One Was Divided, the Other Was Not—Plan by Which the Human Is Again United with the Divine — Our Divinely Human Representative in Heaven
By RODERICK S. OWEN
This is the third of a series of independent studies presented by Elder Owen on the experiences of Abraham as recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Genesis. Each article presents some complete line of thought. Hence it is not essential that you should have read the two preceding articles in order to understand and enjoy this one.
EDITOR.
“AND he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, . . . but the birds divided he not.” Gen. 15:10. When Abraham asked God for a sign by which he might know that he should inherit the promise, God said, “Take Me an heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.” Gen. 15:9, 10.
The Two Plans of Sacrifices
Here God required Abraham to prepare a sacrifice. This included one of each of the kinds that He afterward instructed Israel to use as a burnt offering. See Leviticus 1. We also note that the beasts, which move upon the ground, were cut into pieces and then placed over against each other; while the birds, having the power to leave the earth, were not so divided. That there must have been some significance attached to this, seems evident from the fact that this was laid down as a rule for Israel. See Lev. 1:17.
By referring to Jer. 34:8-19, we learn that a sacrifice thus prepared, was used in making a covenant of liberty; and that the parties of the covenant passed between the separated pieces. From this, we must conclude that God was here entering into a covenant of liberty with Abraham. The only bondage recognized in the Bible, is the bondage of sin; and liberty from this bondage is found only in Christ Jesus. Hence these sacrifices must, in a specific way, have represented Christ as the great Sacrifice to give us liberty, or freedom from sin.
Why Was One Divided and the Other Not?
Then the question arises, “Why were the beasts divided and the birds not so divided?” In the bondage of sin, a condition exists in which the human and the divine are separated. The purpose of Christ in coming into this world, was to bring about a union of the two. He walked between God and man, and effected this union, by holding on to the throne of the universe with one arm, and with the other, encircling the human family.
This complete union was first effected in His own person, for the Word was made flesh. He came in the likeness of sinful flesh, assuming all its weaknesses, liabilities, and sinful tendencies, and thus placed Himself in a position where He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. At the same time, there was brought into His experience the divine, with all its perfection, power, and glory.
These two, being divided, were distinct and antagonistic. All the while, He was walking in the flesh, condemning sin in the flesh, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, by eliminating from the human all that was contrary to the divine. This He did by overcoming human weaknesses, by subduing evil tendencies, bringing the human into subjection to the divine, until His body was prepared a sacrifice, acceptable to God. But this divided, antagonistic state continued all the while He walked the earth, or until He had met and overcome the last temptation, had passed the last trial.
Had Power to Leave the Earth
The union completed, He had power to leave the earth and ascend into the heavens, carrying in His own person humanity united with divinity; and He now sits at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, at once both Son of God and Son of man; for while He is Son of God, He is also our elder Brother. Thus in the typical sacrifices, those that had only power to walk the earth—the beasts—were divided; while those which had power to leave the ground and soar away into heaven—the birds—were not divided. And no man can ever go into heaven until this union is completed in Him.
And so to-day the soul finds freedom in walking between the parts of God’s great sacrifice. Thus when we are pressed by our weaknesses and infirmities, and feel the need of sympathy, we can lean on the one side—upon Jesus as the Son of man, who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, who knows our frame and remembers that we are dust; and in our need of power and strength, we can lean on the other side—upon Jesus as the Son of God, to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth, and who is able to succor and to save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him.
Trusting in and walking between the parts of such a mighty and sympathetic Saviour, how complete must be the victory! Let us ever thus walk between the parts of our great Sacrifice, and we shall find the union between the human and the divine taking place in us, as our weaknesses are overcome, our evil tendencies are subdued, and we walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Thus will all sin be condemned in our flesh, and we can present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.
