1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

glorified with Him and made fully like him, they shall share hispower (Rom. 8:17). Then, at the same time that these shall havebeen selected, the world shall have learned the need of the perfectgovernment which God shall establish through these. It is for thisgovernment that the world waits and groans, though as yet itrealizes it not; even "the manifestation of the sons of God." (Rom.8:19.)And since we know the outcome--the blessings in store for it--wecan view with equanimity and calmness the gathering stormsympathizing with the expression of the poet:R743 : page 5I turn me awe-struck from the sight,Among the clamoring thousands unite.I only know that God is rightAnd that the children of the lightShall tread the darkness under-foot.I know the pent fire heaves its crust,That sultry skies the bolt will formTo smite them clear; that Nature mustThe balance of her powers adjust,Though with the earthquake and the storm."====================IT REPENTED THE LORD.And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earthand that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evilcontinually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on theearth, and it grieved him at his heart, and the Lord said I willdestroy man whom I have created, from the face of the earth. Gen.6:5-7.The question naturally arises, If God is omniscient, knowing, theend from the beginning, how could he repent of his course increating man?The word repent means:--"To change the MIND, or, COURSE OFCONDUCT on account of regret or dissatisfaction with what hasoccurred."--Webster. The question then is, Did God change hismind [plan], or, his course of conduct? We claim, that knowing theend from the beginning, God's mind could not change, hence itmust signify change of conduct. That is, God changed his course ofdealing with man because of man's wickedness which grieved him,but he did not need to change his mind or plans, because these planshad from the very first recognized the corrupting and degradingtendency of sin, and provided (in purpose or mind) the Lamb ofGod--"slain from before the foundation of the world," as theredemption price.