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VOL.
XXIII
ALLEGHENY,
PA.,
MA
RCH
15,
1902
No.6
TRUTH
"WOUNDED
IN
THE
HOUSE
OF
ITS
FRIENDS"
THE
REAL
OBJECT
OF
OUR
LORD'S
RETURN
If
the
real
object
of
our
Lord's
return
could
be
clearly
understood
by
all
of
his
true
people,
unquestionably
every
sin·
cere
Christian
would
be
long-ing
and
waiting-
for
that
event,
as
the
glorious
realization
of
their
best
hopes
and
desires,
the
one
without
which
all
others
would
be
valueless,
meaning
ll''ls.
The
second
coming
of
our
Lord
is
closely
related
to
the
first
advent
as
respects
the
divine
plan
of
salvation.
The
en·
trance
of
sin
into
our
world
six
thousand
years
ago
(com
monlv
calII'd
"original
sin")
brought
to
us
as
a
rapc
mental,
"THE
EARTH
ABIDETH
FOREVER"
Notwithstanding
the
Scriptural
statement
that
"The
earth
abideth
forever"
(Eccl.
1
:4),
an
the
creeds
of
Christendom
take
the
same
view
of
this
subject
that
is
entertained
by
our
Second
Adventist
friends:
rxcept
that
the
latter
expect
the
burning
of
the
world
soon,
while
the
majority
of
Christendom
presume
that
it
will
be
in
the
remote
future,
"Veda
not
charge
intentional
mi'lrepr!,sentation
of
the
divine
plan
upon
any
of
our
Christian
brethren.
Rather,
we
say,
in
the
lan
guage
of
our
te,t.
that
then
conecptions
are
not
God's
COIl
crptlOns,
and
thrir
plans
are
not
the
divine
plans-the~'
have
misunderstood.
unintrntiol1ally,
to
their
own
detriment,
the
testimonv
of
God'"
vVord
on
this
subject.
Thev
have
read
of
the
burning
of
the
world,
anll
have
remembered
in
the
same
connpction
the
account
in
thr
Lora''l
parable.
of
the
burning
of
the
"tares."
and
have
entirely
overlooked
the
fact
that
these
fires
arc
figurativp
and
symbo'lical,
a'l
are
the
fiery
trials
which
now
try
us,
as
God's
people,
ana
thl'
furnaees
of
affliction
iT.
which,
by
divine
permis'lion,
we
havr
sometimes
been
refined.
(1
Pet.
4:
12;
Isa.
48:
10)
In
the
brief
space
at
our
command
we
cannot
take
up
this
subject
thoroughly
and
discuss
every
text
of
Scripture
bearing
upon
it,
but
We
will
briefly
call
attention
to
one,
which
will
serve
as
a
key
to
others.
We
fluote
from
the
Prophet
(Zeph.
3:
8):
"W
ai
t
ye
upon
me,
saith
the
Lord.
until
the
day
that
I
rise
up
to
the
prey;
for
my
determination
is
to
gather
the
nations,
that
I
may
assemble
the
kingdoms,
to
pour
upon
them
mine
indignation,
even
all
my
fierce
anger;
for
all
the
earth
shall
be
devoured
with
the
(ire
of
my
jl'alousy."
Thi'l
i'l
certainly
as
graphic
a
picture
of
the
burning
day
a'l
could
be
askpd
for,
even
by
the
most
zealous
advocates
of
that
theory;
and
they
consider
that
it
is
quite
sufficient
to
overbalance
the
other
statements
of
Scripture,
to
the
effect
that
the
"earth
abideth
forever."
They
assume,
of
course,
that
this
burning
day
will
incinerate
not
only
the
earth,
itself,
but
all
of
its
inhabitants.
But
a
careful
reading
of
the
Prophet's
succeding-
words
will
make
clear
to
U'l
that
this
i'l
not
the
case;
but
that
after
the
burn
ing
day
has
passrd
a
population
will
still
remain
in
the
earth,
and
that
for
a
blessing.
