第6章

WhileSpiritistleadersknowwellenoughthatmuchfraudandtrickeryarepractised，yettheyknowalsothatfraudandtrickerywillnotexplainmorethanaportionofthesemysteriousdemonstrations。Andknowingthat，theyaccepttheclaimsofthespiritsthattheyarethespiritsofthedead。Nosuchconclusionisnecessaryorwarranted。TotheChristianwhobelieveshisBibleitisabsolutelyindefensible。Butitdoesthis:ithelpstobolsterupthenotion，borrowedfromancientpaganism，thatthesoulisimmortal，deathless。Ifthathypothesisweretrue，itwouldfollowatoncethatmanisnotdependentuponJesusChristforeternallife，norhelpedinhisattainments“beyondtheveil“byanythingthatJesusChristhasdoneforPage178himorwilldo。ItrulesoutourLordastheSaviourofmen。ItbeliestheverynameHebears，aspreviouslyshown。 IfSatancanconvincetheworldthatmankindhasnoneedofaSaviour，thatJesusChristisnothingtousbutagreatteacher，thatHewasnomoretheSonofGodthanweourselvesare，hewillhavecapturedtheworldinhissnareofdeath。Itisthegreatdeception，bywhichLuciferhopestosweepawaytheprospectsoftheracehehasdupedanddegradedanddespoiled，lo，thesemanygenerations。 Butevertherestandswithwoundedhands，withnail-piercedfeet，withrivensideandthorn-scarredbrow，onewhoisdescribedasthe“Manofsorrows，andacquaintedwithgrief，“whoseheart，boweddownwiththeweightofthisworld\'ssin，wasbrokenforyouandforme。ThatMan，persecutedbyHisownpeople，insultedbythosewhocouldwinlifeonlythroughHisdeath，whosepeacecouldbepurchasedonlybyHispain，——thatManstandstodayasHestoodthen，theonlylinkbetweenearthandheaven，SonofGodandSonofman，thepurchasepriceofman\'sredemption，thePrinceoftheRestoration，yourSaviourandmine，ifwewillhaveHim；yourJudgeandmine，ifwetramplethesacrificeofHislifeunderproudandthanklessfeet。Notes[1]DesTablestournantes，duSurnaturelengeneral，etdesEsprits，Paris，Dentu，1854。OnTheThroneofSin:TwoSystemsFaceEachOtherPage179Chapter18TwoSystemsFaceEachOtherAstheoriginatorofSpiritismhassethimselftounderminetheWordofGod，tothwartthebeneficentpurposeofGod，andtomaketheworldbelievethatJesusChristisnothingtous，sofarasourfutureeternalinheritanceisconcerned，itmaybewellheretoplacetheoutstandingfeaturesofthetwosystemsfacingeachother，thatourchoicemaybemadeinthebroadlightofopenday。 TheBiblegivesusthecomfortingassuranceofablessedandsubstantialhope，basedupontheunfailingwordofHiminwhomweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing；andwefindinitnouncertainty，noambiguity，nocontradiction。 “IknowwhomIhavebelieved，andampersuadedthatHeisabletokeepthatwhichIhavecommitteduntoHimagainstthatday。”2Tim。1:12。 Spiritismconveystousnosuchcertainhope。Itsmutteringsandchirpingsleaveusinacloudofmysticismandfog。Notethefollowingexamples:“Whyshouldsomecommunicatorsbeclear，correct，andrational，andothersbeconfused，lying，andincoherent?“——“AretheDeadAlive?“ page339。 “Dr。Hyslop……onceasked[thespirits]forinformationregardinganoldneighbornamedSamuelCooper。Theinformationgivenbythe\'communicator\' (Dr。Hyslop\'sfather[orthespiritcallingitselfsuch])wasentirelywrong；butwasafterwardfoundtoberightconcerningaDr。JosephCooper……Ononeoccasion[saysDr。Hyslop]Ihadaskedwhatmyunclehaddiedwith，anditwastwoyearsbeforeIreceivedthecorrectanswer。ButtheimmediateanswerinvolvedthestatementfirstthatRoberthadgottenhisfootinjuredontherailroad，andthenitwasafterwardascribedtoFrank，bothRobertandFrankbeingnamesofmybrothers。Withreferencetothem，however，thestatementswerefalse。MybrotherFrankhadhadaninjuredleg，butitwasnotcausedinanyconnectionwitharailway。MybrotherRobertneverhadanysuchinjury。Butmyuncle，aboutwhomIhadaskedthequestion，hadhadhislegcutoff，ornearlycutoff，attheankle，byarailwaycar，anddiedfromtheeffectsoftheoperationafewhourslater。”——“AretheDeadAlive?“p。337。Page180“IfIhavemadeyoubelievethatthereisthere，amongagreatdealofrubbish，alittleverymuchworthwhile，Ishallhaveachievedmypurpose。”——Id。，p。340。 “Werideindarknessatthehaven\'smouth。”——Myers，“TheDriftofPsychicalResearch，“inNationalReview，Vol。XXIV，p。190。 “Wheredidyoudie，andwherewasyourbodyburied?Thereplywas，\'Durham。\'……ThespiritwasaskedtonametheStateherself。\'Pennsylvania\'wasrappedout。ThewifeofourfrienddiedinBuffalo，N。Y。，andherbodywasthereinterred。”——“ModernMysteries，“p。46。SaysMr。FrederickC。Spurr:“SpiritualismishostiletotheChristianideaofsin，andmorehostiletoChristasthesoleRedeemerofmankind……Whyshouldtherebeanapparent\'conspiracy，\'asColonelForstercallsit，on\'theotherside\'tomakelittleofJesusChristandHisredemptivework?Whyisitthatthe\'prayers\'offeredby\'controls\'nearlyalwaysomittheHolyName?Andwhatisthemeaningoftheinhibitionplaceduponmeinearliersittings——\'nottointroducethenameofJesus\'?Allthis，Irepeat，issupremelysuspicious。InJesuswehavewhomweknow。HisSpirithasbeenatworkinthelivesofmenduringthecenturies。Andwearenowaskedtorepudiateourspiritualhistoryinthenameofwanderingghosts，manyofwhomhave，accordingtoSirArthurConanDoylehimself，andinmyownexperienceofthem，provedthemselvestobeunconscionableliars。”——AustralianChristianWorld，Feb。20，1920。TheBiblespeaksplainlyofangelsandofthemissionofangels，butSpiritismknowslittleofthem。Inaworkpreviouslyquotedfromoccursthis:“\'Therearenoangelshere[lowersphere?]thatweknowof。 Wedonotknowanythingaboutangels。\'Inanotherspiritcommunicationitwasstatedthattheangelswereatfirstbabesthatdiedfartooearlytoknowanythingoftemptationandsin。”——“TheProofsoftheTruthsofSpiritualism，“p。142。TheBiblegivesnowarrantforsuchabelief。Iftheangelswereoncehumanbabes，whencecamethe“sonsofGod“whoshoutedforjoy“whenthemorningstarssangtogether“atthecreationofourworld?Job38:7。Whencecame，then，thecherubimwhowithflamingswordsguardedthegatesofEdenlost，thatdisobedienthumanityshouldnotinvadeitssacredprecincts?Therewerenohumanbabesatthattime；butGodhadHisangels，andtheyhadtheirofficework。Page181TheWordofGodgivesusafaithandhopeandtrustbuiltonthesolidrock。ThereisagladandsatisfyingcertaintytherewhichthepalefogsofSpiritismcanneverobscure。WeshallnotleavethefiresideofourFather\'shometowanderinthedrearyfensofspiritisticdoubtsanduncertainties，andtominglewithgibberingghostsandchirpingwizardsthatrepudiatetheManofCalvaryandtrytodeludeusintothinkingwearegods。 TheWordofGodteachesusplainlyoftwoclasseswhostandforthinthetimeoffinalawards，——therighteousandthewicked:thosewhohaveacceptedGod\'splan，workedinharmonywithit，andbeensealedtoeverlastinglife；andthosewhohaverejectedHisplan，followedtheirowncourse，andbeenappointedtothe“seconddeath，“fromwhichtherewillbenoawaking。 (SeeMatt。25:41，46；Rev。22:11，12，14；Mal。4:1-3；Rev。20:9-15。) ThatisGod\'splantoinsureacleanandrighteousuniverse。ButSpiritismrefusestoacceptit。SaysProf。AlfredRusselWallace:“During，thelastsixtyyearsevidencehasbeenaccumulatingineverypartoftheworldwhichaffordsdemonstrationthattheso-calleddeadhaveneverreallydiedatall，buthavepassedintoanewandhigherstageofexistence……Whatevergermsofgoodareinthemareultimatelydevelopedthroughthekindministrationsofspirithelpers，andthenceforthprogresstowardahigherandhappierstatedependsmainlyonthemselves。”——“AretheDeadAlive?“p。221。Accordingtothis，whateverhelponereceivescomesnotfromourElderBrotherandRedeemer，butfromspiritswhohavebeenlongerinthelandofshadesthanthosewhoareneedinghelp。Andconcerningthispointthewell-knownpsychicmedium，Mrs。AddersonMiller，inanswertothequestion，“Willallwickedandallgoodbefinallysaved，orprogresstothehigherspheres?“replied:“Yes；thereisnodeath。Weareimmortal。”——FromaninterviewgrantedE。S。ButzinAdelaide，SouthAustralia，May27，1909。 ThescriptautomaticallywrittenbyRev。G。ValeOwenteachesmostpositivelythatthewicked，evenoutofhellitself，arefinallyreformedandsaved。 (See“LifeBeyondtheVeil，“book3，pp。188-191，216。)Page182InthesamebookweareassuredthatevenJudasIscariotentersintoeternallife；forweread:“His[Christ\'s]firstcaptivewastheonewhopleadedwithHimuponthetree，andanotherwashewhoforthirtypiecesgavehisLordtodie……ThebetrayerhadnotfoundthatkingdomuntilhehadpassedthroughthegateintothedarknesswithoutandbeheldtheKinginthebuddingbeautyofHisnativecomeliness。”——“TheLifeBeyondtheVeil，“pp。166，167。ThusSpiritism，withallitsuncertaintiesandcontradictions，ispositiveinitsdenialofthetruthofScriptureconcerningthemortalityofmanandthedestinyofthewicked。 WefindthattheBibleteachesthevalueandimportanceoflife；butSpiritismonmanyanoccasionhasencouragedmenandwomentothrowawaytheirlives，tobreakGod\'slawbyself-murder，andthuscomeunderHisjustcondemnation。 TheBibleisfilledwithmostencouragingadmonitions，mosthelpfulinstruction，mostupliftingsentiments，andalwaysholdsbeforeoureyestheultimategoaloftheperfectionthereisinChristJesus，andthehopeoffinalassociationwiththeOnewhosesacrificepurchasedourredemption。 Butthecommunicationsthathave“comethrough“fromshadowlandareincoherent，contradictory，valueless；theyholdbeforeusnogoalforaconsecratedlife，dealinsenselessmentalmeanderings，andagreeonlyinthattheyopposeandcontradicttheveritiesofGod\'sWordandGod\'spurposeformanhereandhereafter。 God\'sWordteachesusthathethatcontrolshisownspiritisgreater“thanhethattakethacity。”Prov。16:32。ButSpiritismadmitsthatitcannotcontrolitself。InSirOliverLodge\'sreportofcertainsé；ancesoccursthefollowing:“He[Raymond]hasbeentryingtocometoyouathome，buttherehasbeensomehorriblemix-ups；notreallyhorrible，butamuddle。Hereallygotthroughtoyou，butotherconditionsgetthroughthere，andmixeshimup…… “\'Howcanweimproveit?\'[askedthesitter。] “Hedoesnotunderstanditsufficientlyhimselfyet。Otherspiritsgetin，notbadspirits，butonesthatliketofeeltheyarehelping。Thepeculiarmanifestationsarenothim，anditonlyconfuseshimterribly。Partofitwashim，butwhenthetablewascareeringabout，itwasnothimatall。 Hestartedit，butsomethingcomesalongstrongerthanhimself，andhelosesthecontrol。”——“Raymond，“pp。182，183。Page183“Occasionallythetablegotratherrampageousandhadtobequieteddown。Sometimes，indeed，boththetableandthingslikeflower-potsgotbroken。Afterthesemoreviolentoccasions，Raymondvolunteeredtheexplanation，throughmediumsinLondon，thathecouldn\'talwayscontrolit，andthattherewasacertainamountofskylarking，notonourside，whichhetriedtoprevent。”——Id。，p。217。 “Afterthistableandanotheronehadgotbrokenduringthemoreexuberantperiodofthesedomesticsittings，beforethepowerhadgotundercontrol，astrongerandheavierroundtablewithfourlegswasobtained，andemployedonlyforthispurpose。”——Id。，p。222。Suchdemonstrationsdonotspeaktousofreallyspiritualthingsnorofhelpfulthings。Theyspeakofdemonpossession，suchaswasmanifestinthetimewhenourSaviourwasonearth，andisopenlymanifesteventodayinsuchcountriesasChinaandKorea。