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VOL.
XXX
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
AUGUST
15,
1909
THE
SEED
OF
ABRAHAM
AND
ITS
WORK
No.
16
Abraham
no
doubt
expected
that
Isaac,
the
son
of
promise,
would
be
"the
seed,"
or
the
offspring,
through
whom
the
bless
ings
would
come;
but
when
Isaac
was
grown
and
nothing
won
derful
was
accomplished
through
him,
God
confirmed
to
him,
and
subsequently
to
Jacob,
his
son,
the
same
Abrahamic
prom
ise,
assuring
them
that
"the
seed"
was
still
future,
and
implied
that
the
promise
meant
a
nation
instead
of
an
individual-a
nation
of
Abraham's
seed,
Abraham's
children.
And
this
fea
ture
of
the
divine
arrangement
was
made
manifest
at
Jacob's
death,
when
the
blessing
was
passed
on
from
him,
not
to
only
one
of
his
children,
but
to
all
of
them
collectively.
There
he
pronounced
them
a
nation
of
twelve
tribes,
and
indicated
that
to
them
as
a
whole
descended
this
Abrahamic
promise-that
they,
as
the
seed
of
Abraham,
inherited
the
promise,
"In
thy
seed
shall
all
the
families
of
the
earth
be
blessed."
This
promise
held
that
nation
together
for
all
the
centuries
down
to
Christ-yea,
it
still
holds
them
together
as
a
peculiar
people,
separate
from
all
the
other
nations
of
the
world.
St.
Paul
and
the
other
Apostles
refer
to
this
repeatedly.
St.
Paul
says,
Our
twelve
tribes
instantly
(incessantly)
serving
God,
hope
to
come
to
the
fulfilment
of
this
Abrahamic
promise-the
blessing
of
all
the
families
of
the
earth
through
them.-Acts
26:7.
THE
LAW
OOVENANT
WAS
ADDED
As
St.
Paul
points
out,
the
Law
Covenant
was
added
to
the
Abrahamic
Covenant
so
far
as
the
nation
of
Israel
was
con·
cerned-to
continue
until
the
promised
seed
should
come.
He
is
particular
to
add
that
the
Law
Covenant
itself
did
not
disannul
or
make
invalid
the
original
covenant,
which
was
of
Grace
and
not
of
Law.
(Gal.
3:
17)
He
was
particular
also
that
we
should
see
that
the
Law
Covenant
"made
nothing
perfect"-it
accomplished
no
real
reformation
or
restitution.
It
did,
how
ever,
set
forth
in
types
and
allegories
some
wonderful
lessons
illustrative
of
great
divine
principles
of
truth
and
righteous
ness-lessons
which
were
beneficial
to
the
Jewish
nation,
nat·
ural
Israel,
and
also
to
the
Gospel
church,
which
constitutes
e.piritual
Israel.
During
the
period
from
the
death
of
Jacob
to
Christ,
while
the
law
made
nothing
perfect,
a
few
of
that
nation,
exercising
faith
above
and
beyond
the
Law
Covenant,
were
blessed
by
the
underlying
Abrahamic
Covenant.
These
the
Apostle
enumerates
in
Hebrews
11.
They
had
testimony.
that
they
died
in
faith,
and
that
thus
"they
pleased
God,"
although
they
did
not
by
obe
dience
to
the
Law
Covenant
secure
the
blessing
which
it
pro
posed.
Those
faithful
ones
will
get
through
Christ
what
the
Law
Covenant
could
not
give
them,
for,
because
of
inherited
weaknesses,
they
were
unable
to
fulfil
the
requirements
of
the
Law
Covenant.
Divine
foreknowledge
is
one
of
the
great
lessons
which
God
will
impress.
God
would
have
us
know
that
every
feature
of
his
plan
was
premeditated,
forearranged
from
before
the
founda·
tion
of
the
world.
He
would
have
us
recognize
the
fact
that
he
is
working
all
things
according
to
the
counsel
of
his
own
will,
according
te
fixed
rules,
and
pri!lciples
.which
are
unchang~~le.
