, which was then future, so neither can men reach the world to come by dying. Living or dead, we must wait for that period to come before we can be in it, as we wait from one day to another, and when the new period or day has come, those who have not died will be in the world to come as well as those who are raised from the dead, just as Noah passed from the old world into the new, having escaped death. It does not militate against this idea, that the saints are to enter upon a higher state than the nations, being raised in the "spiritual body," and made equal to the angels at the beginning of that world. The heavenly state of the saints, as the "Bride, the Lamb's Wife," and the earthly state of the nations, as the "blessed of the Lord," are facts of the world to come and in harmony with each other. If the saints are to rule the nations as promised, the nations must be there to be ruled. There are high and low, heavens and earth, in the future as well as in the past. In this present evil world, the angels--unseen, yet real persons-- have a great deal of power, as "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." `Heb. 1:14`. "But unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come whereof we speak, but...what is
man
that thou art mindful of him." This world is subject to the angels, but the future world is made subject to glorified man, Jesus being the head of the glorified body. The above proves that angels are not glorified men, and also that man will supersede the angels in administration of God's benefits to man in the flesh. The "Church of the Firstborn," exalted to the throne, will sing a song the angels cannot learn.
An understanding of much of God's Word is made easier by first having a "bird's-eye view" of the plan as shown by the "Three Worlds." J. H. P.
====================
::R11 : page 4::
God's "Little While."
Because of the shortness of human life, we act quickly ourselves and expect others to act so, and we can scarcely avoid carrying the same thought with us when we go to the investigation of God's Word.
We read--"Yet a
little while,
and He that shall come, will come." We think, as we look back at the eighteen centuries which have elapsed since his first advent, that it is not a
"little while."
No, to us it is a long while. Our ideas of long and short periods are drawn from our experience. When you were a child you thought as a child; you impatiently looked at an hour as a
long time,
and a year seemed an age if it intervened between you and some coveted object or enjoyment. Since you have grown to manhood or womanhood
years are short;
how quickly they fly. Your plans and arrangements reach out and embrace numbers of them.
We see then that a
long time
and a
"little while"
are accommodative terms, to be understood in harmony with the standpoint of the one using them. When Paul used these words he was
God's
mouthpiece, therefore the word is God's--and it is from His standpoint, in whose sight "a thousand years are but as yesterday," and "as a watch in the night." If we remember that He is
from
everlasting
to
everlasting, eighteen hundred years are but "a little while" to Him. In His sight it is only "a little while" since He created Adam.
Let us not be so impatient; there is plenty of time in eternity.
If we can get this standpoint of time--God's standpoint--it will assist us to see how "God is not slack concerning His
promises."
When God promised Eve that her seed should bruise the serpent's head, she doubtless supposed that God's promise had failed when one of her sons was slain and the other had become a branded murderer; and when Seth was born, as his name indicates, she thought him the promised seed. She came to die, and yet saw not God's promise fulfilled. Ages rolled on, floods came and went, Moses and Israel read the promise, but saw no fulfillment.
Had it failed?
No, four thousand years after Jesus appeared on earth; suffered, died, arose, ascended. Was the promise fulfilled? No, only in part. Satan's head (vital part) is not yet
crushed;
he rears it higher than ever; his control is greater perhaps than ever before. Does God's promise mean
less
than it says? No, give Him more time; it is only "a
little while"
since he promised, and
"in due time"
it will
all
be fulfilled. Because He saw that we would wonder whether He is
"slack
concerning His promises;" and because Jesus counts us His friends, ("I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." `Jno. 15:15`,) therefore He kindly gives
us
through Paul, a clue as to how and when this promise will be fulfilled. `Rom. 16:20`, reads: "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
This is the same promise made to Eve, and though Christ had died, Paul well knew that Satan was not yet bruised.
But God has not forgotten his promise; He
will
perform, but when?
"Shortly."
Ah, God's "little while" again. But why say under
your feet?
