Verbatim "Last / Final Generation" in EGW Writings

22 instances.

In this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to "every nation and kindred and tongue" (Revelation 14:6-14), "to take out of them a people for his name" (Acts 15:14; Revelation 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His glory. {AG 17.5}

And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to "every nation and kindred and tongue" (Revelation 14:6-14), "to take out of them a people for His name" (Acts 15:14; Revelation 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His glory. {COL 79.3}

THIS REMNANT, EXISTING AMID THE SIGNS AND WONDERS THAT USHER IN THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD, IS DOUBTLESS THE REMNANT OF THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SPOKEN OF IN REVELATION 12:17 - - THE LAST GENERATION OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH. "AND THE DRAGON WAS WROTH WITH THE WOMAN, AND WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST." {EW 143.1}

But for months my soul has been passing through intense agony on account of those who have received the sophistries of Satan and are communicating the same to others, [REFERENCE TO PANTHEISTIC TEACHINGS.] making every conceivable interpretation in various ways to destroy confidence in the gospel message for this last generation, and in the special work which God has given me to do. I know that the Lord has given me this work, and I have no excuse to make for what I have done. {3SM 72.1}

The power of God that wrought with His servant was felt by those who heard. Some gave heed to the warning, and renounced their sins; but the multitudes mocked at the solemn message, and went on more boldly in their evil ways. The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last days, and it will also be received with unbelief and mockery. The antediluvian world rejected the warning words of him who walked with God. So will the last generation make light of the warnings of the Lord's messengers. {PP 86.3}

Those who lived before the flood, come forth with their giant-like stature, more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and well proportioned. The generations after the flood were less in stature. There was a continual decrease through successive generations, down to the last that lived upon the earth. The contrast between the first wicked men who lived upon the earth, and those of the last generation, was very great. The first were of lofty height and well proportionedâ€”the last came up as they went down, a dwarfed, feeble, deformed race.â€”3SG 84. {Hvn 111.2}

In the Scriptures are presented truths that relate especially to our own time. To the period just prior to the appearing of the Son of man, the prophecies of Scripture point, and here their warnings and threatenings pre-eminently apply. The prophetic periods of Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great consummation, throw a flood of light upon events then to transpire. The book of Revelation is also replete with warning and instruction for the last generation. The beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, portrays the fearful and thrilling scenes connected with the close of earth's history, and presents the duties and dangers of God's people. None need remain in ignorance, none need be unprepared for the coming of the day of God. {RH, September 25, 1883 par. 6}

As we have followed down the chain of prophecy, revealed truth for our time has been clearly seen and explained. We are accountable for the privileges that we enjoy and for the light that shines upon our pathway. Those who lived in past generations were accountable for the light which was permitted to shine upon them. Their minds were exercised in regard to different points of Scripture which tested them. But they did not understand the truths which we do. They were not responsible for the light which they did not have. They had the Bible, as we have; but the time for the unfolding 693 of special truth in relation to the closing scenes of this earth's history is during the last generations that shall live upon the earth. {2T 692.2}

For months my soul has been passing through intense agony on account of those who have received the sophistries of Satan and are communicating the same to others, making every conceivable interpretation in various ways to destroy confidence in the gospel messages for this last generation, and in the special work which God has given me to do. I know that the Lord has given me this work, and I have no excuse to make for what I have done. In my experience I am constantly receiving evidence of sustaining miracle-working power of God upon my body and my soul, which I have dedicated to the Lord. I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. And I have such assurance of the Lord's working in my behalf that I must acknowledge His abundant grace.--Letter 86, 1906, pp. 2, 3. (To George I. Butler, March 8, 1906.) {4MR 64.1}

It is thus that God's purpose in calling His people, from Abraham on the plains of Mesopotamia to us in this age, is to reach its fulfillment. He says, "I will bless thee, . . . and thou shalt be a blessing." Genesis 12:2. The words of Christ through the gospel prophet, which are but re-echoed in the Sermon on the Mount, are for us in this last generation: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1. If upon your spirit the glory of the Lord is risen, if you have beheld His beauty who is "the chiefest among ten thousand" and the One "altogether lovely," if your souls has become radiant in the presence of His glory, to you is this word from the Master sent. Have you stood with Christ on the mount of transfiguration? Down in the plain there are souls enslaved by Satan; they are waiting for the word of faith and prayer to set them free. {MB 43.1}

The Majesty of Heaven in tears! the Son of the infinite God troubled in spirit, bowed down with anguish! The scene filled all Heaven with wonder. That scene reveals to us the exceeding sinfulness of sin; it shows how hard a task it is, even for infinite power, to save the guilty from the consequences of transgressing the law of God. Jesus, looking down to the last generation, saw the world involved in a deception similar to that which caused the destruction of 23 Jerusalem. The great sin of the Jews was their rejection of Christ; the great sin of the Christian world would be their rejection of the law of God, the foundation of his government in Heaven and earth. The precepts of Jehovah would be despised and set at naught. Millions in bondage to sin, slaves of Satan, doomed to suffer the second death, would refuse to listen to the words of truth in their day of visitation. Terrible blindness! strange infatuation! {GC88 22.2}

But for months my soul has been passing through intense agony on account of those who have received the sophistries of Satan [pantheistic teachings; see Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 255-304] and are communicating the same to others, making every conceivable interpretation in various ways to destroy confidence in the gospel messages for this last generation, and in the special work which God has given me to do. I know that the Lord has given me this work, and I have no excuse to make for what I have done. In my experience I am constantly receiving evidence of the sustaining miracle-working power of God upon my body and my soul, which I have dedicated to the Lord. I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. And I have such assurance of the Lord's working in my behalf that I must acknowledge His abundant grace. I love the Lord; I love my Saviour, and my life is wholly in the hands of God. As long as He sustains me, I shall bear a decided testimony. {TDG 76.4}

The Majesty of Heaven in tears! the Son of the infinite God troubled in spirit, bowed down with anguish! The scene filled all Heaven with wonder. That scene reveals to us the exceeding sinfulness of sin; it shows how hard a task it is, even for infinite power, to save the guilty from the consequences of transgressing the law of God. Jesus, looking down to the last generation, saw the world inclosed in a deception similar to that which caused the destruction of Jerusalem. The great sin of the Jews was their rejection of Christ; the great sin of the Christian world would be their rejection of the law of God, the foundation of his government in Heaven and earth. The precepts of Jehovah would be despised and set at naught. Millions in bondage to sin, slaves of Satan, doomed to suffer the second death, would refuse to listen to the words of truth in their day of visitation. Terrible blindness! strange infatuation! 23 {4SP 22.2}

The Majesty of heaven in tears! the Son of the infinite God troubled in spirit, bowed down with anguish! The scene filled all heaven with wonder. That scene reveals to us the exceeding sinfulness of sin; it shows how hard a task it is, even for Infinite Power, to save the guilty from the consequences of transgressing the law of God. Jesus, looking down to the last generation, saw the world involved in a deception similar to that which caused the destruction of Jerusalem. The great sin of the Jews was their rejection of Christ; the great sin of the Christian world would be their rejection of the law of God, the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. The precepts of Jehovah would be despised and set at nought. Millions in bondage to sin, slaves of Satan, doomed to suffer the second death, would 23 refuse to listen to the words of truth in their day of visitation. Terrible blindness! strange infatuation! {GC 22.2}

Treasures for the Last Generation Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was ever prophesying the coming of the Lord. This great event had been revealed to him in vision. Abel, though dead, is ever speaking of the blood of Christ which alone can make our offerings and gifts perfect. The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days. There is Moses still speaking, teaching self-renunciation by wishing himself blotted from the Book of Life for his fellow men, that they might be saved. David is leading the intercession of the church for the salvation of souls to the ends of the earth. The prophets are still testifying of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. There the whole accumulated truths are presented in force to us that we may profit by their teachings. We are under the influence of the whole. What manner of persons ought we to be to whom all this rich light of inheritance has been given. Concentrating all the influence of the past with new and increased light of the present, accrued power is given to all who will follow the light. Their faith will increase, and be brought into exercise at the present time, awakening an energy and an intensely increased earnestness, and through dependence upon God for His power to replenish the world and send the light of the Sun of Righteousness to the ends of the earth. {3SM 339.1}

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was ever prophesying the coming of the Lord. This great event had been revealed to him in vision. Abel, though dead, is ever speaking of the blood of Christ which alone can make our offerings and gifts perfect. The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days. There is Moses still speaking, -418- teaching self-renunciation by wishing himself blotted from the Book of Life for his fellow men, that they might be saved. David is leading the intercession of the church for the salvation of souls to the ends of the earth. The prophets are still testifying of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. There the whole accumulated truths are presented in force to us that we may profit by their teachings. We are under the influence of the whole. What manner of persons ought we to be to whom all this rich light of inheritance has been given. Concentrating all the influence of the past with new and increased light of the present, accrued power is given to all who will follow the light. Their faith will increase, and be brought into exercise at the present time, awakening an energy and an intensely increased earnestness, and through dependence upon God for His power to replenish the world and send the light of the Sun of Righteousness to the ends of the earth. {7MR 417.2}

At the end of one thousand years, Jesus, the king of glory, descends from the holy city, clothed with brightness like the lightning, upon the mount of olives--the same mount from whence he ascended after his resurrection. As his feet touch the mountain, it parts asunder, and becomes a very great plain, and is prepared for the reception of the holy city in which is the paradise of God, the garden of Eden, which was taken up after man's transgression. Now it descends with the city, more 84 beautiful, and gloriously adorned than when removed from the earth. The city of God comes down and settles upon the mighty plain prepared for it. Then Jesus leaves the city surrounded by the redeemed host, and is escorted on his way by the angelic throng. In fearful majesty he calls forth the wicked dead. They are wakened from their long sleep. What a dreadful waking! They behold the Son of God in his stern majesty and resplendent glory. All, as soon as they behold him, know that he is the crucified one who died to save them, whom they had despised and rejected. They are in number like the sand upon the sea-shore. At the first resurrection all come forth in immortal bloom, but at the second, the marks of the curse are visible upon all. All come up as they went down into their graves. Those who lived before the flood, come forth with their giant-like stature, more than twice as tall as men now living upon the earth, and well proportioned. The generations after the flood were less in stature. There was a continual decrease through successive generations, down to the last that lived upon the earth. The contrast between the first wicked men who lived upon the earth, and those of the last generation, was very great. The first were of lofty height and well proportioned--the last came up as they went down, a dwarfed, feeble, deformed race. A mighty host of kings, warriors, statesmen and nobles, down to the most degraded, came up together upon the 85 desolate earth. When they behold Jesus in his glory they are affrighted, and seek to hide from his terrible presence. They are overwhelmed with his exceeding glory, and with one accord are compelled to exclaim in anguish, "Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord." {3SG 83.2}

THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY ONCE, MAN WALKED WITH GOD IN EDEN. WITH OPEN FACE HE BEHELD THE GLORY OF THE LORD, AND TALKED WITH GOD, AND CHRIST, AND ANGELS, IN PARADISE, WITHOUT A DIMMING VAIL BETWEEN. MAN FELL FROM HIS MORAL RECTITUDE AND INNOCENCY, AND WAS DRIVEN FROM THE GARDEN, FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, AND FROM THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AND HIS HOLY ANGELS. MORAL DARKNESS, LIKE THE PALL OF DEATH, HAS SINCE CAST ITS SHADOWS EVERYWHERE, AND EVERYWHERE THE BLIGHT AND MILDEW OF SIN HAS BEEN SEEN. AND AMID THE GENERAL GLOOM AND MORAL WRETCHEDNESS, MAN HAS WANDERED FROM THE GATES OF PARADISE FOR NEARLY SIX THOUSAND YEARS, SUBJECT TO SICKNESS, PAIN, SORROW, TEARS, AND DEATH. HE HAS ALSO BEEN SUBJECT TO THE TEMPTATIONS AND WILES OF THE DEVIL, SO MUCH SO THAT IT IS THE SAD HISTORY OF MAN, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF HIS FALLEN STATE, THAT SATAN HAS REIGNED WITH ALMOST UNIVERSAL SWAY. WHEN ALL WAS LOST IN ADAM, AND THE SHADES OF NIGHT DARKENED THE MORAL HEAVENS, THERE SOON APPEARED THE STAR OF HOPE IN CHRIST, AND WITH IT THERE WAS ESTABLISHED A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. IN HIS FALLEN STATE, MAN COULD NOT CONVERSE FACE TO FACE WITH GOD, AND WITH CHRIST, AND WITH ANGELS, AS WHEN IN HIS EDEN PURITY. BUT THROUGH THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY ANGELS COULD THE GREAT GOD SPEAK TO HIM IN DREAMS AND IN VISIONS. "IF THERE BE A PROPHET AMONG YOU, I THE LORD WILL MAKE MYSELF KNOWN UNTO HIM IN A VISION, AND WILL SPEAK UNTO HIM IN A DREAM." NUMBERS 12:6. THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY WAS DESIGNED FOR ALL DISPENSATIONS. THE SACRED RECORD NOWHERE RESTRICTS IT TO ANY PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME, FROM THE FALL TO THE FINAL RESTITUTION. THE BIBLE RECOGNIZES ITS MANIFESTATION ALIKE IN 8 THE PATRIARCHAL AGE, IN THE JEWISH AGE, AND IN THE CHRISTIAN AGE. THROUGH THIS MEDIUM GOD COMMUNED WITH HOLY MEN OF OLD. ENOCH, THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM, PROPHESIED; AND SO EXTENSIVE WAS THE RANGE OF HIS PROPHETIC VISION, AND SO MINUTE, THAT HE COULD LOOK DOWN OVER LONG AGES, AND DESCRIBE THE COMING OF THE LORD, AND THE EXECUTION OF THE LAST JUDGMENT UPON THE UNGODLY. JUDE, VERSES 14, 15. GOD SPAKE TO HIS PROPHETS IN THE JEWISH DISPENSATION IN VISIONS AND IN DREAMS, AND OPENED BEFORE THEM THE GREAT THINGS OF THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY THOSE CONNECTED WITH THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST TO SUFFER FOR SINNERS, AND HIS SECOND APPEARING IN GLORY TO DESTROY HIS ENEMIES, AND COMPLETE THE REDEMPTION OF HIS PEOPLE. IF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY NEARLY DISAPPEARED FROM THE JEWISH CHURCH FOR A FEW CENTURIES TOWARD THE CLOSE OF THAT DISPENSATION, ON ACCOUNT OF THE CORRUPTIONS IN THAT CHURCH, IT RE-APPEARED AT ITS CLOSE TO USHER IN THE MESSIAH. ZACHARIAS, THE FATHER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, "WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PROPHESIED." SIMEON, A JUST AND DEVOUT MAN, WHO WAS "WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL," CAME BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE TEMPLE, AND PROPHESIED OF JESUS AS "A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, AND THE GLORY OF ISRAEL." AND ANNA, A PROPHETESS, "SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM." AND THERE WAS NO GREATER PROPHET THAN JOHN, WHO WAS CHOSEN OF GOD TO INTRODUCE TO ISRAEL "THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD." THE CHRISTIAN AGE COMMENCED WITH THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE MANIFESTATION OF VARIOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS. AMONG THESE WAS THE GIFT OF PROPHECY. AFTER COMMISSIONING HIS DISCIPLES TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL, JESUS SAYS TO THEM, "AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE: IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; THEY 9 SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER," MARK 16:17, 18. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WHEN THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION WAS FULLY OPENED, SOME OF THESE GIFTS WERE MANIFESTED IN A WONDERFUL MANNER. ACTS 2:1-11. LUKE, IN GIVING ACCOUNT OF HIS TRAVELS WITH PAUL AND OTHERS, WHEN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE HAD ALREADY PASSED, AFTER SPEAKING OF ENTERING INTO THE HOUSE OF PHILIP, THE EVANGELIST, SAYS: "AND THE SAME MAN HAD FOUR DAUGHTERS, VIRGINS, WHICH DID PROPHESY. AND AS WE TARRIED THERE MANY DAYS, THERE CAME DOWN FROM JUDEA A CERTAIN PROPHET, NAMED AGABUS." ACTS 21:9, 10. AGAIN, STILL LATER, WE SEE THE BELOVED JOHN, IN THE ISLE OF PATMOS, IMBUED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IN ALL ITS FULLNESS. THE WONDERFUL REVELATION WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM WHEN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE HAD PASSED. AND HERE THE NEW-TESTAMENT RECORD LEAVES US WITHOUT A SINGLE INTIMATION THAT THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT SHOULD CEASE FROM THE CHURCH TILL THE DAY OF GLORY SHOULD BE USHERED IN BY THE SECOND APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST. SINCE THE GREAT APOSTASY, THESE GIFTS HAVE RARELY BEEN MANIFESTED; AND FOR THIS REASON, PROFESSED CHRISTIANS GENERALLY SUPPOSE THAT THEY WERE DESIGNED TO BE LIMITED TO THE PERIOD OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. BUT FROM THE TIME OF THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS TO THE PRESENT THERE HAVE BEEN MANIFESTATIONS AMONG THE MOST DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, WHICH HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY NEARLY ALL OF THE LEADING DENOMINATIONS AS THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEN SHOULD NOT THE ERRORS AND THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHURCH BE ASSIGNED AS REASONS WHY THESE MANIFESTATIONS HAVE BEEN SO SELDOM, RATHER THAN THAT GOD HAS TAKEN THESE BLESSINGS FROM THE CHURCH? WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD ATTAIN TO PRIMITIVE FAITH AND PRACTICE, AS THEY MOST CERTAINLY WILL UNDER THE LAST MESSAGE, THE LATTER RAIN WILL BE POURED OUT, AND ALL THE GIFTS WILL BE REVIVED. THE FORMER RAIN WAS GIVEN AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN 10 AGE, IN THE TIME OF THE SOWING OF THE GOSPEL SEED, TO CAUSE IT TO GERMINATE AND TAKE GOOD ROOT. THEN THE CHURCH ENJOYED THE GIFTS. AND WHEN THE LATTER RAIN SHALL BE POURED OUT AT THE CLOSE OF THE DISPENSATION, TO RIPEN THE GOLDEN HARVEST FOR THE GARNER OF GOD, THEN WILL THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE MANIFESTED IN ALL THEIR FULLNESS. TO THIS AGREE THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET, AS QUOTED BY PETER: "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS. AND ON MY SERVANTS, AND ON MY HANDMAIDENS, I WILL POUR OUT IN THOSE DAYS OF MY SPIRIT, AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY. AND I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN HEAVEN ABOVE, AND SIGNS IN THE EARTH BENEATH; BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THAT GREAT AND NOTABLE DAY OF THE LORD COME." ACTS 2:17-20. THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IS HERE SEEN AMONG THE ESPECIAL SIGNS OF THE LAST DAYS. ITS REVIVAL IN THE LAST DAYS WAS TO CONSTITUTE ONE OF THE MOST NOTED SIGNS OF THE APPROACHING END. THIS IS EVIDENT FROM ITS BEING CLASSED WITH THE MOST PROMINENT SIGNS, IN THE SUN, IN THE MOON, AND IN THE STARS, AND SUCH WONDERS, IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE, AND IN THE EARTH BENEATH, AS BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. OF ALL THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD HAS BESTOWED UPON HIS PEOPLE, THE GIFT OF HIS SON EXCEPTED, NONE HAVE BEEN SO SACRED, AND SO IMPORTANT TO THEIR WELFARE, AS THE GIFT OF HIS HOLY LAW, AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT. AND NONE HAVE BEEN SO WELL CALCULATED TO THWART THE PLANS OF SATAN, AND, CONSEQUENTLY, TO STIR HIS RAGE, AS THESE. AND WHEN THAT PEOPLE SHOULD ARISE IN THE LAST GENERATION OF MEN, WHO SHOULD BE OBSERVING ALL TEN OF THE PRECEPTS OF GOD'S HOLY LAW, AND SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE REVIVAL OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, THEY MIGHT EXPECT TO FEEL THAT BITTERNESS FROM THEIR OPPONENTS, WHICH CAN ARISE 11 ONLY FROM THE DIRECT INSPIRATION OF SATAN. "AND THE DRAGON WAS WROTH WITH THE WOMAN, AND WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST." REVELATION 12:17. "THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS," SAID THE ANGEL TO JOHN, "IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY." REVELATION 19:10. IT IS THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE RECOGNITION OF THE REVIVAL OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY BY THE REMNANT OF THE CHURCH, OR THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST GENERATION, THAT STIRS THE IRE OF THE DRAGON. THE JEWISH AGE, NOTWITHSTANDING ITS APOSTASIES, OPENED AND CLOSED WITH SPECIAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. AND IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO SUPPOSE THAT THE CHRISTIAN AGE, THE LIGHT OF WHICH, COMPARED WITH THE FORMER DISPENSATION, IS AS THE LIGHT OF THE SUN TO THE FEEBLE RAYS OF THE MOON, SHOULD COMMENCE IN GLORY, AND CLOSE IN OBSCURITY. AND SINCE A SPECIAL WORK OF THE SPIRIT WAS NECESSARY TO PREPARE A PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST, HOW MUCH MORE SO FOR HIS SECOND ADVENT. GOD HAS NEVER MANIFESTED HIS POWER TO HIS PEOPLE SIMPLY FOR THEIR GRATIFICATION; BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR NECESSITIES HAS HE WROUGHT FOR THEM. THEN WE MAY SAFELY CONCLUDE THAT AS HIS PEOPLE ARE PASSING THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS IN THE FINAL STRUGGLE WITH THE AROUSED POWERS OF DARKNESS, WHEN FALSE PROPHETS SHALL HAVE POWER TO SHOW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS, INSOMUCH THAT, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY WOULD DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT, OUR GRACIOUS GOD WILL BLESS AND STRENGTHEN HIS FAINTING PEOPLE WITH THE GIFTS, AS WELL AS THE GRACES, OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IN DREAMS AND IN VISIONS BECAME NECESSARY IN CONSEQUENCE OF MAN'S BEING SEPARATED FROM THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD. BUT WHEN THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SHALL BE WITH MEN, AND HE SHALL DWELL WITH THEM, AND GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, 12 REVELATION 21:3; WHEN CHRIST SHALL COME AGAIN WITH ALL THE HOLY ANGELS, AND RECEIVE HIS PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF, THAT WHERE HE SHALL BE, THERE THEY MAY BE ALSO, JOHN 14:3; AND WHEN MAN REDEEMED SHALL WALK AND TALK WITH GOD, AND CHRIST, AND ANGELS, IN EDEN RESTORED; THEN THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER NEED OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. WHEN MAN IN EDEN STOOD IN ALL THE PERFECTION OF HIS MANHOOD, BEFORE THE BLIGHT OF SIN HAD TOUCHED ANYTHING THAT GOD HAD MADE FOR HIM, AND WITH OPEN FACE BEHELD THE GLORY OF THE LORD, HE COULD HAVE NO NEED OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. BUT WHEN EDEN WAS LOST IN CONSEQUENCE OF TRANSGRESSION, AND MAN WAS DOOMED TO GROPE HIS WAY FROM THE GATES OF PARADISE, ENSHROUDED IN THE MORAL GLOOM THAT RESULTED FROM THE CURSE AND THE REIGN OF SATAN, HE NEEDED THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. AND HIS NEED IN THIS RESPECT WILL CONTINUE, MORE OR LESS URGENT, UNTIL THE RESTITUTION, WHEN THE REDEEMED SHALL WALK AND TALK WITH GOD, AND WITH CHRIST, AND WITH THE HOLY ANGELS, IN EDEN RESTORED. THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS CLEARLY SUSTAINS THIS POSITION. HE INTRODUCES THE SUBJECT BY STATING, "NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT." 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1. HE DEEMED THE SUBJECT OF TOO GREAT IMPORTANCE TO LEAVE THE CHURCH AT CORINTH IN IGNORANCE RESPECTING IT. HE PROPOSES TO INSTRUCT THEM. WE SHALL DO WELL TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE BENEFIT OF HIS TEACHINGS. IN THIS CHAPTER THE APOSTLE INTRODUCES THE HUMAN BODY, WITH ITS SEVERAL MEMBERS ACTING IN HARMONY, ONE DEPENDENT UPON THE OTHER, AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, WITH ITS MEMBERS, AND THE SEVERAL GIFTS GOD HAS SET IN THE CHURCH. HE THEN MAKES THE APPLICATION OF THE FIGURE THUS: "NOW YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR. AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, FIRST APOSTLES, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, THIRDLY TEACHERS, AFTER THAT MIRACLES, THEN 13 GIFTS OF HEALING, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES." VERSES 27 AND 28. LET IT BE BORNE IN MIND THAT GOD HAS SET PROPHETS, MIRACLES, AND GIFTS OF HEALINGS, IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS VERILY AS HE HAS TEACHERS, HELPS, AND GOVERNMENTS. AND THIS EXPRESSION, "GOD HATH SET" THEM IN THE CHURCH, MEANS MORE THAN THAT HE WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH THIS PEOPLE BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHRISTIAN AGE THE SAME AS HE HAD IN FORMER DISPENSATIONS. IT CONVEYS THE IDEA THAT GOD HAD ESPECIALLY ENDOWED THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WITH THEM. HE HAD ESTABLISHED THEM IN THE CHURCH, TO REMAIN UNTIL THE RETURN OF HER ABSENT LORD. THIS WAS DONE BECAUSE THE CHURCH NEEDED THEM. DID THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH NEED THEM? SO DID THE TRUE CHURCH NEED THEM TO LIGHT HER PATHWAY DURING THE DARK PERIOD OF HER PERSECUTIONS AND MARTYRDOM. AND MUCH MORE DOES THE CHURCH NEED THE GIFTS IN MAKING HER COURSE THROUGH THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS, AND IN MAKING READY TO RECEIVE HER SOON-COMING LORD. THE DESIGN OF THE GIFTS, AND ALSO THE TIME OF THEIR CONTINUANCE IN THE CHURCH, ARE DEFINITELY EXPRESSED BY THE APOSTLE TO THE EPHESIANS: "AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST; TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST." CHAP. 4:11-13. IT CANNOT BE SHOWN THAT THE CHURCH DID, IN THE LIFETIME OF PAUL, REACH THE STATE OF UNITY, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFECTION, HERE MENTIONED. AND CERTAINLY THE CHURCH DID NOT ENJOY THESE DURING HER APOSTASY, 2 THESSALONIANS 2:3, AND THE PERIOD OF HER FLIGHT INTO THE WILDERNESS, REVELATION 12:6. NOR HAS SHE REACHED THIS STATE OF UNITY, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFECTION, SINCE THE LABORS OF MARTIN LUTHER. THE CHURCH TODAY IS ALMOST 14 INFINITELY BELOW THIS STATE OF UNITY, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFECTION. AND NOT UNTIL THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST GENERATION OF MEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE ENJOYMENT OF IT BY THE LAST WARNING MESSAGE, AND ALL THE MEANS GOD MAY EMPLOY TO PREPARE THEM TO BE TRANSLATED TO HEAVEN WITHOUT TASTING DEATH, WILL THE ULTIMATE DESIGN OF THE GIFTS BE REALIZED. BUT PAUL, IN 1 CORINTHIANS 13, HAS DISTINCTLY SHOWN WHEN THE GIFTS WOULD CEASE. IN THE FIRST PART OF THIS CHAPTER THE APOSTLE DISCOURSES UPON THE PRE-EMINENCE OF LOVE (IMPROPERLY TRANSLATED CHARITY) TO THE GIFT OF TONGUES, GIFT OF PROPHECY, FAITH, LIBERALITY TO THE POOR, AND COURAGE TO GIVE ONE'S BODY TO BE BURNED. THESE, IN THE ABSENCE OF LOVE, ARE VALUELESS. HE THEN DESCRIBES THE VIRTUES AND RICHES OF LOVE, CLOSING WITH THESE WORDS: "CHARITY [LOVE] NEVER FAILETH; BUT WHETHER THERE BE PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL; WHETHER THERE BE TONGUES, THEY SHALL CEASE; WHETHER THERE BE KNOWLEDGE, IT SHALL VANISH AWAY." VERSE 8. WHILE LOVE IS NOT ONLY THE CROWNING CHRISTIAN GRACE HERE, BUT WILL REACH FORWARD TO ALL ETERNITY, AND BE THE CROWNING GLORY OF THE REDEEMED, THE GIFTS WILL CEASE WITH FAITH AND HOPE. AT THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE LORD, FAITH WILL BE LOST IN SIGHT, HOPE IN FRUITION, PROPHECIES WILL FAIL TO BE ANY LONGER A LIGHT TO THE CHURCH, TONGUES WILL CEASE TO BE A SIGN, AND THE FAINT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRESENT DIM NIGHT WILL VANISH BEFORE THE PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERFECT DAY, AS THE DIM RAYS OF THE MOON VANISH BEFORE THE LIGHT OF THE RISING SUN. NEXT COME THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF VERSE 9 AND 10: "FOR WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART; BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY." WE STILL WAIT FOR THAT WHICH IS PERFECT TO COME. AND WHILE WE WAIT, MAY OUR DEAR, ABSENT LORD MANIFEST HIMSELF TO HIS WAITING PEOPLE THROUGH THE GIFTS. "FOR," SAYS PAUL, SPEAKING OF THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE, "WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART." HOW LONG SHALL 15 THE SPIRIT OF PROPHESY SERVE THE CHURCH? WHEN WILL IT BE DONE AWAY? ANSWER: "BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY." THIS SHOULD SETTLE THE QUESTION OF THE PERPETUITY OF THE GIFTS IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. THE POPULAR VIEW, HOWEVER, IS THIS: THE GIFTS WERE GIVEN TO THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, TO REMAIN ONLY DURING THE LIFETIME OF CHRIST'S FIRST APOSTLES. AT THEIR DEATH, THE GIFTS WERE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CHURCH. BUT LET IT BE REMEMBERED THAT A GREAT CHANGE TAKES PLACE WHEN THE GIFTS ARE TO CEASE, AND THAT CHANGE IS FROM AN IMPERFECT STATE TO THAT WHICH IS PERFECT; FROM THE DIMNESS OF NIGHT TO THE GLORY OF PERFECT DAY. WE NEED NOT INQUIRE IF SUCH A CHANGE TOOK PLACE AT THE DEATH OF THE FIRST APOSTLES; FOR ALL WHO HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, KNOW THAT WHATEVER CHANGES DID TAKE PLACE IN THE CHURCH ABOUT THE TIME OF THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLES, WERE NOT FOR THE BETTER, BUT DECIDEDLY FOR THE WORSE. EVEN IN PAUL'S DAY, THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY ALREADY WORKED IN THE CHURCH. 2 THESSALONIANS 2:7. AND THE APOSTLE, ADDRESSING THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT MILETUS, SAYS: "FOR I KNOW THIS, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTING SHALL GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM." ACTS 20:29, 30. BUT IF WE APPLY THIS GREAT CHANGE TO THE CLOSE OF THE PRESENT DISPENSATION, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ETERNAL DAY OF GLORY, ALL IS PLAIN. HERE WE HAVE THE CLEAREST PROOF THAT THE GIFTS WERE NOT TO BE DONE AWAY UNTIL THE SECOND APPEARING OF CHRIST. PAUL CONTINUES WITH AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE, AND THE FUTURE STATE PERFECTION AND GLORY: "WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD; BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS." VERSE 11. HIS CHILDHOOD REPRESENTS THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE; HIS MANHOOD, THE PERFECTION OF 16 THE IMMORTAL STATE. THIS IS EVIDENT. NOW SUPPOSE WE ARE WRONG, AND THAT PAUL'S CHILDHOOD REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN HIS DAY, ENDOWED WITH THE GIFTS; AND THAT HIS MANHOOD REPRESENTS THE CHURCH AFTER HIS DEATH, STRIPPED OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND FAST SINKING AWAY TOWARD THE GREAT APOSTASY! ABSURDITY! AND STILL THE APOSTLE CONTINUES WITH ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATION OF THE CHANGE FROM THE PRESENT DISPENSATION, DURING WHICH THE CHURCH WAS TO ENJOY THE COMPARATIVELY-DIM LIGHT OF THE GIFTS, AS SHE WALKED BY FAITH AND HOPE, TO THE OPEN GLORIES OF THE WORLD TO COME, WHEN THE REDEEMED SHALL WALK WITH GOD IN EDEN RESTORED, AND TALK FACE TO FACE WITH CHRIST AND ANGELS. HE SAYS: "FOR NOW WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY; BUT THEN, FACE TO FACE." VERSE 12. TO THE VIEW THAT THE GIFTS WERE TO CEASE AT THE DEATH OF THE FIRST APOSTLES, AND THAT WITH THEIR DEATH CAME THE GLORIOUS CHANGE ILLUSTRATED BY THESE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE, WE NEED ONLY TO REPEAT, ABSURDITY! THE TRUTH OF GOD UPON THIS SUBJECT IS CONSISTENT AND HARMONIOUS WITH ITSELF, AND WITH ALL DIVINE TRUTH. THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE FALL AND MAN'S SEPARATION FROM THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD, BECAME A NECESSITY. THIS NECESSITY HAS NOT BEEN OBVIATED BY ANY PAST CHANGE OF DISPENSATION. AND NO DISPENSATION NEEDS THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MORE THAN THE CHRISTIAN AGE; AND AT NO TIME IN THE LONG PERIOD OF MAN'S SEPARATION FROM GOD'S VISIBLE PRESENCE, HAVE THEY BEEN SO MUCH NEEDED AS AMID THE PERILS OF THE RAGING TEMPESTS OF THE LAST DAYS. BUT WHEN THE REDEEMER SHALL COME, THE CONTROVERSY BE ENDED, THE SAINTS' REST GIVEN, AND THEY, ALL IMMORTAL, MEET AROUND THE THRONE WITH ANGELS, AND FACE TO FACE BEHOLD THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE LAMB, THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY WILL BE NUMBERED AMONG HEAVEN'S CHOICEST BLESSINGS OF THE PAST. {1SP 0.2}

