Signs of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 8. (2/21/1906)

Signs of the Times

Feb 21, 1906

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 21, 1906

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. No. 2.

"Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of Me? bring Me a denarius [a Roman coin], that I may see it. And they brought it. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto Him, Cæsar's. And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Mark 12:14-17.

"My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence." —JESUS, in John 18:36.

"And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge Him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."—JESUS, in John 12:47, 48.

CHINESE PUBLICATIONS.

By Editor

A limited stock of Chinese tracts has just been received. The prices quoted will only apply to the present stock. Brother J. N. Anderson, the publisher, informs us that these rates are very low indeed, and may not be given on future shipments. The list is as follows:

Sinner's Need of Christ, 1 cent.
Know Ye Thy Creator, 3 cents.
The True Sabbath, 3 cents.
Catechism of Genesis one to nine, 4 cents.

Address all orders to, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Mountain View, Cal.

A Constant Reader’s Testimony

By Mrs. Emma E. Musick

“The SIGNS is so full of truth for the times. I send them to several editors and business men each week. In the midst of this darkened era the SIGNS shines out like a great headlight. May the Lord prosper the SIGNS and its writers is the prayer of a constant reader. Mrs. Emma E. Musick.”

SIGNS OF THE TIMES:

By Editor

"I do not know the kind friend who has had the SIGNS OF THE TIMES sent to me, and wish through you to thank my unknown benefactor for so doing. If I wish to extend the subscription, I will advise you in time."

A New Subscription Through Reading

“Please send the SIGNS for one year to Mr.—. This family found one of the SIGNS that was left in a passenger coach. After reading it, they liked it so well that Mr.— came to me, and asked me to send in his subscription for a year.”

CO-OPERATION CORNER

By Editor

ELDER F. L. Perry, formerly of South Dakota, but now of Lima, Peru, South America, desires a club of Signs of the Times for use in missionary work in that field. Ten copies will cost $14.20 for a year. Those desiring to assist Brother Perry by donating to this end will kindly send same to the Signs of the Times, Mountain View, Cal.

Our Publications

By Editor

That our friends may become more familiar with our general line of books, tracts, etc., we are giving each week in this column a review of the items as they appear in our catalog. You will be instructed, as well as interested, by perusing this page carefully each week.

THE BOY PUZZLE

By Joseph F. Flint

By Rev. Joseph F. Flint. It commends itself to parents and teachers alike, and shows how they may win love and obedience without frequent punishment. The author is master of his subject. The book is full of faithful warnings and helpful suggestions, and is illustrated by sketches representing, in an original and unique manner, the various stages of human development. Cloth, net, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.75

CHRISTIAN PATRIOTISM

By A. T. Jones

By A. T. Jones. A study of the principles that should govern the Christian patriot in his relation to earthly governments. 104 pages. Cloth, net, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.40

CHRIST'S OBJECT LESSONS

By Mrs. E. G. White. This latest volume of 436 pages from the pen of Mrs. White is an attractive grouping of the parable-teaching of Christ. The linking of divine truth with common things and incidents is a prominent characteristic of Him who "taught as never man taught;" and in this book the author has developed and illustrated in a beautiful way these teachings, making a volume full of gems of truth, and which will give to many readers a new meaning to the surroundings of every-day life.

The publishers have taken great pains to make the setting worthy of the gem, as to both the mechanical work and illustrations. The latter are by talented New York artists, and have been expressly designed for this book. Handsomely-ornamented cloth cover, $1.25

CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR

By Mrs. E. G. White. We have in this book the life of Christ our Saviour from His birth to His ascension, given in simple and direct language. It is printed in large, clear type, and is finely illustrated by engravings made especially for it. The simplicity with which this "Old, Old Story" is told, the aptness of the illustrations, and the general appearance of the better-bound styles, will attract and hold the reader's attention to the very close. 182 large octavo pages, and bound as follows:

Presentation edition, two colors, vellum cloth, embossed in jet, green, and gold, beveled edges, gilt top, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $1.25 Fine English Cloth - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.75 Cloth back, board covers, in colors, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.50

Also published in board and cloth at 50c and 75c in German, Swedish, Danish, and Spanish languages.

THE COMING KING

Takes up the connection of our Saviour with the earth from Creation to its final restoration, and the redemption of man. It represents Christ as the Creator, the Leader of Israel, the Man of Sorrows, the Redeemer of His people, and the King of the earth made new. 290 pages, 150 engravings. Issued also in German, Swedish, and Danish. Prices:

Cloth, ink title, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00 Cloth, embossed in gold, gilt top, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.50

Pacific Press Publishing Company Addresses

Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal. 285 Salmon St., Portland, Ore. 1109 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.

THE ANOINTING OF THE PROMISED ONE.

By Editor

SEVEN centuries before Christ, "the prophet of the evangel" had uttered these words: "The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God. . . . Say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God!" Isa. 40 : 3-9.

CENTURY after century dragged its slow length along. Backsliding, war, defeat, captivity, pain, sorrow, and unmeasured affliction were the lot of the chosen people. Hungry ears longed for the "voice" in the wilderness of darkness and want and wo, but they heard it not. Longing eyes looked through the gloom for the coming glory, but, disappointed, closed them in captivity and death. Had the prophet spoken a dream out of his own mouth? Nay, he was God's messenger of comfort to His people in his promise of another messenger. And the faithful, the hopeful, believed and waited in the wilderness.

THE messenger came; the messenger of the Prince of the covenant. Not from princely halls or schools of reputation, with the endorsement of the great and wise, came he; but a plain, strong-muscled, lithe-limbed, clear-eyed, pure-hearted, man came from the wilderness of Judea to a worse wilderness of sin and tradition and worldliness and sophistry and formal hypocrisy. He was clothed in camel's hair. His garments were bound around with a leather girdle. "His meat was locusts and wild honey."

