January 31, 1895

“Front Page” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

When we are reproved for a fault, it does not mend matters in the least to say that our reprover has the same fault. Our neighbour’s disease can never cure ours.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.1

The sun blows no trumpet and rings no bells, to call the attention of people to itself. It simply shines. The man who has virtues does not need to boast of them.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.2

There is nothing ever lost by being given to God, whether it be money, time, or talents. That which is placed in God’s hands is but yielded to its rightful owner, and placed where it will be put to the best possible use. Only that is lost which is withheld from Him; for all that is not of Him must finally pass away.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.3

“Principles and Perfection” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Principles and Perfection.—“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.” Hebrews 6:17. Leaving the principles does not mean repudiating them, but applying them in the higher branches. One who would be content to spend all his life in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing simple numbers of one figure, would never become a mathematician. He must advance from those first principles if he would attain perfection. Yet he cannot attain distinction as a scholar if he ignores those first principles; and no matter how great a mathematician he becomes, his success will depend wholly on the use of those rudiments. So in the Christian life. While we are to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, it is only that in the application of them we may “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ,” till we come to “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.4

“Commands and Promises” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Commands and Promises.-God does not give any commandment that He does not give grace to perform. Nay, more, His word is “living and active,” and “His commandment is life eternal,” and therefore works effectually in those who believe. Therefore every commandment of God is in reality a promise: if the commandment is given, it carries with it the promise of great grace and strength for its performance. So we find truth in the words,PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.5

“How gentle God’s command!
How kind His precepts are!”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.6

“The Unpardonable Sin” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The Unpardonable Sin.-This may be defined in few words. It is simply the sin of unbelief. Faith that appropriates the life and power of God is the only means of salvation. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven the one who believes, for “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;” but he who refuses to believe, shuts himself off from the fountain of life and righteousness. In short, the unpardonable sin is the sin that rejects pardon.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.7

“Rest Not Idleness” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Rest Not Idleness.-Some people have the idea that the Lord’s rest is idleness, and that resting in the Lord is the same as laziness. It is a great mistake. Jesus came to give rest, yet He said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” John 5:17. In His most perfect rest, the Lord is intensely active. So the man who is most completely resting in the Lord, will be most active in His service. The man who is not resting in the Lord, makes a great deal of stir, but accomplishes nothing; while the man who rests in the Lord does very much, but without bustle or boasting.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.8

“Laying a New Foundation” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Laying a New Foundation.-The Apostle Paul exhorts us to go on to perfection, “not laying again the foundation of repentance.” Why should we wish to? One sure foundation has been laid, and “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11. To attempt to lay a new foundation is to build upon the sand; and to attempt to lay the old foundation over again is only to seek to overturn it. The foundation just as it is cannot be improved.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.9

“Worth Telling” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The patient Job had something worth telling to his companions. He was leading a very monotonous life at the time,—sitting in sackcloth and ashes day after day, crushed and helpless beneath his burden of affliction. But this does not affect the wonderful knowledge that had come to him, or his appreciation of the great truth. So worthy of telling did he think it that he exclaimed, “Oh, that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” Job 19:23, 24.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.10

And what words were they that he wished so recorded? “I know that my Redeemer liveth!” The glory of that mighty truth eliminated all the darkness of his surroundings. The two disciples with whom Jesus journeyed to Emmaus, when He had made Himself known to them, rose up and returned in haste to their companions at Jerusalem; and the word they brought was the same which Job had uttered,—“I know that my Redeemer liveth!” And what a wonderful message they deemed it! Yet it is no less wonderful to-day to the person who grasps and knows it.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 65.11

The resurrection of Christ was for ages a fact of prophecy, and for other ages it has been a fact of history; but how few have never known it in truth. It cannot be known but as a revelation from God. And when it is known,—when the individual can say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” he sees it to be the transcendent truth, the one fact of all others most worth telling, and most needful to be learned by a sinful world.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.1

“Studies in Romans. The Glorious Gospel. Romans 10:1-21” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Let it be remembered that the ninth chapter of Romans sets forth the condition of Israel according to the flesh-they who are called Israel. They are “accursed from Christ.” They “followed after the law of righteousness,” but did not attain to righteousness, because they sought it not by faith, but by works. The Gentiles, therefore, gained the precedence over them, because they sought righteousness in the right way, namely, by faith. Thus were fulfilled the words of Christ to the self-righteous Jews: “The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you;” and again, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:31, 43.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.2

But the Lord did not cast off His people because they stumbled at the stone which He had placed for a foundation. He endured with much longsuffering even the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. So the apostle continues:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.3