God's Character Is Love
By E. Hilliard
It Is Shown in His Justice as Well as in His Mercy—He Takes No Delight in Destructive Judgment
By E. HILLIARD
“GOD is love,” says the beloved apostle. He is nothing but love. He never did an unmerciful act. Cruelty is an element of character entirely foreign to our heavenly Father.
One great reason why many attribute cruelty to God is because they do not discern His love and mercy in His execution of justice. The wrath of God has never been visited upon any of His innocent creatures. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground by the hand of the cruel sportsman without our heavenly Father's care.
It is the defiant, guilty ones who have been swept away by the thunderbolts of divine justice. But even this class have always had ample opportunity to accept God's mercy.
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were warned of their doom, and exhorted by Moses to turn from their rebellion against God. They defiantly resisted every appeal until they were swallowed up by the divine judgments.
RESISTED FOUR HUNDRED YEARS
To the Amalekites, who without provocation fought against Israel on their journey from Egypt to the promised land, were granted four hundred years in which to seek God and make matters right. At the expiration of that time, they had filled the cup of their iniquity. They became a curse to themselves, and a menace to the surrounding nations. The command to Saul to destroy them utterly was an act of love. The baneful influence of that wicked nation, had they been permitted to live, would have resulted in the eternal destruction of many souls. “God slew hundreds to save thousands.”
OVERTHROWN FOR ENSLAVING MEN
Pharaoh and his rebellious host had every needed opportunity to repent. He slighted God's mercy, which hardened his heart, until he was compelled to look upon the pale faces of Egypt's first-born. Even then he regretted his consent to let Israel go. He countermanded his order, organized his forces, and followed the emancipated slaves, but only to meet his doom from the hand of a merciful God.
Pharaoh would not worship God, and he was determined that Israel should not. Was the overthrow of him and his host an act of cruelty on the part of God? Let God's word give the answer: “To Him which divided the Red Sea into parts: . . . and made Israel to pass through the midst of it: . . . but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for His mercy endureth forever.” Ps. 136: 13-15. It was just as much an act of mercy to destroy that rebellious Egyptian host as it was to save those liberated slaves from a watery grave.
God “smote great kings: . . . and slew famous kings: . . . and gave their land for an heritage: . . . even an heritage unto Israel, His servant: for His mercy endureth forever.” Verses 17-22. Who had a better right to seize upon the land of the heathen than He who created it? Who is a better judge than God Himself of those who are misappropriating the blessings so freely bestowed upon them? Is not the earth the Lord's, and the fullness thereof? Does He not know when the execution of justice is a benefit to the world?85
The civil law justly demands the life of the murderer, and imprisons the thief. Are those who make and execute the law cruel because they protect society from such characters? It is the merciful execution of justice in behalf of the people that punishes the criminal, and it is the divine love of God in behalf of the people for whom Christ died that destroys those who rebel against the government of heaven until their case is hopeless.
We are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus. We are not our own. 1 Cor. 6: 19, 20. Has not Christ a right to do with His purchased property as He chooses? He makes no mistakes in His dealings with humanity. If a man yields to the conditions of salvation, through repentance, confession, and faith in the atoning blood, Christ delights to save him. If, however, he refuses to acknowledge his guilt and to plead for pardon, until he has no redeeming quality of character left, is it not an act of love for God to destroy him? The hand that was pierced for him, but rejected by him, at last reluctantly strikes the fatal blow of justice. John 5: 26, 27. All have ample opportunity to repent and live; but all who refuse, must perish.
NO DIVINE PLEASURE IN THE SINNER'S DEATH
“Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Eze. 18: 31, 32. It is far better to turn away from sin, and share the love of God, than to find fault with His justice until too late to share His mercy.
An Ideal Home
By B. M. Grandy
Many Such Places Are Advertised — There Is a Home That Is Eternal — You Have a Deed to One — Do You Accept It?
By B. M. GRANDY
“MANY shall run to and fro.” Dan. 12: 4. A noticeable characteristic of the people in “the time of the end”! Never in the history of man has the wanderlust seemed to possess the world as now. A veritable spirit of running “to and fro” has taken possession of mankind.