What had the Christians at Rome to do with bruising Satan? Had God's Word not said the
seed
should do it? And was not
Christ
this seed? Yes, Jesus is
the head
over this seed, but we are members of the body under this
head,
as we read: "The God of our Lord Jesus Christ...gave Him to be the
head
over all things to the Church, which is His body." `Eph. 1:17-22`. He is
the head,
that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. `Col. 1:18`.
Satan was permitted to bruise Jesus, the head. "He was
bruised
for our iniquity." He was made perfect through
suffering,"
and
we,
the members of
the body,
must
suffer
with Him if we would be made perfect
::R11 : page 5::
--must
"fill up
the measure of the sufferings of Christ." The head suffered most, but we must be sharers of the suffering, if we would be glorified together.
Therefore, "count it all joy" and "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as
ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that
when
("a little while," "shortly") His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad, also, with
exceeding
joy." `1 Pet. 4:13`. Yes, we shall share in the "glory that shall follow," and part of that glory shall be to crush the serpent. Now he bruises our heel (ours are not vital wounds, they will all heal.) We shall crush his head (a vital part, indicating the utter
extinction of evil
--when
death
shall be destroyed, and "him that hath the power of death, that is the devil"). As this has required time for its accomplishment, so have almost all the promises of God. Take
THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM.
God had promised and sworn to Abraham, that his seed should be as the sand of the sea--innumerable-- and Abraham believed it; but as years rolled on he and Sarah thought it a
long
time. They were getting old, and yet had no child. Finally to help God to fulfill his promise, (how many Christians want to FORCE
a construction
on prophecy, in order to help God out of a dilemma, and
help
him to fulfill his word. Wait;
"God is his own interpreter,
And He will make it plain." Yes, they would help God to keep his word,) and as Sarah was too old, her
maid
must bear the promised seed. This was a human way to fulfill, but God waited fifteen years until they were both old, so that both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they were told that they should yet have a son Isaac. "After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure my lord, being old also?" But the answer was: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?
At the time
APPOINTED... Sarah shall have a son."
O, that we could learn--
"It may not be my time,
It may not be thy time,
And yet
in His own time
The Lord will
perform."
Ages have rolled around, yet the seed of Abraham, although a nation and partially possessing Canaan for a time, have never yet had those promises to Abraham FULFILLED.
"I will establish my
covenant
between me and thee, and thy seed after thee." "And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger,
all
the land of Canaan
for an
everlasting
possession."
But Paul shows us how that there was a deeper meaning than the surface promise couched in the utterances of God to the seed of Abraham. Not only the
fleshly children
but the
children of faith
have a share.
"Now, to Abraham and his
seed
were the promises made. He saith not, And to
seeds
as of many; but as of one. 'And to thy seed'-- which is
Christ."
....And if ye be Christ's (if you have been "baptised into Christ, put on Christ," become "members of His body,")
then
(and only
then,
no other way,) are ye
Abraham's
SEED and HEIRS; according to promise." `Gal. 3:16 and 29`.
Here again we realize that God's
"little while,"
is to man a
great while;
but surely and steadily the members of the body of Christ are being developed, and in
due time
they will be united to their Head, and with Him
glorified
--constituting in the complete sense
"the seed"
--and then, never fully until then, can it be true of Abraham and his seed:--"In thee shall all nations be blessed." (`Gal. 3:8`.)
Then
"A king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment"--[Christ, our head, the king, and we joint heirs with him"]--and under that righteous reign and rule "all the families of the earth shall be blessed," for
then
"the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth." But there, are
PROMISES TO THE NATURAL SEED,
As well as to the spiritual, they never have and do not now possess
Canaan
as an
"everlasting possession."
The prophets tell us that "the Lord shall yet choose Jerusalem." `Zech. 1:17`. "I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem;" it "shall be called a city of truth." "The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing." "If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes, saith the Lord of hosts?" `Zech. 8:3-6`. "At that time...I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem." "Then shall Jerusalem be holy." `Joel 3:1-17`.