TomakeareligionofitisthelaststepinmockeryofthetruethingsofGod。 TheWordofGodteachesustotrustinGodandworshipHimalone。ItteachesalsothatourSaviourisapersonalSaviour——apersonHimself。 Spiritismteachesusthat“thewholecosmosofmatteristhebodyofChrist“ (“LifeBeyondtheVeil，“book3，p。130)，andthatwecanobtainprotectionbyperpetuatingthatheathensuperstition，making“thesignofthecross。”——Id。，p。66。IftheearthisthebodyofChrist，everythingthatspringsoutofitmustbeapartofHisbody；andtherewehavetheexcuseforpantheism——theworshipofallthatis。WhileSpiritismtellsusthattheearthisthebodyofChrist，theWordofGodtellsusthatitisGod\'sfootstool。Isa。66:1；Matt。5:35。 WhiletheBibleringstrueinallitsparts，wefindSpiritismself-contradictory，andthusself-destructive。OnonepagetheValeOwenscriptteachesusthatChristHimselfisthewholecosmosandthattheearthisChrist；andontheprecedingpage(p。129)，itsolemnlyinformsusthat“theCreatorofall，workingthroughtheChrist，produced，afteragesofcontinuousurge，thecosmos。”ThusdowehaveGodworkingthroughChristtoproduceChrist；orChristtheactiveagentinHisowncreation，strugglingthroughagesofcontinuousurgetodevelopHimselfintobeing。Surelythisisthecapsheafinabsurdityofcontradiction。Page184WhilesomeSpiritistsassertthatSpiritismisareligion，andtheonlytruereligion，othersdeny。CamilleFlammariondeclaresthat“thethingdubbed\'Spiritualism\'isascienceandnotareligion。”——“AretheDeadAlive?“pp。57，58。Thetruthofthematteristhatitisneitherasciencenorareligion，butacaricatureofboth，perpetratedbyacunningdeceiverwhokeepshisownidentityhiddenbehindtheconvenientcloakofinvisibility。 TheBiblegivesasoneproofofitsdivineinspiration，therevelationwithinitspagesoffutureevents。“Behold，theformerthingsarecometopass，andnewthingsdoIdeclare:beforetheyspringforthItellyouofthem。”Isa。42:9。ButofSpiritism，whichissetforthtotaketheplaceofChristianity，thiscannotbesaid。“Nowastofutureeventswecannottellyouwhatwillhappen，but，judgingbycircumstancesthatarearoundyouatpresent，weshouldsaythatsuccessshallattendyourefforts。”——“TheProofsoftheTruthsofSpiritualism，“pp。157，158。Spiritism\'spropheciesareguessesonly，andhaveprovedverycostlytosomewhohaveplacedrelianceinthem。ThefinancialdisasterthatbefellMr。W。T。Steadhasalreadybeencited。IthasbeenfrequentlystatedconcerningthelateczarofRussiathatduringtheRusso-JapaneseWarhespentmostofhistimeconsultinghismedium，andthathedirectedRussia\'scourseinthatwaraccordingtothatmedium\'sinstructions。Theresultisknowntotheworld。“TheythattrustintheLordshallbeasMountZion，whichcannotberemoved，butabidethforever。”Ps。121:1。TheythattrusttotheleadingsofSpiritismaretrustingtoblindleadership； theyareleaninguponabrokenandtreacherousreed，thatcanbutpiercethehandthattruststoitssupport。 TheBibleteachesusinmostexplicitlanguagethat。sinisaveryrealandaverydangerousthing。SaystheinspiredapostleJames:“Whenlusthathconceived，itbringethforthsin:andsin，whenitisfinished，bringethforthdeath。”James1:15。Thatreferstotheseconddeath，fromwhichthereisnoresurrection；fortherighteousaswellasthewickeddiethePage185firstdeath。Toredeemmanfromdestruction——theconsequenceofsin——theSonofGodexpiredonthecross。SotheycalledHisnameJesus，Saviour。Sinisthereforeareality——ahorriblethinginthesightofajustandrighteousGod。Thewholepurposeofthegospelistogetsinoutoftheuniverse。 Spiritismteachesthatthereisnosin。InthisittravelsasthebooncompanionofChristianScience，whichdwellsmuchuponthenonexistenceofsin；andbothcontradictthefundamentaltruthofthegospel。SaysAndrewJacksonDavis，whocalledhimself“thePoughkeepsie[NewYork]SeerandClairvoyant:““Sinindeed，inthecommonacceptationoftheterm，doesnotreallyexist；butwhatiscalledsinismerelyamisdirectionofman\'sphysicalorspiritualpowerswhichgeneratesunhappyconsequences……Theinnatedivinenessofthespiritofmanprohibitsthepossibilityofspiritualwickedness，orunrighteousness。”——“ThePrinciplesofNature，HerDivineRevelations，andaVoicetoMankind，“quotedin“ModernMysteries，“ pp。28，29。Suchfalseteachingnullifiesthegospel，andmakestheBibleafalsehoodinsixty-sixsections。Ifthereisnosin，thereisnoneedofaSaviour，andChristbecomesanimpostor；whiletheentireBiblerecordofGod\'spurposeandofourneedbecomes，throughthisiniquitousteaching，afabricoffancy，fable，andfolly。Therecanbenocompromise。EitherSpiritismisfalse，deceptive，anddeadly，orallthatwehavelearnedofGodthroughtheWordofGodisaheartlessforgery，utteredagainsttheAuthorofourbeing。ButtheWordofGodhasrepeatedlydemonstrateditsowntruth，andindoingsohasdemonstratedtheunreliabilityandfalsityofwhatevercontradictsit。 InthedivineWord，JesustheSaviourissetforthas“thepropitiationforoursins:andnotforoursonly，butalsoforthesinsofthewholeworld。”1John2:2。Again:“Allhavesinned，andcomeshortofthegloryofGod；beingjustifiedfreelybyHisgracethroughtheredemptionthatisinChristJesus:whomGodhathsetforthtobeapropitiationthroughfaithinHisblood，todeclareHisrighteousnessfortheremissionofsinsthatarepast，throughtheforbearanceofGod；todeclare，Isay，atthistimeHisrighteousness:thatHemightbejust，andthejustifierofhimwhichbelievethinJesus。”Rom。3:23-26。Page186Manyotherscripturesmightbegivenwhichtestifytothesameall-importantfact，thatredemptionisinChristJesusalone，andthatoutsideofHimthereisnosalvation。ThelifewhichHelaiddownforuswhenHehungbetweenearthandskyonCalvary，wasapropitiationindeed，aredemptionprice，asacrificewhichmadetheeternalrewardandeverlastinglifesuretothosewhoacceptit。 ButSpiritismhassetitselfdirectlyacrossthatpathtotheeternalcity。Aspiritcontrolwhocallshimself“Imperator“pointsouttherewasnoatonement，butat-one-ment，i。e。，\'reconciliation。\'“——“TheProofsoftheTruthsofSpiritualism，“p。45。 Anypersoncanmakeanat-one-mentwhenhebringstwopersonstogetherwhohavebeenestranged，andhelpsthemtosettletheirdifferences，andbefriendsagain。Thereismorethanthisinvolvedintheatonement。Thebrokenlawdemandedthelifeofthetransgressor。JesusvolunteeredHislifetosatisfytheclaimsofthelawforallwhowouldacceptHim，andthroughtheloveandcondescensionmanifestedinthatact，towinbackthedisobedientracetoloyaltyandobedienceagain。 AstheSonofman，Hewassmittenfortheraceofmankind。AsSonofGodandmouthpiecefortheMostHighingivingthatlaw，Hecouldmakethatoffer，andHealonecould。IfSpiritismsucceedsinconvincingusthatnothingofthekindwasdone，thenoursinfullives，withnocloaktohidethemfromthesearchinggazeoftheeternalJudge，willwitherandsearandperishintheglanceofHisall-seeingeyewhenthedayoffinalawardsshallcome。 Therearemillionsmakingthissadandterriblechoicetoday。ItisthefallenLucifer\'soneobjectnowtoinducehumanbeings，forwhomChristdied，totrampleHeaven\'sofferundertheirfeet，andgodownwithhimtoeternalruin。ThedogmasofSpiritismarehismostseductiveallurementforthemakingofthatfearfulandfatalchoice。Heleavesnostoneunturnedtobringitabout，evenapingBiblemiracles，adoptingthelanguageofthesanctuary，anddonningthehabilimentsofanangeloflight。Page187Godhasalwayssetbeforemantheaimofapurposefulandrighteouslife，andhastaughtusexplicitlyHisabhorrenceofsin，andHispurposetopurgeitfromHisuniverse。“Yeshallbeholy:forItheLordyourGodamholy。”Lev。19:2。TheBiblecontainsamultitudeofsuchadmonitionstoholiness。 ButintheshadowlandofSpiritism(ifthecommunicationsfromthespiritsbegivenfullcredit)itseemstomakelittledifferencehowonehaslived。Allattaintoeternallife(thespiritssay)，andprogressupwardtowardtheheightsbytheirownefforts，evenoutofthenetherregions。 Spirithelpersassistthemtodevelop“whatevergermsofgood“theymaypossess。(See“AretheDeadAlive?“p。221。) Oneofthegreatestmediumsoftheage，EusapiaPalladino，whowaschosenbySpiritismtorevealitsmysteriesandtruthstohumanity，isadmittedtohavebeenturnedoutofherfirstplaceofemploymentforherignoranceandlaziness，andthat“intemperamentsheisoftenpeevish，sometimesmalicious——sometimesexhibitingacertainprideanddignity。”——Id。，pp。73，74。 ThroughsuchaninstrumentalityweareaskedtobelievethatthereistocometoustherevelationofareligionthatistodispensewithChristianity，areligionwithoutaRedeemer，areligionthatneedsnotholinessasakeytotheenjoymentofitsParadise。SoarewetoexpectthataholyGodsendstousHisnewrevelationthroughaninstrumentalitythatisignorant，lazy，peevish，malicious，andfrequentlyperpetratingfraudanddeception！ NotsohasJehovahgivenusHisrevelationsinthepast。ThekeynoteofacceptancewithHimisholiness，obedience，theforsakingofsin。OurgreatExemplarwasholy，harmless，undefiled，andseparatefromsinners，theembodimentofholiness，“withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord。”Heb。 12:14。 Spiritismitselfisoftennonplusedbythewickedperversityofitsleadingexponents。OneSpiritistauthorasksinquerulousastonishment:“Whyshouldshe[EusapiaPalladino]attempttodothesethingsfraudulentlywhenshehasapparentlyprovedagainandagainherabilitytodothemgenuinely?Why，indeed?“——“AretheDeadAlive?“p。90。Page188Itisveryapparentthatthespiritsarenothingaversetothepracticeofdeceitandfraudonthepartoftheirhumanunderstudies。Iftheywerenotpartiestoit，theywouldnotusethehumaninstrumentsthatpractiseit。SaysMr。J。N。Maskelyne，whowasthoroughlyfamiliarwithallphasesofmediumship:“Theredoesnotexist，andthereneverhasexisted，aprofessionalmediumofanynotewhohasnotbeenconvictedoftrickeryorfraud。”——Id。，p。15 “ThenetresultoftheinvestigationsconductedbytheSocietyforPsychicalResearch[saysanotherwriter]wastoproducetheconvictionthatnoresultsobtainedthroughprofessionalmediumsweretobetrusted，solongastheconditionsrenderedfraudpossible；andfurther，thatpracticallyallprofessionalmediumsarefrauds。”——Quotedin“AretheDeadAlive?“ p。15。SoMr。FremontRiderconcludes:“Inshort，thehistoryofmediumshipisonecontinuousdishearteningrecordoffraud。”——Ibid。WehavefoundthatSpiritismwastrulyconceivedininiquityandbroughtforthinsin，andthatithasbeenpropagatedthroughtrickery，deceit，andfraud。Ithasshownitself，bymanyinfallibledemonstrations，tobeanunholyvesseldedicatedtoanunholyuse。Ithassetitself，throughmeansfoulandunfair，touprootfaithintheunfailingWordofGod，andtoestablishinitsplacemessagesandmutteringsthatcometousthroughtheunsanctifiedlipsofpersonsdemon-possessed。Ithas，throughitsteachings，convincedmyriadsofjudgment-boundsoulsthatJesusChrist，insofarasHerepresentsHimselftobetheirSaviour，isanimpostor；thatthebloodshedonCalvarymakesnoatonementforthesinsofanysoul；andthusdoestheauthorofSpiritismpressanothercrownofthornsuponJesus\' sinlessbrow。WhateverGodhastaughtusasanessentialofsalvation，Spiritismhassoughttoblowawayonthebreathoffalsehood。 