Many are seeking for a better locality — somewhere, just a little beyond; a home that is just right; a country abounding in everything that promotes happiness, and lacking in nothing but that which brings unpleasantness.
No sacred tradition connected with the old homestead is strong enough to deter the adventurous heir from parting with the home of his forbears, that he may carve out his fortune in some other land.
Each Would Sell Out
Few indeed are the homes on which there is not placed a price. Every city or locality has its commercial body, with its publicity agent, whose duty it is to place before the public the advantages of some particular country. Expensively engraved pamphlets extol the virtues of city and countryside. Through the extensive construction of irrigation systems, the wild sagebrush desert is made to blossom and bring forth abundantly, and wealth and contentment are promoted to the fortunate investor. Vast sections of country have been opened to settlement by the daring railroad builders, and circulars everywhere tell of the possibilities in store for the wheat farmer and stock raiser. Glowing articles telling of places of rare beauty, unparalleled productiveness, unlimited wealth, unexcelled educational advantages, all add to the beauty of the descriptions set forth in the many pamphlets.
New indeed is the country, however, where some silent mound does not tell the sad story of death. Sparsely settled is the countryside that does not number among its residents some who are afflicted with physical or mental deformity — blind, lame, deaf, or dumb. The curse of sin encircles the globe. “Run to and fro” where you will, and Satan has blazed the trail before, and his blighting influence is discerned.
All Must Take the Journey
While the commercial bodies of the land are assiduously scattering broadcast their glowing advertisements, a book containing the gospel of the kingdom is also scattered with unparalleled swiftness. With it goes the message apprising all mankind that the day is soon to come when every one must take a journey, be he ready or not, willing or unwilling, rich or poor.
The message is the last that will go to the world, among whose inhabitants some are preparing for the journey, while many, alas, are indifferent and unbelieving.
Precious and tried are the promises and descriptions that are contained in the book of the gospel. A home is here promised and described, in comparison with which the descriptions and realities of the earthly homes pale into insignificance — a home in an earth made new, of which the prophet Isaiah sang, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isa. 65: 17); to which the tried apostle Peter looked forward, saying, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3: 13); and which John, the beloved of Christ, beheld in vision, as through the vista of intervening centuries he beheld “a new heaven and a new earth.” Rev. 21: 1.
Here will be established the kingdom of Dan. 2: 44, which shall never pass away — the kingdom to be possessed by the saints of the Most High (Dan. 7: 18); the earth made new by the mighty power of God, the Creator of the universe.
In describing the beauties of this present world, no writer dare pen such words as the servants of God penned in the beautiful descriptions of the future home.
The Wilderness in Bloom
Listen: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. . . . Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. . . . And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isa. 35: 1, 5, 6, 10. “But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. . . . And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isa. 65: 18, 19, 24.
You Have a Deed to a Home
Reader, you cannot put off the journey that all must take. Are you looking forward to a home such as is here described? It is your privilege to do so.
There lies for you in the vaults of the bank of heaven a deed for a home in that glorious country. It is for you to accept, and put away your sins, which alone would be a bar to an entrance into that perfect abode.
“Some one will enter the pearly gates
By and by, by and by—
Taste of the glories that there await.
Shall you? Shall I?
Some one will travel the streets of gold,
Beautiful visions will there behold,
Feast on the pleasures so long foretold.
Shall you? Shall I?”
Feeding upon Ashes
By Eliza H. Morton
THE frivolities of the world are disappointing and depressing, and persons who feed upon them may be said to feed upon ashes. These things do not satisfy the natural hunger of the heart after God. The allurements of Satan, like a peculiar plant of central Australia, for a time allay the cravings of appetite, but eventually sap the vitality and cause death. We should partake of that which is good spiritually, as well as that which is good physically. God's word is the bread of life, and it only will give satisfaction. ELIZA H. MORTON.