James shows that these promises lacked a fulfillment. `Acts 15:16` after showing the object of the
Gospel
age
to be the taking out of the Gentiles, a people for His name-- the Church--His body, the seed. After recounting this, James says: "To this agree the words of the prophets, [or this is in harmony with prophecy."] "As it is written,
'After
this'
[after the seed is taken from among the Gentiles,] 'I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David
which is fallen down,
and I will build again
the ruins
thereof.'" Yes, God has good things in reserve for his ancient people, and as Paul says, though they were "blinded" and "cut off" from the first position of heirs of those promises, yet, "God hath not cast away His people whom He foreknew." For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel." How long, Paul,
until
the fullness of the Gentiles be come in? [That is, until the entire Church, which James says God is taking out of the Gentiles, have all been taken out, and gathered into full sonship, as the seed of promise.] And if they are blinded only
until
that time, it is evident that
at that time
the blindness will be removed. But Paul continues, "and so all Israel shall be saved," [not saved
eternally
as individuals, but saved--rescued nationally-- brought back to power and grandeur.] But Paul goes to the prophets as his authority, "as it is written,
::R12 : page 5::
there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, [the
seed,
head and body] and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, [fleshly Israel,] for this is my covenant with them." Paul then gives us his reasons for speaking so confidently, "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." God's giving
us
the high calling, and the promises on the higher plane, does not interfere with or hinder His keeping his promise to the fleshly seed, but all the more guarantee it.
Then he explains how it is we, who were once Gentiles, had God's mercy and truth revealed to us when and because natural Israel was blinded; so we obtained mercy through their unbelief; so these have not believed that through
your mercy
they also obtain mercy. Through whose mercy?
Yours,
the Church's, when the Church is all taken out and glorified, she is with Christ, her head, to mercifully and justly rule the world, and then Israel shall obtain
your mercy.
`Rom. 2:2-25`.
O, that we could realize that every promise of God
is sure,
in His own
due time;
it would give us childlike trust and confidence for everything, and not to accept them as
all sure
is to make God a liar.
Paul, as he looked forward and realized how in
due time
every jot and tittle should be fulfilled, and saw the greatness and majesty of God's plan, breaks forth in ecstasy and exclaims, "O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" "Who hath known the mind of the Lord?" [Who knew that God's plan was so comprehensive and full.] And our hearts can say, Amen.
God knows the end from the beginning, and looking at the great clock of the ages, declares to us that the things we so much desire, shall be
"shortly,"
"yet a little while." Let us look at things from his standpoint, and so
"Let the
little while
between
In its golden light be seen."
====================
::R12 : page 5::
The Royal Priesthood.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness unto His marvelous light." `1 Pet. 2:9`.
"Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." `Rev. 1:5,6`.
"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth." `Rev. 5:10`.
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." `Rev. 20:6`.
The above scriptures clearly teach that a part, at least, of our work in the future will be to officiate as the priests of God. As the work of a priest is one of intercession and of instruction in righteousness, they as clearly prove that the glorious work of evangelization will go on, not only after the first resurrection has taken place, but even all through the "age of the ages." The fact that these offices of "king" and "priest" will exist, logically implies that there will be subjects to rule and learners to teach; otherwise the names would be meaningless and the titles an empty sound.
It is held by some, that the reign of the saints will consist of a very brief "reign of terror," during which --with Christ at their head--they will trample their enemies into the dust and utterly destroy them. We thank our dear Lord for a better hope. Our work will not be one of destruction, but of salvation. We shall rule as kings, even with a rod of iron; but the grand object will be to humble the nations, and so fit them for the reception of truth. "For, when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." `Isa. 26:9`.
What a blessed prospect! what a glorious calling! A royal priesthood!
Who that is imbued with the spirit of the Master; who that has but
tasted
that the Lord is gracious, could desire more agreeable employment than to show forth the praises of our Savior King to those sitting in darkness? to bind up the broken-hearted? to proclaim liberty to the captive? to give beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning?--
"To tell the old,
old
story
Of Jesus and His love."
To fit us for such an exalted and responsible position we require a peculiar training, and we feel warranted in claiming that the trials, temptations and discipline of this present life are for that very purpose.
