Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-07
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individual responsibility to Jehovah.
strengthened their faith. aroused their
hopes and fitted them for their restora-
ton to their own land. He painted the
dawn of their promised return to Paies-
tine under the leadership of God. He
preached the message of a changed life
to fit them for the spiritual service of
Jehovah. He proclaimed the power Of
God to revive, renew and restore the ma
ton by the outpouring of His spirit. The
closing chapter of his prophecy contains
a vision Of the worship in the new tenn
pie that was filled with the glory of the
Lord. In our study last week Of the
commencement of the prophets mission
We saw how he began with vision OF
God. In this week he presents in the
parable of the life-giving river a vision
of the people. reconciled through divine
grace, revived by the outpouring of God s
spirit and restored by Jehovahs presence
among his people. The prophet encour-
ages the scattered nation to hope for a
revelation of Gods power in them that
would lead to marvellous developments.
Expansion.
The coming greatness of Gods people
grew on the prophet. The divine guide
had to show Ezekiel more than once the
future possibilities. when, with changed
heart, the citizens of the kingdom con-
formed their lives TO Gods will and wor.
SHIPPED their Lord in spirit and in truth.
A new city, with dimensions SURPRISING
the boundaries of Palestine, and with a
temple covering a greater area than the
ancient capital city, was to be the center
OF the worldwide influence of the re-
stored nation. The secret of the wonder
full development was that God was with
Ills people. In the final message of Christ
to his church, commanding that they
commence crusade to win the world for
Him, our Lord promised to be with His
people in the work of evangelization. en-
listment and education. Whenever the
church has kept true to this three-feld
service conquest has crowned her eff
forts. Christs presence, power and pro-
gram depends on our doing all three
things that He commanded. The progress
of the church is we'll illustrated by the
life-giving stream that ran out from the
temple The waters issuing from its
threshold came from God. The develop
ment of the stream that first trickled
forth and that later Ezekiel found to be
first ankle deep. then knee deep, then
waist deep. then waters to swim In was
due not to any contrtbutory stream. 1t
revealed not only the presence but the
power of God with His people. Christ
with us has been the means of our sue
cess. The church's greatest danger comes
from its prosperity. When the blessings
of God increase the power of the church
we are apt 10 lOtStt TIC SouSc III
success is not man, method or money.
but Christ endowed with all power and
authority who has been with His church
since the baptism of the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost.
The achievements of the past century
in pagan lands and reflex influence on the
churches of Christ that have compiled
with His command to preach the gospel
to every creature reveal the present
power of Christ. AT the dawn OF the
modern missionary movement Englands
leading statesman sneered at the story of
the cross. The university students OF
America proudly proclaim their atheistic
ideals by assuming the names OF promi-
nent European agnostic leaders. Today
we are in the beginning OF a new move
ment, men and religion, that appears to
be filled with great spiritual promise. 1t
Is the natural reaction from the laymanS
missionary movement that aroused the
men of our churches to their response
bility to carry the gospel to the world.
been paralleled at home. Scholars, states
men and scientists acknowledge today
the power of the gospel of Christ. OAR
win was led to contribute regularly to
missionary enterI rises by the trans
formation he saw produced among the
heathens by the gospel. The one who Of
fered living waters is leading His church
to send the water OF life to all. The
spirit of unrest in the world is due to our
Masters hand. who is preparing for the
worlds conversion to His cause. The
small band that followed Christ has con-
tinued TO grow and today gives promise
OF conquering all nations for our risen
lord.