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.4

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.5

3 For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.6

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.7

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.8

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.9

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.10

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach;PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.11

9 That if thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.12

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.13

11 For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.14

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.15

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.16

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.17

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.18

16 But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.19

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.20

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.21

19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.22

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.23

21 But to Israel He saith, All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.24

This is quite a long portion of scripture, yet it is all so closely connected that it seems necessary to consider the whole at one study. Of course our study must be only in outline, just to prepare the way for further study; and we can afford room for only a few of the usualPTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.25

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

What was Paul’s earnest desire for Israel?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.26

“That they might be saved.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.27

What good thing did he testify that they had?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.28

“They have a zeal of God,” or for God.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.29

But in what essential thing was it lacking?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.30

It was “not according to knowledge.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.31

Of what were they ignorant?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.32

“Ignorant of God’s righteousness.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.33

What did this ignorance lead them to do?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.34

To seek “to establish their own righteousness.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.35

What was the result?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.36

“They did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” R.V.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.37

Where only can the end of the law be found?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.38

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.39

What is the description of the righteousness which is of faith?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.40

“The word is very nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.41

On what terms will anyone be saved?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.42

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.43

How then does righteousness come?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.44

“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.45

Who will be saved?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.46

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.47

What is necessary in order that men call on the Lord?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.48

That they should believe.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.49

And what is necessary in order that they may believe?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.50

That they should hear.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.51

And how only can they hear?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.52

When some are sent to preach.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.53

Has this condition been met?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.54

“It is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.55

Have men obeyed this Gospel message?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.56

“Isaiah says, “Lord, who hath believed our report?”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.57

How do faith and hearing come?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.58

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.59

Although they have not all believed, have they not all heard?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.60

“Yes verily.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.61

What evidence is there of this?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.62

“Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.63

What was the result of this preaching?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.64

“I was found of them that sought Me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after Me.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.65

Did God therefore leave Israel to their own destruction?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.66

“To Israel He saith, All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.67

Zeal without Knowledge.—“It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.” Zeal is very necessary to the accomplishment of anything; but zeal without knowledge is like a wild horse without bit or bridle. There is plenty of activity, but it is of no use. Or it is like the man who displays great zeal and earnestness in reaching a certain place, but who is travelling in the wrong direction. No matter how zealous a man may be, he will never reach a place that is north of him by travelling southward. Ignorance nullifies zeal. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 66.68

Israel’s Ignorance.-They were “ignorant of God’s righteousness.” It is a kind of ignorance that did not cease with the generation then living, and which is not confined to any certain people. But that which made it so much worse in this instance was that this ignorance of God’s righteousness was coupled with the highest profession of serving Him.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.1

God’s Righteousness.-The righteousness of God is something besides a name. It is something far different from a form of words, or even the mere statement of a law. It is nothing less than the life and character of God. As there cannot be sweetness apart from something that is sweet, so there is no such thing as abstract righteousness. Righteousness must necessarily be connected with some living being. But God alone is righteous. See Mark 10:18. Therefore wherever righteousness is, there God must be active. Righteousness is the essential characteristic of God.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.2

Form and Fact.-The Jews had “the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law;” but they had not the truth itself. The law of God, as written on the tables of stone, or in a book, is as perfect as it could possibly be. But there was just the same difference between that and the real law that there is between a photograph of a man and the man himself. It was but a shadow. There was no life in the written characters, and they could not do anything. They were simply the statement of that which exists only in the life of God.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.3

Empty Righteousness.-The Jews very well knew that the words on the stone or in the book could not do anything; and since they were ignorant of the righteousness of which those words were but the description, they went about to establish a righteousness of their own. This they would never have done if they had not been ignorant of God’s righteousness. Of that the psalmist says, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains.” Psalm 26:6. They were trying to produce from themselves the essential attribute of God. Such an effort, no matter how great the zeal, could end only in miserable failure. Saul of Tarsus was “more exceedingly zealous of the traditions” of the fathers than any others of his class, yet when he came to a right understanding, those things that were gain to him he was obliged to count but loss. That is, the more he did to establish his own righteousness, the worse off he became.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.4

Submitting to Righteousness.-If the Jews had not been ignorant of God’s righteousness, they would not have attempted to establish a righteousness of their own. They tried to make God’s righteousness submit to them, whereas they should have submitted to it. God’s righteousness is active. It is his own life. Just as the air will rush into any place where there is an opening, so the righteous life of God will fill every heart that is open to receive it. When men try to handle the law of God, they invariably pervert it, and fit it to their own ideas; the only way to have its perfection appear is to submit to it, allowing it to rule. Then it will work itself out in the life. “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good-pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.5