SpiritismstandsbeforetheworldtodayasSatan\'smasterpieceofdeception，fortifyingitsdeclarationswiththevoicesofdemonswhoclaimtobethespiritsofourdead。ThechiefaimofthespiritisticpropagandaistodestroyfaithinthetrueGod，inJesusChristastherealandonlySaviourofman，andPage189intheBibleastheinspiredrevelationofthedivinewillandpurpose。 Everyenergyofitsoriginator\'sbeingandeverytenetofitscreedisdirectedtothatend。 Tomakethatendmorecertain，Satan，theoriginatorofSpiritism，hasanothercampaigninfullblasttoday。Thatisthecampaignofthe“highercriticism。”Itisindustriouslyplowingthefieldandsowingtheseedforthereapingofdoubtandinfidelityandtheharvestofsoulruinthatmustfollowitsacceptance。Thesetwoagenciesworkhandinhand，thoughatfirsttheymightseemtohavenoconnection。Eachpreparesthefield\'fortheotherinthatbothdestroyfaithintheBibleasGod\'sinfallibleWord。 Whenthathasbeenaccomplishedforanyindividual，thewayhasbeenopenedfortheacceptanceofanyunbiblicaldoctrinethatmayappealtothehumanintellect。AstheybothattackthesamegreatBookoftruth，itisasafeconclusionthatthesamemindconceivedthemboth。Andrunningthroughthebasicprinciplesofboth，wefindthesamesubtleinsinuationsagainstJesusChristastheoneandonlySaviourofmen。Bothholdtotheimmortalityofthesoul，thatdoctrinewithoutwhichSpiritismcouldnotexist。 The“highercritic“endeavorstopresentusagospelwithoutaSaviour(sodoesSpiritism)；togiveusaChristinhumanfleshalone(sodoesSpiritism)；togiveusaBiblebereftofthelivingbreathofInspiration(sodoesSpiritism)；toshowusaheaventobereachedbyourownunaidedefforts(sodoesSpiritism)；toprovetousthatthereisnorealatonementinthesacrificemadeonCalvary(sodoesSpiritism)。Thusweseethatbothsystemshavethesameaim，——tobelittletheChristofGod；todiscountanddisparagetheBiblethatrevealsHim；andtoopposeandthwartthefundamentalprincipleofthegospel，——salvationthroughChristalone。 TheirchiefattackisupontheBible，andalltherestfollowsasamatterofcourse。 Whilethe“highercritics“donotagreeamongthemselvesastowhatistheproperattitudetoassumetowardthegospel，theyarequiteagreedinthis，thattheymustnotaccepttheBibleforallthatChristianshaveheldittobethroughthegenerationsofthepast。Onehasterselyputitthus:“The\'highercritics，\'itisclear，canunsettlemanythings，buttheycansettlenothing。”Page190TheBible，however，mustbeoverthrown；andtheyaresettoaccomplishthat，eventhoughtheyoverturntheirownedificeintheprocess。 InRomanCatholicismalsowehaveasystemthatrefusestorecognizetheBibleastheonegreatrevelationofthedivinewill。Tradition，whichinourSaviour\'sday“madethecommandmentofGodofnoneeffect“(Matt。 15:6)，isexaltedbytheRomanChurchtoapositionabovetheBible。FromaRomanCatholicworkissuedundertheauthorityofCardinalMcCloskeyofNewYork，Itakethefollowingtwostrikingparagraphs:“LiketwosacredriversflowingfromParadise，theBibleanddivinetraditioncontaintheWordofGod，thepreciousgermsofrevealedtruths。 “Thoughthesetwodivinestreamsareinthemselves，onaccountoftheirdivineorigin，ofequalsacredness，andarebothfullofrevealedtruths，still，ofthetwo，traditionistousmoreclearandsafe。Tradition，withoutHolyScripture，OldorNew，sufficedformanyyears，andcouldstillsuffice。 ButHolyScripturehasneversufficedbyitself。”——“CatholicBelief，“ bytheVeryRev。JosephFaà；diBruno，D。D。，Americanedition，BenzigerBrothers，NewYork，pp。45，46。InanauthorizedCatholiccatechismarefoundthesetwoquestionsandanswers:“17。IsitenoughtobelievethatonlywhichiscontainedintheHolyScripture? “No；wemustalsobelievetradition。 “20。IsittruethattheBiblealoneistheonlyruleoffaith? “No；fornottheBiblealone，buttheBibleandtradition，bothinfalliblyinterpretedbythechurch，aretherightruleoffaith。”——“ACatechismoftheChristianDoctrinefortheUseofCatholicSchools，“J。H。Slinger，O。P。，“PermissionSuperiorum，“printedbytheNewYorkCatholicProtectory，WestChester，N。Y。，U。S。A。，pp。26，27。Concerningthesemarvelousassumptions，HolyWrititselfdeclares，inanadmonitiontoTimothy:“FromachildthouhastknowntheHolyScriptures，whichareabletomaketheewiseuntosalvationthroughfaithwhichisinChristJesus。AllscriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod，andisprofitablefordoctrine，forreproof，forcorrection，forinstructioninrighteousness:thatthemanofGodmaybeperfect，thoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks。”2Tim。3:15-17。Page191Herearetwowitnesses，bothtestifyingconcerningtheHolyScriptures。 TheonesaystheHolyScripturesarenotsufficient，butmusthavetraditionto！makethemsufficient。TheotherdeclaresthattheHolyScripturesareabletomaketheewiseuntosalvationthroughfaithinChristJesus； thattheyaregivenbyGodHimselftomeeteveryhumanneed，eventomakeusperfectandthoroughlyfurnishustotheaccomplishmentof“allgoodworks。”Thereisaveryplaincontradictionhere。Bothcannotbetrue。Whomshallwechoose——manorGod，theBibleoritsdisparager? TheBiblerevealsoneGod，oneSaviour，onefaith，onehope，onebaptism。 ByitsdivinepreceptsthesaintsofGodhavelived；inittheyhavebelieved； andassuredbyitsunfailingpromises，theyrestinhope。 NotsatisfiedwithplacingtheBiblebelowtradition，anddeclaringHolyScripturelesssafethantradition，andlessefficient，theRomanChurchhassetitselfdeterminedlytoopposethecirculationandthereadingoftheBible；andinpursuitofthisendhaslaidthereadingoftheScripturesunderinterdict，andthroughitspriestshasdestroyed，byfire，thousandsofcopiesoftheSacredVolume，andmanyindividualswhopersistedinreadingit。 Theinspirationtothissacrilegehascomefromtheheadofthatchurch。 SaidPopePiusVII:“Wehavebeentrulyshockedatthismostcraftydevice[theestablishmentandworkofBiblesocieties]，bywhichtheveryfoundationsofreligionareundermined……Wehavedeliberateduponthemeasurespropertobeadoptedbyourpontificalauthority，inordertoremedyandabolishthispestilence，asfaraspossible，thisdefilementofthefaith，soimminentlydangeroustosouls。ItisevidentfromexperiencethattheHolyScriptures，whencirculatedinthevulgartongue，havethroughthetemerityofmen，producedmoreharmthanbenefit。Warnthepeopleintrustedtoyourcare，thattheyfallnotintothesnarespreparedfortheireverlastingruin。Severalofourpredecessorshavemadelawstoturnasidethisscourge。”——WarningAgainstBibleSocieties，issuedfromRome，June29，1816，byPopePiusVII，totheArchbishopofGnezn，PrimateofPoland。Howstrangethatapopeshouldbe“shocked“bythecirculationoftheWordofGodamongthecommonpeople，andbytheestablishmentofsocietiestoseethatitissystematicallyandPage192thoroughlydone！MarvelofmarvelsthattheBible，whichistheliteraryfountofreligion，should，byitscirculation，underminethefoundationsofreligion！Wonderofwondersthatthistreasurehouseofthepreceptsofrighteousnessshould，byitscirculationamongthepeople，provetobeapestilenceandadefilementofthefaith！ButsuchisRome\'sestimateoftheBookthatcomestousinspiredbyGodandfreightedwiththeloveofChristandtheblessedpromisesofHisgrace。 CardinalWisemanhasgivenhistestimonyuponthismatterinthesewords:“WemustdenytoProtestantismanyrighttousetheBible，muchmoretointerpretit。”“Weanswer，therefore，boldly，thatwegivenottheWordofGodindiscriminatelytoall。”“ThoughtheScripturesmaybehere[inGreatBritain，withnotes]permitted，wedonoturgethemonourpeople；wedonotencouragethemtoreadthem；wedonotspreadthemtotheutmostamongthem。Certainlynot。”——“TheCatholicDoctrineontheUseoftheBible，“CardinalWiseman，pp。11，20，26。ThatgreatstandardworkonRomanCatholicaffairs，theCatholicEncyclopedia，containsthisveryexplicitstatementastothatchurch\'sattitudetowardthecirculationoftheBible:“TheattitudeofthechurchtowardtheBiblesocietiesisoneofunmistakableopposition。BelievingherselftobethedivinelyappointedcustodianandinterpreterofHolyWrit，shecannot，withoutturningtraitortoherself，approvethedistributionofScripture\'withoutnoteorcomment。 ThefundamentalfallacyofprivateinterpretationoftheScripturesispresupposedbytheBiblesocieties。Itistheimpellingmotiveoftheirwork。ButitwouldbelikewisetheviolationofoneofthefirstprinciplesoftheCatholicfaith，……theinsufficiencyoftheScripturesalonetoconveytothegeneralreaderasureknowledgeoffaithandmorals……ItmaybewelltogivethemoststrikingwordsonthesubjectfromLeoXIIandPiusIX。Toquotefromtheformer(loc。cit。): “\'Youareaware，venerablebrothers，thatacertainBibleSocietyisimpudentlyspreadingthroughouttheworld，which，despisingthetraditionsoftheholyFathersandthedecreeoftheCouncilofTrent，isendeavoringtotranslate，orrathertoperverttheScripturesintothevernacularofallnations……Itistobefearedthatbyfalseinterpretation，thegospelofChristwillbecomethegospelofmen，orstillworse，thegospelofthedevil。\' “ThePopethenurgesthebishopstoadmonishtheirflocksthatowingtohumantemerity，moreharmthangoodmaycomefromindiscriminateBiblereading。Page193“PopePiusIXsays(loc。cit。):\'ThesecraftyBiblesocieties，whichrenewtheancientguileofheretics，ceasenottothrusttheirBiblesuponallmen，eventheunlearned，——theirBibles，whichhavebeentranslatedagainstthelawsofthechurch……Thusthedivinetraditions，theteachingoftheFathers，andtheauthorityoftheCatholicChurcharerejected。\'“——TheCatholicEncyclopedia，Vol。II，art。“BibleSocieties，“ page545。Strange，isitnot?thatthepopeshouldfearsuchdireconsequences，whenevenCatholicsareforcedtoadmitthatinlandswheretheBibleisunchainedandmostfreelyread，therecrimeandimmoralityareleast，andwheretheBibleismostsecurelyboundandmostseldomseen，therecrimeandimmoralityflourishandincrease！FatherElliott，intheCatholicWorld(September，1890)，madethishonestconfession:“Thehorribletruthis，thatinmanycities，bigandlittle，wehavesomethinglikeamonopolyofsellingliquor，andinnotafewsomethingequivalenttoamonopolyofgettingdrunk。Ihatetoacknowledgeit，yetfromCatholicdomiciles——miscalledhomes——inthosecitiesandtownsthreefourthsofthepublicpauperscreepannuallytothealms-house，andmorethanhalfthecriminalssnatchedawaybypolicetoprison，are，bybaptismandtraining，membersofourchurch。Cananyonedenythis，orcananyonedenythattheidentityofnominalCatholicsandpauperismexistinginourchiefcentersofpopulationisowingtothedrunkennessofRomanCatholics?Fortwentyyearstheclergyofthisparishhavehadahardandunevenfighttokeepsaloonsfromtheverychurchdoors，becausetheneighborhoodoftheRomanCatholicChurchisagoodstandforthesaloonbusiness；andthisequallysoinnearlyeverycityinAmerica。WhohasnotburnedwithshametorunthegauntletofthesaloonsliningthewaytotheRomanCatholiccemetery?“InapaperreadattheCatholicCongress，ColumbianExposition，Chicago，U。S。A。，in1893，MissM。T。Elder，ofNewOrleans，madethefollowingstatements:“Whyisitthatthegreatestmenofournationarenon-Catholic? Itisbecausethevastmajorityofthesegreatmenarefromsturdyruralstock，andtheruralstockoftheUnitedStatesissolidly，stanchlyProtestant……Thegreatmenofthisnationhavebeen，are，andwillcontinuetobe，Protestant。