We
read
(Verse
9):
"Then
will
I
turn
to
the
people
[not
consumed,
but
alive
and
capable]
a
pure
language,
that
they
may
all
call
upon
the
name
of
the
Lord,
to
serve
him
with
one
consent."
\Vho
could
question,
in
the
light
of
this
further
statl'ment
by
the
Prophet,
that
the
fire
and
devastation
previously
mentioned
are
figurative
-not.
however.
unrral,
but
real
in
another
sense,
in
a
figura
tive
sense,
insteaa
of
in
a
literal
sen'll'.
This
burning
day,
so
frequently
referred
to
in
the
Scrip
tures,
will,
to
our
understanding,
be
more
than
a
twenty-four.
hour
day-the
day
of
wrath
will
he
a
period
of
several
years'
duration,
so
far
as
the
intensit;y
of
it~
bllrnin3'
is
concerned-
"My
thoughts
are
not
your
thoughts,
neither
are
your
plans
my
plans,
saith
the
Lord>'
for
as
the
heavens
are
htgher
than
the
earth,
80
are
my
plans
higher
thtm
your
plans,
and
my
thoughts
t1uJm,
your
thoughts."-Isa.
55
:8,
9.
Those
who
claim
that
thc
second
advent
of
Christ
means
a
peri
011
whose
burning
will
not
entirely
cease
until
the
close
the
rnd
of
probation,
the
burmng
up
of
this
world,
and
the
of
the
.l\1Jllennial
age,
by
which
bme
it
shall
have
destroyed,
death-knell
of
hope
for
poor,
fallen
humanity,
are
responsible
root
and
branch,
everything
that
is
evil-everything
contrary
in
a
very
large
degree
for
the
intense
prejudice
which
exists
to
righteousness,
truth
and
goodness.
This
fire
of
God's
jeal
on
this
subject,
Amongst
those
who
thus
hold,
are
some
who
ousy
or
zeal
for
righteousness
will,
we
understand,
burn
in
a
are
thoroughly
conscientious
and
are,
after
a
fashion
at
least,
vl'ry
natural
manner
as
reg-ards
humanity
and
its
affairs.
In
Bible
students,
but
study
not
acrording
to
knowledge.
They
the
pIesent
time
God
is
letting-
the
light
of
truth
shine
in
the
love
the
Lord,
not
because
of
his
character,
exemplified
in
his
world
marvelously;
not
that
light
only
which
is
shining
UpOD
plan
'I,
but
in
spite
of
their
misconception
of
his
plans
and.
the
path
of
the
just,
leading
God's
people
onward
to
the
per-
therefore,
of
his
character.
Thev
have
looked
at
certain
pass-
fect
day,
but
a
light
is
also
being
retlected
now
upon
the
path
ages
of
Scripture
from
the
wro~g
standpoint,
and
have
failed
of
the
world,
opening
its
eyes
to
human
rights
and
preroga-
to
discern
which
are
its
symbolical
and
which
are
Its
literal
tives,
liberties
and
pnvileges,
to
which
formerly
it
was
blinded
statements.
We
hope
that
this
paper
will
come
to
the
atten-
through
ignorance
and
superstition.
A'l
the
light
now
comes
tion
of
many
of
this
kind,
and
that
it
will
come
also
to
the
in,
the
result
is
unrest;
and
thus
the
Lord
seems
to
purpose,
attention
of
many
of
those
who,
because
of
these
misrepre-
that
the
very
blessings
of
this
time,
the
end
of
thi'l
Gospel
senbtlOns
of
the
divine
plan
arc
thoroughly
out
of
sympathy
age,
the
very
condition
of
things
which,
rightly
received,
with
the
promises
of
the
second
coming
of
the
Lord,
but
de-
should
be
bringing
men
happiness,
is
bringing
morc
and
more
sirous,
rather,
that
he
should
not
come
at
all,
and
especially
of
discontent,
and
thus
leading
them
step
by
step
into
the
that
he
should
not
come
soon.