A General Judgment Demanded
By John W. McCord
God’s Character Requires It—The Mystery of Sin Unraveled by the Judgment—Why the Lord Did Not at Once Destroy Satan
By JOHN W. McCORD
There are three reliable reasons why the general Judgment ought to take place, and the same reasons doubtless prevail for every other doctrine in the Bible. These are: first, that God is just; second, that God is life; and third, that God is love.
Justice Demands It
Granting the premise that God is, and that He is the Creator of all things, it logically follows that such a Creator cannot be otherwise than just. From the standpoint of justice, therefore, to the universe, a Judgment in which every creature will receive impartial consideration is surely inevitable.
In a great trial, much depends upon the character of the judge; and this is pre-eminently true when applied to the Judge who presides in the court above. The Lord, however, is worthy of our entire confidence, for He possesses both infinite wisdom and infinite love.
For this reason, every created being, be he acquitted or condemned, will consider that the Judgment is just, and all will bend the knee in humble submission to its unalterable decree. Phil. 2:10, 11.
This is not always the case in the courts on earth. Here we find many in jail who ought by right to be free, while multitudes are free who doubtless deserve to be in jail. Under the present regime, it is almost impossible to be fair; for the costly processes of the law, while they may favor the rich, are always a hardship to the poor.
Unequal and Unjust Administration
Recently, while lecturing to Yale students on the subject of the law, Ex-president Taft had this to say: “I have had the feeling that some day the socialists might direct their attacks on the unequal and unjust administration of the law. The failure to administer criminal law with certainty, the failure to apply the law, aids those criminals who so often escape punishment for crimes for which they deserve imprisonment. The existing condition of things in this regard is a disgrace to the civilization of this country, and should be remedied.”
“Something should be done to reduce the cost of litigation. The court room is no place to gamble with the law. We must keep law and justice together in order to justify the law.”
These conditions pointed out by Mr. Taft will doubtless become worse and worse, until they are at last overthrown by the triumphant advent of the Prince of peace.
God Is Life
It would indeed be futile to compare time with eternity, or the life of God with the life span of His creatures on earth. Yet the Lord desires that His children shall live with Him throughout eternity. But to live with God, we must live the same quality of life that God Himself lives. For how “can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. The Lord therefore has a perfect right to decide who shall live with Him, and who shall not.
This decision is not arbitrary on the part of the Lord, for “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. These terms are the only terms God gives on which men can obtain immortality; and the Judgment will determine how many have accepted them, and so it will divide the sheep from the goats. Matt. 25:31, 32.
Is Reward and Punishment at Death?
It is true many believe that the righteous go to heaven at death, and that the wicked are then banished to the place of torment. But why should the righteous be rewarded, and the wicked punished, without either having had a fair trial? Even an earthly judge, with all his limitations, would not send a man to jail, or to the gallows, without a trial.
But if it is true that rewards and punishments immediately follow death, then Cain has been burning in hell nearly six thousand years, though the trial which would determine his guilt, has not yet taken place. Surely this doctrine does violence alike to our sense of justice, and to our conception of the character of God. Not only so, but it likewise eliminates the general resurrection; for evidently if souls go to their allotted place at death, then the Judgment and the resurrection would alike be unnecessary.
The only reasonable thing to do is to let rewards and punishments follow the trial, and this is precisely what the Lord has planned. The righteous will be rewarded at the second advent of Christ, and the wicked are reserved “unto the day of Judgment to be punished.” 2 Peter 2:9.
God Is Love
When Satan rebelled in heaven, it would have been an easy thing for the Lord to destroy him instantly, and many people wonder why it was not done. The reason, however, is not difficult to find. Had the Lord destroyed Satan at once, it might have been a bad thing for the universe.