This
lesson
is
one
of
the
prmclpal
objects
served
by
II:
dIVIne
revelation;
a
secondary
object
is
the
blessing
of
a
certam
class
in
sympathetic
accord
with
God
by
giving
them
in
advance
such
information
respecting
divine
purposes
as
,would
enable
them
to
rejoice
thereIn
and
to
co-operate
therewIth.
THE
SOROLL
IN
THE
DIVINE
HAND
A
beautiful
word-picture
of
this
divine
foreknowledge
!,-nd
prearrangement
is
given
us
in
the
fifth
chapter
of
RevelatIon.
There
Jehovah,
the
Emperor
of
the
Universe,
is
pictu~ed
upon
the
throne,
and
in
his
hand
a
written
scroll,
sealed
WIth
seven
seals.
That
sealed
scroll
represents
the
divine
plan
which
God
purposed
in
himself
from
before
the
foundation
of
the
world,
but
which
he
had
revealed
to
no
one,
no,
not
to
the
angels,
neither
to
the
Son.
(Matt.
24:
36)
In
a
word,
all
that
has
oc·
curred
since
creation-the
permission
of
sin,
the
fall,
the
Cove
nant
with
Abraham,
the
Law
Covenant
with
Israel,
the
coming
of
Jesus,
the
Pentecostal
blessing,
the
gathering
of
members
of
the
church-all
these
things
were
foreknown
to
the
Father
and
provided
for.
Additionally,
that
scroll
contains
a
record
of
all
that
is
happening
now,
and
all
that
will
occur
throu~hout
the
Millennial
age,
down
to
its
very
close-down
to
the
tIme
when
every
creature
in
heaven
and
in
earth
and
under
the
earth
shall
ascribe
praise,
honor,
glory
and
dominion
to
him
that
sitteth
upon
the
throne
and
to
the
Lamb
forever.-Rev.
5:
13.
In
the
picture
John
notes
a
proclamation
made
throughout
heaven
and
earth,
inquiring
for
anyone
worthy
of
the
great
honor
of
having
this
scroll
of
the
Divi~e
purpose
co~mitted
t.o
his
care-to
be
opened,
to
be
executed
In
harmony
WIth.
the
dI
vine
purpose.
He
looked
to
see
who
the
worthy
one
mIght
be,
but
none
was
found
worthy.
Then
he
wept.
It
seemed
to
John
too
bad
that
God
should
have
some
great,
wonderful
purposes
which
might
come
to
naught
because
no
one
was
worthy
to
be
the
divine
executor
in
respect
to
the
plan.
But
his
tears
were
checked
by
the
angel,
who
said,
"Weep
not:
Behold
the
Lion
of
the
tribe
of
Judah,
the
Root
of
DaVId,
hath
prevailed
to
open
the
book,
and
to
loose
the
seven
seals
thereof.'
And
John
said,
"And
I
beheld,
and,
10,
in
the
midst
of
the
throne.
.
.
stood
a
Lamb
as
it
had
been
slain."
And
to
the
Lamb
was
given
the
scroll.
Then
all
the
angels
of
God
worshipped
the
Lamb,
say
ing,
Thou
are
worthy
to
receive
glory,
and
honor,
and
dominion,
and
might,
and
power,
etc.
Applying
the
picture,
we
see
the
signification.
Until
our
Lord
was
slain,
until
he
had
given
his
life
as
man's
redemption
price,
there
was
no
being
in
all
the
universe
worthy
to
be
the
THE
PROMISED
SEED
executor
of
the
divine
purposes.
By
our
Lord's
loving
obedi-
Let
us
keep
in
mind
that
the
Law
Covenant
was
added
to
the
ence
to
the
Father's
will-even
unto
death,
even
the
death
of
Abrahamic
Covenant
because
of
transgression-to
show
to
the
the
cross-he
proved
himself
loyal
to
the
last
degree.
