THE PURPOSE OF THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE.
By G. T. Wilson
God’s plan or dispensation of the ages,—the arrangements of His house,—is rapidly being carried to its completion. When His work is finished, harmony will again reign throughout the universe of God. Not a discordant voice will again be raised against the law of the King of Eternity. “And there shall be no more curse.” Every intelligent creature will be united in loving service to God and the Lamb forever and ever. We read in Eph. 1:10, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32. Yes, all the worlds, by the sacrifice of Christ, will again be united with the continent of heaven. Christ will not fail nor be discouraged in this work until He has vindicated the righteous character of God and His law before all the intelligences of the universe. In closing up the dispensation of grace, God’s plan of the ages in the fulness of times, it is God’s purpose “that all things might again be made new in the Messiah, things in heaven, and things on earth.” Eph. 1:10, Syriac Ver. This refers to the time spoken of in Rev. 21:5: “And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13. When that time is reached, the curse will have been forever wiped away. The wicked will have been destroyed root and branch. Mal. 4:1–3. And from that time forth, the peace of God’s loving, loyal subjects will never again be disturbed by a tempting foe. The whole universe will have learned the lesson taught them by the six thousand years of sin and misery experienced by the inhabitants of this world since the fall of Adam. And the lesson is that God accepts of nothing but the voluntary service of loyal hearts made obedient by love, and that God administers His law in love. The Lord is now giving all a chance to determine on which side they will stand,—whether under the leadership of Jesus Christ or of Satan; whether they will renounce their sins and by grace be brought into harmony with God, and made obedient to His commandments, and thus become fitted as heirs of His everlasting kingdom, or take their stand among those who trample down His law, and defy His government. The Lord is saying to us by His grace, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” “If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.” O, that all would choose the gift of God, which is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord! God is gracious, and has made5every provision by His grace to make us partakers of His nature, and heirs of His eternal glory. “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Verse 14.