SPIRITUAL GIFTS THE GIFT OF PROPHECY WAS MANIFESTED IN THE CHURCH DURING THE JEWISH DISPENSATION. IF IT DISAPPEARED FOR A FEW CENTURIES, ON ACCOUNT OF THE CORRUPT STATE OF THE CHURCH TOWARDS THE CLOSE OF THAT DISPENSATION, IT RE-APPEARED AT ITS CLOSE TO USHER IN THE MESSIAH. ZACHARIAH, THE FATHER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, "WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PROPHESIED." SIMEON, A JUST AND DEVOUT MAN WHO WAS "WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL," CAME BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE TEMPLE, AND PROPHESIED OF JESUS AS "A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, AND THE GLORY OF ISRAEL;" AND ANNA A PROPHETESS "SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM." AND THERE WAS NO GREATER PROPHET THAN JOHN, WHO WAS CHOSEN OF GOD TO INTRODUCE TO ISRAEL "THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD." THE CHRISTIAN AGE COMMENCED WITH THE OUT-POURING OF THE SPIRIT, AND A GREAT VARIETY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS WAS MANIFESTED AMONG THE BELIEVERS; AND THESE WERE SO ABUNDANT THAT PAUL COULD SAY TO THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH, "THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO EVERY MAN TO PROFIT WITHAL." TO EVERY MAN IN THE CHURCH, NOT TO EVERY MAN IN THE WORLD, AS MANY HAVE APPLIED IT. SINCE THE GREAT APOSTASY THESE GIFTS HAVE RARELY BEEN MANIFESTED; AND THIS IS PROBABLY THE REASON WHY PROFESSED 6 CHRISTIANS GENERALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE LIMITED TO THE PERIOD OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. BUT IS IT NOT ON ACCOUNT OF THE ERRORS AND UNBELIEF OF THE CHURCH THAT THE GIFTS HAVE CEASED? AND WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD SHALL ATTAIN TO PRIMITIVE FAITH AND PRACTICE, AS THEY CERTAINLY WILL BY THE PROCLAMATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE FAITH OF JESUS, WILL NOT "THE LATTER RAIN" AGAIN DEVELOP THE GIFTS? REASONING FROM ANALOGY WE SHOULD EXPECT IT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE APOSTASIES OF THE JEWISH AGE, IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITH SPECIAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. AND IT IS UNREASONABLE TO SUPPOSE THAT THE CHRISTIAN AGE, THE LIGHT OF WHICH, COMPARED WITH THE FORMER DISPENSATION, IS AS THE LIGHT OF THE SUN TO THE FEEBLE RAYS OF THE MOON, SHOULD COMMENCE IN GLORY AND CLOSE IN OBSCURITY. AND SINCE A SPECIAL WORK OF THE SPIRIT WAS NECESSARY TO PREPARE A PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST, HOW MUCH MORE SO FOR THE SECOND; ESPECIALLY, SINCE THE LAST DAYS WERE TO BE PERILOUS BEYOND ALL PRECEDENT, AND FALSE PROPHETS WERE TO HAVE POWER TO SHOW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS, INSOMUCH THAT, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY SHOULD DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT! BUT TO THE SCRIPTURES OF TRUTH. AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. HE THAT BELIEVETH, AND IS BAPTIZED, SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE: IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. MARK 16:15-18. SAYS CAMPBELL'S TRANSLATION, "THESE MIRACULOUS POWERS SHALL ATTEND THE BELIEVERS." THE GIFTS WERE NOT CONFINED 7 TO THE APOSTLES, BUT EXTENDED TO THE BELIEVERS. WHO WILL HAVE THEM? THOSE THAT BELIEVE. HOW LONG? THERE IS NO LIMITATION; THE PROMISE SEEMS TO RUN PARALLEL WITH THE GREAT COMMISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, AND TO REACH THE LAST BELIEVER. BUT IT IS OBJECTED THAT THE PROMISED AID WAS ONLY TO THE APOSTLES, AND TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED THROUGH THEIR PREACHING: THAT THEY FULFILLED THE COMMISSION, ESTABLISHED THE GOSPEL, AND THAT THE GIFTS CEASED WITH THAT GENERATION. LET US SEE IF THE GREAT COMMISSION ENDED WITH THAT GENERATION. MATTHEW 28:19, 20. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST; TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN TO THE END OF THE WORLD. THAT THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL UNDER THIS COMMISSION DID NOT END WITH THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH IS EVIDENT FROM THE PROMISE, "I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN TO THE END OF THE WORLD." HE DOES NOT SAY, I AM WITH YOU, APOSTLES, EVERYWHERE, EVEN TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH; BUT IT IS ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE WORLD, OR AGE. IT WILL NOT DO TO SAY THAT THE JEWISH AGE IS MEANT, FOR THAT HAD ALREADY ENDED AT THE CROSS. I CONCLUDE THEN THAT THE PREACHING AND THE BELIEF OF THE PRIMITIVE GOSPEL WILL BE ATTENDED WITH THE SAME SPIRITUAL AID. THE APOSTLES' COMMISSION BELONGED TO THE CHRISTIAN AGE, AND EMBRACED THE WHOLE OF IT. CONSEQUENTLY THE GIFTS WERE ONLY LOST THROUGH APOSTASY, AND WILL BE REVIVED WITH THE REVIVAL OF PRIMITIVE FAITH AND PRACTICE. IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12:28, WE ARE INFORMED THAT GOD HATH SET, PLACED OR FIXED, CERTAIN SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN THE CHURCH. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SCRIPTURAL PROOF THAT HE HAS REMOVED OR ABOLISHED THEM, WE MUST THINK THEY WERE INTENDED TO REMAIN. 8 WHERE IS THE PROOF THEN THAT THEY WERE ABOLISHED? IN THE SAME CHAPTER WHERE THE JEWISH SABBATH IS ABOLISHED, AND THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH INSTITUTED---A CHAPTER IN THE ACTS OF THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY, AND THE MAN OF SIN. BUT THE OBJECTOR CLAIMS BIBLE PROOF THAT THE GIFTS WERE TO CEASE CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING TEXT; CHARITY NEVER FAILETH: BUT WHETHER THERE BE PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL; WHETHER THERE BE TONGUES, THEY SHALL CEASE; WHETHER THERE BE KNOWLEDGE, IT SHALL VANISH AWAY. FOR WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART. BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY. WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD: BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS. FOR NOW WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY: BUT THEN FACE TO FACE; NOW I KNOW IN PART; BUT THEN SHALL I KNOW EVEN AS ALSO I AM KNOWN. AND NOW ABIDETH FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, THESE THREE; BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8-13. WELL, THIS TEXT DOES FORETELL THE CESSATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ALSO OF FAITH AND HOPE. BUT WHEN WERE THEY TO CEASE? WE STILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN "HOPE SHALL CHANGE TO GLAD FRUITION, FAITH TO SIGHT, AND PRAYER TO PRAISE." THEY ARE TO CEASE WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME--WHEN WE SHALL NO LONGER SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, BUT FACE TO FACE. THE PERFECT DAY, WHEN THE JUST ARE MADE PERFECT, AND SEE AS THEY ARE SEEN, IS YET IN THE FUTURE. IT IS TRUE THAT THE MAN OF SIN, WHEN ARRIVED AT MANHOOD, HAD PUT AWAY SUCH "CHILDISH THINGS" AS PROPHECIES, TONGUES AND KNOWLEDGE, AND ALSO THE FAITH AND HOPE AND CHARITY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS. BUT THERE IS NOTHING IN THE TEXT TO SHOW THAT GOD DESIGNED TO TAKE AWAY THE GIFTS WHICH HE HAD SET IN THE CHURCH, TILL THE 9 CONSUMMATION OF HER FAITH AND HOPE---TILL THE SURPASSING GLORY OF THE IMMORTAL STATE SHOULD ECLIPSE THE MOST BRILLIANT DISPLAYS OF SPIRITUAL POWER AND KNOWLEDGE, EVER MANIFESTED IN THIS MORTAL STATE. THE OBJECTION FOUNDED UPON 2 TIMOTHY 3:16, WHICH SOME HAVE GRAVELY PRESENTED, DESERVES NO MORE THAN A PASSING REMARK. IF PAUL, IN SAYING THAT THE SCRIPTURES WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE MAN OF GOD PERFECT, THOROUGHLY-FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS, MEANT THAT NOTHING MORE SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY INSPIRATION, WHY WAS HE, AT THAT MOMENT, ADDING TO THOSE SCRIPTURES? AT LEAST, WHY DID HE NOT DROP THE PEN AS SOON AS THAT SENTENCE WAS WRITTEN? AND WHY DID JOHN, THIRTY YEARS AFTERWARDS, WRITE THE BOOK OF REVELATION? THIS BOOK CONTAINS ANOTHER TEXT WHICH IS QUOTED TO PROVE THE ABOLITION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. FOR I TESTIFY TO EVERY MAN THAT HEARETH THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, IF ANY MAN SHALL ADD TO THESE THINGS, GOD SHALL ADD TO HIM THE PLAGUES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK. AND IF ANY MAN SHALL TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THIS PROPHECY, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, AND OUT OF THE HOLY CITY, AND FROM THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK. REVELATION 22:18, 19. FROM THIS TEXT IT IS CLAIMED THAT GOD, WHO AT SUNDRY TIMES, AND IN DIVERS MANNERS, SPAKE IN TIME PAST TO THE FATHERS BY THE PROPHETS, AND, IN THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL DAY, BY JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES, HATH HEREBY SOLEMNLY PROMISED NEVER TO COMMUNICATE ANY THING MORE TO MAN IN THAT WAY. HENCE ALL PROPHESYING AFTER THIS DATE MUST BE FALSE. THIS, SAY THEY, CLOSES THE CANON OF INSPIRATION. IF SO, WHY DID JOHN WRITE HIS GOSPEL AFTER HIS RETURN FROM PATMOS TO EPHESUS? IN DOING SO DID HE ADD TO THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THAT BOOK WRITTEN IN 10 THE ISLE OF PATMOS? IT IS EVIDENT FROM THE TEXT, THAT THE CAUTION AGAINST ADDING TO OR TAKING FROM, REFERS NOT TO THE BIBLE AS WE HAVE THE VOLUME COMPILED, BUT TO THE SEPARATE BOOK OF REVELATION, AS IT CAME FROM THE HAND OF THE APOSTLE. YET NO MAN HAS A RIGHT TO ADD TO OR SUBTRACT FROM ANY OTHER BOOK WRITTEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD. DID JOHN, IN WRITING THE BOOK OF REVELATION, ADD ANYTHING TO THE BOOK OF DANIEL'S PROPHECY? NOT AT ALL. A PROPHET HAS NO RIGHT TO ALTER THE WORD OF GOD. BUT THE VISIONS OF JOHN CORROBORATE THOSE OF DANIEL, AND GIVE MUCH ADDITIONAL LIGHT UPON THE SUBJECTS THERE INTRODUCED. I CONCLUDE THEN THAT THE LORD HAS NOT BOUND HIMSELF TO KEEP SILENCE, BUT IS STILL AT LIBERTY TO SPEAK. EVER BE IT THE LANGUAGE OF MY HEART, SPEAK, LORD, THROUGH WHOM THOU WILT; THY SERVANT HEARETH. THUS THE ATTEMPT TO PROVE FROM SCRIPTURE THE ABOLITION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, PROVES A TOTAL FAILURE. AND SINCE THE GATES OF HADES HAVE NOT PREVAILED AGAINST THE CHURCH, BUT GOD STILL HAS A PEOPLE ON EARTH, WE MAY LOOK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GIFTS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE---A MESSAGE WHICH WILL BRING BACK THE CHURCH TO APOSTOLIC GROUND, AND MAKE THEM INDEED THE LIGHT---NOT DARKNESS---OF THE WORLD. AGAIN, WE ARE FOREWARNED THAT THERE WOULD BE FALSE PROPHETS IN THE LAST DAYS, AND THE BIBLE GIVES A TEST BY WHICH TO TRY THEIR TEACHINGS, IN ORDER THAT WE MAY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE TRUE AND THE FALSE. THE GRAND TEST IS THE LAW OF GOD, WHICH IS APPLIED BOTH TO THE PROPHESYINGS AND TO THE MORAL CHARACTER OF THE PROPHETS. IF THERE WERE TO BE NO TRUE PROPHESYINGS IN THE LAST DAYS, HOW MUCH EASIER TO HAVE STATED THE FACT, AND THUS CUT OFF ALL CHANCE FOR DECEPTION, THAN TO GIVE A TEST BY WHICH TO TRY THEM, AS THOUGH THERE WOULD BE THE GENUINE AS WELL AS THE FALSE. 11 IN ISAIAH 8:19, 20, IS A PROPHECY OF THE FAMILIAR SPIRITS OF THE PRESENT TIME, AND THE LAW IS GIVEN AS A TEST. TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY: IF THEY SPEAK NOT ACCORDING TO THIS WORD, IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIGHT IN THEM. WHY SAY, "IF THEY SPEAK NOT," IF THERE WAS TO BE NO TRUE SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION OR PROPHESYING AT THE SAME TIME? JESUS SAYS, BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS,...YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. MATTHEW 7:15. THIS IS A PART OF "THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT," AND ALL CAN SEE THAT THIS DISCOURSE HAS A GENERAL APPLICATION TO THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE GOSPEL AGE. FALSE PROPHETS ARE TO BE KNOWN BY THEIR FRUITS; IN OTHER WORDS, BY THEIR MORAL CHARACTER. THE ONLY STANDARD BY WHICH TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEIR FRUITS ARE GOOD OR BAD, IS THE LAW OF GOD. HENCE WE ARE BROUGHT TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY. TRUE PROPHETS WILL NOT ONLY SPEAK ACCORDING TO THIS WORD, BUT THEY MUST LIVE ACCORDING TO IT. ONE WHO SPEAKS AND LIVES THUS I DARE NOT CONDEMN. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN A CHARACTERISTIC OF FALSE PROPHETS THAT THEY SEE VISIONS OF PEACE; AND THEY WILL BE SAYING PEACE AND SAFETY WHEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMES UPON THEM. THE TRUE WILL BOLDLY REPROVE SIN AND WARN OF COMING WRATH. PROPHESYINGS WHICH CONTRADICT THE PLAIN AND POSITIVE DECLARATIONS OF THE WORD ARE TO BE REJECTED. AN EXAMPLE IS GIVEN IN THE MANNER OF CHRIST'S SECOND COMING. WHEN JESUS ASCENDED TO HEAVEN IN THE SIGHT OF HIS DISCIPLES, IT WAS DECLARED MOST EXPLICITLY BY THE ANGELS, THAT THIS SAME JESUS SHOULD SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS THEY HAD SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN. HENCE JESUS IN PREDICTING THE FALSE PROPHETS OF THE LAST DAYS, SAYS, IF THEY SHALL SAY UNTO YOU, BEHOLD, HE IS IN THE DESERT; GO NOT FORTH: BEHOLD, HE IS IN THE SECRET CHAMBERS; BELIEVE IT NOT. ALL TRUE PROPHESYING ON THAT POINT MUST RECOGNIZE HIS VISIBLE 12 COMING FROM HEAVEN. WHY DID NOT JESUS SAY, REJECT ALL PROPHESYING AT THAT TIME, FOR THERE WILL BE NO TRUE PROPHETS THEN? EPHESIANS 4:11-13. "AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST; TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST." WE LEARN FROM A PREVIOUS VERSE THAT WHEN CHRIST ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, HE GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN. OF THESE GIFTS ARE ENUMERATED APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS AND TEACHERS. THE OBJECT FOR WHICH THEY WERE GIVEN WAS THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS IN UNITY AND KNOWLEDGE. SOME, WHO PROFESS TO BE PASTORS AND TEACHERS, AT THE PRESENT DAY, HOLD THAT THESE GIFTS FULLY ACCOMPLISHED THEIR OBJECT SOME EIGHTEEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO, AND CONSEQUENTLY CEASED. WHY NOT THEN THROW ASIDE THEIR TITLES OF PASTORS AND TEACHERS? IF THE OFFICE OF PROPHET IS LIMITED BY THIS TEXT TO THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, SO IS THAT OF EVANGELIST AND ALL THE REST; FOR THERE IS NO DISTINCTION MADE. NOW LET US REASON A MOMENT UPON THIS POINT. ALL THESE GIFTS WERE GIVEN FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS IN UNITY, KNOWLEDGE AND SPIRIT. UNDER THEIR INFLUENCE THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH ENJOYED FOR A TIME THAT UNITY. "THE MULTITUDE OF THEM THAT BELIEVED WERE OF ONE HEART AND OF ONE SOUL." AND IT SEEMS A NATURAL CONSEQUENCE OF THIS STATE OF UNITY, THAT "WITH GREAT POWER GAVE THE APOSTLES WITNESS OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS: AND GREAT GRACE WAS UPON THEM ALL." ACTS 4:31-33. HOW DESIRABLE SUCH A STATE OF THINGS NOW! BUT APOSTASY WITH ITS DIVIDING AND BLIGHTING INFLUENCE MARRED THE BEAUTY OF THE FAIR CHURCH, AND CLOTHED 13 HER IN SACKCLOTH. DIVISION AND DISORDER HAVE BEEN THE RESULT. NEVER WAS THERE SO GREAT A DIVERSITY OF FAITH IN CHRISTENDOM AS AT THE PRESENT DAY. IF THE GIFTS WERE NECESSARY FOR THE UNITY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, HOW MUCH MORE SO TO RESTORE UNITY NOW! AND THAT IT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD TO RESTORE THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS, IS ABUNDANTLY EVIDENT FROM THE PROPHECIES. WE ARE ASSURED THAT THE WATCHMEN SHALL SEE EYE TO EYE, WHEN THE LORD SHALL BRING AGAIN ZION. ALSO, THAT IN THE TIME OF THE END THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND. WHEN THIS IS FULFILLED, THERE WILL BE UNITY OF FAITH WITH ALL THAT GOD ACCOUNTS WISE; FOR THOSE THAT DO IN REALITY UNDERSTAND ARIGHT, MUST, NECESSARILY, UNDERSTAND ALIKE. WHAT IS TO EFFECT THIS UNITY, BUT THE GIFTS THAT WERE GIVEN FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE? FROM CONSIDERATIONS LIKE THESE, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE PERFECT STATE OF THE CHURCH HERE PREDICTED IS STILL IN THE FUTURE; CONSEQUENTLY THESE GIFTS HAVE NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED THEIR END. THIS LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS WAS WRITTEN IN A.D. 64, ABOUT TWO YEARS BEFORE PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY THAT HE WAS READY TO BE OFFERED, AND THE TIME OF HIS DEPARTURE WAS AT HAND. THE SEEDS OF THE APOSTASY WERE NOW GERMINATING IN THE CHURCH, FOR PAUL HAD SAID TEN YEARS BEFORE, IN HIS SECOND LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS, "THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY DOTH ALREADY WORK." GRIEVOUS WOLVES WERE NOW ABOUT TO ENTER IN, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. THE CHURCH WAS NOT THEN RISING AND ADVANCING TO THAT PERFECTION IN UNITY CONTEMPLATED IN THE TEXT, BUT WAS ABOUT TO BE TORN BY FACTIONS, AND DISTRACTED BY DIVISIONS. THE APOSTLE KNEW THIS; CONSEQUENTLY HE MUST HAVE LOOKED BEYOND THE GREAT APOSTASY, TO THE PERIOD OF THE GATHERING OF THE REMNANT OF GOD'S PEOPLE, WHEN HE SAID, "TILL WE ALL COME INTO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH." 14 HENCE THE GIFTS THAT WERE SET IN THE CHURCH HAVE NOT YET SERVED OUT THEIR TIME. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-21. "QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT. DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS. PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD." IN THIS EPISTLE THE APOSTLE INTRODUCES THE SUBJECT OF THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD. HE THEN DESCRIBES THE STATE OF THE UNBELIEVING WORLD AT THAT TIME---SAYING, "PEACE AND SAFETY", WHEN THE DAY OF THE LORD IS ABOUT TO BURST UPON THEM, AND SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COME UPON THEM AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. HE THEN EXHORTS THE CHURCH, IN VIEW OF THESE THINGS, TO KEEP AWAKE, WATCH AND BE SOBER. AMONG THE EXHORTATIONS THAT FOLLOW ARE THE WORDS WE HAVE QUOTED, "QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT," &C. SOME MAY THINK THAT THESE THREE VERSES ARE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM EACH OTHER IN SENSE; BUT THEY HAVE A NATURAL CONNECTION IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY STAND. THE PERSON WHO QUENCHES THE SPIRIT WILL BE LEFT TO DESPISE PROPHESYINGS, WHICH ARE THE LEGITIMATE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, "I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT, AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY." JOEL 2:28. THE EXPRESSION, "PROVE ALL THINGS," IS LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT OF DISCOURSE---PROPHESYINGS---AND WE ARE TO TRY THE SPIRITS BY THE TESTS WHICH HE HAS GIVEN US IN HIS WORD. SPIRITUAL DECEPTIONS AND FALSE PROPHESYINGS ABOUND AT THE PRESENT TIME; AND DOUBTLESS THIS TEXT HAS A SPECIAL APPLICATION HERE. BUT, MARK, THE APOSTLE DOES NOT SAY, REJECT ALL THINGS; BUT, PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD. JOEL 2:28-32. "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS; AND ALSO UPON THE SERVANTS AND UPON THE HANDMAIDS IN 15 THOSE DAYS WILL I POUR OUT MY SPIRIT. AND I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH, BLOOD AND FIRE, AND PILLARS OF SMOKE. THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND THE TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COME. AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE DELIVERED: FOR IN MOUNT ZION AND IN JERUSALEM SHALL BE DELIVERANCE, AS THE LORD HATH SAID, AND IN THE REMNANT WHOM THE LORD SHALL CALL." THIS PROPHECY OF JOEL, WHICH SPEAKS OF THE OUT-POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LAST DAYS, WAS NOT ALL FULFILLED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL DISPENSATION. THIS IS EVIDENT FROM THE WONDERS IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH, INTRODUCED IN THIS TEXT, WHICH WERE TO BE PRECURSORS OF "THE GREAT AND THE TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD." THOUGH WE HAVE HAD THE SIGNS, THAT TERRIBLE DAY IS STILL IN THE FUTURE. THE WHOLE GOSPEL DISPENSATION MAY BE CALLED THE LAST DAYS, BUT TO SAY THAT THE LAST DAYS ARE ALL 1800 YEARS IN THE PAST, IS ABSURD. THEY REACH TO THE DAY OF THE LORD, AND TO THE DELIVERANCE OF THE REMNANT OF GOD'S PEOPLE. "FOR IN MOUNT ZION AND IN JERUSALEM SHALL BE DELIVERANCE, AS THE LORD HATH SAID, AND IN THE REMNANT WHOM THE LORD SHALL CALL." THIS REMNANT, EXISTING AMID THE SIGNS AND WONDERS THAT USHER IN THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD ARE, DOUBTLESS, THE REMNANT OF THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SPOKEN OF IN REVELATION 12:17--THE LAST GENERATION OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH, "AND THE DRAGON WAS WROTH WITH THE WOMAN, AND WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST." THE REMNANT OF THE GOSPEL CHURCH WILL HAVE THE GIFTS. WAR WILL BE WAGED AGAINST THEM BECAUSE THEY KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS 16 CHRIST. REVELATION 12:17. IN REVELATION 19:10, THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS DEFINED TO BE THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. SAID THE ANGEL, "I AM THY FELLOW-SERVANT, AND OF THY BRETHREN THAT HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS." IN CHAPTER 22:9, HE REPEATS THE SAME IN SUBSTANCE, AS FOLLOWS: "I AM THY FELLOW-SERVANT, AND OF THY BRETHREN THE PROPHETS." FROM THE COMPARISON WE SEE THE FORCE OF THE EXPRESSION, THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. BUT THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS INCLUDES ALL THE GIFTS OF THAT ONE SPIRIT. SAYS PAUL, I THANK MY GOD ALWAYS ON YOUR BEHALF, FOR THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN YOU BY JESUS CHRIST; THAT IN EVERY THING YE ARE ENRICHED BY HIM, IN ALL UTTERANCE AND IN ALL KNOWLEDGE; EVEN AS THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST WAS CONFIRMED IN YOU: SO THAT YE COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT: WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:4-7. THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST WAS CONFIRMED IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH, AND WHAT WAS THE RESULT? THEY CAME BEHIND IN NO GIFT. ARE WE NOT JUSTIFIED THEN IN THE CONCLUSION THAT WHEN THE REMNANT ARE FULLY CONFIRMED IN THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, THEY WILL COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT, WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? R. F. C. {1SG 0.2}

PP - Patriarchs and Prophets (1890) PREFACE THE PUBLISHERS SEND OUT THIS WORK FROM A CONVICTION THAT IT THROWS LIGHT UPON A SUBJECT OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AND UNIVERSAL INTEREST, AND ONE ON WHICH LIGHT IS TO BE GREATLY DESIRED; THAT IT PRESENTS TRUTHS TOO LITTLE KNOWN OR TOO WIDELY IGNORED. THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TRUTH AND ERROR, BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS, BETWEEN THE POWER OF GOD AND THE ATTEMPTED USURPATIONS OF THE ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, IS THE ONE GREAT SPECTACLE WHICH IT IS REASONABLE TO SUPPOSE MUST ENGAGE THE ATTENTION OF ALL WORLDS. THAT SUCH A CONTROVERSY EXISTS AS THE RESULT OF SIN, THAT IT IS TO PASS THROUGH VARIOUS STAGES OF PROGRESS, AND END AT LAST IN A MANNER TO REDOUND TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE HIGHER EXALTATION OF HIS LOYAL SERVANTS, IS AS CERTAIN AS THAT THE BIBLE IS A REVELATION FROM GOD TO MEN. THAT WORD REVEALS THE GREAT FEATURES OF THIS CONTROVERSY, A CONFLICT WHICH EMBRACES THE REDEMPTION OF A WORLD; AND THERE ARE SPECIAL EPOCHS WHEN THESE QUESTIONS ASSUME UNWONTED INTEREST, AND IT BECOMES A MATTER OF THE FIRST IMPORTANCE TO UNDERSTAND OUR RELATION THERETO. SUCH A TIME IS THE PRESENT, FOR ALL THINGS INDICATE THAT WE MAY NOW CONFIDENTLY CHERISH THE HOPE THAT THIS LONG CONTROVERSY IS DRAWING NEAR ITS CLOSE. YET MANY NOW SEEM DISPOSED TO RELEGATE TO THE REALM OF FABLE THAT PORTION OF THE RECORD OPENING TO OUR VIEW THE STEPS BY WHICH OUR WORLD BECAME INVOLVED IN THIS GREAT ISSUE; AND OTHERS, THOUGH AVOIDING THIS EXTREME VIEW, SEEM NEVERTHELESS INCLINED TO REGARD IT AS OBSOLETE AND UNIMPORTANT, AND ARE THUS LED TO TREAT IT WITH NEGLECT. BUT WHO WOULD NOT WISH TO LOOK INTO THE SECRET CAUSES OF SO STRANGE A DEFECTION; TO DISCERN ITS SPIRIT, TO MARK ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND TO LEARN HOW TO AVOID ITS RESULTS? WITH SUCH THEMES THIS VOLUME DEALS. IT TENDS TO FOSTER A LIVING INTEREST IN THOSE PORTIONS 18 OF GOD'S WORD MOST OFTEN NEGLECTED. IT CLOTHES WITH NEW MEANING THE PROMISES AND PROPHECIES OF THE SACRED RECORD, VINDICATES THE WAYS OF GOD IN DEALING WITH REBELLION, AND SHOWS FORTH THE WONDERFUL GRACE OF GOD IN DEVISING A WAY OF SALVATION FOR SINFUL MAN. THUS WE ARE TAKEN DOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THIS WORK TO A TIME WHEN THE PLANS AND PURPOSES OF GOD HAD BEEN CLEARLY UNFOLDED TO THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. THOUGH DEALING WITH THEMES SO EXALTED, THEMES THAT STIR THE HEART TO ITS DEPTHS AND AWAKEN THE LIVELIEST EMOTIONS OF THE MIND, THE STYLE OF THE BOOK IS LUCID, AND THE LANGUAGE PLAIN AND DIRECT. WE COMMEND THIS VOLUME TO ALL WHO TAKE PLEASURE IN STUDYING THE DIVINE PLAN OF HUMAN REDEMPTION AND WHO FEEL ANY INTEREST IN THE RELATION OF THEIR OWN SOULS TO CHRIST'S ATONING WORK; AND TO ALL OTHERS WE COMMEND IT, THAT IT MAY AWAKEN IN THEM AN INTEREST IN THESE THINGS. THAT ITS PERUSAL MAY BE BLESSED TO THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO READ, AND RESULT IN TURNING THE FEET OF MANY INTO THE WAY OF LIFE, IS THE EARNEST PRAYER OF THE PUBLISHERS. INTRODUCTION THIS VOLUME TREATS UPON THE THEMES OF BIBLE HISTORY, THEMES NOT IN THEMSELVES NEW, YET HERE SO PRESENTED AS TO GIVE THEM A NEW SIGNIFICANCE, REVEALING SPRINGS OF ACTION, SHOWING THE IMPORTANT BEARING OF CERTAIN MOVEMENTS, AND BRINGING INTO STRONGER LIGHT SOME FEATURES THAT ARE BUT BRIEFLY MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE. THUS THE SCENES HAVE A VIVIDNESS AND IMPORTANCE THAT TEND TO MAKE NEW AND LASTING IMPRESSIONS. SUCH A LIGHT IS SHED UPON THE SCRIPTURE RECORD AS TO REVEAL MORE FULLY THE CHARACTER AND PURPOSES OF GOD; TO MAKE MANIFEST THE WILES OF SATAN AND THE MEANS BY WHICH HIS POWER WILL BE FINALLY OVERTHROWN; TO BRING TO VIEW THE WEAKNESS OF THE HUMAN HEART, AND SHOW HOW THE GRACE OF GOD HAS ENABLED MEN TO CONQUER IN THE BATTLE WITH EVIL. ALL THIS IS IN HARMONY WITH WHAT GOD HAS SHOWN TO BE HIS PURPOSE IN UNFOLDING TO MEN THE TRUTHS OF HIS WORD. THE AGENCY BY WHICH THESE REVELATIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN IS SEEN--WHEN TESTED BY THE SCRIPTURES--TO BE ONE OF THE METHODS GOD STILL EMPLOYS TO IMPART INSTRUCTION TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN. WHILE IT IS NOT NOW AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, WHEN MAN IN HIS HOLINESS AND INNOCENCE HAD PERSONAL INSTRUCTION FROM HIS MAKER, STILL MAN IS NOT LEFT WITHOUT A DIVINE TEACHER WHICH GOD HAS PROVIDED IN HIS REPRESENTATIVE, THE HOLY SPIRIT. SO WE HEAR THE APOSTLE PAUL DECLARING THAT A CERTAIN DIVINE "ILLUMINATION" IS THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST; AND THAT THEY ARE "ENLIGHTENED" BY BEING MADE "PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST." HEBREWS 10:32; 6:4. JOHN ALSO SAYS, "YE HAVE AN UNCTION FROM THE HOLY ONE." 1 JOHN 2:20. AND CHRIST PROMISED THE DISCIPLES, AS HE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE THEM, THAT HE WOULD SEND THEM THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER AND GUIDE TO LEAD THEM INTO ALL TRUTH. JOHN 14:16, 26. 20 TO SHOW HOW THIS PROMISE WAS TO BE FULFILLED TO THE CHURCH, THE APOSTLE PAUL, IN TWO OF HIS EPISTLES, PRESENTS FORMAL DECLARATION THAT CERTAIN GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE CHURCH FOR ITS EDIFICATION AND INSTRUCTION TO THE END OF TIME. 1 Corinthians 12; EPHESIANS 4:8-13; MATTHEW 28:20 NOR IS THIS ALL: A NUMBER OF CLEAR AND EXPLICIT PROPHECIES DECLARE THAT IN THE LAST DAYS THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THAT THE CHURCH AT THE TIME OF CHRIST'S APPEARING WILL HAVE HAD, DURING ITS CLOSING EXPERIENCE, "THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS," WHICH IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. ACTS 2:17-20, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:7; REVELATION 12:17; 19:10. IN THESE FACTS WE SEE AN EVIDENCE OF GOD'S CARE AND LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE; FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER, TEACHER, AND GUIDE, NOT ONLY IN ITS ORDINARY, BUT IN ITS EXTRAORDINARY, METHODS OF OPERATION, CERTAINLY IS NEEDED BY THE CHURCH AS IT ENTERS THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS, MORE THAN IN ANY OTHER PART OF ITS EXPERIENCE. THE SCRIPTURES POINT OUT VARIOUS CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD OPERATE ON THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF MEN TO ENLIGHTEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND GUIDE THEIR STEPS. AMONG THESE WERE VISIONS AND DREAMS. IN THIS WAY GOD WOULD STILL COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILDREN OF MEN. HERE IS HIS PROMISE ON THIS POINT: "HEAR NOW MY WORDS: IF THERE BE A PROPHET AMONG YOU, I THE LORD WILL MAKE MYSELF KNOWN UNTO HIM IN A VISION, AND WILL SPEAK UNTO HIM IN A DREAM." NUMBERS 12:6. BY THIS MEANS SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE WAS COMMUNICATED TO BALAAM. THUS HE SAYS: "BALAAM THE SON OF BEOR HATH SAID, AND THE MAN WHOSE EYES ARE OPEN HATH SAID: HE HATH SAID, WHICH HEARD THE WORDS OF GOD, AND KNEW THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MOST HIGH, WHICH SAW THE VISION OF THE ALMIGHTY, FALLING INTO A TRANCE, BUT HAVING HIS EYES OPEN." NUMBERS 24:15, 16. IT THUS BECOMES A MATTER OF GREAT INTEREST TO INVESTIGATE THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES CONCERNING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE LORD DESIGNED THAT THE SPIRIT SHOULD MANIFEST ITSELF IN THE CHURCH DURING THE PERIOD OF HUMAN PROBATION. 21 AFTER THE PLAN OF SALVATION HAD BEEN DEVISED, GOD, AS WE HAVE SEEN, COULD STILL, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF HIS SON AND THE HOLY ANGELS, COMMUNICATE WITH MEN ACROSS THE GULF WHICH SIN HAD MADE. SOMETIMES HE SPOKE FACE TO FACE WITH THEM, AS IN THE CASE OF MOSES, BUT MORE FREQUENTLY BY DREAMS AND VISIONS. INSTANCES OF SUCH COMMUNICATION ARE EVERYWHERE PROMINENT UPON THE SACRED RECORD, COVERING ALL DISPENSATIONS. ENOCH THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM LOOKED FORWARD IN THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY TO THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST IN POWER AND GLORY, AND EXCLAIMED, "BEHOLD, THE LORD COMETH WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS." JUDE 14. "HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST." 2 PETER 1:21. IF THE OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY HAS AT TIMES SEEMED ALMOST TO DISAPPEAR, AS THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE PEOPLE WANED, IT HAS NEVERTHELESS MARKED ALL THE GREAT CRISES IN THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CHURCH, AND THE EPOCHS WHICH WITNESSED THE CHANGE FROM ONE DISPENSATION TO ANOTHER. WHEN THE ERA MARKED BY THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST WAS REACHED, THE FATHER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PROPHESIED. LUKE 1:67. TO SIMEON IT WAS REVEALED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH TILL HE HAD SEEN THE LORD; AND WHEN THE PARENTS OF JESUS BROUGHT HIM INTO THE TEMPLE THAT HE MIGHT BE DEDICATED, SIMEON CAME BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE TEMPLE, TOOK HIM INTO HIS ARMS, AND BLESSED HIM WHILE HE PROPHESIED CONCERNING HIM. AND ANNA, A PROPHETESS, COMING IN THE SAME INSTANT, SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM. LUKE 2:26, 36. THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH WAS TO ATTEND THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL BY THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE PROPHET IN THESE WORDS: "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS: AND ALSO UPON THE SERVANTS AND UPON THE HANDMAIDS IN THOSE DAYS WILL I POUR OUT MY SPIRIT. AND I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND PILLARS OF SMOKE. THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED 22 INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND THE TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COME." JOEL 2:28-31. PETER, ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, QUOTED THIS PROPHECY IN EXPLANATION OF THE WONDERFUL SCENE WHICH THEN OCCURRED. CLOVEN TONGUES LIKE AS OF FIRE SAT UPON EACH OF THE DISCIPLES; THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND SPAKE WITH OTHER TONGUES. AND WHEN THE MOCKERS CHARGED THAT THEY WERE FILLED WITH NEW WINE, PETER ANSWERED, "THESE ARE NOT DRUNKEN, AS YE SUPPOSE, SEEING IT IS BUT THE THIRD HOUR OF THE DAY. BUT THIS IS THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL." THEN HE QUOTES THE PROPHECY SUBSTANTIALLY AS FOUND IN JOEL (QUOTED ABOVE), ONLY HE PUTS THE WORDS "IN THE LAST DAYS," IN THE PLACE OF "AFTERWARD," MAKING IT READ, "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT," ETC. IT IS EVIDENT THAT IT WAS THAT PART OF THE PROPHECY ONLY WHICH RELATES TO THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT, THAT BEGAN TO BE FULFILLED ON THAT DAY; FOR THERE WERE NO OLD MEN THERE DREAMING DREAMS, NOR YOUNG MEN AND MAIDENS SEEING VISIONS AND PROPHESYING; AND NO WONDERS OF BLOOD AND FIRE AND PILLARS OF SMOKE THEN APPEARED; AND THE SUN WAS NOT DARKENED AND THE MOON WAS NOT TURNED TO BLOOD AT THAT TIME; AND YET WHAT WAS THERE WITNESSED WAS IN FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF JOEL. IT IS EQUALLY EVIDENT THAT THIS PART OF THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT WAS NOT EXHAUSTED IN THAT ONE MANIFESTATION; FOR THE PROPHECY COVERS ALL DAYS FROM THAT TIME ON TO THE COMING OF THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD. BUT THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS IN FULFILLMENT OF OTHER PROPHECIES BESIDES THAT OF JOEL. IT FULFILLED THE WORDS OF CHRIST HIMSELF AS WELL. IN HIS LAST DISCOURSE TO HIS DISCIPLES BEFORE HIS CRUCIFIXION, HE SAID TO THEM: "I WILL PRAY THE FATHER, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, . . . EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH." JOHN 14:16, 17. "BUT THE COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS." VERSE 26. "HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, HE WILL GUIDE 23 YOU INTO ALL TRUTH." CHAPTER 16:13. AND AFTER CHRIST HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD, HE SAID TO THE DISCIPLES, "BEHOLD, I SEND THE PROMISE OF MY FATHER UPON YOU: BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH." LUKE 24:49. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST THE DISCIPLES WERE THUS ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. BUT THIS PROMISE OF CHRIST'S WAS NOT, ANY MORE THAN THE PROPHECY OF JOEL, CONFINED TO THAT OCCASION. FOR HE GAVE THEM THE SAME PROMISE IN ANOTHER FORM BY ASSURING THEM THAT HE WOULD BE WITH THEM ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE WORLD. MATTHEW 28:20. MARK TELLS US IN WHAT SENSE AND WHAT MANNER THE LORD WAS TO BE WITH THEM. HE SAYS, "AND THEY WENT FORTH, AND PREACHED EVERYWHERE, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING." MARK 16:20. AND PETER, ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, TESTIFIED CONCERNING THE PERPETUITY OF THIS OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT WHICH THEY HAD WITNESSED. WHEN THE CONVICTED JEWS SAID UNTO THE APOSTLES, "WHAT SHALL WE DO?" PETER ANSWERED, "REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. FOR THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU, AND TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, EVEN AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL." ACTS 2:37-39. THIS CERTAINLY PROVIDES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH, EVEN IN ITS SPECIAL MANIFESTATIONS, TO ALL COMING TIME, AS LONG AS MERCY SHALL INVITE MEN TO ACCEPT THE PARDONING LOVE OF CHRIST. TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS LATER IN HIS LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS, PAUL SET BEFORE THAT CHURCH A FORMAL ARGUMENT ON THE QUESTION. HE SAYS (1 CORINTHIANS 12:1), "NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT"--SO IMPORTANT DID HE DEEM IT THAT THIS SUBJECT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. AFTER STATING THAT THOUGH THE SPIRIT IS ONE IT HAS DIVERSITIES OF OPERATION, AND EXPLAINING WHAT THOSE DIVERSITIES ARE, HE INTRODUCES THE FIGURE OF THE HUMAN BODY, WITH ITS VARIOUS MEMBERS, TO SHOW HOW THE CHURCH IS CONSTITUTED WITH ITS DIFFERENT OFFICES AND GIFTS. AND AS THE BODY HAS ITS VARIOUS MEMBERS, EACH HAVING ITS 24 PARTICULAR OFFICE TO FILL, AND ALL WORKING TOGETHER IN UNITY OF PURPOSE TO CONSTITUTE ONE HARMONIOUS WHOLE, SO THE SPIRIT WAS TO OPERATE THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS IN THE CHURCH TO CONSTITUTE A PERFECT RELIGIOUS BODY. PAUL THEN CONTINUES IN THESE WORDS: "AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, FIRST APOSTLES, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, THIRDLY TEACHERS, AFTER THAT MIRACLES, THEN GIFTS OF HEALING, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES." THE DECLARATION THAT GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, ETC., IMPLIES SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT THE WAY WAS LEFT OPEN FOR THE GIFTS TO APPEAR IF CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHANCE TO FAVOR. IT RATHER SIGNIFIES THAT THEY WERE TO BE PERMANENT PARTS OF THE TRUE SPIRITUAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH, AND THAT IF THESE WERE NOT IN ACTIVE OPERATION THE CHURCH WOULD BE IN THE CONDITION OF A HUMAN BODY, SOME OF WHOSE MEMBERS HAD, THROUGH ACCIDENT OR DISEASE, BECOME CRIPPLED AND HELPLESS. HAVING ONCE BEEN SET IN THE CHURCH, THERE THESE GIFTS MUST REMAIN UNTIL THEY ARE FORMALLY REMOVED. BUT THERE IS NO RECORD THAT THEY EVER HAVE BEEN REMOVED. FIVE YEARS LATER THE SAME APOSTLE WRITES TO THE EPHESIANS RELATIVE TO THE SAME GIFTS, PLAINLY STATING THEIR OBJECT, AND THUS SHOWING INDIRECTLY THAT THEY MUST CONTINUE TILL THAT OBJECT IS ACCOMPLISHED. HE SAYS (EPHESIANS 4:8, 11-13): "WHEREFORE HE SAITH, WHEN HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN. . . . AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST: TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST." THE CHURCH DID NOT REACH THE STATE OF UNITY HERE CONTEMPLATED, IN THE APOSTOLIC AGE; AND VERY SOON AFTER THAT AGE, THE GLOOM OF THE GREAT SPIRITUAL APOSTASY BEGAN TO OVERSHADOW THE CHURCH; AND CERTAINLY DURING THE STATE OF DECLENSION, THIS FULLNESS OF CHRIST, AND UNITY OF FAITH, WAS NOT REACHED. NOR WILL IT BE REACHED TILL 25 THE LAST MESSAGE OF MERCY SHALL HAVE GATHERED OUT OF EVERY KINDRED AND PEOPLE, EVERY CLASS OF SOCIETY, AND EVERY ORGANIZATION OF ERROR, A PEOPLE COMPLETE IN ALL GOSPEL REFORMS, WAITING FOR THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. AND TRULY, IF EVER IN HER EXPERIENCE THE CHURCH WOULD NEED THE BENEFIT OF EVERY AGENCY ORDAINED FOR HER COMFORT AND GUIDANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROTECTION, IT WOULD BE AMID THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS, WHEN THE POWERS OF EVIL, WELL-NIGH PERFECTED BY EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR THEIR NEFARIOUS WORK, WOULD, BY THEIR MASTERPIECES OF IMPOSTURE, DECEIVE IF IT WERE POSSIBLE EVEN THE ELECT. VERY APPROPRIATELY, THEREFORE, COME IN THE SPECIAL PROPHECIES OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS. IT IS, HOWEVER, USUALLY TAUGHT, IN THE CURRENT LITERATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, THAT THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT WERE ONLY FOR THE APOSTOLIC AGE; THAT THEY WERE GIVEN SIMPLY FOR THE PLANTING OF THE GOSPEL; AND THAT THE GOSPEL BEING ONCE ESTABLISHED, THE GIFTS WERE NO LONGER NEEDED, AND CONSEQUENTLY WERE SUFFERED SOON TO DISAPPEAR FROM THE CHURCH. BUT THE APOSTLE PAUL WARNED THE CHRISTIANS OF HIS DAY THAT THE "MYSTERY OF INIQUITY" WAS ALREADY AT WORK, AND THAT AFTER HIS DEPARTURE, GRIEVOUS WOLVES WOULD ENTER IN AMONG THEM, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK, AND THAT ALSO OF THEIR OWN SELVES MEN WOULD ARISE, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM. ACTS 20:29, 30. IT CANNOT THEREFORE BE THAT THE GIFTS, PLACED IN THE CHURCH TO GUARD AGAINST THESE VERY EVILS, WERE READY, WHEN THAT TIME CAME, TO PASS AWAY AS HAVING ACCOMPLISHED THEIR OBJECT; FOR THEIR PRESENCE AND HELP WOULD BE NEEDED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS MORE THAN WHEN THE APOSTLES THEMSELVES WERE ON THE STAGE OF ACTION. WE FIND ANOTHER STATEMENT IN PAUL'S LETTER TO THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH, WHICH SHOWS THAT THE POPULAR CONCEPTION OF THE TEMPORARY CONTINUANCE OF THE GIFTS CANNOT BE CORRECT. IT IS HIS CONTRAST BETWEEN THE PRESENT, IMPERFECT STATE, AND THE GLORIOUS, IMMORTAL CONDITION TO WHICH THE CHRISTIAN WILL FINALLY ARRIVE. 1 CORINTHIANS 13. HE SAYS (VERSES 9, 10). "FOR WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE 26 PROPHESY IN PART. BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY." HE FURTHER ILLUSTRATES THIS PRESENT STATE BY COMPARING IT TO THE PERIOD OF CHILDHOOD WITH ITS WEAKNESS AND IMMATURITY OF THOUGHT AND ACTION; AND THE PERFECT STATE, TO THE CONDITION OF MANHOOD WITH ITS CLEARER VISION, MATURITY, AND STRENGTH. AND HE CLASSES THE GIFTS AMONG THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NEEDED IN THIS PRESENT, IMPERFECT CONDITION, BUT WHICH WE SHALL HAVE NO OCCASION FOR WHEN THE PERFECT STATE IS COME. "NOW," HE SAYS (VERSE 12), "WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY; BUT THEN FACE TO FACE: NOW I KNOW IN PART; BUT THEN SHALL I KNOW EVEN AS ALSO I AM KNOWN." THEN HE STATES WHAT GRACES ARE ADAPTED TO THE ETERNAL STATE, AND WILL THERE EXIST, NAMELY, FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY, OR LOVE, "THESE THREE; BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY." THIS EXPLAINS THE LANGUAGE OF VERSE 8: "CHARITY NEVER FAILETH;" THAT IS, CHARITY, THE HEAVENLY GRACE OF LOVE, WILL ENDURE FOREVER; IT IS THE CROWNING GLORY OF MAN'S FUTURE, IMMORTAL CONDITION; BUT "WHETHER THERE BE PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL;" THAT IS, THE TIME WILL COME WHEN PROPHECIES WILL BE NO LONGER NEEDED, AND THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AS ONE OF THE HELPS IN THE CHURCH, WILL NO LONGER BE EXERCISED; "WHETHER THERE BE TONGUES, THEY SHALL CEASE;" THAT IS, THE GIFT OF TONGUES WILL NO LONGER BE OF SERVICE; "WHETHER THERE BE KNOWLEDGE, IT SHALL VANISH AWAY;" THAT IS, KNOWLEDGE, NOT IN THE ABSTRACT, BUT AS ONE OF THE SPECIAL GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, WILL BE RENDERED UNNECESSARY BY THE PERFECT KNOWLEDGE WITH WHICH WE SHALL BE ENDOWED IN THE ETERNAL WORLD. NOW, IF WE TAKE THE POSITION THAT THE GIFTS CEASED WITH THE APOSTOLIC AGE, BECAUSE NO LONGER NEEDED, WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE POSITION THAT THE APOSTOLIC AGE WAS THE WEAK AND CHILDISH AGE OF THE CHURCH, WHEN EVERYTHING WAS SEEN THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY; BUT THE AGE THAT FOLLOWED, WHEN GRIEVOUS WOLVES WERE TO ENTER IN, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK, AND MEN WERE TO ARISE, EVEN IN THE CHURCH, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM, WAS AN AGE OF PERFECT LIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE, IN WHICH THE IMPERFECT AND 27 CHILDISH AND DARKENED KNOWLEDGE OF APOSTOLIC TIMES HAD PASSED AWAY! FOR, BE IT REMEMBERED, THE GIFTS CEASE ONLY WHEN A PERFECT STATE IS REACHED, AND BECAUSE THAT STATE IS REACHED, WHICH RENDERS THEM NO LONGER NECESSARY. BUT NO ONE, ON SOBER THOUGHT, CAN FOR A MOMENT SEEK TO MAINTAIN THE POSITION THAT THE APOSTOLIC AGE WAS INFERIOR IN SPIRITUAL ELEVATION TO ANY AGE WHICH HAS SUCCEEDED IT. AND IF THE GIFTS WERE NEEDED THEN, THEY CERTAINLY ARE NEEDED NOW. AMONG THE AGENCIES WHICH THE APOSTLE IN HIS LETTERS TO BOTH THE CORINTHIANS AND EPHESIANS ENUMERATES AS "GIFTS" SET IN THE CHURCH, WE FIND "PASTORS," "TEACHERS," "HELPS," AND "GOVERNMENTS;" AND ALL THESE ARE ACKNOWLEDGED, ON EVERY HAND, AS STILL CONTINUING IN THE CHURCH. WHY NOT, THEN, THE OTHERS ALSO, INCLUDING FAITH, HEALING, PROPHECY, ETC.? WHO IS COMPETENT TO DRAW THE LINE, AND SAY WHAT GIFTS HAVE BEEN "SET OUT" OF THE CHURCH, WHEN ALL WERE, IN THE BEGINNING, EQUALLY "SET" THEREIN? REVELATION 12:17 HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS A PROPHECY THAT THE GIFTS WOULD BE RESTORED IN THE LAST DAYS. AN EXAMINATION OF ITS TESTIMONY WILL CONFIRM THIS VIEW. THE TEXT SPEAKS OF THE REMNANT OF THE WOMAN'S SEED. THE WOMAN BEING A SYMBOL OF THE CHURCH, HER SEED WOULD BE THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS COMPOSING THE CHURCH AT ANY ONE TIME; AND THE "REMNANT" OF HER SEED WOULD BE THE LAST GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS, OR THOSE LIVING ON THE EARTH AT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. THE TEXT FURTHER DECLARES THAT THESE "KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST;" AND THE "TESTIMONY OF JESUS" IS EXPLAINED IN CHAPTER 19:10 TO BE "THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY," WHICH MUST BE UNDERSTOOD AS THAT WHICH AMONG THE GIFTS IS CALLED "THE GIFT OF PROPHECY." 1 CORINTHIANS 12:9, 10. THE SETTING OF THE GIFTS IN THE CHURCH DOES NOT IMPLY THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL WAS TO HAVE THEM IN EXERCISE. ON THIS POINT THE APOSTLE (1 CORINTHIANS 12:29) SAYS, "ARE ALL APOSTLES? ARE ALL PROPHETS? ARE ALL TEACHERS?" ETC. THE IMPLIED ANSWER IS NO; NOT ALL ARE; BUT THE GIFTS ARE DIVIDED AMONG THE MEMBERS AS IT PLEASES 28 GOD. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7, 11. YET THESE GIFTS ARE SAID TO BE "SET IN THE CHURCH," AND IF A GIFT IS BESTOWED UPON EVEN ONE MEMBER OF THE CHURCH, IT MAY BE SAID THAT THAT GIFT IS "IN THE CHURCH," OR THAT THE CHURCH "HAS" IT. SO THE LAST GENERATION WAS TO HAVE, AND IT IS BELIEVED DOES NOW HAVE, THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, OR THE GIFT OF PROPHECY. ANOTHER PORTION OF SCRIPTURE EVIDENTLY WRITTEN WITH REFERENCE TO THE LAST DAYS, BRINGS THE SAME FACT PLAINLY TO VIEW. 1 THESSALONIANS 5. THE APOSTLE OPENS THE CHAPTER WITH THESE WORDS: "BUT OF THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS, BRETHREN, YOU HAVE NO NEED THAT I WRITE UNTO YOU. FOR YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT." IN VERSE 4 HE ADDS, "BUT YE, BRETHREN, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS, THAT THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF." THEN HE GIVES THEM SUNDRY ADMONITIONS IN VIEW OF THAT EVENT, AMONG WHICH ARE THESE (VERSES 19-21): "QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT. DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS. PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD." AND IN VERSE 23 HE PRAYS THAT THESE VERY ONES WHO WERE THUS TO HAVE TO DO WITH "PROPHESYINGS" MAY BE PRESERVED BLAMELESS UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD. ON THE STRENGTH OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS ARE WE NOT JUSTIFIED IN BELIEVING THAT THE GIFT OF PROPHECY WILL BE MANIFESTED IN THE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS, AND THAT THROUGH IT MUCH LIGHT WILL BE IMPARTED, AND MUCH TIMELY INSTRUCTION GIVEN? ALL THINGS ARE TO BE TREATED ACCORDING TO THE APOSTLE'S RULE: "PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD;" AND TO BE TESTED BY THE SAVIOUR'S STANDARD: "BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." APPEALING TO THIS STANDARD IN BEHALF OF WHAT CLAIMS TO BE A MANIFESTATION OF THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, WE COMMEND THIS VOLUME TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD, AND THAT THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF WHICH CHRIST IS HEAD. U. SMITH. {PP 0.1}