Him
the
Israelites
and
to
all
the
impossibility
of
an
imperfect
man's
Father
raised
from
the
dead,
and
when
he
had
ascended
up
on
keeping
the
divine
law,
and
also
to
manifest
in
due
time
our
high
the
proclamll;tion
went
forth,
Let
all
the
a.ngels
of
G~d
Lord
Jesus,
who,
born
under
the
Law
Covenant,
kept
its
provi
worship
hIm.
He
IS
the
Lamb
of
God
who
was
slam,
and
by
hIS
sions
faithfully.
By
so
doing,
says
the
Apostle,
Christ
"magni.
death
redeemed
a
condemned
world
of
mankind,
and
merited
fied
the
Law
Covenant
and
made
it
honorable."
Previously
it
the
Father's
confidence
that
to
him
might
be
entrusted
every
might
have
been
claimed
that
the
divine
law
was
too
rigorous
feature
of
the
divine
program.
"He
is
worthy."
From
that
and
that
nobody
could
possibly
keep
it;
that
it
would
be
im
time
on,
every
feature
of
the
program
would
be
under
his
super-
possible
for
a
man
to
love
God
with
all
his
heart.
all
his
mind.
vision
and
he
would
open
the
seals
and
see
to
the
execution
of
all
his
being,
all
his
strength,
and
his
neighbor
as
himself.
But
every
feature
of
God's
gracious
purposes.
He
had
promised
his
when
Jesus
did
this,
and
did
more
in
sacrificing
himself,
the
just
church
that
whatsoever
things
the
Father
would
reveal
to
him,
for
the
uniust,
it
demonstrated
the
fact
that
God
had
not
given
he,
in
tum,
through
the
holy
Spirit
and
by
his
providences,
an
impossible
law;
it
demonstrated
that
the
fault
lay
with
man
would
reveal
to
his
faithfUl
ones,
to
those
walking
in
his
foot·
kind;
that
they
had
lost
the
original
perfection
with
which
the
steps
of
full
consecration.
Creator
had
endowed
them.
THE
GOSPEL
BEFOREHAND
We
read
that
our
Lord
was
born
under
the
Law
Covenant
St.
Paul
sh
eaks
of
the
Gospel's
having
been
preached
before-
"that
he
might
redeem
those
who
were
under
the
Law"
Cove-
r
nant.
So
far
as
other
peoples
were
concerned,
he
might
have
hand
to
Abril.
am,
saying,
"In
thy
Seed
shall
all
the
fami
Ies
of
been
of
any
other
nation
and
redeemed
Adam
and
the
remainder
the
earth
be
blessed."
Here
was
a
vague
statement
of
the
di-
of
the
world,
but
in
order
to
preserve
equitably
to
Israel
the
vine
purpose,
relating
to
the
blessing
itself
as
an
acorn
would
special
blessing
of
God's
Covenant
with
Abraham
it
was
neces
be
related
to
an
oak
tree.
Similarly,
seed-thoughts
respecting
coming
blessings
had
previously
been
given,
though
with
much
sary
that
Christ
should
be
of
that
nation,
"born
under
the
law,
less
definiteness.
Directly
after
the
fall
God
had
declared
that
that
he
might
redeem
those
who
were
under
the
law."
That
na
the
Seed
of
the
woman
should
yet
bruise
the
Serpent's
head.
In
tion
had
been
separated
from
the
other
nations
of
the
world
other
words,
he
foretold
that
evil
should
not
always
triumph.
for
the
very
purpose
of
giving
the
illustrations
already
referred
Again,
through
the
Prophet
Enoch
a
seed-thought
had
been
to,
and
God
would
see
to
it
that
they
should
not
be
disadvan
given
in
his
prophecy,
"Behold,
the
Lord
cometh
with
his
holy
taged
by
reason
of
his
having
used
them
thus.
The
blessed
op
myriads.
to
execute
judgment."
