1889 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

many languages, in that "indestructible" word, the Most HighGod. --A. G. Vermilye.REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.The above observations are valuable, considered in connectionwith Paul's inspired account of how ignorance and superstitioncame to be so wide-spread throughout the world, as detailed inRomans 1:18 to 3:23. Deplorable and dense as the ignorance andsuperstition of the world is, it is well that all should see that it isnot the fault of God, that it is not because God made mendegraded and vile. It is necessary that this be fully recognized asan offset to the growing idea that God did a very imperfect workin the creation of man, and that present progress from darknessand superstition, to light and reason and civilization, is merelyhuman development--evolution.Be it noted, that the Scriptures everywhere give one harmoniousaccount of the origin and cause of evil and ignorance in theworld, and show that God is not guilty; they tell that "God hathmade men upright but they have sought out many inventions"(Eccl. 7:29); and that it was when and because man was notdesirous of retaining a knowledge of God in his heart that Godgave them over to a reprobate mind. (Rom. 1:28.) Thus sin,which entered at Eden (Rom. 5:12), manifested its tendency tobe continually downward, except as God introduced "the salt ofthe earth" (those exercised by his truth--led of his spirit) whoseinfluence has been to keep the social mass from utter corruption.Thank God for the blessed assurances of his word, that thoughthe world has been thus left largely to its own course, that bothangels and men may see the real tendencies of sin, yet, thatwhen this severe lesson has been well illustrated and deeplyimpressed, then He will through his anointed ones, Christ Jesusand his Bride the overcoming church, arrest the sway ofignorance, and sin, and superstition, and cause the knowledge ofthe Lord and his perfect plans to fill the earth. Thank God thathis promised kingdom (the glorified church "a royal priesthood"--rulers and teachers) shall re-establish righteousness and give tothe billions of earth (who, as inheritors of sin and weakness,have never known or been able to appreciate righteousness,purity, and their attendant joys), an opportunity to taste and seethat the Lord is gracious and that wisdom's righteous ways areways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.When thus the right is known, and its results appreciated, all willbe permitted to choose good or evil, right or wrong,righteousness or sin, obedience or disobedience to God; andaccording to their choice, they shall receive their final andlasting reward; according as it is written, "The wages of sin isdeath [extinction, the withdrawal of all life], but the gift of Godis eternal life through Jesus Christ," to as many as truly acceptof him as their Lord and Master.