SPIRITUAL GIFTS WE PRESENT AS THE GROUND-WORK OF THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE OF THE PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, THE ORIGINAL COMMISSION. MARK 16:15-20. "GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS, THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES, THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS, AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM. THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. SO THEN, AFTER THE LORD HAD SPOKEN UNTO THEM, HE WAS RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN, AND SAT ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. AND THEY WENT FORTH, AND PREACHED EVERYWHERE, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING. AMEN." MATTHEW 28:18-20. "ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU, AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN." THIS HIGH COMMISSION RELATES TO THE GOSPEL TO FAITH, 10 TO BAPTISM, TO SALVATION, AND TO SPIRITUAL GIFTS. THE GOSPEL WAS TO BE PREACHED AS LONG AS THERE WERE SINNERS TO HEAR IT. FAITH IS EQUALLY REQUISITE THROUGHOUT THE CHRISTIAN AGE. BAPTISM IS A PERPETUAL ORDINANCE IN THE CHURCH, AND THE MINISTERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY BAPTIZE "IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST," BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL COMMISSION REQUIRES IT. THE TERMS OF SALVATION STATED IN THIS COMMISSION WERE TO BE HELD OUT AS LONG AS SINNERS MIGHT BE SAVED. RUNNING PARALLEL WITH ALL THESE, WE FIND IN THE SAME COMMISSION SPIRITUAL GIFTS. IN THE ABSENCE OF PROOF THAT THE GIFTS WERE TO BE RESTRICTED TO ANY PARTICULAR AGE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, THIS COMMISSION ALONE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF THEIR PERPETUITY. SOME MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE APOSTLES, AND THOSE WHO SHOULD BELIEVE ON THEIR WORD, ON THIS WISE: THE APOSTLES HAD THE GIFTS, THE BELIEVERS WERE NOT TO HAVE THEM; AND THEY THINK THEY SEE THIS DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES IN OUR LORD'S PRAYER. JOHN 17. WE REPLY TO THIS BY QUOTING THE WORDS OF OUR LORD IN THE ORIGINAL COMMISSION, AS FOLLOWS; "AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE." OR, AS DR. GEO. CAMPBELL TRANSLATES, "THESE MIRACULOUS POWERS SHALL ATTEND THE BELIEVERS." OR, AS WAKEFIELD RENDERS, "THESE SIGNS WILL ACCOMPANY BELIEVERS." WHEN IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT TO BELIEVE WAS REQUIRED OF THE FIRST CHRISTIANS ONLY, THEN IT MAY BE PROVED THAT THE GIFTS WERE FOR THEM ALONE. THE GRACIOUS PROMISE OF OUR LORD IN THIS COMMISSION, WHEN HE SAYS, "AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD," IS THE STRONGEST PROOF OF THE PERPETUITY OF THE GIFTS. HE WAS NOT TO BE PERSONALLY 11 WITH HIS PEOPLE, NO; BUT HOW WAS HE TO BE WITH THEM? THE INSPIRED RECORD STATES THAT AFTER THE LORD WAS RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN, "THEY WENT FORTH, AND PREACHED EVERYWHERE, THE LORD WORKING WITH THEM, AND CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING." THIS PROMISE CANNOT BE RESTRICTED TO THE LIFETIME OF THE CHOSEN TWELVE, NOR TO THE CHRISTIANS OF THE FIRST CENTURY, FOR IT EXTENDS TO THE END OF THE WORLD [AION] AGE. "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD," TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE. IF IT BE SAID THAT THE JEWISH AGE IS HER MEANT, WE REPLY, THAT DISPENSATION CLOSED WITH THE DEATH OF CHRIST, FORTY-TWO DAYS BEFORE THIS COMMISSION WAS GIVEN. WE GIVE TWO PASSAGES AS PROOF. COLOSSIANS 2:14. "BLOTTING OUT THE HAND-WRITING OF ORDINANCES THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US, AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS." DANIEL 9:27. "IN THE MIDST OF THE WEEK HE SHALL CAUSE THE SACRIFICE AND OBLATION TO CEASE." THIS PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED AT THE DEATH OF THE MESSIAH, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAST OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS. THERE THE JEWISH TYPICAL SACRIFICES CEASED TO BE OF ANY VIRTUE, WHEN THE GREAT ANTITYPICAL SACRIFICE WAS OFFERED. CHRIST GAVE THIS COMMISSION JUST BEFORE HIS ASCENSION, MARK 16:19, WHICH WAS AT LEAST FORTY-TWO DAYS AFTER HIS CRUCIFIXION. AGAIN, TO SUPPOSE THAT THE END OF THE WORLD HERE MEANS THE CLOSE OF THE JEWISH AGE, WOULD BE TO CARRY BACK THE GOSPEL, WITH ALL THE OTHER SPECIFICATIONS IN THE COMMISSION, TO THE JEWISH AGE, TO CLOSE WITH THAT DISPENSATION, AND LEAVE THE PRESENT WITHOUT IT. THIS VIEW IS TOO ABSURD TO NEED ANY FURTHER COMMENT. WE NOW COME TO THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL. EPHESIANS 4: 12 4-13. "THERE IS ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT, EVEN AS YE ARE CALLED IN ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, WHO IS ABOVE ALL, AND THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU ALL. BUT UNTO EVERY ONE OF US IS GIVEN GRACE ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE GIFT OF CHRIST. WHEREFORE HE SAITH, WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN.......AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES, AND SOME, PROPHETS, AND SOME, EVANGELISTS, AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS, FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST." THE APOSTLE FIRST PRESENTS THE SUBJECT OF UNITY, IN THE DECLARATION THAT THERE IS ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, ONE HOPE, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH; ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL. HE THEN PRESENTS THE GIFTS AS THE MEANS BY WHICH GOD DESIGNED TO SECURE THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. HE REFERS TO CHRIST'S ASCENSION, WHEN HE LED UP TO HEAVEN A MULTITUDE OF CAPTIVES FROM THEIR GRAVES, AS THE TIME WHEN THE GIFTS WERE BESTOWED. HE THEN MENTIONS SOME OF THE GIFTS, GIVEN AT THE SAME TIME, FOR THE SAME OBJECTS, AND ALL TO EXTEND TO THE SAME POINT OF TIME. IT WILL BE ADMITTED THAT EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, AND TEACHERS, WERE TO EXTEND TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE. THEN WHY NOT THE OTHERS? IF IT BE SAID THAT THE STATE OF UNITY AND PERFECTION DESCRIBED BY THE APOSTLE IS IN THE PAST HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, THEN WE REPLY THAT EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, AND TEACHERS, CEASED 13 WITH THAT HAPPY STATE OF THINGS. BUT HE WHO ADMITS THE PERPETUITY OF THESE, MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE PERPETUITY OF THE OTHERS. IT IS WORTHY OF NOTICE THAT PAUL'S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS WAS WRITTEN A. D. 64, AND THAT FROM THAT POINT IT LOOKS TO THE FUTURE FOR THAT UNITY AND PERFECTION OF THE CHURCH TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE GIFTS, "TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH," SAYS THE APOSTLE. IF PAUL COULD NOT SEE THIS UNITY AND PERFECTION IN HIS DAY, OR IN THE PAST, CERTAINLY WE CANNOT SEE IT IN THE PAST HISTORY OF THE CHURCH; HENCE THE PERPETUITY OF THE GIFTS, AND THEIR REVIVAL IN THE LAST DAYS IN GREAT POWER TO UNITE AND PERFECT THE CHURCH READY FOR TRANSLATION TO HEAVEN AT THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST. PAUL, IN HIS LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS, HAS SPOKEN VERY DEFINITELY UPON THE SUBJECT OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1, HE SAYS: "NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT." HE REGARDED THIS SUBJECT AS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE, AND URGES AN UNDERSTANDING OF IT. BUT IN ALL HE HAS SAID RELATIVE TO IT, HE HAS NOT ONCE INTIMATED THAT THE GIFTS WERE TO CEASE BEFORE THE PERFECT DAY OF GLORY SHOULD COME. THE APOSTLE PROPOSES TO INSTRUCT THE CORINTHIANS ON THE SUBJECT. HE WOULD NOT HAVE THEM IGNORANT IN REGARD TO IT. THEREFORE IF THE GIFTS WERE DESIGNED FOR THE FIRST CHRISTIANS ONLY, WE MIGHT EXPECT TO FIND SOMEWHERE IN HIS EPISTLES TO THEM, SOME INSTRUCTION ON THE POINT. WE AFFIRM THAT THERE IS NOT AN INTIMATION OF THE KIND TO BE FOUND IN HIS LETTERS TO THEM. BUT PAUL DOES CLEARLY POINT OUT THE TIME WHEN THE GIFTS WILL CEASE. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8-12. "CHARITY [AGAPE--LOVE,] NEVER FAILETH: BUT WHETHER THERE BE 14 PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL; WHETHER THERE BE TONGUES, THEY SHALL CEASE; WHETHER THERE BE KNOWLEDGE, IT SHALL VANISH AWAY. FOR WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART. BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY. WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD; BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS. FOR NOW WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, BUT THEN FACE TO FACE; NOW I KNOW IN PART, BUT THEN SHALL I KNOW EVEN AS ALSO I AM KNOWN." THE APOSTLE HERE CONTRASTS THE MORTAL STATE WITH THE IMMORTAL; THE PRESENT IMPERFECT, WITH THAT WHICH WILL BE PERFECT; THE CLOUDY PRESENT WHILE WE WALK BY FAITH, WITH THE OPEN GLORY OF THE LIFE TO COME. HERE, WE ONLY KNOW IN PART, PROPHESY IN PART; THERE, THAT WHICH IS IN PART WILL BE DONE AWAY. HERE, WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY; THERE, FACE TO FACE. HERE, WE KNOW IN PART; THERE, WE SHALL KNOW, EVEN AS WE ARE KNOWN. CHARITY, OR LOVE, WILL NEVER END. HERE, IT IS THE HIGHEST CHRISTIAN GRACE; THERE, IT WILL BE THE CROWNING GLORY OF IMMORTALS FOREVER AND FOREVER. IN THIS SENSE, LOVE WILL NEVER FAIL. BUT PROPHECIES WILL FAIL, TONGUES WILL CEASE, AND KNOWLEDGE WILL VANISH AWAY. THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN THROUGH THE DIM MEDIUM OF THESE, AND THE OTHER GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS REPRESENTED AS BEING ONLY IN PART, AND IS TO BE SUPERSEDED BY THE PERFECT DAY OF GLORY WHEN WE MAY TALK FACE TO FACE WITH GOD, CHRIST, AND ANGELS, AS OUR FIRST PARENTS TALKED WITH GOD IN EDEN BEFORE SIN ENTERED. BUT WHEN? THIS IS THE VITAL QUESTION. WHEN WERE THE GIFTS TO BE DONE AWAY? LET PAUL ANSWER: "BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH 15 IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY." "AND LET ALL THE PEOPLE SAY, AMEN." THE APOSTLE PRESENTS THE GIFTS MORE FULLY IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12:28. "AND GOD SET SOME IN THE CHURCH; FIRST, APOSTLES; SECONDARILY, PROPHETS; THIRDLY, TEACHERS; AFTER THAT, MIRACLES, THEN GIFTS OF HEALINGS, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES." GOD SET THEM IN THE CHURCH. AND WHERE IS THE TEXT THAT DECLARES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SET OUT OF THE CHURCH? HERE ARE EIGHT GIFTS MENTIONED, AND GIVEN IN THEIR ORDER OF IMPORTANCE. THAT "FIRST," "SECONDARILY," "THIRDLY," AND SO ON, REFER TO IMPORTANCE, AND NOT TO TIME, IS EVIDENT FROM THE FACT THAT PAUL IN THIS CONNECTION DWELLS LARGELY UPON THE RELATIVE VALUE OF SOME OF THE GIFTS, AND IN VERSE 31 SAYS, "COVET EARNESTLY THE BEST GIFTS." 1 CORINTHIANS 1:4-8. "I THANK MY GOD ALWAYS ON YOUR BEHALF, FOR THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN YOU BY JESUS CHRIST; THAT IN EVERYTHING YE ARE ENRICHED BY HIM, IN ALL UTTERANCE, AND IN ALL KNOWLEDGE; EVEN AS THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST WAS CONFIRMED IN YOU; SO THAT YE COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT, WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO SHALL ALSO CONFIRM YOU UNTO THE END, THAT YE MAY BE BLAMELESS IN THE DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. GOD IS FAITHFUL, BY WHOM YE WERE CALLED UNTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. NOW I BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN, BY THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT YE ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING, AND THAT THERE BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU; BUT THAT YE BE PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER IN THE SAME MIND AND IN THE SAME JUDGMENT." THE GIFTS WERE PLANTED IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. GOD 16 SET THEM THERE. AND WE JUDGE THAT THE CORINTHIANS SHARED LARGELY OF THEIR BENEFITS, FROM THE FACT THAT PAUL IN HIS EPISTLES TO THEM, OCCUPIES MUCH SPACE IN SPEAKING DEFINITELY IN REGARD TO THEIR PROPER EXERCISE. IN THE ABOVE QUOTATION THE APOSTLE THANKS GOD ON THEIR BEHALF FOR THE GRACE BESTOWED UPON THEM BY JESUS CHRIST; THAT THEY WERE ENRICHED IN ALL UTTERANCE AND KNOWLEDGE, EVEN AS THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST WAS CONFIRMED IN THEM. IF WE TURN TO REVELATION 19:10, FOR AN INSPIRED DEFINITION OF THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, WE READ, "FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY." BY THIS THEY WERE ENRICHED IN KNOWLEDGE AND UTTERANCE. HOWEVER APPLICABLE THIS TESTIMONY MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO THE CHURCH AT CORINTH AT THE TIME THE APOSTLE WROTE, OR TO CHRISTIANS FROM THAT DAY TO THIS, CERTAINLY ESPECIAL REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE LAST DAYS IN THE EXPRESSIONS, "WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST," "THE END," "THE DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." HENCE VERSE 7, "SO THAT YE COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT, WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST," TEACHES THE PERPETUITY OF THE GIFTS, AND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE WAITING ONES TO ENJOY THEM ALL. THE END HERE MENTIONED IS EVIDENTLY THE END OF THE AGE. HERE, IN THIS VERY CONNECTION, THE SUBJECT OF PERFECT UNITY IS INTRODUCED. READ VERSE 19. PAUL TAUGHT THE EPHESIANS 4:11-14, THAT THE GIFTS WERE GIVEN "FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH." HE EXHORTS THE CORINTHIANS TO "ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING, AND THAT THERE BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU, BUT THAT YE BE 17 PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER IN THE SAME MIND, AND IN THE SAME JUDGMENT;" AND