The End of the Law.—“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” 1 Timothy 1:5. Charity is love, and “love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10. Therefore the end of the law is its perfect fulfilment. That is self-evident. It makes no difference in what sense the word “end” is taken. Suppose it be used in the common sense of “object.” It is very plain that the things which it requires shall be done. Or use the word “end” in the ordinary sense of the farthest extent, and we have the same thing. You arrive at the end of a law only when you reach the utmost limit of its requirement.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.6

Christ the End of the Law.-We have seen that the end or object of the law is the righteousness which it requires. So it is said that Christ is the end of the law “for righteousness.” The law of God is the righteousness of God. See Isaiah 51:6, 7. But this righteousness is the real life of God himself, and the words of the law are only the shadow of it. That life is found only in Christ, for He alone declares the righteousness of God. Romans 3:24, 25. His life is the law of God, since God was in Him. That which the Jews had only in form, is found in fact only in Christ. In Him the end of the law is found. Does any one say that “the end of the law” means its abolition? Very well; when they find the abolition of Christ, they will have found the abolition of the law, and not before. Only a study of the life of Christ will reveal the righteousness which the law of God requires.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.7

To Whom?-To whom is Christ the end of the law for righteousness? “To every one that believeth.” Christ dwells in the heart by faith. Ephesians 3:17. The perfect righteousness of the law is found only in him. It is in Him in absolute perfection. Therefore since Christ dwells in the heart of the believer, in Him only is the end of the law attained. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:29. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.8

Doing to Live and Living to Do.-The righteousness which is of the law, that is, men’s own righteousness (see Philippians 3:9), is on the principle of doing something in order to live. The mere statement of the case is sufficient to show its impossibility; for life must necessarily precede action. A dead body does not do something in order that it may live, but it must be given life in order that it may do something. Peter did not tell the dead Dorcas to do some more charitable work, to sew some more garments, in order that she might live, but in the name of Jesus he restored her to life, in order that she might pursue her good works. The man that doeth those things shall live in them, but he must first live before he can do them. Therefore the righteousness which is of the law is but an empty dream. Christ gives life, even the eternal and righteous life of God, which works righteousness in the soul that it has quickened.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.9

Christ the Word.-Verses 6-8 of this chapter are a direct quotation from Deuteronomy 30:11-14. Moses had been rehearsing the law to the people, and exhorting them to obedience, and told them that the commandment was not “far off,” so that they needed to send some one to bring it to them, “but the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” Paul, writing by inspiration of the Spirit, quotes the words of Moses, and shows that they refer to Christ. Christ is the Word, the commandment, which is not “far off,” which needs not to be brought down from heaven, nor to be raised from the dead. Let the reader compare these two portions of Scripture very carefully, and he will clearly see that the real commandment of the Lord is nothing less than Christ.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 67.10

Law and Life.-This truth was not necessarily hidden till the New Testament was written. The thoughtful Jew in the days of Moses could clearly understand that only in the life of God could the righteousness of the law be found. Moses said: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live; that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him; for He is thy life, and the length of thy days.” Deuteronomy 30:19, 20. In setting the law before the people, Moses set before them the life of God, and that is to be found only in Christ. “I know that his commandment is life everlasting.” John 12:50. “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.1

The Word Very Near.-Remembering that the word is Christ, we read, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach.” Is Christ so near as that? Indeed He is; for He Himself says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Revelation 3:20. It is not alone to the good that He is near, but He is “not far from every one of us.” Acts 17:27. So near is He that “in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” We cannot reach out our hand without finding Him. Christ is in the heart even of wicked men, waiting for them to recognise the fact that already exists, and will in all their ways acknowledge Him; then He will dwell in their hearts “by faith.” He will then direct them in all their ways. In nothing is the love of Christ more fully shown than in His dwelling with sinful men, and enduring all their hatefulness, in order that by His patience He may win them from their evil ways.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.2

Belief in the Resurrection.—“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” He “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25. And “He died for all.” He tasted death for every man. Therefore He was raised for the justification of every man. To believe in the heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, is to believe that He justifies me. The one who does not believe that Jesus does cleanse him from sin, does not really believe that God has raised him from the dead; for we can not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, without believing that for which He was raised. The resurrection of Jesus is much less generally believed than is commonly supposed.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.3

