The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-06-26

Weeping, uuu Su0So
ing of teeth" Matthew viii. II. ~
The speaker declared that in CON-
mon with the majority Of ministers he
had misinterpreted this and similar
Scriptures to refer to all the insanity
of mankind and to imply that they are
writhing in torture in hell whose To-
cation, is unknown and which be now
sees to be a human tradition without
authority Of the Word Of God.
The Pastor analysed his text and
showed that it was addressed to the
Jews, that they for sixteen centuries
had been Gods favored nation. In har-
mony with His promise to Abraham.
They had much advantage every way
over all the other nations-not only In
the fact that the promises were given
to them and the assistful influences of
the Law, but additionally that to them
we're sent the Prophets with their en-
couraglng messages.
Notwithstanding all these favors but
comparatively few Of that nation were
in the heart condition to be accepted of
God, to be Messiah's joint-heirs IN His
Kingdom. AS the natural seed Of
Abra ham they were the children or
heirs of the Kingdom. and to them
Jesus presented Himself. All of His
miracles and teachings went to them.
yet only a few were In such condition
of heart that they could receive this
Message.
In the context Jesus referred to the
fact that the Gentle centurion who
had none of lsraers privileges had
more faith than any Jew. Comment
ing upon this the Great Teacher de-
clared that God would take from the
Jews the special privileges. except
such Jews as were ''Israelites indeed"
and that He would complete the num-
Der of His elect by selection of saint
| " characters from amongst Gentiles.
The Election Hath Obtained It.
st. Paul declares. Israel hath not
obtained that which be seeketh for,
but the election hath obtained it and
the rest of the nation were blinded.
| (Romans ri. ~ The elect of Israel
were gathered into the New Dispersal
ton at Pentecost and subsequently.
while the Jewish people as Whole
became more and more blinded and
darkened in understanding until their
nation expired in time of anarchy
A. D. 20. Since then the Jews have
been in trouble. in sorrow.
It was to this very condition OF
things that Jesus referred. He used
the highly figurative language COM
mon in the East. What st. Paul styl
ed "blindness upon Israel Jesus de
scribed as going into outer darkness
losing the light Of the prophecies and
the hopes Of the Abrahamic promise
and thus getting into the same blind
and dark condition in which Gentiles
in general were. The experiences CT
the Jews during the past eighteen cen
turtles Jesus described as weeping
and crashing of teeth" His words
simply signify sorrow. disappointment
and chagrin.
Truly the Jews have had all OF these
experiences. We are glad it we see IN
Gods Word glorious prospect FOR his
ancient and Covenant people. st. Paul
calls this promise to our attention ID
Romans ri. 1888 He tells us that
Gods Covenant with Israel cannot be
broken. but will be established. and
that natural Israel shall yet receive
mercy. Divine favor, at the hands ana
through the agency Of the Church
spiritual Israel-part of whom have
been selected from the Jews and some
from every nation-all sanity.
"sit Down With Abraham"
The Great Teacher declares that
while the natural heirs Of the Mes
sianic promises would be cast out from
Divine favor. as they hare been cast
out for the past eighteen centuries-fn
the meantime Gentiles from the East
and West, North and South would be
found of similar character to the Gen.
turion whose servant was healed. And
these would sit down with Abraham
Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom, in
the sense that they enter into rest.
As st. Paul declared. 1--WE who oeleVe
do enter into rest" This is the same
rest or sitting at ease that Abraham.
Isaac and Jacob enjoyed. They mao
Gods promise that eventually he
would raise up a spiritual Seed OF
abraham through whom all the fam''
Hes Of the earth would be blessed
Abraham rested upon that promise;
m did Isaac; so did Jacob. And 80 we
,os+ in this Divine assurance that 8