BUT the preaching of John the Baptist had in it the very potency of God. Men were convicted of sin, from the formal Pharisee to the rough soldier, from the peasant of the Jordan valley to King Herod upon his throne. He spoke with the power of God. The Spirit of God in hearts responded to its searching, solemn warning and appeal. But ever he told them, as they believed him to be the Coming One, "I am not He, but am sent to prepare the way before Him."

SEVEN hundred years before, the same prophet had spoken: "The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God."

AND centuries again rolled their slow wheels along the course of time, but no messenger came in whom the prophecy met the fulfilment. In a limited way God's prophets realized these blessings, but no one saw this prophecy fulfilled. The Sent of God only could do this work, but He came not. But one day, seven hundred years after Isaiah's lips had been locked in the last long sleep, as John was baptizing near the Jordan, he looked up and saw One of power coming to him. He, too,

asked to be baptized. John protested, saying, "I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?" "Suffer it now," said Jesus; "for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."

"JOHN baptized with water unto repentance." Of what did Jesus repent? There were no sins recorded against Him either in the books of heaven or in His own character. Ah, but He stood there in behalf of sinful humanity, the Sinless for the sinner, identified in all things with mortal man, a Saviour for all who need salvation. Not alone upon the

cross did He bear man's sins and temptations; but He took the flesh of man, was "born of a woman, born under the law" (Gal. 4:4), was "made of the seed of David according unto the flesh" (Rom. 1:3), "in all things to be made like unto His brethren;" and all this that He might be identified with them in all their sin and suffering and misery and wo. He could not sin, therefore He bore their sins. He could not repent of His own sins (for He had none), therefore He repented for them. He became what He was, even to the cross and the grave, "that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Gal. 4:5.

THAT is ever the Christ-spirit, manifest in Moses, in Daniel, in Nehemiah, in Ezra, in Paul; supremely manifest in Jesus. "For both He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one." Therefore He came to the baptism of John, the baptism of repentance. Therefore He repented as tho the sins were His very own; for Love had laid them upon Him, the Sin-bearer, in contradistinction to Lucifer, the sin-loader. By so doing, Jesus acknowledged that sin was wrong, that God was right, and as one of the human family, as the Redeemer of the human family, He came acknowledging both the sin and the righteousness of God: "thus it becometh [prepō] us to fulfil all righteousness." "For it became [prepō] Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings." "For such a high priest became [prepō] us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." In every position, in every step downward or upward, He did the thing proper to do. And therefore when He came to John, to the baptism of repentance, as our representative, standing for us, He did the proper, the becoming, thing. Blessed be God, He stood for us, met our fullest need. Let faith grasp that infinite repentance of all sin, before the soul is so imprisoned and darkened and poisoned in its very depth that it will have no desire for the light.

"HAVING been baptized, and praying," Luke tells the story, "the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon Him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased." And for the sake of every repentant sinner who follows in His Lord's steps is this written. If by faith he grasps that repentance of sin that loathes the sin and turns from it, and accepts of the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus as his only hope, it is also his privilege, of which neither priest nor council nor creed can deprive him, of taking as his very own that word from heaven, "Thou art My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." He is "accepted in the Beloved."

THE baptism of the water was unto repentance. The bestowing of the Spirit is unto service. Therefore the words of Jesus: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He hath sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18, 19. "How God anointed Him [Jesus of Nazareth] with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." Acts 10:38. He yielded to do God's work; God anointed Him for the work. If we yield to do His work, God will, through Christ, give us the anointing. Repent; go forward in baptism praying, that all sin may be removed and buried with your baptism, that the Spirit may clothe you for work, give you at least one of God's spiritual gifts for His service. This is your privilege; nay, more, it is your duty. It is supremely selfish to seek God to bless us by the healing of the soul from sin, and then to refuse to consecrate it to His service, to not want to consecrate it to His service. You are His. Christ identified Himself with you in your sin that you might be enabled to identify yourself with Him in holy service. He lifted you out of your sin that He might clothe you in His robe of righteousness and fit you for His service. O, will you, as you contemplate again, or perhaps for the first time, what He has done for you, refuse longer to yield all to Him, that He may make you a bearer of good tidings to all?

UNRELIABLE TESTIMONY.

By G.

A POOR man who had observed the Sabbath of the Lord for many years, and had preached it from ocean to ocean, became dissatisfied because he thought he was not sufficiently honored by his brethren, and gave up the truth to which he had been very much attached. As an excuse for his apostasy, he claimed to have discovered that he had no ground for keeping the commandments of God.

Opponents of the law of God, who are always catching at straws, are wont to proclaim this poor man's weakness as the acme of evidence that the Scriptures do not sustain the Sabbath that Christ established for man in the beginning, commanded at Sinai, and observed as a man on earth, and which, as a central feature of the unchangeable law, is emphasized by the Gospel.

Such a pretext for ignoring the Sabbath, such a mode of arriving at conclusions, would justify one in giving up faith in Christ altogether—and such practically it is. Let us apply such reasoning to the case of Judas. He had been taken into the chosen band of Christ's immediate companions, chosen for special instruction as an apostle. He had been under this special instruction for three years; had seen the Lord's miracles; had seen His enemies thwarted and put to shame in every controversy; had seen His divinity demonstrated beyond any reason for doubt; had heard the Scriptures concerning the Messiah plainly expounded; had made profession of devotion to his Lord, even when the prospect looked very dark. