Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-17
DIVINE puRposEs rxpLAINED.
aOrden. nan. Man. 10. lgOg.

ogden, Utah, May. 10, 1902.
Editor News"
"Wlll you please explain the meaning
OF the following passage, Mark W. l2'
"That seeing they may see, and not
perceive; and hearing they may hear
and not understand, lest at any time
they should be converted, and their sins
should be forgiven them
was not ChrIsts mission to convert
and to grant forgiveness to the re-
pentant believer
The passage cited Is quotation
made by the savior from Isaiah VI y
10. by reference to It the meaning will
be made clear. The blindness and deaf
ness and failure to understand, were
spiritual deficiencies that were TO come
upon a people who had departed from
the ways Of the Lord, and were to be
but temporary. IT was designed In the
first place as a punishment, and In the
next place as means Of bringing the
subject Of that punishment TO repen-
lance and conversion when the appoint
ed time should come. Isaiah inquired,
Lord how long," and the answer
came Until the cities be wasted With
out inhabitant, and the houses With
out man, and the land be utterly des'
olate. from. xl,
when Peter the Apostle preached to
the Jews who had participated In or
consented TO, the crucidxion OF the
Prince Of Life, he exhorted them TO
repent, 30 that their sins might be
blottaa oIt. when the times Of refresh
ing shall come from the presence OF
the Lord" Those times were not to
be until the restitution Of all things
and the second advent Of the Redeem
err" Acts III, 1921
Paul, writing to the Romans referred
to this same passage in Isaiah and ar.
gued that lsraelhad their eyes darkened
that they might not see, for the time
being but that they should eventually
be restored, and showed that Through
their fall salvation had come to the
Gentlles." That the blindness that had
fallen upon Israel was to be until the
fulness Of the Gentlles be come IN
and then, he said all Israel shall be
saved" and further he added For
God hath concluded them all In unbe-
lief, that he might have mercy upon
ALL"
There are times and seasons in which |
God works for the accomplishment OF |
his purposes, for the execution Of justice,
and for the extension eventually OF the |
arm OF mercy. Nations are sometimes
placed under the ban OF his displeasure
because OF their national acts, and
blessings which might have come 10
hem but for their evil works, are With
held until the set time for their re-
lemptlon.
In these provldences He who views
III things from the standpoint OF eter.
nifty, has regard 10 the ultimate saliva
ion OF his children Of every race and
tribe and tongue. which 'can only be
brought about through their obedience
10 the principles Of right and truth |
md the acceptance OF His Son as their
Redeemer and King, That which can
not be fully effected in this life will be
accomplished hereafter Darkness may !
come upon the inhabitants Of the earth
for a season IN consequence OF trans
gression, but the light win surely shine
In due time, and all who will receive
It and bow the Knee TO the King OF !
kings will be Converted, and healed"
and lifted ny into some sphere suited
to their capacity and In glory which
they are able to abide and which VIII
endure forever.