1889 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

seen by every living creature of earth far more forcibly than bydescending to one of the great cities, to telegraph and telephonehis arrival all over the world, or to have newspaper Extras of hisproclamation gotten out on lightning presses and sent byLimited Mail trains.But no; with no such unseemly haste will God's great plan, forwhich the past six thousand years have been only thepreparatory steps, be consummated. How apt we are to get into ahurry and to expect God to do so too. How apt we are to forgetwhat the prophet declared and the apostle repeated that athousand years in God's sight are but as yesterday, a day withthe Lord as a thousand years with men. Christ comes to reign;"he must reign until he has put all enemies under his feet;" andhe shall reign, and the church of the first resurrection with him,for "a thousand years."--1 Cor. 15:25; Rev. 20:2,4.When he who redeemed all in due time, shall likewise in duetime set up his kingdom, it will be so ordered that it will affordample opportunity for the overcoming saints, as his joint-heirs,to put fully into exercise in dealing with the sick, deaf and blindworld all the preparatory lessons which they have received inthe present age;--restoring the willing ones back to all the favorsand blessings lost in Adam and redeemed for them by Christ'sall-sufficient ransom-sacrifice.The telegraph, telephone, improved printing presses and rapidmail service will each and all, too, have their part to do in thatgreat work of carrying the "good tidings of great joy, whichshall be to all people" (Luke 2:10); in testifying in due time, toall, the ransom accomplished, the reconciliation possible, andthe conditions of the new covenant; in causing the knowledge ofthe Lord to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. --1 Tim.2:5,6; Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14.It will not be sufficient that men shall cry out, "I believe;" fordevils also believe and tremble. The reign of Christ will not befor the purpose of showing how many can be brought to believe;but for the purpose of testing and trying the world, after theyhave come to a knowledge of the truth--after they have"believed," to prove whether they shall will to be in harmonywith God and obedient to him and his perfect law of love. Godproposes to give back through Christ perfect life and all thatman lost through disobedience, but only to such as accept ofChrist, as Redeemer and King, and who, surrendering self-will,shall come so fully into harmony with God that they will hatesin and love righteousness. And before giving everlasting life toany, God proposes to take more than a mere profession; hencethe coming age is called an age of judgment--an age of trial andtesting, in which all mankind (except the few who have fullknowledge, and hence full trial, now) will be tried fully, justly,impartially, with every favorable opportunity, before Christ, the