THIS, TOO, IN CONNECTION WITH THE STATEMENT, "THAT YE COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT, WAITING FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." THEN RIGHT HERE COMES IN THE RESTITUTION OF THE GIFTS TO UNITE AND PREPARE THE WAITING ONES FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST. IF AN EFFORT BE MADE TO CARRY THIS TESTIMONY BACK, AND RESTRICT IT TO THE VERY MEMBERS OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH LIVING WHEN PAUL WROTE, THEN WE INQUIRE, WAS THAT WHAT THE APOSTLE CALLS THE DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? DID THEY SCRIPTURALLY WAIT FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? DID "THE END" THEM COME? ALL WELL-INSTRUCTED ADVENTISTS WILL ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS NEGATIVELY. THE PRESENT IS THE TIME TO SCRIPTURALLY WAIT FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, WHICH EVENT IS ASSOCIATED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WITH "THE END." THE EPISTLES TO THE CORINTHIANS WERE WRITTEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, NOT FOR THOSE CHRISTIANS ONLY THEN LIVING AT CORINTH, BUT FOR THE CHURCH, AND SOME PORTIONS HAVE A SPECIAL APPLICATION TO THE PRESENT TIME. WE WILL CALL ATTENTION TO TWO PASSAGES WHERE THE APOSTLE APPARENTLY, BY THE USE OF THE WORD WE, ADDRESSES ONLY THOSE THEN LIVING, AND YET THE EVENTS OF WHICH HE SPEAKS ARE IN THE FUTURE. IN CHAPTER 15:51, 52, PAUL SAYS, "BEHOLD, I SHOW YOU A MYSTERY. WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP; FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND, AND THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED." SHALL WE SAY THAT THE WORD "WE" USED THREE TIMES IN THIS QUOTATION, EMBRACES ONLY PAUL AND THE MEMBERS OF THE 18 CHURCH AT CORINTH THEN LIVING? CIRCUMSTANCES WILL NOT ADMIT OF SO NARROW AN APPLICATION. PAUL AND HIS BRETHREN AT CORINTH DID SLEEP--DIE. THE LAST TRUMP DID NOT THEN SOUND. AND NONE OF THEM WERE CHANGED TO IMMORTALITY IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE. HENCE THIS TESTIMONY HAS A SPECIAL APPLICATION TO CHRISTIANS WHO ARE ALIVE ON EARTH AT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. THE APOSTLE SAYS, 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16, 17, "FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL AND THE TRUMP OF GOD, AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST; THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR, AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD. WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS." HERE HE AGAIN USES THE WORD, WE, BUT THE EVENTS MENTIONED DID NOT OCCUR IN PAUL'S DAY. HE AND HIS BRETHREN AT THESSALONICA WERE NOT TRANSLATED TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SEEING DEATH. THE CHAPTER CLOSES WITH THE ABOVE QUOTATION, AND THE NEXT OPENS WITH THE CONTINUATION OF THE SAME SUBJECT. CHAPTER 5:1-4. "BUT OF THE TIMES AND SEASONS, BRETHREN, YE HAVE NO NEED THAT I WRITE UNTO YOU. FOR YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. FOR, WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE AND SAFETY, THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH UPON THEM, AS TRAVAIL UPON A WOMAN WITH CHILD, AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE. BUT YE, BRETHREN, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS, THAT THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF." THE DAY OF THE LORD IS THE DAY OF "SUDDEN DESTRUCTION." IT IS THE DAY OF WRATH WHICH IS IN THE 19 OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST. THIS DAY IS NOT IN THE PAST, HENCE THE LANGUAGE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIANS OF PAST GENERATIONS. THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST GENERATION --THE VERY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE TO BE LIVING ON THE EARTH WHEN THE DAY OF THE LORD COMES--ARE HERE ADDRESSED. HENCE ALL TRUE ADVENTISTS WILL REGARD THEMSELVES AS THE "BRETHREN" PAUL ADDRESSES, AND HIS LANGUAGE ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO THE PRESENT TIME. HE CONTINUES IN THIS CHAPTER WITHOUT CHANGE, SETTING FORTH PRACTICAL DUTIES APPLICABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING FOR THE APPROACH OF THE DAY OF THE LORD, AND IN VERSES 19-21, SAYS, "QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT. DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS. PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD." HERE ARE THREE VERY IMPORTANT INJUNCTIONS. 1. "QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT." WE QUENCH FIRE WITH WATER. AND PROMINENT AMONG THE MEANS OF QUENCHING THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS UNBELIEF. JESUS, IN HIS OWN COUNTRY, DID NOT MANY MIGHTY WORKS BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF. THERE IS AT THE PRESENT TIME ALMOST A UNIVERSAL STATE OF UNBELIEF IN REGARD TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ESPECIALLY IN THE MANIFESTATION OF THE GIFTS. UNBELIEF SHUTS THE SPIRIT OF GOD AWAY FROM THE MIND. IT QUENCHES THE SPIRIT, AND LEAVES THE MASSES EXPOSED TO THE DELUSIONS OF THESE LAST DAYS. AGAIN, THOSE WHO BY UNBELIEF QUENCH THE SPIRIT IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL BE ILLY PREPARED TO SHARE IN THE GREAT BLESSINGS WHICH GOD PROMISES BY THE PROPHET JOEL, QUOTED BY PETER, ACTS 2:17, 18. "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH, AND YOUR SONS AND 20 YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; AND ON MY SERVANTS AND ON MY HANDMAIDENS I WILL POUR OUT IN THOSE DAYS OF MY SPIRIT, AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY." THE "FORMER RAIN" WAS GIVEN ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, AND ENJOYED BY THE EARLY CHRISTIANS, TO CAUSE THE GOSPEL SEED TO GERMINATE AND TAKE ROOT. THE "LATTER RAIN" IS COMING TO RIPEN THE GOLDEN HARVEST FOR THE GARNER OF GOD. TAKE CARE, DEAR READER, LEST UNBELIEF IN YOU QUENCH THE SPIRIT, AND SHUT YOU AWAY FROM THIS GREAT BLESSING DESIGNED FOR "THEM THAT BELIEVE." 2. "DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS." WE ARE HERE WARNED OF ONE OF THE DANGERS OF THE LAST DAYS. THE PRETENSIONS OF ANN LEE, THE MOTHER OF THE SHAKERS, THE CORRUPT PROPHETS OF MORMONISM, AND THE ONE THOUSAND AND ONE OF SATAN'S MEDIUM PROPHETS, DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF SPIRITUALISM, WITH ALL ITS BASENESS, HAVE STRUCK THE WORLD WITH DISGUST AT ANYTHING LIKE THE SUPERNATURAL. THE DEVIL GOT THESE THINGS UP TO NOT ONLY DESTROY MANY SOULS BY THEM, BUT TO DISGUST AND DRIVE OTHERS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO UNBELIEF IN REGARD TO THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HENCE THE DANGER OF INDISCRIMINATELY DESPISING ALL PROPHESYINGS. 3. "PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD." THE THREE DECLARATIONS, "QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT; DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS; PROVE ALL THINGS, HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD," HAVE A CLOSE RELATION TO EACH OTHER. THEREFORE THE "ALL THINGS" TO BE PROVED, DO NOT MEAN EVERY THING IN THE WIDE WORLD, FOR THIS WOULD BE IMPOSING AN UNREASONABLE TAX UPON BELIEVERS; HENCE THE EXPRESSION MUST BE LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT OF 21 PROPHESYING. DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS, BUT PROVE THEM, AND SEPARATE THE GENUINE FROM THE COUNTERFEIT COIN OF THE DEVIL; AND THAT WHICH IS GOOD, WHICH IS FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD, WHICH WILL STAND THE TEST, HOLD FAST. WE WILL HERE GIVE THREE RULES BY WHICH TRUE AND FALSE PROPHESYINGS MAY BE KNOWN: 1. MATTHEW 7:15-20. "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES. YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OF THORNS, OR FIGS OF THISTLES? EVEN SO EVERY GOOD TREE BRINGETH FORTH GOOD FRUIT; BUT A CORRUPT TREE BRINGETH FORTH EVIL FRUIT. A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT. EVERY TREE THAT BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT, IS HEWN DOWN AND CAST INTO THE FIRE. WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." 2. ISAIAH 8:19, 20. "AND WHEN THEY SHALL SAY UNTO YOU, SEEK UNTO THEM THAT HAVE FAMILIAR SPIRITS, AND UNTO WIZARDS THAT PEEP AND THAT MUTTER: SHOULD NOT A PEOPLE SEEK UNTO THEIR GOD? FOR THE LIVING TO THE DEAD? TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY; IF THEY SPEAK NOT ACCORDING TO THIS WORD, IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIGHT IN THEM." 3. FALSE PROPHETS SPEAK SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY LIES, AND CRY, PEACE AND SAFETY, WHICH HAS EVER BEEN PLEASING TO UNCONSECRATED PROFESSORS; HENCE THE LOVE OF THE PEACE AND SAFETY IN THE DELUSION OF SPIRITUALISM. JEREMIAH 14:14. "THEN THE LORD SAID UNTO ME, THE PROPHETS PROPHESY LIES IN MY NAME. I SENT THEM NOT, NEITHER HAVE I COMMANDED THEM, NEITHER SPAKE UNTO THEM. THEY PROPHESY UNTO YOU A FALSE VISION AND 22 DIVINATION, AND A THING OF NOUGHT, AND THE DECEIT OF THEIR HEART." CHAPTER 23:16, 17. "THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, HEARKEN NOT UNTO THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS THAT PROPHESY UNTO YOU. THEY MAKE YOU VAIN. THEY SPEAK A VISION OF THEIR OWN HEART, AND NOT OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LORD. THEY SAY STILL UNTO THEM THAT DESPISE ME, THE LORD HATH SAID, YE SHALL HAVE PEACE; AND THEY SAY UNTO EVERY ONE THAT WALKETH AFTER THE IMAGINATION OF HIS OWN HEART, NO EVIL SHALL COME UPON YOU." CHAPTER 8:10, 11. "FOR EVERY ONE FROM THE LEAST EVEN UNTO THE GREATEST IS GIVEN TO COVETOUSNESS. FROM THE PROPHET EVEN UNTO THE PRIEST EVERY ONE DEALETH FALSELY. FOR THEY HAVE HEALED THE HURT OF THE DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE SLIGHTLY, SAYING, PEACE, PEACE, WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE." CHAPTER 5:30, 31. "A WONDERFUL AND HORRIBLE THING IS COMMITTED IN THE LAND: THE PROPHETS PROPHESY FALSELY, AND THE PRIESTS BEAR RULE BY THEIR MEANS, AND MY PEOPLE LOVE TO HAVE IT SO; AND WHAT WILL YE DO IN THE END THEREOF?" ISAIAH 30:8-11. "NOW GO, WRITE IT BEFORE THEM IN A TABLE, AND NOTE IT IN A BOOK, THAT IT MAY BE FOR THE TIME TO COME FOREVER AND EVER, THAT THIS IS A REBELLIOUS PEOPLE, LYING CHILDREN, CHILDREN THAT WILL NOT HEAR THE LAW OF THE LORD; WHICH SAY TO THE SEERS, SEE NOT; AND TO THE PROPHETS, PROPHESY NOT UNTO US RIGHT THINGS, SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY DECEITS; GET YOU OUT OF THE WAY, TURN ASIDE OUT OF THE PATH, CAUSE THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL TO CEASE FROM BEFORE US." ON THE OTHER HAND THE PROPHETS OF GOD HAVE FAITHFULLY REPROVED SIN, AND BORNE A TESTIMONY WHICH HAS 23 CALLED DOWN UPON THEIR HEADS THE WRATH OF THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS DECEIVED. JOEL 2:28-32, NEXT CLAIMS OUR ATTENTION. "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH, AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS; AND ALSO UPON THE SERVANTS AND UPON THE HANDMAIDS IN THOSE DAYS WILL I POUR OUT MY SPIRIT. AND I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND PILLARS OF SMOKE. THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COME. AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE DELIVERED; FOR IN MOUNT ZION AND IN JERUSALEM SHALL BE DELIVERANCE, AS THE LORD HATH SAID, AND IN THE REMNANT WHOM THE LORD SHALL CALL." WE CALL ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING POINTS IN THIS PROPHECY: 1. THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT NOTED IN THIS PROPHECY, ARE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SIGNS OF THE NEAR APPROACH OF THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD. IN FACT, THEY CONSTITUTE ONE OF THOSE SIGNS. 2. THE CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND THE DELIVERANCE OF THE REMNANT, SPOKEN OF IN CLOSE RELATION TO THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD, EVIDENTLY REFER TO THE CLOSING SCENES OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN THIS MORTAL STATE. THE OPPRESSED PEOPLE OF GOD ARE YET TO RAISE TO HEAVEN ONE UNITED DAY AND NIGHT CRY FOR DELIVERANCE. LUKE 18. THIS IS SYMBOLIZED BY THE MESSAGE OF PRAYER OF THE FOURTH ANGEL OF REVELATION 14:15. AND IN ANSWER TO THIS PRAYER, THE REMNANT WHICH KEEP 24 THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, WILL FIND DELIVERANCE. 3. WE OBJECT TO THAT NARROW-SOULED THEOLOGY WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE OLD LADIES TO HAVE DREAMS BECAUSE THE PROPHECY SAYS, "YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;" AND THAT WILL NOT ALLOW YOUNG WOMEN TO HAVE VISIONS BECAUSE THE PROPHECY SAYS, "YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS." THESE STINGY CRITICS SEEM TO FORGET THAT "MAN," AND "MEN," IN THE SCRIPTURES, GENERALLY MEAN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, THE BOOK SAYS THAT IT IS "APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE." DON'T WOMEN DIE? "UNTO YOU, O MAN, I CALL, AND MY VOICE IS TO THE SONS OF MEN." DON'T THE LORD CALL WOMEN? BUT THE PROPHECY DOES SAY, "YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHECY." ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST THE BELIEVERS WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, TO THE GREAT AMAZEMENT OF THE MULTITUDE. SOME, UNACQUAINTED WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SAID, "THESE MEN ARE FULL OF NEW WINE." PETER ANSWERED, "THESE MEN ARE NOT DRUNKEN, AS YE SUPPOSE, SEEING IT IS BUT THE THIRD HOUR OF THE DAY. BUT THIS IS THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL, AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT," &C. THE PROPHECY OF JOEL APPLIES TO THE CHRISTIAN AGE. AND WE DO NOT OBJECT TO APPLYING THE TERM, "LAST DAYS," HERE USED BY PETER, TO THIS ENTIRE AGE, THOUGH IT MAY HAVE A MORE LIMITED MEANING. BUT LET THIS FACT BE BORNE IN MIND, THAT THE GREAT EVENTS OF THE PROPHECY ARE IN CLOSE CONNECTION WITH, AND ARE SIGNS OF, THE GREAT AND NOTABLE DAY OF THE LORD. THE SPIRIT WAS 25 GIVEN ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST; HENCE PETER, POINTING TO ITS INFLUENCE UPON BELIEVERS ON THAT OCCASION, COULD SAY, "THIS IS THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL." THAT WAS THE EARLY RAIN. BELIEVERS HAVE EVER SINCE ENJOYED A DEGREE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND FROM TIME TO TIME GOD HAS WONDERFULLY MANIFESTED HIS POWER. BUT, FOR THE CLOSE OF THE DISPENSATION, IS RESERVED THE LATTER RAIN, THE POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT. HERE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE BURDEN OF THE PROPHECY OF JOEL. WE OBJECT TO THAT STUPID BLINDNESS WHICH HAS THE ENTIRE PROPHECY FULFILLED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, AND HENCE, THE "LAST DAYS" WERE PAST MORE THAN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO. WE FIND IN THE RECORD ONLY THE EXERCISE OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES. THERE IS NO ACCOUNT OF DREAMS OR VISIONS ON THAT DAY. CERTAINLY THE OUTSIDERS MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN AMAZED ON BEHOLDING OLD MEN ASLEEP, DREAMING IN THE MIDST OF THE EXCITEMENT AND UPROAR OF THE OCCASION. AND WELL MIGHT THEY HAVE SUPPOSED SUCH TO BE STONE DRUNK. AGAIN, WAS THE SUN TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST? AND WAS THAT THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD? NO! NO! THE "LAST DAYS" MUST EMBRACE THE LAST DAY. SHOULD WE SAY THAT THE LEAVES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WERE THE LAST LEAVES OF OUR BIBLE, WE SHOULD SPEAK CORRECTLY; YET THEY WOULD EMBRACE THE LAST LEAF. IT WOULD BE EQUALLY CORRECT TO CALL THE BOOK OF REVELATION, OR THE TWO LAST LEAVES OF THE BIBLE, THE LAST LEAVES. BUT IN EACH CASE, THE LAST LEAVES EMBRACE THE VERY LAST LEAF. SO WITH THE LAST DAYS. IF WE CALL THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN AGE, OR THE LAST CENTURY, OR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS, THE LAST DAYS, IN EACH CASE THE LAST DAYS MUST EMBRACE THE 26 VERY LAST DAY. WITH THIS VIEW OF THE SUBJECT WE READ WITH DELIGHT THE PROPHETIC DESCRIPTION, JOEL 2:28-32, OF THE TERMINATION OF THE PRESENT AGE WITH GRACIOUS BLESSINGS UPON THE PEOPLE OF GOD. THE CHRISTIAN AGE WILL TERMINATE WITH GLORY TO THE RIGHTEOUS; YET A SEVERE CONFLICT WITH THE DRAGON HOST IS JUST AHEAD. REVELATION 12:17. "AND THE DRAGON WAS WROTH WITH THE WOMAN, AND WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST.' THE WOMAN IS A SYMBOL OF THE CHURCH, AND THE REMNANT OF THE CHURCH REPRESENTS THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST GENERATION OF MEN, LIVING JUST PRIOR TO THE SECOND ADVENT. THE DRAGON MAKES WAR ON THESE FOR KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, SABBATH AND ALL, AND HAVING THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE INSPIRED DEFINITION OF CHAPTER 19:10, "IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY." HERE, THEN, ARE THE CAUSES OF THE DRAGON'S WARFARE UPON THE REMNANT. THEY TEACH THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND THE REVIVAL OF THE GIFTS, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY AMONG THEM. WHEN THE DEVIL GOT ONE FOOT UPON THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT, AND THE OTHER UPON THE GIFTS PLANTED IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH BY JESUS CHRIST, THEN HIS SATANIC MAJESTY WAS FILLED WITH REVENGEFUL DELIGHT. BUT WHEN THE REMNANT, WHOM GOD DESIGNS TO FIT FOR TRANSLATION TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SEEING DEATH, "ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS, WHERE IS THE GOOD WAY, AND WALK THEREIN," THEN THE DRAGON IS WROTH, AND MAKES WAR ON THEM. THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE DRAGONIC HOST, WHICH IS ALREADY BEING SOMEWHAT DEVELOPED, IS VIVIDLY DESCRIBED IN ISAIAH 30:8-13, AS BEING MANIFESTED JUST PRIOR TO 27 THE SUDDEN DESTRUCTION OF THOSE WHO HATE THE PURE TESTIMONY, AND LOVE SMOOTH AND DECEITFUL THINGS. "NOW GO, WRITE IT BEFORE THEM IN A TABLE, AND NOTE IT IN A BOOK, THAT IT MAY BE FOR THE TIME TO COME FOREVER AND EVER [MARGIN, "THE LATTER DAY"]; THAT THIS IS A REBELLIOUS PEOPLE, LYING CHILDREN, CHILDREN THAT WILL NOT HEAR THE LAW OF THE LORD; WHICH SAY TO THE SEERS, SEE NOT, AND TO THE PROPHETS, PROPHESY NOT UNTO US RIGHT THINGS, SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY DECEITS; GET YOU OUT OF THE WAY, TURN ASIDE OUT OF THE PATH, CAUSE THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL TO CEASE FROM BEFORE US. WHEREFORE THUS SAITH THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, BECAUSE YE DESPISE THIS WORD, AND TRUST IN OPPRESSION AND PERVERSENESS, AND STAY THEREON; THEREFORE THIS INIQUITY SHALL BE TO YOU AS A BREACH READY TO FALL, SWELLING OUT IN A HIGH WALL, WHOSE BREAKING COMETH SUDDENLY AT AN INSTANT." BUT THE SKEPTICAL OBJECTOR INQUIRES, "WHERE ARE THE GIFTS? IF YOUR POSITION BE CORRECT, WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN MANIFESTED IN THE CHURCH ALL ALONG DOWN EVER SINCE GOD SET THEM IN THE CHURCH? WHY ARE NOT THE SICK HEALED BY FAITH NOW?" WE ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTION BROUGHT AGAINST THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF THE PERPETUITY OF THE GIFTS, THEREFORE IT DEMANDS SPECIAL NOTICE. WE REPLY TO IT AS FOLLOWS: 1. THE SICK WERE NOT ALWAYS HEALED BY FAITH IN PAUL'S DAY. HE SAYS, 2 TIMOTHY 4:20, "TROPHIMUS HAVE I LEFT AT MILETUM SICK." AGAIN HE SAYS TO TIMOTHY, 1 TIMOTHY 5:23, "DRINK NO LONGER WATER, BUT USE A LITTLE WINE FOR THY STOMACH'S SAKE AND THINE OFTEN INFIRMITIES." GOD COULD HAVE ANSWERED THE PRAYERS OF HIS SERVANT PAUL, AND RAISED UP TROPHIMUS, AND 28 HEALED TIMOTHY'S INFIRMITIES, IF THIS HAD BEEN BEST. WE CONCLUDE THAT GOD HAS NOT DESIGNED IN ANY AGE OF THE CHURCH TO MANIFEST HIS POWER SO FAR THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SICK AMONG CHRISTIANS. BUT IN CASES WHERE IT WOULD BE FOR THE GOOD OF THE AFFLICTED, AND FOR HIS OWN GLORY, HE HAS MANIFESTED HIS POWER, AND WILL MANIFEST IT. 2. THE UNBELIEF OF THE PROFESSED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST IN THE MANIFESTATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS IS SUFFICIENT REASON WHY THEY ARE NOT MORE FULLY MANIFESTED. IT IS SAID OF CHRIST, "AND HE DID NOT MANY MIGHTY WORKS THERE BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF." MATTHEW 13:58. THERE IS AN IMPIOUS UNBELIEF WITH MANY AT THIS DAY WHO PROFESS TO TAKE THE BIBLE AS THEIR GUIDE, WHICH RESEMBLES THAT OF THOSE WHO, MOCKINGLY, SAID OF CHRIST AS HE HUNG ON THE CROSS, "LET CHRIST, THE KING OF ISRAEL, DESCEND NOW FROM THE CROSS, THAT WE MAY SEE AND BELIEVE." IT IS SOMETIMES SAID IN REPLY TO THE BIBLE EVIDENCES OF THE PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, "JUST WORK A FEW MIRACLES, AND WE WILL BELIEVE YOUR DOCTRINE." IT IS NOT GOD'S PLAN TO GRATIFY SUCH SPIRITS; FOR SHOULD THEY SEE AS POWERFUL MANIFESTATIONS AS WERE SEEN IN THE DAYS OF CHRIST, OF PAUL, AND PETER, THEY WOULD SCOFFINGLY ATTRIBUTE IT TO THE POWER OF SATAN OR SOME OTHER CAUSE BESIDES THE POWER OF GOD. IT IS HUMBLE, CONFIDING FAITH THAT MOVES OMNIPOTENCE. THOSE ONLY WHO HAVE THIS FAITH MAY EXPECT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE GIFTS. MARK 2:5. "WHEN JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH, HE SAID UNTO THE SICK OF THE PALSY, SON, THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE." CHAPTER 9:23. "JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVETH." MATTHEW 9:21, 22. 29 "FOR SHE SAID WITHIN HERSELF, IF I MAY BUT TOUCH HIS GARMENT, I SHALL BE WHOLE. BUT JESUS TURNED HIM ABOUT, AND WHEN HE SAW HER HE SAID, DAUGHTER, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE. AND THE WOMAN WAS MADE WHOLE FROM THAT HOUR." CHAPTER 15:28. "THEN JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER, O WOMAN, GREAT IS THY FAITH; BE IT UNTO THEE EVEN AS THOU WILT. AND HER DAUGHTER WAS MADE WHOLE FROM THAT VERY HOUR." 3. THE GIFTS HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED IN THE POPULAR CHURCHES BY HUMAN CREEDS. THE OBJECT OF THE GIFTS, AS STATED BY PAUL, WAS "FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH." THESE WERE HEAVEN'S APPOINTED MEANS TO SECURE THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. CHRIST PRAYED THAT HIS PEOPLE MIGHT BE ONE, AS HE WAS ONE WITH HIS FATHER. READ JOHN 17. PAUL EXHORTED THE CORINTHIANS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST TO BE PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER IN THE SAME MIND, AND IN THE SAME JUDGMENT. READ 1 CORINTHIAN 2:10; ROMANS 15:5; PHILIPPIANS 2:1, 2; 1 PETER 3:8; V, 5. THE GIFT WERE GIVEN TO SECURE THIS STATE OF UNITY. BUT THE POPULAR CHURCHES HAVE INTRODUCED ANOTHER MEANS OF PRESERVING UNITY, NAMELY, HUMAN CREEDS. THESE CREEDS SECURE A SORT OF UNITY TO EACH DENOMINATION; BUT THEY HAVE ALL PROVED INEFFICIENT, AS APPEARS FROM THE "NEW SCHOOLS" AND "REFORMED" OF ALMOST EVERY CREED-BOUND DENOMINATION UNDER HEAVEN. HENCE THE MANY KINDS OF BAPTISTS, OF PRESBYTERIANS, AND OF METHODISTS, &C., &C. THERE IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR THIS STATE OF THINGS ANYWHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE BOOK OF 30 GOD. THESE SECTS ARE NOT ON THE FOUNDATION OF UNITY LAID BY JESUS CHRIST, AND TAUGHT BY PAUL, THE WISE MASTER BUILDER. AND THE SMALLER SECTS WHO REJECT HUMAN CREEDS, PROFESSING TO TAKE THE BIBLE AS THEIR RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE, YET REJECT THE GIFTS, ARE NOT A WHIT BETTER OFF. IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES THEY SHAKE TO FRAGMENTS, YET CRYING, THE BIBLE! THE BIBLE! WE, TOO, WOULD EXALT THE BIBLE, AND WOULD SAY TO THOSE WHO WOULD REPRESENT US AS TAKING THE GIFTS INSTEAD OF THE BIBLE, THAT WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH A PART OF THE SACRED VOLUME, BUT CLAIM AS OURS THE BIBLE, AND THE WHOLE BIBLE, GIFTS AND ALL. ALL THE DENOMINATIONS CANNOT BE RIGHT, AND IT MAY NOT BE WRONG TO SUPPOSE THAT NO ONE OF THEM IS RIGHT ON ALL POINTS OF FAITH. TO SHOW THAT THEY CANNOT HAVE THEIR CREEDS AND THE GIFTS TOO, THAT CREEDS SHUT OUT THE GIFTS, WE WILL SUPPOSE THAT GOD, THROUGH CHOSEN INSTRUMENTS TAKEN FROM EACH SECT, BEGINS TO SHOW UP THE ERRORS IN THE CREEDS OF THESE DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS. IF THEY RECEIVE THE TESTIMONY AS FROM HEAVEN, IT WOULD SPOIL THEIR CREEDS. BUT WOULD THEY THROW THEM AWAY AND COME OUT ON THE PLATFORM OF UNITY TAUGHT BY CHRIST, PAUL, AND PETER? NEVER! NEVER! THEY WOULD A THOUSAND TIMES SOONER TRAMPLE THE HUMBLE INSTRUMENTS OF GOD'S CHOICE INTO THE DUST. IT IS EVIDENT THAT IF THE GIFT'S WERE RECEIVED, THEY WOULD DESTROY HUMAN CREEDS, AND THAT IF CREEDS BE RECEIVED, THEY SHUT OUT THE GIFTS. THE SECOND ANGEL'S MESSAGE BROUGHT THE ADVENTISTS FROM THE CREED-BOUND CHURCHES, WHERE THEY COULD BE REACHED BY THE GIFTS, BE UNITED AND PREPARED FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD. 4. WHEN WE CONSIDER THE GREAT APOSTASY OF THE 31 CHURCH, THE CORRUPTION OF HER PURE DOCTRINES, AND HER SOJOURN OF 1260 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WE ARE NOT SURPRISED THAT WE DO NOT FIND ON THE PAGES OF HER SAD HISTORY ANY CLEARER RECORDS OF THE MANIFESTATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. WE WOULD HERE CALL ATTENTION TO A WORK COMPILED BY ELD. M. E. CORNELL, ENTITLED "MIRACULOUS POWERS," IN WHICH MAY BE FOUND TESTIMONIES FROM NOT ONLY THE EMINENTLY PIOUS, BUT FROM MANY OF THE LEARNED, AND FROM SOME OF THE MOST RELIABLE HISTORIANS, FAIRLY REPRESENTING THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH UPON THE SUBJECT OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. WE DO NOT RELY UPON THE TESTIMONY OF MEN AS PROOF OF OUR POSITION; BUT AFTER BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE DOCTRINE OF THE PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS FROM THE PLAIN TESTIMONY OF GOD'S WORD, IT IS A MATTER OF UNSPEAKABLE JOY TO FIND THAT ON THIS VITAL DOCTRINE OUR FAITH IS IN HARMONY WITH THE GOOD, THE HUMBLE, AND THE PRUDENT, EVER SINCE CHRIST SAID TO HIS FIRST MINISTERS, "THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE." INFINITE WISDOM HAS DOUBTLESS WITHHELD THEM TO A GREAT EXTENT LEST SATAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE IGNORANCE AND WEAKNESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD, AND PUSH THEM OVER INTO FANATICISM. MANY WHO HAVE SUPPOSED THAT THEY WERE FAVORED WITH MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, HAVE REGARDED THEMSELVES AS BEING QUITE OUT OF DANGER. THEY SOON BECAME LIFTED UP WITH PRIDE IN SPIRITUAL THINGS, AND WERE SATAN'S EASY PREY. IF IT WAS NECESSARY THAT PAUL SHOULD HAVE A THORN IN THE FLESH, THE MESSENGER OF SATAN, TO BUFFET HIM, LEST HE BECOME EXALTED THROUGH THE ABUNDANCE OF REVELATIONS WITH WHICH HE WAS FAVORED, IT IS A REASONABLE CONCLUSION THAT ALL WHO SEEK TO WALK WITH GOD, AND 32 SHARE ALL THE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE, ARE ALSO IN DANGER OF EXALTATION AND THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. IF HE CAN PUSH ONE SUCH TO EXTREMES AND FANATICISM, HE DISGRACES THE VITAL PART OF CHRISTIANITY, AND GAINS A GREATER VICTORY THAN IN HOLDING A HUNDRED SOULS IN COLD FORMALITY. THE HISTORY OF LUTHER, THE WESLEYS, AND OTHERS, WHO BY THE POWER OF A LIVING FAITH LED THE CHURCH FROM THE DARK SHADES OF ERROR AND FORMALITY TO A CLEARER LIGHT, PROVES THE NECESSITY OF THE MIND'S BEING WELL BALANCED WITH CAUTION. AND HE WHO SEES NO NEED OF CAUTION HERE IS NOT FAR FROM SOME DELUSIVE SNARE OF SATAN. BUT IN WALKING SOFTLY AND HUMBLY BEFORE GOD, IN STRICT WATCHFULNESS AND FERVENT PRAYER TO BE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD FROM THE WILES OF SATAN, THERE IS SAFETY. GOD HAS GREAT BLESSINGS IN STORE FOR HIS PEOPLE, AND WILL BESTOW THEM AS FAST AS THEY CAN MAKE A RIGHT USE OF THEM TO THEIR GOOD, AND HIS GLORY. AMEN. {3SG 0.2}

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