'VI'
hope
that
all
of
this
class
great
period
of
anarchy,
which
the
Scriptures
distlllctly
show
who
arc
earnest,
honest,
and
spiritually
minded,
will,
with
the
will
be
the
fire
of
trouble
in
the
end
of
this
age,
which
will
presentatlOn
we
are
about
to
make,
be
able
to
see
the
Lord's
consume
church
and
state,
religious,
political
and
financial
character
and
plan
from
a
different
standpoint,
and
thence-
institutions,
and
reduce
the
whole
world
to
a
general
level
forth
to
long
for
it
and
to
pray
in
the
language
of
the
Apos·
-"a
time
of
trouble
such
as
was
not
since
there
was
ana-
tIe,
"Even
60,
come,
Lord
Jrsus!"
rralizing
the
blessings
that
tion."-Dan.
12:
1.
arc
due
to
come
with
that
bJesseJ
presence-flooding
the
world
This
trouble
is
coming
as
the
direct
result
of
the
bless-
with
the
light
of
tIl(>
knowledge
of
the
goodness
of
God
as
it
ings
of
our
day.
the
increased
enlightenment
which
we
enjoy,
shines
in
the
face
of
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord,
and
bringing
and
which
selfishness
does
not
permit
to
take
its
proper
course
to
mankind
in
general
all
the
blessing
whit'h
divine
grace
has
and
to
bring
proportional
blessings
for
the
world
as
a
whole;
prearranged,
and
which
divine
mercy
and
truth
have
declared
but,
rather,
attempts
to
corral
and
to
apportion
merely
to
the
for
the
consolation
and
encouragement
of
God's
people.
great,
the
wise,
the
efficient,
allowing
the
burdens
of
life
to
fall
with
disproportionate
weight
upon
the
masses
until
the
groaning
creation
shall
not
only
cry
out
in
despair
but
will
also
arise
in
despair
bringing
in
the
anarchy
and
disarrange
ment
foretold-the
fire
of
God's
jealousy
which
shall
con
sume
the
whole
earth
(society
in
general
in
its
every
depart
ment)
.
After
this
symbolical
fire
shall
havc
consumed
present
institutions,
on
their
ruins
shall
arise
the
triumphant
kingdom
of
God
so
long
foretold-the
same
for
which
the
Master
him
self
taught
us
to
pray
"Thy
klllgdom
come;
thy
will
hp
done
on
earth
as
it
is
done
in
heaven."
The
Prophet
a'l
"t'
have
seen
declares
that
then
the
Lord
will
turn
unto
tIlt'
ppople.
"a
pure
language"-literally
a
pure
won1.
In
tIlt'
pa~t
anll
at
present
the
people
a'l
a
wholr
have
heen
unabl<>
to
di'lc('rn
the
pure
Word
of
God,
They
have
heanl
variou'l
er<>pds
and
theories
more
or
les'l
reasonabl<>
and
the
l'!fect
of
so
many
"voices"
has
been
to
them
as
a
Babel
in
WlllPh
they
werp
un
able
to
discern
the
voice
of
God.
But
,,,hen
the
pr~mi'lecl
day
shall
have
come
and
present
institution'l,
religlOu'l
as
well
as
secular,
shall
havr
sut'cumbed
to
thp
fiert'e
hurnmg
wrath
of
the
people
with
all
of
its
atkndant
miseries
and
injustices
the
mists
and
fogs
of
prejudice
and
super'ltition
will
clear
away
and
the
bright
orb
of
truth
Will
shine
forth
to
give
man
kind
a
clearer
and
a
better
comprehension,
not
only
of
the
divine
character
and
the
divme
plan.
but
of
the
rights
of
men,
and
of
the
proper
course
of
actlOn
and
dealing
one
with
another.
The
r<>suHq
will
he
blf'ssed,
however
awful
will
be
the
cup
of
divine
wrath
whidl
thp
world
will
have
drunk
to
its
dregs
previously;
figuratively
called
"the
fire
of
God's
jealousy."
