1889 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

inspiration, common to all the saints, in proportion to theirdevelopment, should be critically distinguished from the specialand peculiarly guided and guarded inspiration of the twelveapostles, whom God specially appointed to be the teachers of thechurch, and who have no successors in this office. Only twelvewere "chosen," and when one of these, Judas, fell from hishonorable office, the Lord in due time appointed Paul to theplace; and he not only has never recognized others, but clearlyindicates that he never will recognize others in that office.--Rev.21:14.With the death of the Apostles the canon of Scripture closed,because God had there given a full and complete revelation ofhis plan for man's salvation; though some of it was in acondensed form which has since expanded and is expanding andunfolding and will continue to expand and shine more and moreuntil the perfect day--the Millennial Day--has been fully usheredin. Paul expresses this thought clearly when he declares that theHoly Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation, and thatthey are sufficient.As we consider, then, the completeness, harmony, purity andgrandeur of the Bible, its age and wonderful preservationthrough the wreck and storms of six thousand years, it must beadmitted to be a most wonderful book; and those who havelearned to read it understandingly, who see in it the great plan ofthe ages, cannot doubt that God was its inspiring Author, as wellas its Preserver. Its only parallel is the book of nature by thesame great Author.====================R1149 : page 6THE TWO SALVATIONS."That now unto the principalities and powers in the heavenliesmight be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."--Eph. 3:10."Blind leaders of the blind" in Babylon insist that the "manifoldwisdom of God" is now apparent, and can be fully appreciatedby all men, whereas the Lord Jesus, at his first advent, positivelystated that only his disciples were able to even partiallyunderstand the truths he set forth. (Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke8:10.) Before his crucifixion Jesus told his disciples further, thatthe same conditions would continue until the end of the Gospelage. (Matt. 24:3,31.) Paul explains that during the Gospel periodthe "manifold wisdom of God" is made known to the"principalities and powers in heavenly (not earthly) places,--tothe church. (Eph. 3:10.) During the present reign of evil the gladtidings operate in the world to take out a people for the Lord'sname. (Acts 15:14.) When these "people for a purpose" shall all