Although the clergy of all denominations teach, and people generally have been led to believe, that the revelation from God contained in the Scriptures relates exclusively to the 'soul,' it yet stands out glaring from almost every page of the sacred volume that Yahweh has a mighty work to perform in the earth, apart from personal salvation at the resurrection; and that is, to establish on the shattered remnants of the present social state, new habits, new enjoyments, and new aims, all regulated and harmonised by governors possessing both the will and the power to preserve order, enforce obedience, and perform the most beneficient actions. Does the reader believe that the Bible contains a revelation of God's purposes to mankind?-that, as it says, it is a sure word of prophecy, to which we do well to take heed ,as to a light shining in a dark place? If so, let him examine the references that accompany the foregoing statements in this chapter, and see if anything else can be fairly and reasonably made to shine out of the prophetic word. If this word be unintelligible till after the events predicted, it cannot be 'a light,' neither can any one 'take heed' by its assistance.
The gospel itself is a great prophecy of what shall be in the age to come; and to deny that we can know beforehand what is to come to pass, is to affirm that we cannot understand the gospel, for the gospel is glad tidings of what is to be to all nations, and to the saints. It is the report of good things promised. A promise is a prediction, and a prediction is a prophecy. The gospel is a great prophecy of what God intends to do, and they who intelligently believe it know beforehand what is to be done. The little that has been already fulfilled in Jesus, is an assurance that what remains will certainly be accomplished . The intelligent believer foresees the crushing down of thrones; the abolition of all kingdoms, empires, and republics; the setting up of a divine monarchy in Israel's land; the blessedness of all nations under the government of Messiah and His brethren; and the will of God done on earth as it is done in heaven.
The Bible, in short, intelligently understood and believed, delivers a man from all doubt about "the future and unseen world." He knows of a literal certainty that the future and unseen world has no present existence, any more than next week has. He knows that it is coming, as next week is coming; and that when it arrives it will be a constitution under which Israel and Judah will be a united nation under Christ and the saints, forming the kingdom of God; to which dominion over the British Empire, and over all nations to earth's utmost bounds, will be annexed. He has no doubt about this. But to those who believe not, all is darkness and perplexity, and ever will be till the reality opens upon their astonished ignorance with terrible and appalling effect.
Contemplating this end, even amidst the present distracting 'wars and rumours of wars,' the future is a brilliant inspiration to the believer; though dark, ominous, and terrific to those whose horizon is bounded by the empirical and unstable policy of 'the Powers that be.' The destiny of our race is glorious, but the probation of the nations in advancing to that consummation calamitous and severe.
Judging from the 'perilous times' at which we have now arrived, it may safely be assumed that the period for the infusion of the supernatural into the crisis cannot be far distant. The situation of affairs which has now been inaugurated is such as to cause the intelligent and believing Scripture reader to rejoice, knowing that his redemption draweth nigh. The development of the present crisis is beyond the control of the persons who have been principally concerned in bringing it about. There may be suspension of arms, and attempts at pacification, accompanied by fresh complications and renewed hostilities. These, however, are only probable incidents and episodes. The drama must still go on, to the consummation of the divine purpose. Heaven speed the day when that purpose shall be fully and happily accomplished!
(By Dr. John Thomas)