Not Ashamed.-The root of the word “believe” indicates a foundation, something upon which one can build. To believe on Jesus is to build upon Him. He is the tried stone, the sure foundation, the Rock. Isaiah 28:16. Whosoever builds upon Him will not be obliged to flee in confusion when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow and beat upon his house; for He is the Rock of Ages.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.4

No Difference.-The keynote of the Gospel call is “whosoever.” “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” No distinction is made; “for there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek.” Read again the second and third chapters of Romans, and the fourth also. Indeed, the whole book of Romans gives a death-blow to that wicked idea that God is partial, and that he favours some people more than others. The idea that God has special blessings for one nation of earth that He has not for others, no matter whether that one nation be called Jews, Israelites, Anglo-Saxons, Englishmen, or anything else, is a direct denial of the Gospel of the grace of God.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.5

The Gospel to All.-The 13th, 14th, and 15th verses show the steps necessary for salvation. First, men must call upon the Lord. But in order to call upon Him, they must believe in Him. But they can not hear without someone being sent. But preachers have been sent, yet all have not believed and obeyed, although they have all heard. What have they all heard?—They have all heard the word of God. In proof of this, the apostle says that faith comes by hearing the word of God, and adds: “Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” All in the world have heard, and there is no excuse for unbelief on the part of any. Read again Romans 1:16-20.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.6

Glorious Preachers.-The Gospel of Christ is “the glorious Gospel.” It shines its way into the heart. See 2 Corinthians 4:4. So it is fitting that those who preach it should be arrayed in glory. The sun, moon, and stars are the beautiful “preachers” whose words have gone to the ends of the world. They preach the glorious Gospel of Christ. They are a continual example of the right way to preach the Gospel they shine forth the glory of God. So the apostle says to us who have heard and believed the word, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of the darkness into His marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. The Gospel is the revelation of God to men. “God is light,” therefore the proclaiming of the Gospel consists in showing forth His light. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.7

“Love and Pity” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Love and Pity.—“In His love and in His pity He redeemed them.” Isaiah 63:9. It is not pity alone that moves the heart of God towards man, but it is love also. There may be a pity without love; but there can never be love without pity for the object if in distress. It is easy to understand how a good God could pity creatures who were in great need; but that He should love with intense desire poor, sinful men,—this is love that passeth understanding.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 68.8

“Rome. The Fourth Kingdom” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

“In that elder day, to be a Roman,
Was greater than a king.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.1

“And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron; forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.” Daniel 2:40.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.2

We have learned the names of the first three empires symbolised by the gold, the silver, and the brass of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The head of gold represent Babylon, whose universal dominion lasted from 606 to 538 B.C. The breast and arms of silver represented the Medo-Persian Empire, which from 538 to 311 B.C. ruled the territory that had formed the Babylonian Empire. And the belly and thighs of brass symbolised the kingdom of Greece, which, in the year 331 B.C., began to “bear rule over all the earth.” Each one of these kingdoms was universal; therefore the fourth kingdom, which was represented by iron, must also be universal. We must expect to see it as much more powerful than either of the preceding as iron is stronger than gold, silver, or brass. This is indicated by the words of the prophet, “And as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.3

The name of this fourth kingdom is not given, but we have the data by which it is easily ascertained. The four universal kingdoms, with the kingdoms into which the fourth was to be divided, cover the history of the world until the end of time, when the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which “shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Now since there are but four universal monarchies from the days of Nebuchadnezzar till the end of time, and we have the names of three of them, it is evident that if anywhere in history we find any mention of a universal kingdom other than one of those already found, it will be the one sought,—the one represented by the iron legs of the image. Here, as in the case of each of the other kingdoms, the Bible furnishes us with what we want. It says:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.4

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from C?sar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.5

One needs only to hear the words “C?sar” and “Augustus,” to have Rome brought to his mind,—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.6

“Rome, That sat on her seven hills, and from her throne
Of beauty ruled the world.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.7

Rome, then, is the fourth universal monarchy,—the one represented by the legs of iron.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.8

After the death of Alexander, his empire was divided into four parts, namely, Macedon, Thrace, Syria, and Egypt. The history of these divisions of the Grecian Empire, for the next two hundred years, is one of continual warfare for the supremacy. All this time Rome was developing, and enlarging her borders. The year 171 B.C. found Rome engaged in war with Perseus, king of the Macedonian division of the Grecian Empire. The war continued three years, and its result is thus described by Prof. Arthur Gilman:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.9

