1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org
1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org 1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org
every language of earth; not that all earth's myriads had receivedit. No; not one in a hundred of the thirteen hundred millionshave ever heard the name of Jesus. Yet the text is fulfilled: theGospel has been preached to every nation.We understand that the main and first object of the Gospel in thepresent age is, "To take out a people, for his name"--the Church--who at Christ's coming are united to him, and receive hisname.--Rev. 3:12.The second text is: "Sit thou on my right hand, until I makethine enemies thy footstool."--Matt. 22:44. The thoughtgenerally gathered from this Scripture is, that in heaven God hasaR256 : page 29throne on which he sits continually, and that when "Christ satdown on the right hand of the Majesty on high," he sat downalso upon the same throne. This is a misconception. The throneof God referred to is not a material one, but refers to hissupreme authority and rulership, for "heaven is my throne andearth is my footstool," and Paul says, "God hath highly exaltedhim [Jesus] and given him a name above every name." He hathgiven him authority (above every other) next to the Father. IfChrist sits upon a material throne until his enemies are made hisfootstool [all subdued], then, of course, he could not come untilthe Millennium has been fully inaugurated. But if it means theexalting to power, it would not interfere with his coming andsubduing 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, heseldom occupies it. We mean that he rules Germany.Right hand signifies the chief place, position of excellence orpower, and the words of Jesus to Pilate agree with this thought:R256 : page 30"Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right handof power, and coming in the clouds (storm clouds of trouble.--Zeph. 1:15) of heaven."--Mark 14:62. He will be on the righthand when coming, and remain at the right hand during theMillennial age. On both views of the subject able arguments arepossible, yet both cannot be true. We purpose, therefore, to takea glance at the generalPLAN OF SALVATION,to see which view is in harmony with it. In so doing, we shallfind the relation and bearing of both the first and the secondcomings, and know where to locate them.First, then, Has God a plan? All must agree that he has, althoughalmost all are inclined to think and talk of his dealings as though
he were dealing by a rule of chance, and governed entirely bycircumstance. No; he that would condemn a man for building atower without first counting the cost, shall he build and people auniverse without counting the cost? No, brethren; "Known untothe Lord are all his ways from the beginning." God has a plan, apurpose, and we know that all his purposes shall beaccomplished. But how shall we find that plan? It is revealed tous in his word. "Search the Scriptures." Compare Scripture withScripture, forGod is his own interpreter,And he will make it plain.We are too much inclined to ask--What does my church say?--upon any question, instead of--What saith the Scriptures? Toomuch disposed to consult men's theological opinions, rather thanGod's Word. With the thought, then, that "the Scriptures are ableto make us wise," that "the testimonies of the Lord are sure,making wise the simple," let us examine.We have learned in the foregoing chapter Why evil waspermitted. Its existence is attributed in Scripture to the devil.Evil continues because Satan's power is continued. It will lastR256 : page 31throughout the present age, because the devil is the prince [ruler]of this world.--Eph. 2:2. He will continue as its ruler as long ashe can, or until he is bound. He cannot be bound until a strongerthan he takes the control out of his hands.God, of course, can control him; and of Jesus it is written, "Allpower in heaven and in earth is given unto me."But while Jesus has all power, for wise purposes he has notmade use of it, permitting evil to reign and measurably controlthe world, and permitting the devil to be "prince of this world." --John 14:30. But the time is coming when "He shall take tohimself his great power, and reign," exalting his Church, givingher "power over the nations," so that, instead of, as now, being"subject to the powers that be," she shall "rule the nations." Butwhen will he thus assume control? When the Gospel Church,"His body" (Greek--Ecclesia), is complete. (Evil now beingpermitted for the trial and perfecting of the saints.) Thiscompletion of the Church is attained under the sounding of theseventh trumpet.--Rev. 11:15. Here the mystery [church] of Godis finished, and "the kingdoms of this world become thekingdoms of our Lord and his anointed" [church]. Now, weinquire, is this transfer of authorityFROM SATAN TO CHRISTcaused by the conversion of the nations to Christ throughpreaching the Gospel? We answer, No. At this time the nationsare not converted (vs. 18), "And the nations were angry, and thy
- Page 251 and 252: irth of the flesh or of the Spirit?