As the angels are only finite beings, they could not possibly have grasped fully the grave results that must inevitably follow Satan’s rebellion against God. Therefore the death of Satan might easily have led the angels to question God’s love for all His creatures. In spite of this, the angels might have remained loyal to God; but their service henceforth would have been dictated as much by fear as by love, and Satan might have been remembered by them as a hero and a martyr.
Allow Sin to Develop
To prevent this greater evil, the Lord in His wisdom granted a brief period for sin to develop. When the last act in this dark drama has been finished, the curtain will fall, and sin and sinners will together disappear, and God will have a clean universe once more.
In this decision, the Lord has demonstrated both His wisdom and His love; and when Satan and his angels are finally destroyed, then every being in the universe will fully concur in the righteous judgment of God.
The same thing is true with reference to God’s dealings with His children on earth. Had rewards and punishments become operative at death, it is possible that much questioning might have been the result. Friends would be looking for friends, and not finding them in heaven, they would naturally wonder why they were not there.
The Judgment Makes All Plain
But the Judgment will make everything plain. Then the history of the wicked will be fully understood by the redeemed, and harmony and peace will prevail forever. Then the righteous will “sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” Rev. 15:3.
Judge Not
The command, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” still holds good. Whenever, therefore, one is tempted to ascend the judgment seat, it would be well to remember the words of Jesus relative to the woman taken in adultery. He said to her accusers, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” To the woman the Saviour said: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
It is true that Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” But there is a world of difference between judging and knowing. We know the drunkard by his walk; but knowing his sin, we are better able to help him, and not merely to avoid him.
Some day God’s people will be qualified to judge; for then they will know all the facts in each case, and the sentence rendered will be dictated by both justice and love. In the meanwhile, let us leave the Judgment to the time duly appointed, and as Christians, follow the example of our Master. He said, “I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47.
“Don’t Live as I Have”
Generally speaking, danger and death reveal what is in man clear down to the bedrock. Years ago, in England, the writer stood by the deathbed of a wicked man. When this man first entered the hospital, he did not seem to realize that his case was so serious, and would often boast of his past deeds. But, alas, his days were numbered. When he was dying, he called a number of young men to his bedside, and said, “Boys, don’t live as I have lived, or you will die as I am dying.” Then he became unconscious, and passed away.
“Bury My Bible with Me”
The writer also stood by the bedside of a friend who was dying in San Diego, California. It was a poorly furnished room, but the Holy Spirit was present in power. My friend was unconscious when I last saw him, but his face was lighted with a smile of ineffable peace. Before he became unconscious, he said to his wife, “The Bible has been my comfort on earth, so bury my Bible with me.”
Only Two Classes
While class and caste distinctions prevail on earth, with the Lord there are but two classes, the converted and the unconverted; and the only distinction that avails in heaven is the new birth.
Of course there are degrees both of virtue and of vice, but this does not change the number of classes. Therefore the two men above mentioned could well stand as types,87one for the converted, and the other for the unconverted. What then did that poor fellow lack who died so miserably in England? The answer is, Jesus. What was it that supported my friend in his journey through the valley of death? Again the answer is, Jesus.
Likewise in the Judgment, one class will be accepted, and the other rejected. One class will hear the dread sentence, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire”; while the righteous will hear the glad words, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25: 34-46.
Yes, They Were Nailed to the Cross
By Walter E. Gillis
Catechizing the Scriptures to Learn What “They” Were
By WALTER E. GILLIS
As a rule, when men meet with a question in theology that requires careful analysis and knowledge of the principle involved, they have a way of letting their previous ideas, which have been fostered by old associations, bias their judgment before they have weighed the evidence.
For instance, the question is often asked, “What was nailed to the cross?” and almost immediately springs forth the answer, “The law, of course.” “What law?”—“Why, the law of God. What else could it be?”
Now, if these people who are so positive of their position would let their mind run to and fro in the Scripture of truth for a brief moment, they would be amazed that the most vital element in God’s dealings with men should be so little understood. Let us briefly catechize the Scripture, and see if it is not so.
