The Focal Points of Prophecy
By George W. Reaser
Two Great Commissions in God's Eternal Purpose — Message of Glory Enlightens the Earth — The All-Comprehensive Theme For the full accomplishment of God's eternal purpose, two general commissions were given. The first, as we have seen in former articles of this series, was to Adam and Eve, and was repeated to Noah,—“Multiply, and replenish the earth.” The second was foreshadowed in the first gospel promise, Gen. 3:15, and finally, after the triumph of the cross, crystallized in these spirit-filled words: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:15, 16. The history of the human family has been written for nearly six millenniums since the giving of the first commission, and for nearly nineteen centuries since the second commission, laden with creative power, went forth from the lips of the Master. Since the fall, to accomplish the original purpose, all things must be re-created, including human beings and the earth itself. Of the members of the race who by development of character will fit into the eternal purpose, it is written, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10); and of the restoration of the “first dominion”—the earth as given to Adam—it is foretold, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isa. 65:17). To complete the original plan of God for our world under the adverse conditions of sin, is a superhuman task. But the Creator is behind the scheme; and His word, His honor, and His ability to fashion all things according to the counsel of His own will, are at stake until His eternal purpose becomes an accomplished reality. Thus it is written, “He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Rom. 9:28. In the carrying out of the gospel commission for the replenishing of the earth, men may become discouraged, and the Lord may bury many of His workmen; but He has laid help upon One who is “mighty to save.” “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth.” Isa. 42:4. THE FOCAL POINT OF PROPHECY
If, since the fall of man, Jehovah has ever borne upon His heart the steadfast purpose of replenishing the earth with characters of righteousness, notwithstanding the counteracting influences of sin and rebellion, then the accomplishment of this very thing ought to be the chief theme, the focal point, of Bible prophecy. Doubtless all Bible students will agree that there are just two preeminent focal points of Bible prophecy,—one of these, the first advent of the Son of God, to make the completion of the eternal purpose possible; the other, the second coming of the Lord, to gather the entire redeemed family for the completed plan. All His holy prophets since the world began have foretold the second advent of “the last Adam”—the Head of the godly line—and the restitution of all things. Acts 3:19, 20. PROPHECIES ARE CONVERGING
Our understanding of Jehovah's prophetic word compels the conclusion that all lines of prophecy which reach their focal point this side of the actual appearing of the Son of man at His first advent, either have been fulfilled in the past, or are in actual process of fulfillment now, or will reach their climax within a very few years. This fact most emphatically declares that the Lord is about to complete His eternal purpose, in so far as the gathering of the subjects, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, for the replenishing of the earth, is concerned. The completion of this work has apparently been long deferred. The enemy has repeatedly tried to defeat it altogether; but he can do no more than to annoy and delay. Thank God, he cannot defeat it. Even now, in our day, the living God has undertaken the superhuman task of finishing His eternal purpose, and the work will quickly be accomplished. “THE EARTH WAS LIGHTENED”
The prophetic description of the very last agency ordained of Heaven to complete the proclamation of the gospel, the final Pentecostal movement, is thus recorded: “I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Rev. 18:1. The world has never experienced a period of missionary activity to compare with our day. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. AN ALL-COMPREHENSIVE THEME
Upon the mind of the student who secures a mental grasp of God's eternal purpose, the fact gradually dawns that the theme is so comprehensive as to hold within its embrace all features, all essentials, and all details of the plan of salvation, as well as everything revealed concerning Jehovah's dealings with mankind, explaining all, clarifying all, wholly justifying God in all. His acts and words toward the righteous are all for the development of righteousness of character and of hope in them, and thus tend toward the completion of the plan. All of His dealings with the ungodly are either to persuade them to forsake unrighteousness and join the godly line, or—His drastic acts—to prevent them from defeating or too long deferring the completion of the plan. No true gospel sermon can get outside of or beyond this eternal purpose. All sacred history, and much of the secular history of the race, shows the grand, triumphal march of events toward its final, glorious triumph. All fulfilled prophecy, as well as the hand of God in history, should strengthen faith in the final completion of the great eternal scheme of Jehovah for our world. The fulfillment of all such prophecy as embraces the sum total of all that the human heart can long for beyond this mortal life, will be but the realization of this great divine plan, conceived by our heavenly Father before He formed the earth and created man. This mystery was kept secret from ages and from generations, “but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.” Rom. 16:25-27.