The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-22
&iass&ae iasae &aeiseseasssAx&aaka1sxss'siss < ss'siss ss'sis; ssase
 < A NEW HEAVEN x AND A NEW EARTH.
(Rev. xxi: 1-7; 22-27.)


 We are now come to the last sec tion in the last book of the New Testa- ment, when we do well to approach with great reverence and trepIdation. Confessedly the passage is exceedingly obscure. No one is able to give full account of what the Holy Spirit in- tended to teach. As suggested last week the interpretation of the whole book must be in the future. when. i@ all probability. light will be shed upon It's pages which will bear instruction and comfort for all believers. This has been the feeling of scholars through all the centuries. Calmet, an eminent French theologian, who hcurished two centuries ago. said, ITO pretend to say what Is meant by the details in this most fgurative book (Revelation) Is tn my opinion the greatest of all presump- tions." These words have been re- peatedly quoted with approval The more reverent the student of sacred Scripture the less likely will he be to to utter opinions dogmatically upon matters concerning which the iear:cd are in doubt, the more disposed will he be to set forth his views tentatively and to pray for further light.
 These cautions are offered at the opening of todays lesson because there IS an unprofitable and even pernlclous custom among a class of lay teachers to thrust crude notions before the minds of the young. Perhaps no part of the Bible more than the present les son is capable of greater abuse in this way. It's glowing figures appeal in Fascinating way to the imagination. AS a result many form ideas in early lire which become troublesome in later years as knowledge increases. After long mental distress in which one vain ly attempts to exGmine the very foun- dation of religious belief the juvenile absurdities are reected. Possibly the Ierson wanders about for years arter fin much susT ensa ccming at length to correct views only by prolonged inves- tigation. Much of this might De avoided if teachers were more humble and less positive. They lose nothing by confessinx doubt or ignorance con corning the sense of any Scripture, The Bible Is not to be esteemed Hess be- cause in parts our little plummet can not sound the depths Deut. xxix Z5)
 And yet while much of what Is set for our study cannot be explained there is something of immense value In the lesson lying on It's very surface which may be easily understood. That is one of the chief excellences or Scripture. It has a message for evry soul so that he who reads whatever ms abilities, may not read in vain, while thos coming after may find what those who went before never saw. Thereby the book Is ever adapted to all, grow ing with the growth of men and ad- vancing with the progress Of the race. ever yielding up its treasures, yet ever concealing and holding other treasures in its depths. It is thus the oldest and the newest. the latest, the freshest and best of books. It is in this spirit that we may attempt such comments upon the present lesson as will be neither forced nor fanciful, but legt- time and true.
 Expository.
 The great thought of the lesson Is in the first verse, "A new Heaven and new Earth the old heaven and the old earth having passed away This Is the goal of the cosmic history, the consummation Of the Divine purpose In Christ. The old world has been world of sin. of suffering. of conflict and of death. Every land has been deluged wieh blood. (Gen vi, 5 the earth filled with righteousness. Qsa. xiv, s.. The fact first presented to the preA&ets came with greater clearness to the Apostles. QI Peter iii, 13) John saw that new earth. He does not say how it will be produced-whether by cataclysm or by gradual transforma- tion. The speculations on these points, indulged by many, are omitted here This thought of a new universe has been held by scientists and historians. Of the former some think they ind in nature tendency to improvement oy the laws of evolution, the survival or the fittest and natural selection, while those who have studied the race move- ments declare that the world is grow ing better and that 1t must ultimately come into a state of great order and peace. The poets have cherished the same thought and have pictured the future in bright colors and turned their eyes toward it with faith and hope and ioy, Tennyson wrote of lone far-off Divine event toward which the whole creation moves.' But here in the vision of John Is the clearest state ment of all. Better than the utterance of ecience, of history and of poetry Is the voice of inspiration.
 The next great thought of the lesson is introduced in the second verse and expanded in other verses. In this new earth there shall be an abiding place for the saints. called "the holy city "the new Jerusalem." Here many questions naturally arise and we must answer with caution. Is there to be real city? Will 1t take the place Of the old Jewish capital where David bad his palace? Will the city measure twelve thousand furlongs on each of its four sides? Will that city have gates of oaarIs to Ing loft ouen day and night Will the foundations of the city walls be garnished with all manner of pre- cious stones? Will the city be lighted by the glory of God? There are those who answer in the affirmative. believ- ing that the future home Of God children will be one of material grandeur and comfort. There are others who claim that these express sions are fgurative. designed to con- vey to the mind what could not be described in the abstract. These widely divergent opinions lead to conclusions that cannot be hIrmonized. and every person must determine for himself which is most reasonable. But one pont we may be certain. In that new world which John saw. of which pro- pehts. apostles and poets wrote, there will be a home for the people of God. Moreover that will have attractions and glories, suited to its inhabitants. Fur thermore it will not be of human con- struction or earthly origin. It will descend from heaven. produced by heavenly influences. What Is all this but a fulfillment of the promise of Jesus? (John xiv, 2.J
 One other great fact contained in the lesson must receive attention. In this att ahidn with His