- Page 253 and 254: flower: so in the six branches that
- Page 255 and 256: "And he made the lampstand of pure
- Page 257 and 258: y human wisdom or knowledge, "not b
- Page 259 and 260: mercy endureth forever") but now du
- Page 261 and 262: and, like the paschal lamb, affecte
- Page 263 and 264: lifetime subject to bondage" --Let
- Page 265 and 266: and praying be the reason of the ke
- Page 267 and 268: "Well, are you redeemed?""Yes, I am
- Page 269 and 270: R247 : page 7WHAT WE EXPECT.The hop
- Page 271 and 272: heads, "standards" and "authorities
- Page 273 and 274: THE NEW VERSION.The revised version
- Page 275 and 276: the destruction of our globe, and t
- Page 277 and 278: occur in 1880 and 1881. But though
- Page 279 and 280: page iFOODFORTHINKING CHRISTIANS.--
- Page 281 and 282: among the good? Could he not have p
- Page 283 and 284: B.--But did not God implant in his
- Page 285 and 286: should disobey God, death would hav
- Page 287 and 288: in the forfeit of the sinner's life
- Page 289 and 290: The character and exclusive applica
- Page 291 and 292: nor by work he has since accomplish
- Page 293 and 294: C.--Now, another point: Are all our
- Page 295 and 296: Jesus is the head, is intended for
- Page 297 and 298: word of God true and Satan's statem
- Page 299 and 300: evil with good, we are misunderstoo
- Page 301: These evidently overlook the fact t
- Page 305 and 306: SEPARATE AGES.The Patriarchal, last
- Page 307 and 308: complete, then the plan of God for
- Page 309 and 310: Again he says, Acts 4:12, "There is
- Page 311 and 312: Another is: "There is one God, and
- Page 313 and 314: accomplished.--Vs. 28 to 33. The pr
- Page 315 and 316: THEIR FORMER ESTATE,"--restitution.
- Page 317 and 318: ighteousness to such a degree that
- Page 319 and 320: for the same reasons. But when God'
- Page 321 and 322: now they die for their own willful
- Page 323 and 324: Millennial reign. The glory of the
- Page 325 and 326: illustrated by angels--spiritual bo
- Page 327 and 328: the disciples did not see Christ's
- Page 329 and 330: the glory that shall be revealed (1
- Page 331 and 332: PRESENCE OF CHRIST BEFORE THERAPTUR
- Page 333 and 334: The Greek word generally used in re
- Page 335 and 336: will, viz., in oppressing and oppos
- Page 337 and 338: Some other powers of angels can be
- Page 339 and 340: execute from God, (Job 1:12), is it
- Page 341 and 342: expressed his belief that many of t
- Page 343 and 344: God, that ye may be able to withsta
- Page 345 and 346: of the old nature and newness of li
- Page 347 and 348: period of the judges until Samuel,
- Page 349 and 350: When the new Prince takes control,
- Page 351 and 352: mountains, [place of power], and sh
every language of earth; not that all earth's myriads had receivedit. No; not one in a hundred of the thirteen hundred millionshave ever heard the name of Jesus. Yet the text is fulfilled: theGospel has been preached to every nation.We understand that the main and first object of the Gospel in thepresent age is, "To take out a people, for his name"--the Church--who at Christ's coming are united to him, and receive hisname.--Rev. 3:12.The second text is: "Sit thou on my right hand, until I makethine enemies thy footstool."--Matt. 22:44. The thoughtgenerally gathered from this Scripture is, that in heaven God hasaR256 : page 29throne on which he sits continually, and that when "Christ satdown on the right hand of the Majesty on high," he sat downalso upon the same throne. This is a misconception. The throneof God referred to is not a material one, but refers to hissupreme authority and rulership, for "heaven is my throne andearth is my footstool," and Paul says, "God hath highly exaltedhim [Jesus] and given him a name above every name." He hathgiven him authority (above every other) next to the Father. IfChrist sits upon a material throne until his enemies are made hisfootstool [all subdued], then, of course, he could not come untilthe Millennium has been fully inaugurated. But if it means theexalting to power, it would not interfere with his coming andsubduing 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, heseldom occupies it. We mean that he rules Germany.Right hand signifies the chief place, position of excellence orpower, and the words of Jesus to Pilate agree with this thought:R256 : page 30"Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right handof power, and coming in the clouds (storm clouds of trouble.--Zeph. 1:15) of heaven."--Mark 14:62. He will be on the righthand when coming, and remain at the right hand during theMillennial age. On both views of the subject able arguments arepossible, yet both cannot be true. We purpose, therefore, to takea glance at the generalPLAN OF SALVATION,to see which view is in harmony with it. In so doing, we shallfind the relation and bearing of both the first and the secondcomings, and know where to locate them.First, then, Has God a plan? All must agree that he has, althoughalmost all are inclined to think and talk of his dealings as though
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