Why Did Christ Die?
For what did Christ die? Isa. 53: 10, 11: “When Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, . . . by His knowledge shall my righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.”
What is sin? 1 John 3: 4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
What is the result of transgressing God’s law? Rom. 6: 23: “For the wages of sin is death.” Eze. 18: 4: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
Does this mean the death to which all men are physically subject? Rev. 2: 11: “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
Since Christ died as the substitute for sinful man, He must have died as they will die who receive punishment for their sins. If the transgressed law was so perfect and so unchangeable that one of the Godhead must die in order to meet its requirements, could it be nailed to the cross? Ps. 19: 7: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Isa. 51: 6, 7: “My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law.”
What Was Nailed to the Cross?
What, then, was nailed to the cross? Col. 2: 14: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, . . . nailing it to His cross.” Verses 20 and 22: “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ, . . . why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, . . . after the commandments and doctrines of men?” Titus 1: 14: “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Ps. 119: 142: “Thy law is the truth.” John 14: 6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
What do these man-made dogmas emanate from? Eph. 2: 15: “Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.”
What is the result of these commandments of men being nailed to the cross? Verse 16: “That He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
What is this enmity? Rom. 8: 7: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
What, then, must have been the purpose and work of Christ?—To bring men into harmony with God’s law. See 2 Cor. 5: 17-21.
What now is man’s privilege? Rom. 8: 3, 4: “God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
There Was Found No Guile
By J. W. Rich
The Master and the Hypocrites — Grow Large Inside
By J. W. RICH
ONE of the first words we find in the Bible, after the record of the entrance of sin, stands out with an uncommon interest. That word is “beguile.” Another, of similar import, which appears near the close of the sacred Volume, is “guile.” And from beginning to end of the Scriptures, we have the history of guile.
In the list of synonyms for this word are “deception” and “hypocrisy.” And that is just what Satan practiced back there in the garden of Eden. He wanted Eve to believe he was a god, and more, that he was greater than the God of heaven; for he substituted his wisdom and authority for God’s. He pretended to be something he was not. That was hypocrisy. It puts a sham in place of the genuine, and then endeavors to have others think that the sham is the true. That is the thing that is sometimes given to the world to-day as Christianity—a sham of the Christ.
THE COUNTERFEIT MOST DISTASTEFUL
There is nothing that appears so distasteful to a lover of gold as to be defrauded by counterfeits of gold. So to those who are lovers of that which is of more value than gold, nothing is so distasteful as to see efforts made to counterfeit the Christian character.
The human race, all the way along, has been tempted to cherish guile; and though we have the record of their experience, we are prone to go on repeating their history.
When Jesus was here on earth, He found it necessary to reprove men for cherishing hypocrisy, and note how sharply He denounces them: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matt. 23: 25-28.
WOULD HE DO THE SAME TO-DAY?
What a picture! And yet how accurately does it portray the characters of some men and women! Did it ever occur to you that the Master would say the same thing now as then, were He to denounce the sins of the modern world? Would He find any guile? Would He find any pretenders, any professional Christians, any who would have us think they are genuine Christians, but who really do not want to be genuine? Would He find any following Him simply because it helps them in their business, because a profession of Christianity would afford them a cloak under which they could carry on avarice and covetousness? Would He find any such thing in you?
When Samuel was told to anoint a king over Israel, and was led to the home of Jesse to anoint one of his sons to the responsibility, the sons were each made to pass before him. As the first approached, a stalwart, manly, noble looking young fellow, Samuel exclaimed, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” But the Lord said: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16: 6, 7.
GROW LARGE INSIDE
Were there more time given to heart culture and growth, and less to outward appearance, the world would be blessed as a result. Did we all follow the counsel that a theological professor offered his son in this respect, there would be less guile in every community. His counsel was, “Grow large on the inside.” In other words, take time for the culture of character.
