The Washington times., 1915-02-01

Of the Gospel Age ana to be set In tho
gold OF the Divine nature. to reflect the
beauties Of the Divine character.
1t Is in harmony with this thought
that the Apostle encourages us to re-
Joice In tribulation. knowing that u is
working out for us patience, experience.
hope. brotheriy kindness and iove-the
Of Him who Is shortly to gather His
jewels. The Apostle again speaks of
even the most trying experiences OF the
Christian life as Tight afflictions" and
saying. "Our light affliction, which is
but for a moment. worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of
slory."-2 Corinthians 4:l7.
The Wheel of Discipline.
The earthly lapidarist takes firm hold
upon Ifhe Jewel which he has already
tested and proved to have the requisite
jewel quality. and incasing It in a suit
able instrument, he presses 1t against a
lap wheel with Just the required amount
or pressure to effect the necessary shap.
Ing and polishing. The process REQUIRES
great skill; hence only skilled workmen
are employed in this department.
So with the Lords jewels; their value
depends much on proper cutting. and
this work is entrusted only to the skilled
hands Of our Lord Jesus. of whom we
are assured that He Himself passed
through similar experiences of testing
at the Father 9 hands. He knows Just
% Wnat we need to perfect us. that We
snail be pleasing and acceptable to the
Father. to reflect and refract the light
OF His glory when 1t shall fail upon iva
In our finished state.
A part Of our lesson IL to have faith
IN this great Master Workman. whom
the Father has appointed to shape and
polish us. We may require much more
trimming on some sides Of our charac-
ter than on others; and often the dis
position Is to draw back, to be not fully
submissive. SUI to fear that the Lord has
Wisdom assures US that this is not so,
unfit for the Kingdom"
The world has seen the wheel of dis
cipline. which has been cutting the
Lords Jewels for centuries. but it has
not understood the necessity and the
value Of the process. 1t may have even
caught an occasional glimpse Of the
jewels. but not to any advantage-not
80 as to be able to know the real merit
cutting and polishing: for even the al
ready finished facets are smeared with
the cement and slime from the grind
wheel. But the great. loving Lapldarist
knows and has explained 1t all to the
by faith are trusting all the remainder.
The Lord knows just how much
pressure to apply-just how much
friction y necessary-and will not
snS saSse viii 16u,ata0n Do, Which He cannot
Being thus assured that all things are
working together for good to them
that love God. Is living jewels can
rejoice In tribulation. knowing that 1T
| unrktnO
fruits Of righteousness s''-meekness. pa.
tience, gentleness. brotherly Kindness.
and love: that such experiences are es-
sential, and that without these they
could never be amongst the gathered
jewels.
"The Time Is at Hand"
We are not to suppose that those
VINO are now pressed against the
wheel Of tribulation are thereby made
miserable. On the contrary, they real
ize JOY and peace which the world
can neither give nor take away. And
when we remember that their severe
experiences and polisfings are but
for moment" as compared with the
longer discipline of those who will be
oeait with during the Millennial Age.
ana that in proportion to their trials
they are granted more grace and will
receive a. reward exceedingly abun.
dsnt. moro than they could ask or
thlnk-then we can see that these
Jewels now being prepared BY the
L1rd ora are highly favored above ali men.
me process OF seeking and polish
progress for more than eighteen CEN
turics, and the Scriptures indicate
that now the end of the Age is UPON
us5the time for gathering these jewels
han
Divine nature. The signs Of the times
clearly indicate that the great Time Of
Trouble with which the Gospel Age ia
to end IS even at the door, to prepare
m NE W1rid @ f9r the coming blessings OF
to be AMONGST the acceptable Jewels we
have need to give diligence and to CO.
operate with the great Master Work
man that the shaping and polishing of
OS,oh, our rearts: our wills. nav be perfected
snare a glorious part when He comes
to make up His Jewels.
Through the Prophet the Lord indi.
Gates That as soon as His jewels shall
general change in His dealings with the
world. Our context shows how It il al
the present time. while the polishing OF
the jewels progresses. Frequently the
unfaithful and rhs worldly seem to have
the advantage; but after the polishina
have been set in the crown of rejojcinr
at the end Of this Age, Then shall We
return, and discern between the rishte
Gus and the wicked. between him thai
serveth God and him that serveth Hin
not. Malachi 3:1S
Now, while evil predominates. 1,
would be difficult by outward evidences
to Judge who are the Lords favored
ones. Indeed. His living Jewels seem &c
be less favored and to have more trials
and difficulties than do others. Conse,
quently amongst them are not found
/ many great: rich or wise but chiefly
But when these shall have been glo.;
fed with their Lord in the Kingdom
there will be q general change. n,
longer will the wicked and those wht
tempt God be found in power, inf1uenc,
and prosperity. On the contrary. O
Christ's Millennial Kingdom. it is de
ciared prophetically. I'm His Day shall
the righteous flourish" and "evil-doer.
shall be cut of. Psalm 72:7; 1873.
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