p. 6 | FOR OUR ADMONITION

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · May 31, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 22.

"FOR OUR ADMONITION."

IN past ages it may possibly have been difficult at times for some persons to definitely tell where certain Old Testament scriptures applied. But all that difficulty is removed from those who are living now. Hear the Word of the Lord upon this subject:—

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor. 10:1-12.

"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." And again, "All these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." "All these things," not a few of them, merely, but "all" "are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

Language could not express anything more clearly than the foregoing Scripture tells us that all of the experiences of ancient Israel that have been recorded in the Word of God are placed there to admonish us "upon whom the ends of the world are come." Then whatever we may read in the Old Testament, instead of tossing

it to one side by saying, "It was all intended for the Jews," we should closely and carefully consider and study every line and every word; for it is all written for us, rather than for them.

And if you will take the pains to read the warnings and rebukes that were sent to ancient Israel, you cannot fail to be impressed with the fact that they are strikingly applicable to the world just now. From Genesis to Malachi, the words of patriarch, priest and prophet are thrilling with import, and weighted with the burden of divine truth that they bring to us right now. It is truly wonderful how our God was able to select just the experiences and the instructions that would meet a perfect parallel between ancient Israel and ourselves, and then have all the record so clearly written for the people of to-day.

Your opinions, given to you by an erroneous or superficial education, may have been that the Old Testament is of no particular value to us just now. But it is perfectly clear that in this you have been mistaken. The Lord puts the whole matter beyond the realm of doubt or controversy by telling us plainly that all these things "are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." Then we who are living just now should study the Old Testament Scripture as well as the New with the closest and most devoted care. It is all the living truth of God for us of to-day. It is God's great light to guide us out of the darkness of these times into the perfect day of eternity. T.