From the reading of the Word as it is in Rev. 14: 5, we are led to conclude that when Jesus comes, He will find many people who are hypocrites or pretenders; for of only a small company will it be said, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” No pretenders there! That company of men and women are exactly what they appear to be. Close examination reveals no defects or imperfections. It is grand to know that there will be such a people, but it will be grander still to be one of them. This is your privilege and mine.
Do not allow Satan to make you think he is anything different from what he is, or that you are free from guile when you are not. If there is any hypocrisy, in your following the Master, or guile in your daily transactions or profession, let Jesus take it away for you now.
The Rock of Ages
“THERE is no tide of the ocean of life that can ever raise itself above the Rock of Ages.”
Devil Worship
By Robert S. Fries
Satan Seeks Adoration — His Offer to Christ — His Doom Pronounced
By ROBERT S. FRIES
The devil aspires to be a god-king. He craves worship. This desire for worship was the cause of his downfall. As Lucifer in heaven, he was “full of wisdom,” “perfect in beauty,” and stood in the very presence of God. Eze. 28: 12, 14.
The time came when he alienated from God to himself the worship of some of the angelic host. With the disaffected ones, he was cast out of heaven. Rev. 12: 8.
Due to His Pride
Lucifer’s fall was due to his pride. Eze. 28: 17. Self idolatry is never satisfied with personal admiration. It craves the worship of others. This desire for worship grew until he aspired to be worshiped as God. He said, “I will be like the Most High.” Isa. 14: 14. No created intelligence can be God. With the angels who worshiped him in place of God, he was cast out of heaven into the outer darkness surrounding this world. 2 Peter 2: 4.
Satan now found himself a god-king, with many subjects, but with no territory for a kingdom. His corrupted wisdom was then directed toward securing a foothold in the universe of God, where he could rule as god-king.
Usurped This Earth
Unsuccessful elsewhere, he finally usurped this earth. Not in open warfare, but true to his character of “a liar from the beginning,” and a deceiver of the whole world, we find him deceiving Eve in the garden of Eden.
God promised the human family that they should finally be in the likeness, or character, of God. To attain this character, man must be tested and obedient.
The devil promised Eve a “short cut.” Disobey God, said he, “and ye shall be as God.” Gen. 3: 5. Eve believed the deceiver, and with Adam, obeyed the devil. The first pair transferred their worship from God to Satan, and became subjects of the archdeceiver. Rom. 6: 16.
In the beginning, the dominion of the earth had been given to Adam. Gen. 1: 26. Satan now usurped this dominion; for was not Adam his subject? Henceforth the devil is known as “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4: 4), and “the prince of this world” (John 12: 31). Ambition and pride gratified, Satan now sits as god-king, with a kingdom, subjects, and territory. See how he craves worship. In arrogance and pride, he even presumes to offer this usurped kingdom to its rightful King. But mark the terms of his abdication: “If Thou . . . wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.” Luke 4: 7.
Heard His Doom Sounded
While chuckling in glee over his easy conquest of this earth, his laughter was silenced by the words of God. The seed of the woman “shall bruise thy head.” Gen. 3: 15. In that sentence, Satan read his final doom. He was not to have complete, undisputed sway in the hearts of men. God was to plant in the heart of every man an “enmity” against the archdeceiver; and though in the “enemy’s hand,” they could resist his wiles, and throw off his dominion.
Men began to multiply on earth. “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful.” We can trace the cloven foot of the enemy as we read the following: They “became vain.” Rom. 1: 21. They “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator.” Rom. 1: 25. They worshiped the created, fallen angel Lucifer, and became like him; for “he is king over all the children of pride.” Job 41: 34. While professing to worship God, in reality they were devil worshipers.
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Gen. 6: 12. So widespread was devil worship in the days of Noah, that only a few souls were saved out of all the people on earth. “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Luke 17: 26.