“In 168 the Romans met the army of Perseus at Pydna, in Macedonia, north of Mount Olympus, on the 22nd June, and utterly defeated it. Perseus was afterward taken prisoner and died at Alba. From the battle of Pydna the great historian Polybius, who was a native of Megalopolis, dates the complete establishment of the universal empire of Rome, since after that no civilised State ever confronted her on an equal footing, and all the struggles in which she engaged were rebellions or wars with ‘barbarians’ outside of the influence of Greek or Roman civilisation, and since all the world recognised the Senate as the tribunal of last resort in differences between nations.”—Story of Rome.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.10

In “Prideaux’s Connexion” (part 2, book 3) we find testimony to the same effect. In the record of the year 168 B.C., Prideaux tells of the embassy which the Roman Senate sent to command Antiochus to desist from his contemplated war upon Egypt. Popillius, the chief of the embassy, met Antiochus near Alexandria, and delivered to him the decree of Rome. “Antiochus having read the decree, told Popillius he would consult with his friends about it, and speedily give him the answer they would advise; but Popillius insisting on an immediate answer, drew a circle around him [Antiochus] in the sand with the staff which he had in his hand, and required him to give his answer before he stirred out of that circle; at which strange and peremptory way of proceeding Antiochus being startled, after a little hesitation, yielded to it, and told the ambassador that he would obey the command of the Senate.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.11

Picture the scene-Antiochus fully armed, at the head of a vast army, surrounded by his generals, yet obeying the decree that was brought him by an unarmed citizen of Rome!PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.12

These quotation serve to corroborate the conclusion already arrived at, that Rome was the fourth universal empire. A very few quotations, out of the many at hand, will suffice to show the extent and power of Rome. Gibbon says:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.13

“The empire of the Romans filled the world, and when that empire fell into the hands of a single person, the world became a safe and dreary prison for his enemies. The slave of imperial despotism, whether he was condemned to drag his gilded chain in Rome and the Senate, or to wear out a life of exile on the barren rock of Seriphus, or the frozen banks of the Danube, expected his fate in silent despair. To resist was fatal, and it was impossible to fly. On every side he was encompassed with a vast extent of sea and land, which he could never hope to traverse without being discovered, seized, and restored to his irritated master. Beyond the frontiers, his anxious view could discover nothing, except the ocean, inhospitable desert, hostile tribes of barbarians, of fierce manners and an unknown language, or dependent kings, who would gladly purchase the emperor’s protection by the sacrifice of an obnoxious fugitive. ‘Wherever you are,’ said Cicero to the exiled Marcellus, ‘remember that you are equally within the power of their conqueror.’”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.14

Again, the historian Gibbon, in recording the universal conquest of Rome, makes an unmistakable reference to Daniel 2:40, in the following words:PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.15

“The ambitious design of conquest, which might have been defeated by the seasonable conspiracy of mankind, was attempted and achieved; and the perpetual violation of justice was maintained by the political virtues of prudence and courage. The arms of the republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the Rhine, and the ocean; and the images of gold, or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations and their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 69.16

“‘Ice Age Doubts’” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Under this appropriate heading the Chronicle mentions a lecture recently delivered in London by A. W. Clayden, M.A., on the subject of the conflicting theories which have been put forth to account for the great “glacial epoch” of geological literature. It was stated that “the glacial period and its problems have perplexed the scientific mind greatly during the past thirty or forty years, and we appear to be no nearer a satisfactory answer at the end of the controversy than at the beginning.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 70.1

The Astronomical theory accounts for the supposed epoch upon the hypothesis of “recurrent glacial periods shifting about alternatively from one pole to another every 10,500 years.” But this we are told has been practically disproved by the investigations of geologists. This theory fixes the “ice age” at 80,000 years in the past: but on the other hand equally scientific evidence gathered from the gradual recession of Niagara Falls “puts it at not more than 10,000.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 70.2

The astronomical theory assumes a great and general fall in temperature at that remote period, a rising from some peculiar “position of the earth in regard to the sun;” but again science comes and contradicts this by asserting that even had such a coldness arisen in the relations of the sun with his supposed offspring, this would not suffice to account for the glaciers; for in some of the coldest regions of the earth, as in parts of Siberia, glaciers never form. Not only cold, but a marked elevation of the earth is necessary; and hence the meteorological theory is propounded, which assumes an elevation of a great part of the earth’s surface 3,000 or 4,000 feet above its present level, into the perpetual snow region of the atmosphere. But geology deals this theory a knockout blow by declaring that it finds no evidence of such an elevation of the affected regions. It does find, however, “some evidence that Central America had once been submerged;” and it is deemed “quite possible upon this hypothesis to make out that there would have been such a disturbance of aerial and ocean currents” therefrom as would account for a glacial epoch over North America and Northwest Europe. In the face of all this, we are told, the actual existence of such an epoch is “the only well-established fact.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 70.3