Ispeaknotofwealth，butofbrain，ofenergy，ofaction，ofheart。Thegreatphilanthropists，thegreatorators，thegreatwriters，thinkers，leaders，scientists，inventors，teachersofourland，havebeenProtestants……WhenIseehowlargelyCatholicityisrepresentedinourhoodlumelement，Ifeelinno\'spread-eagle\'mood。WhenIseehowfewCatholicsareengagedhonestlyintillingthehon-Page194estsoil，andhowmanyCatholicsareengagedintheliquortraffic，Icannottalkbuncombetoanybody。”——Quotedin“FacingtheTwentiethCentury，“pp。508，509。WhenindividualCatholicshavetomakesuchembarrassingadmissionsastothefailureoftheirsystemofreligion，onewouldsupposethattheywouldbegintoinquireastothecause。TheywouldfinditmorethanmerelyinthenameProtestantandthefactthatsolargeaproportionofProtestantsgettheirlivingfromthesoil。TheywouldfinditinthefactthatProtestantismencouragesthereadingandthestudyoftheBible。InthatWord，Godspeakstothesoulofman。Hewhodenieshimselfthatdivineinstructionandthatsourceofinspiration，cannotexpecttowinintheraceforallthatishighestandbestandmostworthwhile。 WilliamTyndale(1484-1536)，eminentReformerandtranslatoroftheBible，inspeakingoftheattitudeoftheprieststowardtheHolyBook，usesthesepiercingwords:“Scourgeofstates，devastatorsofkingdoms，theprieststakeawaynotonlytheHolyScripture，butalsoprosperityandpeace。”“Thepriests，whentheyhadslainChrist，setpoleaxestokeepHiminHissepulcher，thatHeshouldnotriseagain；evensohaveourpriestsburiedtheTestamentofGod，andalltheirstudyistokeepitdown，thatitrisenotagain。”——Tyndale，“DoctrinalTracts，“pp。191，251。Wehaveseen，thus，howatriumvirateofoppositionhasbeencreatedinthisworldtoruintheinfluenceoftheBibleandthwartthevitalpurposeofthegospelasrevealedtherein。Itmaybeobjectedthatthelast-namedorganizationisnotsettodoallthis。Letussee。SpiritismpresentsJesusasagreatteacheronly，whosesacrificecansavenoone。The“highercriticism“assumespracticallythesameposition。RomanCatholicismpresentsHimasonewhocanbereachedonlythroughpriests，saints，andthevirginMary，whoreceivesherrequestsascommands。ItrepresentsHimasgivingtoherHisplaceastheonlyrefugeforsinners，theonlywayofsalvation，sothatHewhocametothisearthastheRedeemerofmanistobeputasfarawayfrommanasthehumanimaginationcanplaceHim。 Inaworkentitled，“TheGloriesofMary，“bySt。AlphonsoM。Liguori，MaryismadeallthattheLordChristclaimedthatPage195Hecametoearthtobeforman。Afewextractsonlywillbegivenfromthatwork，inwhichthisclaimisrepeatedlymade:“ThedevoutBlosius，addressingtheVirgin，says:\'Olady，totheeareintrustedthekeysandtreasuresofheaven。\'“——Page338。 “Opentous，OMary，thegatesofheaven，sincethouhastthekeys； nay，thouthyselfart，astheholychurchcallsthee，\'thegateofheaven。\'“——Ibid。 “SaysSt。Thomas，asmarinersaredirectedtotheportbythepolestar，soChristiansareguidedtoparadisebyMary。”——Ibid。 “ThisMaryherselfdeclares:\'Bymekingsreign。\'“——Page340。 Inaword，Mary，\'saysRichardofSt。Lawrence，\'ismistressofparadise； forthereshecommandsasshepleases，andintroduceswhomshepleases。\' “——Ibid。 “HewhoservesMary，andforwhomMaryintercedes，isassecureofheavenasifhewereinthatblessedkingdom。”——Page341。 “Ontheotherhand，hesaysthattheywhodonotserveMaryshallnotbesaved。”——Ibid。 “EternalpraisetotheinfinitegoodnessofourGodwhohasdecreedtoappointMaryouradvocateinheaven，that，asmotheroftheJudge，andasmotherofmercy，shemaybyherintercessionefficaciouslyandsuccessfullynegotiatethegreatbusinessofoureternalsalvation。”——Ibid。 “SinceGodwishestodispenseallHisgracesthroughtheprayersofMary，whenthesearewanting，thereisnohopeofmercy。”——Page353。 “St。PeterChrysologussaysthatMaryalone，havinglodgedinherwombtheSonofGod，demandsinreturnpeacefortheworld，salvationforthelost，andlifeforthedead。”——Page359。 “Letusalwayshaverecoursetothisgreatmotherofmercy，andletusconfidentlyhopetobesavedthroughintercession；for，accordingtoBernadinedaBusto，sheisoursalvation，ourlife，ourhope，counsel，refuge，succor。”——Page360。 “Atthementionofthy[Mary\'s]name，everykneeshouldbend，inheaven，onearth，andinhell。”——Page364。 “St。BernardineofSiennasays……thathehasnodoubtbutGodgrantedallthemerciesandallthepardonsreceivedbysinnersintheoldlawinconsiderationofthisblessedVirgin。”——Page135。ItcanreadilybeseenfromthequotationsgiventhatMaryiscreditedbytheRomanChurchwithwhatarereallytheattributesofDeity。AsmotherofJesus，herrequestsarereceivedbyHimascommands。Sheisdeclaredtobethequeenofheaven，andisplacedonanequalitywithGodtheFatherinthegivingofJesusasasacrificeforsin。AttheNicaeneCouncilheldin325tocondemntheheresyofAnus，whodeniedPage196thetruedeityofChrist，therewasastrongtendencytoputthecreature，Mary，onalevelwithherCreator。“TheMelchitesectionheldthattherewerethreepersonsintheTrinity——theFather，thevirginMary，andMessiah，theirSon。”——“Nimrod，“3，p。329，quotedinQuarterlyJournalofProphecy，July，1852，p。244。She，intheprogramofRomanism，usurpstheprerogativesofJesusasthewayandguidetoheavenandtherefugeofsinnerswhoseekfordivinegrace。 ThroughthepositiongivenherbytheRomanChurch，Maryismadetherealrulerofheaven，andthusoftheuniverse。Notes“Sedetsuperuniversam，“[1]istheonlyappellationwhichexpressesthepositiontowhichthevirginMaryhasbeenelevatedbysuchdoctorsandsaintsoftheRomanChurchashaveexpressedCatholicbeliefintheforegoingextracts。Inthatprogram，theLordJesusChristseemstobefadingoutofsight，andthehumanmotherisexaltedtothehighestplaceintheuniverse。TheSaviour，whocametogiveHislifeasaransomforrepentantsinners，andtobetheoneMediatorbetweenGodandmankind，ismercilesslypushedoneside，andamediatorwhomthegospelneverknewandtheBibleneverdeclaredorrecognized，isthrustintoHisplace。 WeseethusatriumvirateofconspiracyagainsttheBibleandtheChristoftheBible。Romanism，Spiritism，andapostateProtestantism(representedinthe“highercriticism“)formthattriumvirate。Theprinceofthisworld，throughthattriumvirateofdisloyalty，hasdeterminedtodestroyfromtheeartheveryvestigeoffaithinChristastherealSaviouroftheworld，intheBibleasthemouthpieceofGodandtheonlyrevelationofGod\'swill，andinthegospelitrevealsastheonlymethodofsalvation。Willhesucceed? OurSaviourforesawthestrugglethatwastocome，andaskedthequestion，“WhentheSonofmancometh，shallHefindfaithontheearth?“Luke18:8。 TheformofthequestionindicatestheviolenceofthestruggletheenemyofsoulsPage197wouldmaketodestroyfaith。Nevertheless，weshallnotlosehope；forourRedeemer，lookingthroughandbeyondthatstruggle，sawasmallcompanywhosefealtyhadnotfaltered，andHesaidofthem，“Hereisthepatienceofthesaints:herearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andthefaithofJesus。”Rev。14:12。 Satan\'scampaignoftreasonagainstHighHeavenwillnottriumph，thoughsupportedbythemightiestorganizationsthemindsofmenhaveeverconceived。 Thereisindeedsomethingtobeovercome；but“bethoufaithfuluntodeath，andIwillgivetheeacrownoflife。”“HimthatovercomethwillImakeapillarinthetempleofMyGod，andheshallgonomoreout。”“TohimthatovercomethwillIgranttositwithMeinMythrone，evenasIalsoovercame，andamsetdownwithMyFatherinHisthrone。”Rev。2:10；3:12，21。Notes[1]“Sedetsuperusversam“(sheisplacedoverall，meaning，sherulesallthereistoberuled)，istheInscriptiononthereversesideofamedalstruckbyPopeLeoXII in1735。Onthatmedalappearsthefigureofawomanwithacupinonehandandacrossintheother，andwithsunraysstreamingfromherhead。 Thisfigureisintended，nodoubt，torepresentthechurch。 OnTheThroneofSin:LetUsHeartheConclusionoftheWholeMatterPage198Chapter19LetUsHeartheConclusionoftheWholeMatterTHElastbookoftheBiblebringstoviewthecloseofGod\'scontroversywithsin。Itisstrongincondemnation，inadmonition，inwarning，inassurance，inpromises，inhopefortheloyalChristian。InthatbooktheprinceofevilandtheLordourRighteousnessfaceeachotherforthelasttime，—— theoneasthedefeatedenemyoftruthandrighteousness，theexposeddeceiverofmankind，thecalumniatorandaccuserofcreation\'sLord，theagencythroughwhom“deathreignedfromAdamtoMoses“andfromMosestoourday； theotherastheconquerorofdeath，theacceptedsubstituteandsacrificeforrepentantman，heaven\'sExemplaroftheruleoflove，therestorerofharmonyandpeacetothedisturbeduniverseofGod，thebanisherofdeathandsinfromalltheinfinitejurisdictionofthegreatJehovah。 Theyhavemetbefore。FarbackinthecyclesofthedimagestheystoodfacetofaceatthethroneofGod。ForLuciferwasoneofthecoveringcherubs；andthecoveringcherubsweretheright-andleft-handsupportersofthethroneofGod。Itwastheirdutytoprotectthefoundationofthatthroneandgovernment，whichistheeternallawofGod。 Luciferwasacreatedbeingofdazzlingsplendor，andcameforthininfiniteperfectionfromthehandofGod。“Thouwastperfectinthywaysfromthedaythatthouwastcreated，tilliniquitywasfoundinthee。” Eze。28:15。Asiniquityissin，andsinisthebreakingofthelaw，Lucifierhadcommittedhightreasonagainstthegovernmentoftheuniverse。Hebrokethelawhewascommissionedtodefend；inrebellionagainsttheMostHigh，heledamultitudetoattackthethronehewaspledgedtosupport；heaspiredtodethronetheCreator，overturnthegovernmentofGod，andruleinHisplace；forhesaid:Page199“IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod:Iwillsitalsouponthemountofthecongregation，inthesidesofthenorth:Iwillascendabovetheheightsoftheclouds；IwillbeliketheMostHigh。” Isa。14:13，14。InthatspiritofegotismandselfishnessLucifercarriedonapropagandaofmaliciousmisrepresentationanddeceitamongtheangelsofheaven，andwonamultitudetohisunworthycause。Finally“therewaswarinheaven: Michael[Christ]andHisangelsfoughtagainstthedragon[Lucifer]；andthedragonfoughtandhisangels，andprevailednot；neitherwastheirplacefoundanymoreinheaven。Andthegreatdragonwascastout，thatoldserpent，calledthedevil，andSatan，whichdeceiveththewholeworld: hewascastoutintotheearth，andhisangelswerecastoutwithhim。” Rev。12:7-9。 TheSonofGodandthefirstrebelagainstthegovernmentofGodmetthereinaconflictthatshooktheuniverse。Luciferwasdefeated，buttheconflictwasnotfinished；theywillmeetagain。AdarkandgloomyvistaofsinandsufferinganddeathstretchedoutbeforetheeyeofPrinceEmmanuelbetweenthatdayandthedaywhenthesetwoprincesshouldmeetforthelasttime，onewithinandonewithoutthejeweledwallsoftheNewJerusalem。 Luciferwithhisdiscomfitedhostssoughtasyluminthehomeofthenewlycreatedrace。Creation\'sLordhadnotlefttheinhabitantsofEdenwithoutwarningandinstruction。TheyknewtheirdutytotheirGod。Theyhadbeenwarnedthatdisobediencemeantdeath。They，too，cameperfectfromthehandoftheirCreator。