Altho,
as
thus
se<>n.
the
fire
of
God's
jealousv
will
burn
itself
out
quickly
in
the
close
of
this
age.
other
Rcriptures
give
us
to
under'ltand
that
it
will
not
entirely
eea'lp
until
the
close
of
the
Millennial
age-that
it
will
hurn
against
every
thing
that
is
contrary
to
the
pure,
the
good.
thc
true,
the
right.
the
just.
Evil
of
every
kind
shan
he
burned
up
root
and
branch.
so
that
ultimately
"all
the
proull.
Yea,
all
that
do
wickf'dly,
shall
[figurativel:v]
'be
as
stuhhle
am(
a'l
a'lhe'l
under
the
fret."
in
full
subjection
to
the
righteou'l,
who,
shall
then
have
been
brought
into
fu]]
acpord
with
the
Lor,l
and
have
his
blessing
unto
eternal
life.
[2971]
(83-84)
Vou. XXII ALLEGHENY, PA., MARCH 15, 1902 No. 6 TRUTH “WOUNDED IN THE HOUSE OF ITS FRIENDS” “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your plans my plans, saith the Lord; for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my plans higher than your plans, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—Isa. 55:8, 9. Those who claim that the second advent of Christ means the end of probation, the burning up of this world, and the death-knell of hope for poor, fallen humanity, are responsible in a very large degree for the intense prejudice which exists on this subject, Amongst those who thus hold, are some who are thoroughly conscientious and are, after a fashion at least, Bible students, but study not according to knowledge. They love the Lord, not because of his character, exemplified in his plans, but in spite of their misconception of his plans and, therefore, of his character. They have looked at certain passages of Scripture from the wrong standpoint, and have failed to discern which are its symbolical and which are its literal statements. We hope that this paper will come to the attention of many of this kind, and that it will come also to the attention of many of those who, because of these misrepresentations of the divine plan are thoroughly out of sympathy with the promises of the second coming of the Lord, but desirous, rather, that he should not come at all, and especially that he should not come soon. We hope that all of this class who are carnest, honest, and spiritually minded, will, with the presentation we are about to make, be able to see the Lord’s character and plan from a different standpoint, and thenceforth to long for it and to pray in the language of the Apostle, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” realizing the blessings that are due to come with that blessed presence—flooding the world with the light of the knowledge of the goodness of God as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord, and bringing to mankind in general all the blessing which divine grace has prearranged, and which divine mercv and truth have declared for the consolation and encouragement of God’s people. “THE EARTH ABIDETH FOREVER’’ Notwithstanding the Scriptural statement that “The earth abideth forever” (Eccl. 1:4), all the creeds of Christendom take the same view of this subject that is entertained by our Second Adventist friends: except that the latter expect the burning of the world soon, while the majority of Christendom presume that it will be in the remote future. We do not charge intentional misrepresentation of the divine plan upon any of our Christian brethren. Rather, we say, in the language of our text, that their conceptions are not God’s conceptions, and their plans are not the divine plans—they have misunderstood, unintentionally, to their own detriment, the testimonv of God’s Word on this subject. They have read of the burning of the world, and have remembered in the same connection the account in the Lord’s parable, of the burning of the “tares.” and have entirely overlooked the fact that these fires are figurative and symbolical, as are the fiery trials which now try us, as God’s people, and the furnaces of affliction in which, by divine permission, we have sometimes been refined. (1 Pet. 4:12; Isa. 48:10) In the brief space at our command we cannot take up this subject thoroughly and discuss every text of Scripture bearing upon it, but we will briefly call attention to one, which will serve as a key to others. We quote from the Prophet (Zeph. 3:8): “Wait ve upon me, saith the Lord, until the dav that I rise up to the prey; for mv determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.” This is certainly as graphic a picture of the burning day as could be asked for, even by the most zealous advocates of that theory; and they consider that it is quite sufficient to overbalance the other statements of Scripture, to the effect that the “earth abideth forever.” They assume, of course, that this burning day will incinerate not only the earth, itself, but all of its inhabitants. But a careful reading of the Prophet’s succeding words will make clear to us that this is not the case; but that after the burning day has passed a population will stiJl remain in the earth, and that for a blessing. We read (Verse 9): “Then will I turn to the people [not consumed, but alive and capable] a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” Who could question, in the light of this