But there is no evidence to support the “well-established fact.” The scattered boulders, corroded surfaces of earth, and pulverised débris of rock are found, but the existence of such things proves nothing as to the unknown agency. A man, let us suppose, is suspected of murder; no one saw him do the deed, but it is evident that he had the ability to do it. The body has been found, with the marks of violence upon it; and different theories are put forth as to how the suspected person might have done the deed. All the theories that can be thought of contradict one another, and not one is sufficient to account for the supposed crime; whereupon the judge solemnly declares that in view of all that has been produced upon the case, the one well-established fact is that the accused person committed the murder! What would be thought of such proceedings in a court of law?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 70.4

The word of God declares that some thousands of years ago, in the days of Noah, there was a flood over all the earth. “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeeth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” Genesis 7:11. To-day, however, men see no evidences of a flood, when the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the waters burst forth with indescribable violence from the bowels of the earth, to combine their destructive power with the fury of the storm above. They see only evidences of a “glacial epoch,” by which the record of God’s word is contradicted. Peter tells us that “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 70.5

Who can imagine a storm in which a world would perish? What imagination can picture such terrific violence of the elements? Who can compute the energy and results of the forces that were then at work? Could the human mind grasp in its nature and details a catastrophe so stupendous, it would be perceived to be fully adequate to account for all the phenomena from which men deduce so many theories contradictory to the Mosaic record. People who are so incredulous to accept the reasonable statements of God’s word, are always credulous enough to accept the most absurd and unreasonable theories that originate in the mind of man.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 70.6

“Intellectual vs. Spiritual” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

The idea prevails that many who desire to see the children and youth better educated in Bible knowledge that the result which the Board school and the church have failed to accomplish, can be obtained by placing the Bible in the public schools. A religious journal comments upon a recent examination of a class of thirty-four young men in an American college, regarding their knowledge of Scripture, by means of a number of selections from Tennyson’s poem, each containing some scriptural allusion. It was found that the large majority knew of Hezekiah’s prayer, Jonah’s gourd, the sheet let down before Peter, Pharaoh’s darkness, the mark of Cain, etc. And this the journal points to as a result of the “expelled Bible,” and affirms that it “throws a most lurid light on the problem of the Bible and the public school.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 71.1

But such a statement of the case is wholly short-sighted and misleading. The real question is not whether the youth could, by the means proposed get some knowledge of Bible history, characters, and literature. Undoubtedly they would; but this is not the real thing that is wanted. It is not the lack of mere intellectual knowledge in this direction that occasions the popular concern. The real want is for that knowledge which will affect the characters and lives of the youth, and lead them, as they grow up, in the pathway of righteousness. And the short-sightedness which is so commonly displayed in the matter, is in seeing no difference between that knowledge which has power to change the heart, and that which merely adds to the intellectual resources of the mind.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 71.2

Many infidels have a fair knowledge of what the Bible narrates as ancient history, and many more are familiar with it from a literary point of view, whose lives are an every-day denial of Christian truth. If all the thirty-four young men had shown themselves familiar with the few salient points of Bible history upon which they were examined, that would have furnished no proof on the question of whether their characters were moral or immoral. It would not have demonstrated any knowledge on their part of the power of godliness. It would not have revealed whether the Bible was to them what “it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13), or whether they received it as they would the word of man.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 72.1

The Bible is the word of God, and spiritual. It may be viewed merely as a history, or as a book of ancient classical literature. But it is infinitely more than this. It is a Divine revelation of spiritual truth. And that truth must be spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14. Spiritual discernment and intellectual discernment are different things. The latter can be promoted by the aid of the public schools; but the former can come only through Divine enlightenment. And therefore the schools are just as powerless as any other human agency to supply the lack that is felt in the moral education of the youth.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 72.2

It is of but little profit to take the Bible as a text book of ancient character, life, and literature. What the Bible reveals to men is God. And always, this revelation must come through the enlightenment of the Spirit, who is the Guide into all spiritual truth. John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11. Only that agency which is itself Divine can be the channel of that truth which is able to exert an elevating, sanctifying power upon the life, whether of old or young.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 72.3

“What Shall We Do with Our Daughters?” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

