The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-09-12

-.SOS01GLy AuSiou respecting
- - the future, be-
cause we have not studied the Bibles
testimony critically. For thirteen cen
turtles the Bible was almost unknown.
The bishops Of the Church were erro-
neously supposed to be successors Of
the Apostles and to speak with the
same Divine inspiration and authority
Printing was not yet invented and
education was confined to wealthy
few. No wonder the inspired Mes
sage was lost in a mass of human
tradition, much of which was devilish
nonsense! We have been gradually
progressing from darkness to light,
though fettered by hobgoblin figures
and each others threats and perver-
sions Of the Divine Message. 1t is
safe to say that the Bible is being
more critically studied today by ear
nest Christians Of all denominations
Of this study, and the advantages Of
our time, are manifeshng themselves.
Divine harmonies are filing heads and
hearts once distracted by clashing
creeds. Take our
Text as an Illustration.
Once blindly we read this Parable Of
the Sheep and Goats and applied it to
rewards and punishments as a result
Of things done In the present Age.
Now we see that its proper application
belongs altogether to the next Age Of
MeSsiah's Kingdom. 1t distinctly
states this. It is introduced thus:
when the Son Of Man shall come in
His glory, and all the holy angels with
Him, then shall He sit upon the Throne
gathered all nations, and He shall sep
arate them one from another as the
shepherd divideth the sheep from the
goats
The Church is not included in this
parable at all. 1t relates, as we see, to
the world-"GIl nations" Other Scrip
lures show us that when the nations
shall thus undergo their trial for life
or death everlasting the Church will be
glorifed. AS the Bride Of Christ she
shall sit 10ith Him in His Throne and be
associated in His work Of Judging the
world. Note how clearly st. Paul ex-
presses this, saying. know ye not
that the saints shall judge the world?"
q Corinthians vi, 2) Thus it is the
,oorld's Judgment Day that he else
where mentions, saying, God hath ap-
pointed a Day (futurc-a thousand
year Day-the Day Of CHRISTI, in the
which He will judge the world in
righteousness by that Man whom He
hath IN M -,
A right understanding Of the doc
trine of Election helps us gradually to
proper view Of the Divine Program
The CHURCH is being selected out Of
the world according to faithfulness
and Acknowledgements, In prepara-
ton for great service for the non-elect.
The Messianic Kingdom, with Christ
and the Church in control as the Royal
Priesthood, is appointed for the very
purpose Of blessing the ,non-elect
world-"all nations" For thousand
years the work Of bringing all to
knowledge Of the Truth will progress
To this end Satan will be bound at the
very beginning Of the thousand years
and the light Of the knowledge Of the
glory Of God will ill the whole earth
as the waters cover the great deep.
With all thus brought to clear COM
prehension Of righteousness each will
be on trial, and will either come into
harmony with the Kingdom or remain
an alien and lover Of sin. All the lat
ter arc in the parable classcd as goats
Maynard ones-and will thus place
themselves ut tho left hand Of the
ktng-in His disfavor. On the con-
trary, all who learn the ways Of the
Lord and come into accord Herewith,
are symbolically styled "shccD" in the
parable, and by their conduct will
gradually take their places at the
Kings right hand, or place Of favor.
Sheep-Goats-Fre.
The Parable shows the conclusion
Of the worlds Judgment. All will
then have taken their places. either
as sheep or as goats in the
Kings favor or in Ills dSfavor. The
sheep class will then hear Ills "NVell
DONE" Come, yc blessed Of My Fa-
Their, inherit the Kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation OF the
world"-from the time the world was
Observation-Disclosures XIV, y. HS, 81
The world was made for mankind
Adam being it's representative was the
King Of earth. He lost his dominion