Many a struggling believer, trying hard to overcome, buffeted by the enemy, tried by friends, weighed down by hereditary weaknesses in self, discouraged and faint, has cried out, from the depths of a loving heart: "Why, O! why this suffering? why this severe chastisement?" Let us glance for a moment at the
::R12 : page 6::
pathway trod by the bleeding feet of the Master--our forerunner--and we shall find the answer.
"So, also, Christ glorified not Himself to be made a high priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art my son....Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that He feared: Though He were a son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He had suffered, and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him." `Heb. 5:5-9`.
"For it became Him, for whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Wherefore in all things it behooveth Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." `Heb. 2:10,17-18`.
"For we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." `Heb. 4:15,16`.
The reason, then, that the Church is called on to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ is, that all the body, in like manner to the Head, may be trained to perfect sympathy and to perfect obedience through suffering. In this present time, we in all our troubles come to our compassionate High Priest with boldness, realizing that He, having been partaker of flesh and blood, can truly feel for us and pity us, so, in the age to come, we, the promised seed of Abraham, through whom all the families of the earth shall be blessed, (compare `Gen. 12:3`; `Gal. 3:14,16,20`;) shall go forth a royal priesthood, according to the order of Melchisedec, fully prepared to sympathize with the nations, to lead them to the paths of righteousness, and to encourage them in the way of life.
Shall we shrink then from our cross? Shall we seek to put away the bitter cup that is sometimes pressed to our lips? Surely not. 'Tis a loving hand that presents it, 'tis a loving heart (infinitely loving) that sees the need of it. No! It is but the Master fitting us for His work; training us for the priesthood; teaching us to rule ourselves that we may know how to rule others; opening our eyes to the weakness of our own flesh, that we may have patience with those over whom we are given authority. (`Luke 19:17,19`.)
Courage, then, my Christian brother or sister, seeking with weary step to run the narrow way. Heed not the rugged course; it is all hallowed and sanctified by the blessed feet of the Master. Count every thorn a flower; every sharp rock a milestone, hurrying you onward to the goal. Let every advancing step be a "Nearer to Thee:" every hillock in the road an "upward toward heaven." Keep your eye fixed on the prize. Soon--very soon--you may wear the Crown.
"It is a faithful saying:
For if we
be dead with Him, we shall also live
with him; if we suffer, we shall also
reign with Him."
The consecrated cross I'll bear,
Till self it bears from me;
When Jesus calls, the crown I'll wear
For Him who set me free.
W. I. M.
====================
::R13 : page 6::
The Blood of Christ.
The more enlightened we become in regard to God's plan of the ages, the more fully we can understand the wonderful love of God manifested in the gift of Jesus Christ. God does nothing without a reason, and only as we understand the reason can we rightly value what He does. So we come nearer to the true estimate of the blood of Christ as we understand
why
he shed His blood and the nature of the results to be obtained.
Man not only became a
sinner
by disobedience, but he lost his
life
also. As through one man sin entered the world (in whom all sinned), and through sin, death, so also death passed upon all men. `Romans 5:12`. If he remained in that condition, God's object in creating man to attain finally to His own image would prove a failure.
As there was no
law
that could give life, it seems that nothing less than the death of Christ could place man where he could strive for the
higher
life.
He said of himself, "This is my flesh which I give for the life of the world." Besides, we being yet helpless, Christ at the proper time died in behalf of the ungodly. Now, scarcely on behalf of a just person will any one die, though, possibly, on behalf of the
good
some one might venture to die. But God recommends His own love to us, because we being yet
sinners,
Christ died on our behalf. By much MORE, then, having been now justified by His
blood,
we shall through Him be saved from wrath. `Romans 5:6-9`. So Paul could say, "Take heed, therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with the blood of his
own."
`Acts 20:28`. They
were
sold under sin, but
bought
with a price. "What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are all bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." `1 Cor. 6:19,20`.
