Evening journal., 1916-01-01
E AscENDED. LEADING cApTIvEs.

HE ASCENDED. LEADING cAPTIvES.
Acts I;I-I4.
Five special points Of tins study: ~
The number OF apostles limited to II.
2. Importance Of the coming King
dom. 3. Time not then due TO ex-
plain the date of the Kingdoms es-
tablishment. 4. The disciples would
first have a great work to do in pro-
claiming it throughout the earth 5.
As the Lords ascension was known to-
few and was without commotion, So
His coming would be in like manner,
known to few, and be as a thief.
"When He ascended on High lie led a
multitude Of captives and gave gifts
unto men. n.''-Ephesians AS.
Our lesson is from st. Luke's pen, as
indicated by the first verse. There are
four special features to the study. First
is the declaration that the Apostles were
those only whom Jesus had especially Sc
lected to that office-St. Paul by Divine
arrangement, subsequently taking the
place of Judas. This is in contradiction
TO the claim of the Bishops of England
and Rome that they are Apostolic Bish-
ops with apostolic powers, but it is in
full agreement with the Masters state
ment that all others claiming to be
Apostles are "hars. Revelations, PAP.
The second point of the lesson is that
Jesus, before leaving His Apostles, in
structed them concerning the Kingdom
of God. Nearly all His previous teach
ings were in respect 10 this wonderful
Kingdom which will ne established
when He will come in power and great
glory, and Of which His invited disciples
and followers are to be members-shar-
ing His glory and His Throne
The third point which we especially
notice is referred to in verses 6 and Z.
The Apostles inquired respecting the
{ Kingdom and the time for its blessing
I of Israel But Jesus informed them that
! il was not for them to know the times
! and seasons respecting the Kingdom
that the matter was entirely in the
/ Fathers hands. The fourth point of our
! study centers in verse s. where our Lord
/ declares that prior to the establishment
/ of His Kingdom His Church would wit
ness to it throughout the entire earth
/ after receiving the blessing at Pente-
cost The fifth point OF special notice
centers in verse II, in the statement OF
the angels, "'Ihe same Jesus shall
so come in like manner as We have seen
= Him 90 into Heaven"
Wrong Views of the Kingdom.
Peculiar and conflicting views respect.
ing the Kingdom Of God are held by
Protestants. Much more logical. but equ
ally unscriptural, is the view held by
Roman Catholics. The confusion oI
frotestants is lamentable. Some hole
that somehow the Kingdom Of God begar
at Pentecost. Others hold that some
how it began when Jerusalem was de
stroyed Yet all of them realize thai
Jesus promises respecting His SECOND
advent must still he future.
Roman Catholics hold that about SO'
A. d. they set up the Kingdom of God
first, by leXalting the clergy 10 be a spe
cial class and then by establishing
spiritual rule over the kings and prince
OF earth in the name OF Christ. TIN
popes being recognized as Christ's vice
geronts, as reignng in Christs stead
Tho kings and princes of earth were in
formed that they might continue to rul
IL they would be obedient to Papacy
that in that event their realms woul'
be Kingdoms of God but that if the,
should fail to be obedient to Papacy, TN
latter would inform the people that sucl
kings were disowned by Gods spiritua
kingdom, and would appoint other ruler
in their stead.
The rulers Of Europe readily assente
to this partnership by which the peopl
, would recognize them as having Divin
l authorization 10 rule. For eleven hun
dred years matters have progressed il
this way. Austria Hungary still full
b assents 80 the Divine power in Papacy
2 though Others of the Kingdoms of Europ
have more or less broken the past. Thu
today the Kingdoms of this world ar
called Kingdoms of God on the author