p. 727 | Untitled article by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 2, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 46.

BIBLE ELECTION. NO. 3.

By M. C. W.

THAT God made the earth for the home of man, that he designed that a definite number should inhabit that home, that this definite number should be of a certain character, a character in harmony with the law of God, was proved in our last article. We wish to present in this article some additional characteristics and features of this election:—

4. Man must not only possess a character in harmony with the law of God, "holy and without blame before him in love" (Eph. 1:4), but he will also possess an individuality, or individual characteristics peculiar to himself, manifesting his identity and experience. God will not only have the earth peopled with a certain definite number of people, but he must have certain order and arrangement among them that are there. He is a God to whom order is his first law, and he "is not the author of confusion." In his realm are "thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers;" angels of lesser might, angels of greater.

In his church are various offices, filled with equally holy men of varied talents. He likens his people who will all be gathered home at last to the house of God (Heb. 3:6), to the household of God (Eph. 2:19), to a temple building (Eph. 2:20, 21; 1 Pet. 2:5), to the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27). This is the divine conception of the completed work of saving men. That work of gathering out the household of God is going on; Jesus is now quarrying stones and building that great temple of human characters, which will not be completed till Christ leaves his priestly throne, and grace is no more offered to mankind.

Every member in a well-regulated family has his appointed place and particular duties. In every building every stick of timber has its place and use. And just as in Solomon’s temple every stone was fitted for its place before it was brought to the building, so that when they were ready to erect the costly and beautiful structure, it went together without the sound of ax or hammer from foundation to the cap stone, rejected by the builders at first; so God’s people are fitted for that living temple of God, that church triumphant, that household of God, which will be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, harmonious in every division and subdivision, from its Mighty Head to the least conspicuous in that shining army of immortals.

Here will be a unity of character as regards righteousness and holiness; here will be diversity of character as regards individuality, and position, and office. The highest beauty and the greatest wisdom is manifested in this diversity of unity, in this multifold display of the reflections of the excellencies of the "One altogether lovely." The most perfect organization is complete in this way. Every heart in an army may throb with life-giving loyalty to its king and cause, from commander-in-chief to private, yet how different their position, capacity, and individuality. It is even so in the plan of God’s everlasting kingdom on this earth.

5. In the purpose of God there are names indicative of the individual characters and positions which will people this kingdom. As every part of a building has its appropriate name, as every member of the body has its distinctive appellation, so every character in the perfect plan of God is designated by some name. This must be so. God’s plan is perfect. As he selected a certain number of certain character of various individualities, these individual characters must have names indicative of each character. This is the purpose for which names are given by God, as shown in the Bible. They are not mere fancies, as is manifest in the world, nor are they hereditary titles merely in the Lord’s plan. A few instances will show this:

When Jacob overcame his overreaching disposition, God called him by a new name, Israel, "prince of God," a prevailer, the generic name of the true prevailers by faith, those entitled victors in the conquest, worthy of crowns. The names of our Lord all have their meaning. Messiah and Christ mean anointed; Jesus means saviour; Michael, his angel, or messenger name, means, who is like God, or one like God. Gabriel means, God is my strength. Our Lord gave to Simon the son of Jonah the name of Peter, which signified stone. The false governor of the Lord’s house, Pashur, whose name meant, "prosperity everywhere," was changed to Magor-missabib, which means, "fear round about," the name denoting change of condition.

This will explain the names written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. Rev. 17:8. They are the names appropriate to the individual characters which in the plan of God were designed to people a perfect world.

6. As these characters would be overcomers, so would they have crowns, the crown of life, "the crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 5:4, Revised Version.

7. We might state also another characteristic of this election. As God made the earth to be inhabited by a certain number, everyone saved would have his portion of the inheritance. Of course this would naturally follow from what has gone before.

This series of articles will be concluded in our next number. M. C. W.