But
to
Abraham
the
message
portnnities
offered
them
under
the
Law
Covenant
through
the
was
so
much
more
explicit
as
to
make
it
worthy
to
be
termed
typical
sacrifices,
etc.,
lifted
them
above
the
other
nations
and
a
part
of
the
Gospel,
a
part
of
the
good
tidings
now
more
fully
gave
them,
as
it
were,
a
second
trial
for
eternal
life.
In
com·
made
known
unto
us
who
are
in
Christ
Jesus.
mon
with
the
remainder
of
mankind
all
children
of
Adam
they
[
44
51
]
(243-244)
Vou. XXX BROOKLYN, N. Y., AUGUST 15, 1909 No. 16 THE SEED OF ABRAHAM AND ITS WORK Divine foreknowledge is one of the great lessons which God will impress. God would have us know that every feature of his plan was premeditated, forearranged from before the foundation of the world. He would have us recognize the fact that he is working all things according to the counsel of his own will, according te fixed rules, and princi les which are unchangeable. This lesson is one of the principal objects served by a divine revelation; a secondary object is the blessing of a certain class in sympathetic accord with God by giving them in advance such information respecting divine purposes as would enable them to rejoice therein and to co-operate therewith. THE SOROLL IN THE DIVINE HAND A beautiful word-picture of this divine foreknowledge and prearrangement is given us in the fifth chapter of Revelation. There Jehovah, the Emperor of the Universe, is pictured upon the throne, and in his hand a written scroll, sealed with seven seals, That sealed scroll represents the divine plan which God purposed in himself from before the foundation of the world, but which he had revealed to no one, no, not to the angels, neither to the Son. (Matt. 24:36) In a word, all that has occurred since creation—the permission of sin, the fall, the Covenant with Abraham, the Law Covenant with Israel, the coming of Jesus, the Pentecostal blessing, the gathering of members of the church—all these things were foreknown to the Father and provided for. Additionally, that scroll contains a record of all that is happening now, and all that will occur throughout the Millennial age, down to its very close—down to the time when every creature in heaven and in earth and under the earth shall ascribe praise, honor, glory and dominion to him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb forever.—Rev. 5:13. In the picture John notes a proclamation made throughout heaven and earth, inquiring for anyone worthy of the great honor of having this scroll of the Divine purpose committed to his care—to be opened, to be executed in harmony with the divine purpose. He looked to see who the worthy one might be, but none was found worthy. Then he wept. It seemed to John too bad that God should have some great, wonderful purposes which might come to naught because no one was worthy to be the divine executor in respect to the plan. But his tears were checked by the angel, who said, “Weep not: Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” And John said, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne. stood a Lamb as it had been slain.” And to the Lamb was given the scroll. Then ali the angels of God worshipped the Lamb, saying, Thou are worthy to receive glory, and honor, and dominion, and might, and power, etc. Applying the picture, we see the signification. Until our Lord was slain, until he had given his life as man’s redemption price, there was no being in all the universe worthy to be the executor of the divine purposes. By our Lord’s loving obedience to the Father’s will—even unto death, even the death of the cross—he proved himself loyal to the last degree. Him the Father raised from the dead, and when he had ascended up on high the proclamation went forth, Let all the angels of God worship him. He is the Lamb of God who was slain, and by his death redeemed a condemned world of mankind, and merited the Father’s confidence that to him might be entrusted every feature of the divine program. “He is worthy.” From that time on, every feature of the program would be under his supervision and he would open the seals and see to the execution of every feature of God’s gracious purposes. He had promised his church that whatsoever things the Father would reveal to him, he, in turn, through the holy Spirit and by his providences, would reveal to his faithful ones, to those walking in his footsteps of full consecration. THE GOSPEL BEFOREHAND St. Paul speaks of the Gospel’s having been preached beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In thy Seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” Here was a vague statement of the divine purpose, relating to the blessing itself as an acorn would be related to an oak tree. Similarly, seed-thoughts respecting coming blessings had previously been given, though with much less definiteness. Directly after the fall God had declared that the Seed of the woman should yet bruise the Serpent’s head. In other words, he foretold that evil should not always triumph. Again, through the Prophet