Buthewhosoweddiscordinheaven，hewhowasjealousofGodandtheSonofGod，hewhoresentedthefactthathehadnotbeenconsultedinthecreationofman，invadedthesanctuaryofinnocenceandpeace，thehomeofloveandtrust，tounlockthe，floodgatesoftears，tounleashthetempestsofruin，toopenthefountainsofhatredandblood，toplantpoisonandtoharvestdeath，throughthecruelcenturiesofsin。 TheymetinEden，thetempterandtheOnewhosesoulmustbeartheweightofthesinsofrepentantsinners。Facetofacetheystand；but，oh，whatagulfbetweenthem！——purityandPage200impurity，loyaltyandtreason，loveandhatred，righteousnessandiniquity，thePrinceofloveandlifeandrestoration，andtheprinceofhatredanddeathandruin！ItwasthemightiestcontrasttheuniverseofGodhadeverseen。 Andthedestinyofmanwasnottheonlyissue。Whatahorrorofanxietythrilledthroughtheuniversewhentheheartless，fallenLuciferstoodbeforeEvetostampthemotheroftheracewiththebrandoftreasonthatwouldentailthedeathoftheSonofGodintherestorationoftherace！ Theymet，theSonofGodandtherebelangel，andtherecordofthatmeetinghasbeenwritteninthetearsofthehumanraceandthebloodoftheSonofGod。 Theymetagainwhentheracehadbecomesosoddeninsinthatonlyonemancouldbefoundtopreachofrighteousness。Findingnoresponseoutsidehisownhouseholdafteronehundredtwentyyearsofprotestagainstsin，righteousNoahwithhisfamilywentinsidethearktoawaittheexecutionofGod\'sdecreeagainstrebellionandunrighteousness。OverthatswirlingwasteofwatersthePrinceofRighteousnessandthegodofselfishnessfacedeachother。Awickedworldlayburiedundertheslimydebrisofearth\'sruin，withtoweringmountainsfortombstones；whilethesoughingwindsmoanedoverthemurkywavesthatsurgedabovethewelteringgraveofaruinedrace。 Sinhadswepttheworldwithabesomofdestruction，andSatan\'splanhadalmosttriumphed。ButGodhadeightjewelsfloatinginawoodencasketoverthegraveofsin。 TheymetagainwhenIsrael，throughdisloyaltyandsin，hadbecomecaptivestoapaganking。Babylon，themotherofidolatry，wastheagencyinthehandofLucifertocrushoutandstampoutallworshipofthetrueGodthroughoutthewholereachofNebuchadnezzar\'srealm，andthenthroughouttheworld。Thefieryfurnaceglowedwiththreatofdeath；themonarch\'sorchestracalledeveryrepresentativeofhisvastdomaintofalldownandworshipthegodofgoldthathumanhandshadfashionedontheplainofDura。Andthehumanrace，throughtheirappointedrepresentatives，boweddowninworshipthatdayatthecallofitsking——aworshipthathurleddefianceatthelawofGodandtheMostHighwhohadgivenit。Page201Butlookagain:theracehasnotallbentthekneeandbowedtheheadtoflingdefianceattheGodofheaven，inobediencetothemandateofthegreatanarchist。Weseethree——onlythree——inallthatmumblingmultitudestandingstraightandlookingawayintothebrightheavenswherethetrueGodeternalreigns，andreignsbylove。 Themultitudelookoninwonderandalarm——andsomenodoubtwithunholyjoy。Thefaceofthekinggrowsdarkwithanger；thefurnaceisheatedhotterthanbefore。Thedecreeringsoutagain；theracefallsdownagain——no，notall；thesamethree，witheyesturnedheavenwardandheartstrustingintheGodtheyloveandreverence，stillstandinthemidstofthatcringingandidolatroushost。Theyaremen—— God\'smen——everyinchofthem，fromthesun-kissedturbansontheirheadstothedew-sprinkledsandalsontheirfeet，theyareHisandHisalone。 Thestrongmen，thestrongestinthathost，withstoutcordsbindthem； theyarethrustintotheglowingmouthofthatsevenfoldheatedfurnace。 Thestrongmenaresmittenbythesuperheatedblast，andfalldeadatthefurnacemouth。Butthekingseesfour，notthree，standingunboundinthemidstoftheragingheat；and“theformofthefourthisliketheSonofGod。”Hehasfacedtherebelprinceoncemore，andthrownHisarmsofloveandprotectionaroundtheformsofHisloyalsons。Whatacontrastishere！Lovehasmetjealousy；truthhasmetdeceit；loyaltyhasmettreason。 Thekingsummonsthemforth，andthethreestandinhispresence。ButthenowinvisibleOneisbytheirsidestill，andthecrueldecreeisrevoked。 Thesetwomeetagainatthepitofthedenoflions，whenthemouthsofhungrybeastsareshutbyunseenhands；andDaniel，thefaithfulservantoftheunseenGod，comesforthfromthatdenunhurt，avictorinthecauseoftruthandrighteousness。 Sothroughthecenturiestheeyeofloveandcompassionhasmettheeyeofhateandmalevolence，lookingacrossthetableofman\'sdestiny，andlookingtowardthedaywhenthecontestwillbefinished。Page202InastableinBethlehemtheymetagainwhenthetimewasripefortheself-surrenderedSacrificetoenteruponthatperiodofexperiencewhichwouldendonthebaldoldhillofCalvary。HismotherandHisreputedfatherwerewithoutwealthorposition；Hewasborninastableandcradledinamanger，asweakinphysicalstrengthasanybabeintherealm；yetHewasheretobattle“againstprincipalities，againstpowers，againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld，againstspiritualwickedness[“wickedspirits，“margin]inhighplaces。”Eph。6:12。Itwastobethemostuniquecontestinthehistoryoftheuniverse。InHisdaysofprattlingbabyhood，ofinnocentchildhood，ofvirileyoungmanhood，anangelguardshieldedHishallowedheadfromtheblowsofsatanicwrath。Inaveryliteralsense“thedragonstoodbeforethewoman，……todevourherchildassoonasitwasborn。”Rev。12:4。GodturnedasidethemaliciousdesignoftheRomanprinceagainsttheinfantJesus；butthebaffledLucifermustventhiswrathsomewhere。SotheblowaimedattheyoungPrinceEmmanuelfelluponthequiveringfleshofBethlehem\'sbabyhood，whileanangelguidedthewearyfeetofthechosenfamilytoashelterintheshadowofthepyramids。 ThelandoftheSphinxkeepstheholysecretfromthewickedagentofthefallenLucifer。 ThroughthosewaitingyearstherewaspresseduponthesoulofthechosenChildthemightythoughtthatHemustbeaboutHisFather\'sbusiness:HesubmitsfinallytothattypicalburialinthewatersofJordan，lookingforwardtothedaywhentherock-hewntombshallshutuponHimitsstonymouth，sealedwiththesignetoftheRomanrealm。 FromthatwaterygraveHecameforth——typifyingHisresurrection—— towalkintothewildernessandmeettherebelliousLucifer。Theymet—— thefastingSaviourandHisfuriousadversary——whileheavenlookedoninadmirationandconcern。Foiledonthetemptationofappetite，foiledonthetemptationtopresumption，foiledonthetemptationofambition，Satanslunkawayinshame，confusion，andalarm，torallylaterhisevilhostsforafinalonslaught。 Forthreeandahalfyearstheybenttheirwickedwillstoonepurpose，theoverthrowoftheSonofman。TheymetHimPage203indemon-possessedmenandwomen，andHecastthemout。TheystirreduppriestsandrulerstotakeHislife，butHepassedthroughtheirmidstwithouthurt。TheythrustthetemptationofanearthlykingshipcontinuallybeforeHisface，butHekeptHiseyefixedonthatfairergoal，acceptanceinHisFather\'ssight。Hefedthemultitudewithtemporalbreadandwiththebreadoflife。Hegavethemhealthforsickness，easedtheirpain，sethelplessparalyticsontheirfeet，andstraightenedbackslongbentbeneaththeloadofpainandwoe。HeshowedbyHismiraclesthatGodwouldreversetheveryorderofnatureitselfifnecessarytosavemenfromtheconsequencesoftheirsins——iftheywouldhaveHimfortheirLord。HeunchainedsoulslongshackledintheslaveryofSatan，andsetthemfreetolearnandloveandlaborinthecauseofrighteousness。 ThusHemadewaronthekingdomofdarkness，whileitsmurkycloudswerefoldingaroundHissorrow-smittensoul，andtherudecrossofHiscrucifixionloomedupattheendofHisjourney。 Heissold；Heistaken；Heisillegallytried；Heisunlawfullycondemned； Heismadethebuttofbrutaljests，thelaughingstockofpagansoldiers。 Heisspituponandscourged；andacrownofthorns，symbolofthecurseofGodupontheworld，ispresseduponHisdevotedhead，inmalicious，tauntingirony。HehadcometowinbackthekingdomofthisworldfromtheusurpingLucifer。SotheywillwreathethecurseoftheworldintoacrownforHiscoronation，andsendHimtoHisdeathwiththemarksofwrathuponHisbloodstainedbrow。Wasthereeversuchatragedyintheannalsoftime！ UpthatbitterwayHebearstheburdenoftheinstrumentofHisdeath，tillHiswearylimbsfalter，andHefallsbeneathHisload。Thenonandontillthehilltopisreached，andthepiercedandsmittenformofthekindestandmostlovingsoulthisworldhadeverknownhangsbareandbleedingonthesymbolofshame。TheweightofthesinsofmankindrolloverHissoul，andasman\'ssubstituteHefeels。thefrownofHisFather\'sdispleasurewithsin。Sothatawfulcrygoesforth，“MyGod，MyGod，whyhastThouforsakenMe?“InthePage204bitternessofthatanguishtheheartoftheSonofthealmightyGodisbroken。ThenthewhettedspearofaRomansoldiermakessuretotheeyesofthatgazingmultitudethatJesusofNazarethnolongerlives。 Thesunhideshisfacefromthatawfulscene，andearthdrawsacloakofdarknessoverherface。Theterror-strickenmultitudegostumblingdownthehill，andonthecrossstillhangsthebruisedandbloodstainedbodyofHimwho，inthatsacrifice，takesourplaceandpaysthepenaltyforoursins。 Satan，inhiscruelwrath，hadovershotthemark。EverytemptationdesignedbyhimtooverthrowtheChristhadbeenmetandovercome。ThegrimvisageofdeathitselfhadnotfrightenedHimorcausedHimtodeviateonehair\'sbreadthfromthecourseHemusttakeasman\'sall-sufficientsubstituteandsacrifice。TheprinceofruinhadaccomplishedthedeathofthePrinceoftheRestoration。Butthatdeathsealedthesalvationofman。ChristIsRisenThesoundofshoutingandthetumultceasedAndpityingnightamelancholypallLetdowno\'erPalestine。TheChristofGodWassleepinginthetombofJosephnowAdreamlesssleep；andangryhostshadslunkAwaytoreasonwiththeirconsciences，Ordrownthemintheflowofruddywine。EarthslumberedwithherMakersacrificed，AndheldHimtoherbosom——dead。ThecrownBymockingjesterspresseduponHisbrow，HadleftitscruelimpressinthefleshCondemned。ThehandswhoseofficeworkhadbeenTopourupontheheadofyouthandageThekindliestblessingsofalovingGod；ThefeetsooftenwearywiththewayO\'ermountainsteeporbytherockyshore；ThelipsthatoncehadlaunchedthemovingspheresAndspoketolifetheAdamoftherace，Werelifelessall，andmanintypewasdead。Page205Thenightofsin——adreary，cheerlessnight——Hadherefulfillmentmanifest，andsinItself，intype，triumphantsatenthroned。OldearthwastotteringonthevergeOfruinabsolute，whileinthetomb，InbondsofdeathtosatisfythelawBymortalsbroken，laytheGiftofGodEnwrappedinDeath\'shabiliments，thatHeMightworkthepurposeofJehovah\'smind，Toconquerallthattriumphedoverman。TheearofHeavenwasbowedtoearth，butearthWasslumberingstill，unconsciousofthescaleJehovahheldtoweighherdestiny。ThebookofGodwasfair，thepagesclean，And\'gainstthenameofJesusthereappearedNosignofsincommitted，orofthoughtToshowthataughtbutfealtytoGodInhabitedtheheartnowheldofDeath。“OChrist，comeforth；thekeepersofthedeadHoldnotdominionoveryou！“ThestoneByRomanordersealed，ispowerlessToholdwhomGoddoesnotcondemn。Rollback，FrailfigmentoftheRomanrealm，northinkTostiflewiththehandofstonethelifeThatpaidsin\'spenaltiesfromAdamdown。Rollback，yesomber，silentgatesofdeath；TheconqueringKingcomesthrough。Rollback，yedarkAndthreateningcloudsofgloom；theSuncomesforthTolightenwithHisgleamfrompoletopoleThesorrowingregionsofastrickenworld。