A question that seems to be perplexing many people at the present day, both in this country and elsewhere is, “What shall we do with our daughters?” Christianity has an answer for this: Give them to the Lord. He wants them and has a right to them; and if they are given early enough, no insurmountable difficulties will stand in the way. People are often at a loss to know what to do with themselves until they give themselves to God; and very often at the end of life they realise with vain regret that they have done the wrong thing; but God never makes any mistakes.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 72.4

“News of the Week” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

-Parliament reassembles on Feb. 5.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.1

-Thirty-three fatal accidents occurred in the Alps last year.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.2

-It is reported that gold in paying quantities has been discovered in the Isle of Man.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.3

-The President of the Argentine Republic has signed owing to the Amnesty Law passed by engross.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.4

-The Czar has appointed a Commission to raise the existing regulations governing the foreign rose censorship,PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.5

-A lady of high social standing in Antwerp as been charged with poisoning three of her relatives in order to obtain their life insurance.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.6

-News was received Jan 24 of the foundering of the steamship “Chicora” in a gale on Lake Michigan, causing a loss of twenty-nine lives.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.7

-The Kaiser, who has been in turn soldier, poet, and journalist, has now turned artist, and as presented some of his drawings to the Reichstag.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.8

-King Menelek, who claims to be a direct ascendant of the Queen of Sheba, is preparing an army, which he will lead against the Italians the have invaded Abyssinia.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.9

-The Greek Government has resigned, ostensibly on the ground of the interference of the crown Prince, who was received at an anti-Ministerial public mooting with great enthusiasm.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.10

-Nothing has been done at the Diglake pit, forth Staffordshire, for the imprisoned miners, all attempts at rescue having proved fruitless. Subscriptions are coming in rapidly for the fund organised for the relief of the distressed relatives of the entombed miners.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.11

-Severe storms and gales were reported Jan. 13 from many parts of the country, and great damage has been done to property. Calais Harbour was blocked with wreckage from a barque which collided with the pier and was sunk. The Channel service was suspended.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.12

-Cardinal Vaughan has just had an interview with the Pope, which was “of a very cordial character.” He did not, however, agree with the latter in regard to the question of Anglican conversions to Rome, and the Pope will, therefore, not submit his project of union to the coming conference of Cardinals.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.13

-Time seems to lay his finger but lightly on some of the peculiar mourning customs of certain classes in Ireland. It is reported that recently an aged woman, a rag-gatherer, died in Galway, and at the “wake” the apartment was crowded with men and women and turned into a concert room. The men danced jigs to the music of a tin whistle, and some of them actually danced with the corpse itself, which had been removed from the bed and placed upright against the wall.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.14

-The question of a Pacific Ocean cable from Canada to Australia, touching at the Hawaiian Islands, is causing much discussion as to the designs of Great Britain toward the Islands, and the proper attitude to be assumed by the United States. President Cleveland has stated that the United States regard Hawaii as a foreign country. But in this view he stands opposed to the American Senate, and doubtless to the great majority of the American people. The recent revolutionary movement at Honolulu has helped to force the present Crisis upon the fledgling republic.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.15

-Notwithstanding the difficulties of the season, the Japanese are prosecuting their war against China with vigour, and advancing toward Peking. Their fleet successfully bombarded Teng-chowfoo, and about 2,000 troops were landed there. At the same time the third Japanese army corps, numbering about 25,000, effected a landing at Yungtcheng, on the other side of Welheiwei, which It is believed will be attacked by the combined land forces and from the sea. As a matter of precaution, sailors have been landed from the British, American, German, and French war-ships at Chefoo, and are patrolling the streets in the European quarter.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 78.16

“Back Page” The Present Truth 11, 5.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

It is estimated that nearly a million and a half of working-men are constantly out of employment in the United Kingdom.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.1

“It is a startling fact,” says the Echo, “that vagrancy is increasing by leaps and bounds in the provinces.” In Somersetshire it has increased in two years from 29,000 to 40,000, but the chief constable declares that the increase is mainly composed of men willing to work and unable to find employment.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.2

The difference between the priest of “the Church” and the one High Priest is very simple, but it is as great as the difference between heaven and earth. Jesus Christ is priest for the purpose of bringing men to God, and uniting them with Him; the priests of earth serve the purpose of keeping men away from God, uniting them to themselves.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.3

At the annual dinner of the publicans at Wakefield, Archbishop Dunne, vicar of Wakefield, is reported to have said:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.4