Enoch a seed-thought had been given in his prophecy, “Behold, the Lord cometh with his holy myriads, to execute judgment.” But to Abraham the message was sO much more explicit as to make it worthy to be termed a part of the Gospel, a part of the good tidings now more fully made known unto us who are in Christ Jesus, (4451) Abraham no doubt expected that Isaac, the son of promise, would be “the seed,” or the offspring, through whom the blessings would come; but when Isaac was grown and nothing wonderful was accomplished through him, God confirmed to him, and subsequently to Jacob, his son, the same Abrahamic promise, assuring them that “the seed” was still future, and implied that the promise meant a nation instead of an individual—a nation of Abraham’s seed, Abraham’s children. And this feature of the divine arrangement was made manifest at Jacob’s death, when the blessing was passed on from him, not to only one of his children, but to all of them collectively. There he pronounced them a nation of twelve tribes, and indicated that to them as a whole descended this Abrahamic promise—that they, as the seed of Abraham, inherited the promise, “In thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” This promise held that nation together for all the centuries down to Christ—yea, it still holds them together as a peculiar people, separate from all the other nations of the world. St. Paul and the other Apostles refer to this repeatedly. St. Paul says, Our twelve tribes instantly (incessantly) serving God, hope to come to the fulfilment of this Abrahamie promise—the pleesing of all the families of the earth through them.—Acts 26:7. THE LAW COVENANT WAS ADDED As St. Paul points out, the Law Covenant was added to the Abrahamic Covenant so far as the nation of Israel was coneerned—to continue until the promised seed should come. He is particular to add that the Law Covenant itself did not disannul or make invalid the original covenant, which was of Grace and not of Law. (Gal. 3:17) He was particular also that we should see that the Law Covenant “made nothing perfect”—it accomplished no real reformation or restitution. It did, however, set forth in types and allegories some wonderful lessons illustrative of great divine principles of truth and righteousness—lessons which were beneficial to the Jewish nation, natural Israel, and also to the Gospel church, which constitutes spiritual Israel. During the period from the death of Jacob to Christ, while the law made nothing perfect, a few of that nation, exercising faith above and beyond the Law Covenant, were blessed by the underlying Abrahamic Covenant. These the Apostle enumerates in Hebrews 11. They had testimony, that they died in faith, and that thus “they pleased God,” although they did not by obedience to the Law Covenant secure the blessing which it proposed. Those faithful ones will get through Christ what the Law Covenant could not give them, for, because of inherited weaknesses, they were unable to fulfil the requirements of the Law Covenant. THE PROMISED SEED Let us keep in mind that the Law Covenant was added to the Abrahamic Covenant because of transgression—to show to the Israelites and to all the impossibility of an imperfect man’s keeping the divine law, and also to manifest in due time our Lord Jesus, who, born under the Law Covenant, kept its provisions faithfully. By so doing, says the Apostle, Christ “magnified the Law Covenant and made it honorable.” Previously it might have been claimed that the divine law was too rigorous and that nobody could possibly keep it; that it would be impossible for a man to love God with all his heart, all his mind, all his being, all his strength, and his neighbor as himself. But when Jesus did this, and did more in sacrificing himself, the just for the unjust, it demonstrated the fact that God had not given an impossible law; it demonstrated that the fault lay with mankind; that they had lost the original perfection with which the Creator had endowed them. We read that our Lord was born under the Law Covenant “that he might redeem those who were under the Law” Covenant. So far as other peoples were concerned, he might have been of any other nation and redeemed Adam and the remainder of the world, but in order to preserve equitably to Israel the special blessing of God’s Covenant with Abraham it was necessary that Christ should be of that nation, “born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law.” That nation had been separated from the other nations of the world for the very purpose of giving the illustrations already referred to, and God would see to it that they should not be disadvantaged by reason of his having used them thus, The blessed opportunities offered them under the Law Covenant through the typical sacrifices, etc., lifted them above the other nations and gave them, as it were, a second trial for eternal life. In common with the remainder of mankind as children of Adam they (243-244)
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