Rollback，rollback，yehostsfromheavenflung；Formanintypehasconqueredeveryfoe，Andstandstriumphantwiththekeysofdeath。Ogrand，OgloriouslibertyisthatWhichsteppedwithChristfromJoseph\'sopentomb，Andtrimmedanewthefading，dimmingflameOfhope，andsetastartoguidetheraceFromearth\'slongnighttoheaven\'sgloriousday！Thattombacradlewas；andpillowedthereOurfreedomlayinnatalrobes，andharkedThevelvetfootfallsoftheangelguard。Page206NowChristisrisen，andoursoulsarefree——FreeinthelibertyHislifehasgiven；Freefromthedeaththatknowsnowakinghour；Freefromthesinsthatlonghavepressedusdown；Andfreetoworship，andobeyHiswill。WeturnnotearfuleyestoJoseph\'stomb；WebendnokneeinmosqueMohammedan；NorslayinstrifetowinthevacantplaceWhererestedoncetheSaviourofmankind。Goforth，goforth，andtellawaitingworldTheSonofGodisinHistombnomore。Saynotthehand，thehead，theheart，mustyieldAservilehomagetoahumancreed。ThelifethatbursttheshacklesofthetombWillburstthisprison，too。ThemindofGodIsbroader，deeperthanthewisestmindHishandhasfashionedfromtheclayofearth。ThestrongestcordyourpunyhandmayweaveIsropeofsand，andne\'erwillanchoryouWithintheveil。YecannotbuildatowerMorestablethanthepilethatcrumblesnowOnShinar\'splain；andsuchiseverycreed。ButhollowtombsarealltheseinstrumentsByhumanmindconceived，andemptyall；Theyarebutshells，andallaretenantless；ForChristisrisen——you\'llnotfindHimthere。NoristhepresenceofthatHolyOneEnlinkedwithlawsthatseekbyfiniteforceToscourgetoGodth\'unwillingwanderer。TheSonofGodleansnotonreedsofrailAshumanlaw，toworkHisholywill。HislawwhomadethespheresisnotsoweakThatlawsofmenmustpropitoritfall。WemaynotplaceagainstthearkofGod，WhereinHislawabides，asteadyinghand。[1]Thelessonwritisourstolearn，andweArewiserwhenweheed。ThefearfuloneWhofleesfromlawsoppressivetotheshieldHefindsinlegalcreeds，hasburieddeepThelovethatwouldhavewonhimtohisGod。Page207FromsuchatombtheSpiritflies。OurstrengthIsweaknesswhilewethinktoholdHimthere。Proclaimthistruthingloriousministry:OurChristisrisen，andthesoulisfree。 WhentheevilonecouldnolongertemptandbuffetandafflicttheSaviourofmeninperson，heturneduponthehumblefollowersoftheChrist；andthroughpaganismandthroughthenominalchurchitself，whenithadgoneintoapostasy，hepersecutedthewoman[thetruechurch]whichbroughtforththemanChild。”Rev。12:13。Thedivinelyinspiredpenmanhasgivenusthisrecord:“Thedragonwaswrothwiththewoman，andwenttomakewarwiththeremnantofherseed，whichkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andhavethetestimonyofJesusChrist。”Rev。12:17。TheprophetDaniel，whenspeakingofthesamecruelandoppressivework，says:“Ibeheld，andthesamehorn[orpower]madewarwiththesaints，andprevailedagainstthem；untiltheAncientofdayscame，andjudgmentwasgiventothesaintsoftheMostHigh……Andhe[thesamepower] shallspeakgreatwordsagainsttheMostHigh，andshallwearoutthesaintsoftheMostHigh。”Dan。7:21-25。InthecruelpersecutionsbypaganismandthepapacyagainstthefollowersofChrist，SatanwaspouringouthisindignationandwrathagainstthepersonandkingdomoftheRedeemer。ThroughtheDarkAgesandtheMiddleAgestheservantsoftherealmsofdarknesssoughttohoundtrueChristianityoutoftheworld。Theyreveledinslaughter；theywerefiendishlyingeniousintheinventionofimplementsofpain。Thegroansoftheirtorturedvictimsseemedtobemusicintheirears。ProfessingtohonorHimwhohealeddiseaseandrelievedpainanddistress，theygloriedinthesufferingtheywereabletoproduce。Millionsofthemostconscientious，mostearnest，andmosthumblecitizensendedtheirlivesinthedrearypensoftheInquisition，orwereburnedaliveordrownedforthefearfuloffenseofreadingtheBibleandfollowingitsrighteousleadership。AndwhenaservilekingbowedtothedictatesoftheVaticanandpermittedtheSt。Bartholomewmassacre，thePage208churchbellsofRomerangjubilantpraise，atedeumwassung，andtheheadofthatchurchthathadturneditsbackuponthemercifulprinciplesofthegospelofChrist，hadamedalstruckinhonorofthecrimsonandcrueldeed。[2] WhenPeter，seekingtodefendhisMaster，drewaswordandsmoteofftheearofthehighpriest\'sservant，hisLordhealedthewound，andcommandedPetertoputupthesword，warninghimthattheywhotaketheswordshallperishwiththesword。(SeeMatt。26:52。)Peterobeyed；buthisprofessedsuccessors，forgettingthecommandandthewarning，havedrenchedtheearthwiththeblood，notoftheLord\'senemies，butofHismostfaithfulfriends。However，theAlmightyshortenedtheperiodofintensepersecution，andnowinmostlands，savewhereRomeisinsolecontrol，thereisfreedomtoworshipGod。 Butitwillnotalwaysbeso。Therevelatorhasgivenfaithfulwarningoftherecrudescenceofthespiritandthepracticeofpersecution。Thatrevivalofpersecutioncomesattheclimaxoftheconflict。Twodecreesgoforththatarediametricallyopposedtheonetotheother。ThatpowerthatspokegreatwordsagainsttheMostHighwillresumeitspersecutingpracticesinthelastdays。Thatpower，therevelatordeclares，willagain“makewarwiththesaints，“and“allthatdwellupontheearthshallworshiphim，whosenamesarenotwritteninthebookoflifeoftheLambslainfromthefoundationoftheworld。”Rev。13:6-8。Againhesays:“Heexercisethallthepowerofthefirstbeast[orpower] beforehim，andcauseththeearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthefirstbeast[orpower]，whosedeadlywoundwashealed。”Rev。13:12。Itisacompulsory，persecutingpowerthatdoesthis；forwereadthathewill“causethatasmanyaswouldnotworshiptheimageofthebeastshouldbekilled。”Verse15。 ThatisthechallengeofanapostatechurchagainsttheveryGodofheavenHimself，whowillhaveallmentoworshipHimandHimalone。Thatdecree，inspiredbythepowersofevil，flingsdefianceatthelawofGod，whichsays:“ThouPage209shalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe……Thoushaltnotbowdownthyselftothem，norservethem。”Ex。20:3-6。 Heavenacceptsthechallenge，andissuesitsdecreetotheinhabitantsofalltheearth。Therevelatorsays:“Isawanotherangel[ormessenger]flyinthemidstofheaven，……sayingwithaloudvoice，FearGod，andgiveglorytoHim；forthehourofHisjudgmentiscome:andworshipHimthatmadeheaven，andearth，andthesea，andthefountainsofwaters。Andtherefollowedanotherangel……Andthethirdangelfollowedthem，sayingwithaloudvoice，Ifanymanworshipthebeastandhisimage，andreceivehismarkinhisforehead，orinhishand，thesameshalldrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod，whichispouredoutwithoutmixtureintothecupofHisindignation；andheshallbetormentedwithfireandbrimstoneinthepresenceoftheholyangels，andinthepresenceoftheLamb。”Rev。14:6-10。Therebelliousleaderofthefallenhostspronouncesthedeathsentenceuponallwhowillnotworshipthebeastandhisimage；andGodpronouncessentenceofdeathuponallwhodo。Theissueisjoinedforthefinalcontest。 Willthepeopleofthisworld，throughfearoftemporaldeath，obeythedecreeoftherebelangel，andworship“thebeastandhisimage“?Iftheydo，thenthepenaltyofeternaldeathwillfalluponthem。Aroundthisissuewillbewagedthelastbattlesbetweentruthandrighteousnessontheoneside，andfalsehoodandunrighteousnessontheother。Nodoubtthemajoritywillgo“thebroadwaythatleadethtodestruction，“asthemajoritydidinNoah\'sday，andhavefromthatdaytothis。ButGodwillhaveHisownwhowillprovetruetoHiminspiteoffireandflood。 Astherevelatorlookeddownthroughtimetothatlastperiodofconflict，hesawalittlecompanywhosefealtywasstillunshaken。TothemHecallstheattentionofthewholeworldinthesewords:“Hereisthepatienceofthesaints:herearetheythatkeepthecommandmentsofGod，andthefaithofJesus。”Rev。14:12。AskeepersofGod\'scommandments，theycouldnotpossiblybenumberedamongtheworshipersof“thebeastandhisimage。” WhilethatwarofthepowersofdarknessisbeingwagedagainstthefaithfulfollowersoftheLamb，LuciferwillbePage210marshalingthearmedhostsofeverynationtothebattleof“thatgreatdayofGodAlmighty。”Saystherevelatoragain:“Isawthreeuncleanspiritslikefrogscomeoutofthemouthofthedragon，andoutofthemouthofthebeast，andoutofthemouthofthefalseprophet。Fortheyarethespiritsofdevils，workingmiracles，whichgoforthuntothekingsoftheearthandofthewholeworld，togatherthemtothebattleofthatgreatdayofGodAlmighty。Behold，Icomeasathief。Blessedishethatwatcheth，andkeepethhisgarments，lesthewalknaked，andtheyseehisshame。Andhe[Satan]gatheredthem[thearmiesoftheworld]togetherintoaplacecalledintheHebrewtongueArmageddon。” Rev。16:13-16。Theyaregatheredthereforbattle；anditisthelasttimethekingsoftheworldwilleversummontheforcesofthenationstomeetinthearenaofdeathtosettledifferenceswiththeargumentofblood；forGodcomesdowntotakepartinthatfray。“Isawthebeast，andthekingsoftheearth，andtheirarmies，gatheredtogethertomakewaragainstHimthatsatonthehorse，andagainstHisarmy。Andthebeastwastaken，andwithhimthefalseprophetthatwroughtmiraclesbeforehim，withwhichhedeceivedthemthathadreceivedthemarkofthebeast，andthemthatworshipedhisimage。Thesebothwerecastaliveintoalakeoffireburningwithbrimstone。AndtheremnantwereslainwiththeswordofHimthatsatuponthehorse。”Rev。19:19- 21。Concerningthatsameevent——theclimaxofthehistoryoftheworld—— theprophetJoelwascausedtopenthesewords:“ProclaimyethisamongtheGentiles:Preparewar，wakeupthemightymen，letallthemenofwardrawnear；letthemcomeup:beatyourplowsharesintoswords，andyourpruninghooksintospears:lettheweaksay，Iamstrong。Assembleyourselves，andcome，allyeheathen，andgatheryourselvestogetherroundabout:thithercauseThymightyonestocomedown，OLord。Lettheheathenbeawakened，andcomeuptothevalleyofJehoshaphat:fortherewillIsittojudgealltheheathenroundabout。 Putyeinthesickle，fortheharvestisripe:come，getyoudown；forthepressisfull，thefats[vats]overflow；fortheirwickednessisgreat。 Multitudes，multitudesinthevalleyofdecision:forthedayoftheLordisnearinthevalleyofdecision。Thesunandthemoonshallbedarkened，andthestarsshallwithdrawtheirshining。TheLordalsoshallroaroutofZion，andutterHisvoicefromJerusalem；andtheheavensandtheearthshallshake:buttheLordwillbethehopeofHispeople。”Joel3:9-16。Page211MenhavespokenandwrittenofotherwarsasArmageddon；butthereisonlyonesuchwar，andthatisthewarwhichInspirationhastoldusofintheforegoingscriptures。Moreover，itistheagencyofSatanthatmarshalsthenationstothatfatefulconflict。“Thespiritsofdevilsworkingmiracles，“ stirupthekingsoftheworldandhurrythehostsofheathenismandofChristendomtothatpropheticandage-oldtrystingplace，whereYouthandDeathmeetinmadrevelfortheworld\'slastnightofcarnageandfury。 Whenthatbattleisfullystaged，thecurtainisrungdownonthetragedyofsin——foronethousandyears。 Thatday，theprophetJoelsays，isthedayoftheharvestoftheearth，whose“wickednessisgreat。”Itisthedayofjudgmentforalltheworld。 ItisthedayoftheLord，——thedaywhenHeshallutterHisvoiceandsummonthehumanracetothejudgmentbarofeternity；thedaywhentheheavensandtheearthshallbeshaken。