1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

Another lesson we need to learn is that not merely theChurch, which is the Body of Christ, is to be saved, butthat God has a salvation--although a very different one--for others.--Heb. 2:3; Jude 3.Under the creeds formulated during the Dark Ageswe supposed that since the whole world is under Divinecondemnation, therefore every infant is so condemned.We were right in this, but wrong in respect to thecharacter of the condemnation. None of our race werecondemned to eternal torment or purgatory. The Bibleexplicitly tells us that we were condemned to death.(Rom. 6:23; Gen. 2:17; 3:19.) As a consequence mankindare a dying race. The dying processes of the sixthousand years have affected the race mentally, morallyand physically.--Psa. 51:5; Jer. 31:29,30.Only those baptized into Christ's death and thus vitallyunited to the living Head of the Church, have as yet escapedfrom the condemnation which rests upon the world.But God's provision, which begins with the Church, willproceed, after her glorification, to bless the world. (Gal. 3:8,16,29.)Then all the non-elect, all the unbaptized,all out of Christ--infants, heathen, all--will be subjectsof the blessed Millennial Kingdom. All will have theopportunity, not to be baptized into the Body of Christ,but to experience the promised restitution to human perfectionand earthly paradise--all that was lost in Eden,all that was redeemed at Calvary.--Acts 3:19-21.====================R5066 : page 226VICTORIOUS CHRIST HEADS PROCESSION"When He ascended up on high Heled a multitude of captives."--Eph. 4:8.THIS GRAND EXPRESSION respecting theglorious outcome of the Savior's work isquoted by the Apostle Paul from the Psalms. (68:18.)The figure thus thrust before ourmental eye is that of a great Conquerorwhose victory is being heralded. With theRomans we know that it was a custom thatgenerals returning from various wars weregranted what were termed "Triumphs"--that is to say, triumphal processions, thatthe people might have tangible evidence of their victories.Thus, for instance, Titus, returning from the war uponthe Jews in A.D. 70, brought with him certain notablepersons and the Golden Candlestick from the Temple, andthese were displayed to the eyes of the people followingthe conqueror. They were subsequently sculptured on theArch of Titus, still standing in Rome. And evidently thecustom was still older than the days of the Romans, sinceit was so prophetically set forth by the Prophet David.