There was a good deal of common ground between the clergy and the licensed victuallers. Neither the Church nor the “trade” was perfect. They both had their difficulties, and the complaint of one was the complaint of the other-they were too much tied by the leg. What they asked in the Church and the “trade” was freedom of action and the power to reform themselves. He bid the good men in the ‘trade” be proud of their position, and not be much upset by a little criticism.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.5

Comment on such a speech would be superfluous.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.6

The following words from a standard Roman Catholic work, “Plain Talk for Protestants,” plainly state the Catholic view of the Sunday question:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.7

The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the Church.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.8

Of course it is. The Lord says the seventh day is the Sabbath. In the days when the great apostasy was developing the ecclesiastical leaders took over the Sunday festival from the sun-worshipping pagans among whom they lived. The Church commands one day, the Lord another, and the Lord says, “To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.” Romans 6:16.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.9

It is very easy for one to curse the Papacy, and yet unconsciously be a very child of it. The Papacy is simply the exaltation of self above God. When we choose our own way in preference to God’s way, as declared in His word, we are exalting self above God, and the wicked self is just as ready to exalt itself in the heart of the Churchman or Nonconformist as of the Catholic.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.10

One of the Protestant weeklies recently expressed delight at the appointment of a certain minister to be magistrate, and said:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.11

Clergymen of the Established Church sit on the Bench in large numbers. Why not Nonconformist clergymen too?PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.12

Yes, “Why not?” That is to say, why not have Nonconformity established as well? Why not obliterate the distinction between the church and world, by having the church do the world’s work? The apostasy in the early centuries should be a sufficient answer to the question, “Why not?”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.13

The papers report that Mr. Vanderbilt, the American millionaire, has just opened a new residence which cost him one million pounds. The opening entertainment cost ?5,000. The garden spot adjoining the house cost ?70,000, a house that cost ?25,000 being torn down to make room for the flower-beds and shrubbery.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.14

While wealth is being piled up in this fashion, and the treasures of gold heaped together are cankering and rusting, there come mutterings from desperate and poverty-stricken men who are impatiently bidding their time to possess themselves of some of the hoarded treasure. An evening paper says:—PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.15

American millionaires, representing the organised wealth of the country, have been alarmed by the frequent outbreaks and mutterings on the part of the unemployed or Socialists, or both, and are quietly making ready for an evil day, should it arise, by having certain regiments well armed and trained. These regiments are composed entirely of rich men’s sons and their friends on whom they can rely, and who are in sympathy with the wealthy members of the community. There armouries are very complete, having been organised regardless of cost.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.16

The struggle will come in every land. The word of God has pointed out the contest along these lines in the last days, and not only warns the rich of the miseries that shall come upon them because of their covetousness and oppression, but also warns the God-fearing poor of the danger of being infected with the same spirit of covetousness, which leads the desperate and lawless to resort to violence. The man who fears God is to suffer patiently “until the coming of the Lord;” “for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.17

The month of January was fairly full of extraordinary happenings. Unprecedented storms and floods have wrought havoc in England and off the coast; the mining disaster at Staffordshire caused the loss of nearly a hundred lives; a strike in Brooklyn, U.S.A., has been accompanied by the usual amount of lawlessness; in France the collapse of the Government raised grave fears of revolution; and lastly comes the news from Persia that the city of Kuchan was totally destroyed by an earthquake on the 17th, more than a thousand lives being lost.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.18

A correspondent draws our attention to a dangerously ingenious but in our opinion illegal, device. It is a “penny-in-the-slot” apparatus which can be fitted onto a beer barrel. The beer is drawn out in small glasses by putting a penny into the slot. At first sight this might not seem likely to increase the consumption of beer, or to be more harmful than any other way of dispensing it. But when the promoters of this latest invention informed us that “the idea is, that many customers who now send out for their beer in jugs, rather than get into debt, would prefer buying a barrel on the system of paying for the beer as it is used,” begin to see that this ingenious device is liable to a vast abuse. A Local Veto Bill would not be of much use if every house had its beer-barrel on tap, subject to the insertion of a penny in the slot. We should like to know what the licensing authorities will have to say to this. When the public-houses are closed, who is to see that persons other than those belonging to the house which contains the penny-in-the-slot barrel do not come in and help themselves on Sundays and week-days alike?—Methodist Times.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.19

Ah, there’s the rub! The thing would not be considered so objectionable if it were not that somebody might perchance drink beer on Sundays just the same as on other days. We are reminded of a man whose piety consisted in never swearing-on Sundays. He would swear like a trooper on other days, but to swear on Sundays seemed to him to be a great sin.PTUK January 31, 1895, page 80.20