Itisthedaywhen“thatwicked“ shall“berevealed，whomtheLordshallconsumewiththespiritofHismouth，andshalldestroywiththebrightnessofHiscoming。”2Thess。2: 8。ItisthedaywhentheSaviourofmankindfulfillsHispromisetoHisdisciplestocomeagainandreceivethemtoHimself，thatwhereHeis，allHisfaithfulfollowersmaybe。John14:1-3。Itisthedaywhentheangel\'spromisetothediscipleswillfindagladrealization:“ThissameJesus，whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven，shallsocomeinlikemannerasyehaveseenHimgointoheaven。”Acts1:11。 Itisthedaywhentheheavenswilldepart“asascrollwhenitisrolledtogether，“and“everymountainandisland“shallbe“movedoutoftheirplaces；“adaywhen“thekingsoftheearth，andthegreatmen，andtherichmen，andthechiefcaptains，andthemightymen，andeverybondman，andeveryfreeman“shallhidethemselves“inthedensandintherocksofthemountains；“whentheyshallcall“tothemountainsandrocks，Fallonus，andhideusfromthefaceofHimthatsittethonthethrone，andfromthewrathoftheLamb:forthegreatdayofHiswrathiscome；andwhoshallbeabletostand?“Rev。6:14-17。Page212TheLordhaspromisedinthatdaytobethehopeandtheshelterofHispeople；butthereisnopromise，nohope，noshelter，forthosewhoarefoundoutsidethearkofGod\'spurposeonthatday。Thewildterrorofhopelessdespairwillsweepoverthesoulsoftheunsavedwhentheyrealizethattheirlastopportunityisgone，andtheyarenumberedamongthefollowersofSatan。Theyseektohide，butthereisnohidingplace；theeyeoftheeternalJudgewillfindall。TherighteousarecaughtupoutofthetumultandtheterrortomeettheirRedeemerinthecloud，evermoretobewithHim。Butatempestofdeathwillsweepovertheglobe；thewhirlwindofjudgmentwilldoitswork；andtheearthwilloncemore，asinthedaysbeforeAdam\'sfall，befreefromhumansinandhumansinners。“Iwillcallforasworduponalltheinhabitantsoftheearth，saiththeLordofhosts……TheLordshallroarfromonhigh，andutterHisvoicefromHisholyhabitation；Heshallgiveashout，astheythattreadthegrapes，againstalltheinhabitantsoftheearth。Anoiseshallcomeeventotheendsoftheearth；fortheLordhathacontroversywiththenations，Hewillpleadwithallflesh；Hewillgivethemthatarewickedtothesword，saiththeLord。ThussaiththeLordofhosts，Behold，evilshallgoforthfromnationtonation，andagreatwhirlwindshallberaisedupfromthecoastsoftheearth。AndtheslainoftheLordshallbeatthatdayfromoneendoftheearthevenuntotheotherendoftheearth: theyshallnotbelamented，neithergathered，norburied。”Jer。25:29-33。Theweepingprophetspeaksagainofthesameeventinthesewords:“Behold，thewhirlwindoftheLordgoethforthwithfury，acontinuingwhirlwind:itshallfallwithpainupontheheadofthewicked。 ThefierceangeroftheLordshallnotreturn，untilHehavedoneit，anduntilHehaveperformedtheintentsofHisheart:inthelatterdaysyeshallconsiderit[or“understandit，“R。V。]。”Jer。30:23，24。InthatdayGod\'shanddoesnotfalluponthehumanwickedonly。TheinstigatorofsinalsofeelsthehandofOmnipotencelaiduponhim。Therevelatorwasgivenaviewofthateventwhichshacklestheoriginatorofsintotheruinedhomeofthehumanrace。Hesays:Page213“Isawanangelcomedownfromheaven，havingthekeyofthebottomlesspitandagreatchaininhishand。Andhelaidholdonthedragon，thatoldserpent，whichisthedevil，andSatan，andboundhimathousandyears，andcasthimintothebottomlesspit，andshuthimup，andsetasealuponhim，thatheshoulddeceivethenationsnomore，tillthethousandyearsshouldbefulfilled:andafterthathemustbeloosedalittleseason。” Rev。20:1-3。Thefatherofruin，shutupintheprisonhouseofaruinedworld，willhaveathousanddrearyyearsofcheerlessincarcerationinwhichtostudywithhisunholycoadjutorsthefruit-ageofsin。Whiletheyaredoingthat，therestoftheuniversehasheldbeforeitatragicobjectlessonastowhatdisloyaltyanddisobediencemeaninthehouseholdofourFather。 Butthatisnotall；fortheywhowereatthecomingofChristaccountedworthytoobtaintheeternalinheritance，who，atthebeginningofthatperiod，werecaughtupinthecloudstomeettheLordintheair，evertobewithHim，arewithHimwhereHeis。Theirsisthesatisfyingjoyofsalvationrealized。TheEdenofGodistheirsagaintoenjoytothefull。Nocherubimwithflamingswordsnowthreatenthelivesofthosewhowouldenterthere。Thatholyhomeofjoyandlove，oncedeniedtherace，theyfindnowrestoredtothem\'intheheavenlyhomeoftheirLordandRedeemer。Nodeathisthere，nosin，nosickness，nosorrow，nopain； for“theformerthingsarepassedaway。”Rev。21:1-4。 Throughthatperiodofathousandyearstheredeemedofearthhaveopportunity，fromtherecordsoftheheavenlycourt，tostudythelove，themercy，andthejusticeofGodinHisdealingswithsinandsinners。HewillmakecertainthateveryredeemedsoulisfullysatisfiedthatHehasdealtjustlyandmercifullywithHiswaywardcreatures。InnootherwaycanHemakesurethat“afflictionshallnotriseupthesecondtime。”Nahum1:9。 Moreover，arealworkofjudgmentwilloccupythesaintsduringtheirthousand-yearsojourninthecapitaloftheuniverse。SaysInspiration，throughtheapostlePaul:“Doyenotknowthatthesaintsshalljudgetheworld?andiftheworldshallbejudgedbyyou，areyeunworthytojudgethesmallestmatters?Knowyenotthatweshalljudgeangels?“ICor。6:2，3。Page214ItisevidentfromthesescripturesthatGodappointstheredeemedofthisworldtositwithHiminjudgmentuponthecasesofLuciferandthefallenangels，andthosewhohavefollowedtheirleadingsintosinandtherejectionofsalvationanditsAuthor。Godjudgesthemworthyofextinction。Thatjudgmentpassesunderthescrutinyofareviewingcourt——notthatGodconsidersHimselfunabletoarriveatajustandrighteousdecision，butthateverycreatureinHisuniversemaybesocompletelysatisfiedthatnoquestioncaneverarisethroughallthelongcyclesofeternity。 Howelsetheredeemedwilloccupythemselvesduringthatthousandyearswearenotinformed；butweknowthis，that“eyehathnotseen，norearheard，neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman，thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatloveHim。”1Cor。2:9。 Wecannotevenimagine，inthepresentstateofourexistence，whatitwillbetodwellwithbeingsoutofwhoseheartshasbeenpurgedeverythingthatcouldgiverisetodistrust，envy，jealousy，hatred，covetousness，willfulness，malevolence，impurity，disobedience，anddisloyalty。Thesecausesorrowandsufferinganddeath。Theywillnotbethere。Inthatabodeofrighteousnessandlovetherewillbejoyunspeakable，loveunadulterated，companionshipunquestionable，whilethecenturiesrollon。 Butthereisonemoresceneinthedarktragedyofsin。Therebelangelisstillaprisonerwithhisfallenspiritsinthedreary，storm-sweptdesertofthisruinedworld。Thecourtoflastresortfinishesitsfindings，andhandsdownitsfinaldecisionconcerningthewickeddeadandtheagenciesresponsiblefortheirruin。OfSatanandhishostinthattimeofwaitingtheapostleJudesays:“Theangelswhichkeptnottheirfirstestate，hutlefttheirownhabitation，Hehathreservedineverlastingchainsunderdarknessuntothejudgmentofthegreatday。”Jude6。Thustheywaitduringwhatareforthemathousanddrearyandhatefulyears。 Everyskeletonofmanoranimal，everyruinedbuilding，everydevastatedplainandfrowningmountain，Page215everytornandtwistedtreeandrottingstump，willbeatrumpet-tonguedaccuser。Notonethingleftwillspeakofjoyorpeaceorsatisfactionorhappiness。WhowouldbeacompanionoftheauthorofSpiritismthen? Butevenathousandyearsofsuchanexperienceasthatmustcometoitsdrearyendatlast。ItterminateswhenthevoiceofthegreatJudgeringsthroughtheworldagain，andcallsthesleepinghostsofsinfromtheirdustybeds。Itisamotleythrong，scarredandmarred，disfiguredanddistortedbysin。Withthesamecharacteristicsthattheypossessedwhendeathovertookthem，theycomeforth。！Theredeemed，duringthosethousandyears，havebeenpartakingofthefruitofthetreeoflifeanddrinkingofthewateroftheriveroflife，andtheleavesofthetreeoflifehavebeenappliedtotheirhealingfromallthemarringsandblemishesthatsinhadmade。Rev。22:1-3。Eternalyouthandbeautyshowineverylineamentofformandface。Andwhatacontrastwhenthosetwocompaniesshallstandineachother\'spresenceonthedaywhenGodfinisheswithsin！ Thewickeddead，whencalledtolifebythevoiceoftheAlmighty，faceoncemorethecauseoftheirruin；forweread:“Whenthethousandyearsareexpired，Satanshallbeloosedoutofhisprison，andshallgoouttodeceivethenationswhichareinthefourquartersoftheearth，GogandMagog，togatherthemtogethertobattle:thenumberofwhomisasthesandofthesea。”Rev。20:7，8。JusthowlongGodpermitstheresurrectedwickedtoliveaftertheirresurrection，wearenottold；butitislongenoughforthemtoformthemselvesintonationsandprepareimplementsofwar；andwereadalsoconcerningSatan\'speriodofrelease，thatitisfora“littleseason。”Rev。20:3。 Inthat“littleseason“Satanspursthenationsoninwarpreparations。 Hewillclaimtohaveraisedthemfromthedead；hewillclaimtobethedivinekingofthisworld，andthattheyarehislawfulsubjects。Withalltheirpropensitiestosinunaltered，withnopowerofrighteousnesstoholdthemincheck，withevilspiritsfortheirguidesandcounselors，andwiththeSpiritofGodwithdrawnfromtheearth，towhatlengthswilltheynotgointhepracticeofwickedness！LookingPage216forwardfromthisdaytothatday，whocouldwishtobenumberedamongthatevilanddoomedthrong? Whateverthelengthofthat“littleseason，“italsocomestoitstermination。 Someeyelooksupintotheskyoneday，andfarawayadazzlingobjectappears。Thentheeyesofthemultitudearefasteneduponagloriousspectacle。 Itdrawsnearerandstillnearer。Whatdoesitmean?Theusurping“king“ ofthisworlddoubtlesssuggeststhatitisaninvasionfromanotherworld。 Multitudesonmultitudesofgloriousbeingsseemtofillthesky；theirranksstretchawayfartherthantheeyecandistinguishforms。 InthecenteroftheglorioushostaBeingsitsenthroneduponadazzlingcloud。SuchgloryasthisworldhasneverseenflashesforthfromformandfaceandcrownandscepterofthatmajesticPersonage。ItisthePrinceEmmanuel，comingasHesaidHewouldcometoestablishHisloyalfollowersintheheritageoncewrestedfrommanbytherebelliousleaderofthefallenangels。Enoch，theseventhfromAdam，prophesiedofthisgloriousevent，saying，“Behold，theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofHissaints，toexecutejudgmentuponall。”Jude14，15。Paulalsospeaksof“thecomingofourLordJesusChristwithallHissaints。”1Thess。3:13。TheprophetZechariahdeclares:“TheLordmyGodshallcome，andallthesaintswithThee。”Zech。14:5。TheprophetDanieltellswhytheycomebacktothisearth:“ThesaintsoftheMostHighshalltakethekingdom，andpossessthekingdomforever，evenforeverandever。”“Andthekingdomanddominion，andthegreatnessofthekingdomunderthewholeheaven，shallbegiventothepeopleofthesaintsoftheMostHigh，whosekingdomisaneverlastingkingdom，andalldominionsshallserveandobeyHim。”Dan。7:18，27。TheSaviourHimselfdeclares:“Themeekshallinherittheearth。”Matt。 5:5。Thepsalmistwrites:“Themeekshallinherittheearth；andshalldelightthemselvesintheabundanceofpeace。”