further statement by the Prophet, that the fire and devastation previously mentioned are figurative —not, however, unreal, but real in another sense, in a figurative sense, instead of in a literal sense. This burning day, so frequently referred to in the Scriptures, will, to our understanding, be more than a twenty-fourhour day—the day of wrath will he a period of several years’ duration, so far as the intensity of its burning is concerned— [2971] a period whose burning will not entirely cease until the close of the Millennial age, by which time it shall have destroyed, root and branch, everything that is evil—everything contrary to righteousness, truth and goodness. This fire of God’s jealousy or zeal for righteousness will, we understand, burn in a very natural manner as regards humanity and its affairs. In the present time God is letting the hght of truth shine in the world marvelously; not that light only which is shining upon the path of the just, leading God’s people onward to the perfect day, but a light is also being reflected now upon the path of the world, opening its eyes to human rights and prerogatives, liberties and privileges, to which formerly it was blinded through ignorance and superstition. As the light now comes in, the result is unrest; and thus the Lord seems to purpose, that the very blessings of this time, the end of this Gospel age, the very condition of things which, rightly received, should be bringing men happiness, is bringing more and more of discontent, and thus leading them step by step into the great period of anarchy, which the Scriptures distinctly show will be the fire of trouble in the end of this age, which will consume church and state, religious, political and financial institutions, and reduce the whole world to a general level -—“‘a time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation.”—Dan, 12:1, This trouble is coming as the direct result of the blessings of our day, the increased enlightenment which we enjoy, and which selfishness does not permit to take its proper course and to bring proportional blessings for the world as a whole; but, rather, attempts to corral and to apportion merely to the great, the wise, the efficient, allowing the burdens of life to fall with disproportionate weight upon the masses until the groaning creation shall not only cry out in despair but will also arise in despair bringing in the anarchy and disarrangement foretold—the fire of God’s jealousy which shall consume the whole earth (society in general in its every department). After this symbolical fire shall have consumed present institutions, on their ruins shall arise the triumphant kingdom of God so long foretold—the same for which the Master himself taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” The Prophet as we have seen declares that then the Lord will turn unto the people, “a pure language’’—literally a pure word. In the past and at present the people as a whole have been unable to discern the pure Word of God. They have heard various creeds and theories more or less reasonable and the effect of so many “voices” has been to them as a Babel in which they were unable to discern the voice of God. But when the promised day shall have come and present institutions, religious as well as secular, shall have succumbed to the fierce burning wrath of the people with all of its attendant miseries and injustices the mists and fogs of prejudice and superstition will clear away and the bright orb of truth will shine forth to give mankind a clearer and a better comprehension, not only of the divine character and the divine plan, but of the rights of men, and of the proper course of action and dealing one with another. The results will be blessed, however awful will be the cup of divine wrath which the world will have drunk to its dregs previously; figuratively called “the fire of God’s jealousy.” Altho, as thus seen, the fire of God's jealousy will burn itself out quickly in the close of this age, other Scriptures give us to understand that it will not entirely cease until the close of the Millennial age—that it will burn against everything that is contrary to the pure, the good, the true, the right. the just. Evil of every kind shall be burned up root and branch. so that ultimately “all the proud, yea, all that do wickedly, shall [figurativelv] be as stubble and as ashes under the feet.” in full subjection to the righteous, who, shalJl then have been brought into full accord with the Lord and have his blessing unto eternal life. THE REAL OBJECT OF OUR LORD’S RETURN If the real object of our Lord’s return could be clearly understood by all of his true people, unquestionably every sincere Christian would be longing and waiting for that event, as the glorious realization of their best hopes and desires, the one without which all others would be valueless, meaningless. The second coming of our Lord is closely related to the first advent as respects the divine plan of salvation. The entrance of sin into our world six thousand years ago (commonly called “original sin”) brought to us as a race mental, (83-84)
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