Bought, redeemed and ransomed seem to be used in the same sense, and by the use of these terms we are frequently reminded that we are not our
own,
but belong to one who has the right to command and require implicit obedience; but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation, in all your conduct, because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy, and if ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear; forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the
precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. `1 Peter 1:15-19`.
For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. `Rev. 5:9,10`.
We are taught to serve one another, and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant, even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. `Matt. 20:27,28`.
He gave himself a ransom for
all,
to be testified in due time. `1 Tim. 2:6`.
I will
ransom
them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction. `Hosea 13:14`.
But this is not
all.
We have this precious invitation: Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. `Isa. 1:18`. If we
confess
our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. `1 John 1:9`.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we speak falsely and perform not the truth; but if we walk in the
light,
as He is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. `1 John 6:7`.
It is a singular fact, that a scarlet or crimson object viewed through a red glass in the
light,
the object
appears
white; so, though our sins be as scarlet or crimson, when we come where God will view them through the
blood
of Christ, they are accounted as
white.
Though we have no righteousness of our
own,
our
faith
is accounted unto us for righteousness. Wherefore, remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the
flesh,
...that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God--Godless --in the world; but now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made
nigh
by the
blood
of Christ. `Eph. 2:11-13`.
But Christ being made a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of
this
building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his
own
blood, He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, how
much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. `Heb. 9:11-14`.
Therefore, by works of
law
no human being shall be justified in His presence, for through the law there is an acknowledgement of sin; but now,
apart
from law, God's righteousness has been made manifest, being attested by the law and the prophets, even God's righteousness through the faith of Christ, to all who
believe;
for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his favor, through that redemption which is by Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a mercy-seat by His own blood through the faith, for an exhibition of His righteousness in
passing by
the sins
frequently
committed during the forbearance of God, and for an exhibition of His righteousness at the
present
time, in order that He may be righteous while justifying him who is of the faith of Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is shut out. Through what law?--of works? No; but by the law of
faith.
`Rom. 3:20` (Emphatic Diaglott)
====================
::R3 : page 6::
BRO. H. B. RICE, editor and publisher of
The Last Trump,
has been obliged by circumstances beyond his control to suspend its publication. Knowing that such a course was probable, we two months ago proposed to Bro. Rice that we would supply THE WATCH TOWER to his subscribers, instead of
The Trump,
up to the close of their subscriptions, and we invited him to speak to his old subscribers, and others of
the
body of Christ,
through ZION'S WATCH TOWER.
He has accepted both propositions, sent the list of subscribers, and in an open letter to them says, "I will endeavor to contribute something to THE WATCH TOWER every month," &c.
As we are much crowded, we have published this letter as a
supplement,
and sent it to the subscribers of
The
Last Trump
only.
====================
::page 8::
Songs of the Bride,
Is the title of a Hymn Book which we have just published from this office. It contains one hundred and forty-four hymns, carefully selected and revised. Our design has been to present to THE BODY of Christ, "The Chaste Virgin" Church, which expects soon to go in to the marriage and become Christ's Bride, a selection of Sacred Songs especially adapted to her condition and expressive of her desires and hopes. It is well printed on good paper and bound in flexible cloth.
The Price is FIFTEEN CENTS, postage paid.
----------
THE OBJECT AND MANNER
OF
Our Lord's Return.
This Pamphlet of sixty-four pages is calculated to interest those who have given little thought to the subject. It presents some suggestions relative to the future of the heathen; the doctrines of election and free grace, &c., calculated to awaken the interest of intelligent, thinking people. It is in convenient form to lend to friends and neighbors.
Price, TEN CENTS, or ONE DOLLAR PER DOZEN, by mail, postage paid by us.
All Orders should be addressed to
Zion's Watch Tower,
101 FIFTH AVE., PITTSBURGH, PA.
----------
N.B.--To those who would like to have, but are too poor to pay for them, either "THE SONGS OF THE BRIDE," "THE OBJECT AND MANNER, &c." OR, "ZION'S WATCH TOWER," Will be sent FREE. But like all of God's gifts, you must "ask that ye may receive."
Go Back