Ps。37:11。 TheManwhocarriedHiscrossupCalvaryamidthejeersandinsultsofthepriestsandtherabble，whoboretheagonyofthatmostcrueldeathasoursubstitute，andwhothroughPage217deathbrokethebandsofdeathforeverysoulthatwillacceptHisprofferedgrace，——thatManisthestar-crownedcenterofthatjoyoushostofsaintsandangels。AndHisshiningcohortsarenotcomeasvisitants；theyarecomeaseternaltenants，thatrighteousnessandloveandpeacemayreignforeverherewheresinandhateandwarhavetenantedsolong。 ThefirstfootofallthatmultitudetotouchthisearthisthefootthatfeltthecruelnailthatspikedHimtothecross。SaystheprophetZechariah:“HisfeetshallstandinthatdayupontheMountofOlives，whichisbeforeJerusalemontheeast，andtheMountofOlivesshallcleaveinthemidstthereoftowardtheeastandtowardthewest，andthereshallbeaverygreatvalley；andhalfofthemountainshallremovetowardthenorth，andhalfofittowardthesouth。”Zech。14:4。Then，saystherevelator:“IJohnsawtheholycity，NewJerusalem，comingdownfromGodoutofheaven，preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband。AndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensaying，Behold，thetabernacleofGodiswithmen，andHewilldwellwiththem，andtheyshallbeHispeople，andGodHimselfshallbewiththem，andbetheirGod。”Rev。21:2，3。Thesightofthatgloriouscitywithitstwelvefoundationsofpreciousstones，studdedwithjewels，itsbeauteousmansions，itsstreetsofgold，anditsgatesofpearl，nohumanwritercoulddescribethoughhewerepermittedtoviewitinvision。Therealizationofitsgloriesmustbelefttotheeyesofthosewhobeholditinrighteousness，andinhabititas“jointheirswithChrist。”Rom。8:17。 Thatistheeternalcity，thecapitalofthekingdomofsaints。Satanknowswhatthedescentofthatcompanyandthatcitymeans，andhisrallyingcallgoesringingthroughtheworld，summoninghishoststogetherforthedestructionofthe“intruders，“andthecaptureoftheircity。“Andtheywentuponthebreadthoftheearth，andcompassedthecampofthesaintsabout，andthebelovedcity。”Rev。20:9。 Butnosinfulsoulwilleverenterthosegatesofpearlortreadthosestreetsofgold。“Thereshallinnowiseenterintoitanythingthatdefileth，neitherwhatsoeverworkethabomina-Page218tion，ormakethalie:buttheywhicharewrittenintheLamb\'sbookoflife。”Rev。21:27。 TheserriedmultitudesofthatenvelopinghostwillbemarshaledfortheattackundertheleadershipofSatanhimself，whowillcalltohisassistancethemightiestandmostskillfulgeneralsthisworldhaseverknown。Alltheskillofwarexperiencethatsixthousandyearsofhatredandstrifehaveaccumulatedwillberequisitionedforthatassault。Gunsofingeniousconstructionandinconceivablepowerwillbeprepared，andenginesandweaponsofwhichweknownothingnowwillbemadereadyfortheattack。Everyfacultyofhumanhatredandgreedandambitionandcovetousnessandlustwillbefannedintointensestactivitybytheconsciencelesssoulofthegreatdeceiver。Havetheyspentmoneyforjewels?——Therearescintillatingjewelsbythemillionsintheverywallsofthecity，andsuchjewelsashumaneyeshaveneverseenbefore。Havetheysoldchastityforstringsofpearls?——Inthatcity\'swallsaremassive，flashinggatesofsolidpearl。(SeeRev。21:21。)Havetheyworshipedandslavedforgold，andsoldtheirverysoulsforthatinsensategod?——Thereisamightycitythreehundredandseventy-fivemilessquare，everystreetofwhichispavedwiththatpolishedmetal。Havetheypurchasedandpolishedandadmiredbeautifulstones?——Therearenomorebeautifulstonesintheworldthanthetwelvepolishedfoundationsofthatcityofthesaints。Havetheylongedforandlaboredforbeautifulandcomfortablehomes?——Thereisavastaccumulationofthem，morebeautifulthanhumanmindhaseverconceived。 Throughthosetransparentwallstheenviouslegionsofthelostgazewithadmiringandcovetouseyesuponthehappy，animatedthrongswithin，andupontheformandfaceofthatOnewhomtheyhavescornedandspurnedandrejected。Heisnotthorn-crownednow；butacrownoflustrousgloryrestsuponHisbenignantbrow。HedoesnotnowwearthepurplerobeofmockmajestywhichearthlypersecutorsplacedaboutHisgrief-bentform。 Hewasman\'sbruisedsacrificethen；HeistheLordofglorynow，andHisrobeisarobeoflight。Heisnothanginguponacrossofwood；butHeisseateduponaPage219thronehighandliftedup，withsaintsandangelstodoHimgladhomage。 TheKingofkings，theKingoftheworld，jointRuleroftheuniverse，Emmanuel，Redeemer，ourElderBrother，hascometoearthtoestablishHiseternallyenduringkingdom。Hisloyalsubjectsarethere；butsurroundingthemandtheircapitalisasurging，numberlessthrongwhowould“nothavethisMantoruleover“them，andwhoaredeterminedtocrushthiskingdomofthemeekandrighteousoutofexistence。Theyswarmaboutthewalls，waitingforthesignaltoattack。 There，andforthelasttime，LuciferandtheSonofGodfaceeachother。 Fromthefaceoftheoneglowersblackmaliceandcruelhatred，haughtyselfishnessandheartlessambition，malevolenceandmurder；fromthefaceoftheothershinesforthlove，beneficence，humilityglorified，andservicedeified。Therearethetwopolesofacontrastwithinfinitybetweenthem。 Asthesetwolookuponeachother，therebelangelrealizeswhathehaslost，andinthemadagonyofdespairheshoutstheorderfortheassault。 Thereisintenseactivitythroughoutthatnumberlesshost。Realizingthefutilityoffurthereffortsagainsttheeternalcity，andsensingtheirincalculableloss，theyturninrageuponthecauseoftheirruin。ButtheJudgeoftheuniversepronouncesthefinalsentenceuponthem，andthecommandofGodralliestheelementstotheexecutionofHisdecree。 Theskiesgrowblack，andoutofthosecloudsofGod\'slong-delayedandconsumingwraththefieryrainofdeathfallsuponthatterrified，awe-strickenmultitude。Theyrageandcurseandtrampleoneanotherunderfootintheireffortstoescapetheroaring，flamingmissilesofdeathhurleddownfromtheangryclouds。Theveryearthisonfireandthereisnoescape。God\'spent-upwrathhasfinallyburstforthtocleanseHisuniversefromthelastremainsofsin。Thoughthewholeearthiswrappedinflame，thecapitaloftheuniverseisnotconsumed，andtheshieldofOmnipotenceisthrownabouttheransomedhostswithinthecityofthesaved。 Andnowthescriptureisfulfilled:“FirecamedownfromGodoutofheaven，anddevouredthem。”Rev。20:9。Thatfirecleansestheworldfromeverytraceofsin。Itliterallyburnssinoutoftheearth。Whenthatsadworkisdone，itisPage220doneforever。TheuniversewillneverhaveandneverneedanotherdemonstrationofthefearfulresultsofthetransgressionofGod\'slaw。 Whenthatfierytempesthasdoneitswork，theinhabitantsofthecityofGodgoforth，astheprophetMalachisays，andeverywherebeneaththeirfeetaretheashesofsin。“Alltheproud，yea，andallthatdowickedly，shallbestubble: andthedaythatcomethshallburnthemup，saiththeLordofhosts，thatitshallleavethemneitherrootnorbranch。Butuntoyouthatfear\'MynameshalltheSunofRighteousnessarisewithhealinginHiswings；andyeshallgoforth，andgrowupascalvesofthestall。Andyeshalltreaddownthewicked；fortheyshallbeashesunderthesolesofyourfeetinthedaythatIshalldothis，saiththeLordofhosts。”Mal。4:5-3。Theevilonehimselfmeetshisdoominthatrainofdivinewrath；forheistherootofsin。OfhimtheprophetEzekieldeclares:“Iwillbringtheetoashesupontheearthinthesightofallthemthatbeholdthee。Alltheythatknowtheeamongthepeopleshallbeastonishedatthee:thoushaltbeaterror，andnevershaltthoubeanymore。”Eze。28:18，19。Thatridsauniverseofsin，butitleavesaworldinashes。Itwillnotremainsoforlong。Truerandmoregloriousthanpaganmythologyisthistransformation——outofashesspringforthlifeandbeauty。“We，accordingtoHispromise，lookfornewheavensandanewearth，whereindwellethrighteousness。”2Peter3:13。TheGodwhofilledtheworldwithlifeandclotheditwithbeautywillclotheitwithbeautyagain，andthelifethatfillsitwhenthatworkiscompletewillbelifethatwillnevercease。 Thebeautyofitsgarnishmentwillneverbedimmedwiththesadresultsofsin，asweseeearth\'sbeautynow。Earth\'spestilentialswampsandbarrenwasteswillbecrowdedoutwithdelightsomescenesandpleasant，fruitfulfields。Oftheearthwhenthatworkisdonetheprophetsays: “Thewildernessandthesolitaryplaceshallbegladforthem；andthedesertshallrejoice，andblossomastherose。Itshallblossomabundantly，andrejoiceevenwithjoyandsinging……Theeyesoftheblindshallbeopened，andtheearsofthedeafshallbeunstopped。ThenshallPage221thelamemanleapasahart，andthetongueofthedumbsing:forinthewildernessshallwatersbreakout，andstreamsinthedesert……Andahighwayshallbethere，andaway，anditshallbecalled，Thewayofholiness；theuncleanshallnotpassoverit；butitshallbeforthose: thewayfaringmen，thoughfools，shallnoterrtherein。Nolionshallbethere，noranyravenousbeastshallgoupthereon，itshallnotbefoundthere；buttheredeemedshallwalkthere:andtheransomedoftheLordshallreturn，andcometoZionwithsongsandeverlastingjoyupontheirheads:theyshallobtainjoyandgladness，andsorrowandsighingshallfleeaway。”Isa。35:1-10。 Ah，whatwillitmean，——alandthatknowsnosorrow，nopain，nowoe，nofears，nosadpartings，nodeath！Nosodofthatlandwilleverbeturnedtolayalovedoneaway。Nocoldshaftofstonewilleverrearitsheadtotellthatdeathhastriumphedoverlife。Onewhoholdsthekeysofdeathandthegravehasgonethroughthecheerlesstombtocloseitshungrymouth——anditisclosedforever。 AllthingsinthisworldwillthenbesubjecttotheLordJesusChrist，thegreatRestorer。“Thencomeththeend，whenHeshallhavedeliveredupthekingdomtoGod，eventheFather；whenHeshallhaveputdownallruleandallauthorityandpower。ForHemustreign，tillHehathputallenemiesunderHisfeet。 Thelastenemythatshallbedestroyedisdeath。ForHehathputallthingsunderHisfeet。ButwhenHesaithallthingsareputunderHim，itismanifestthatHeisexcepted，whichdidputallthingsunderHim。AndwhenallthingsshallbesubdueduntoHim，thenshalltheSonalsoHimselfbesubjectuntoHimthatputallthingsunderHim，thatGodmaybeallinall。”ICor。 15:24-28。Throughthepowerofloveandtheconquestsofsacrifice，theSonofGodhaswonthemightiestandmostenduringvictorytheuniversehaseverknown。 Lovehasprovedstrongerthanhate，andlifehastriumphedoverdeath。 Theheritageofman，wrenchedfromhimbythegreatdeceiver，hascomebacktohimagainthroughHimwhoistheway，thetruth，andthelife。 Thelifeforfeitedbysinhasbeenransomedbythecurrencyofloveandrighteousness。WhowouldnotservesuchaKing? Andthatistheendoftheconflict，butitisnottheendofitsconsequences； foraslongaseternityitselfwillbethelivesofhappinessandjoyandloveinwhichtheredeemedofGodPage222participate，whiletheyuniteingladhosannastotheKingofkings。Nolongeraretheretwoprincesinconflictwitheachother；butGodisallandinall，andtheuniverseisoneagain，throughthesacrificeandserviceofthePrinceoftheRestoration，whohasoverturnedanddestroyedthethroneofsin，andestablishedrighteousnessandpeaceandlovetotheuttermostreachesofthejurisdictionoftheAlmighty。Notes[1]2Sam。6:6-8。 [2]TheauthorhasseenoneofthesemedalsintheUnitedStatesmintatPhiladelphia，Pa。，U。S。A。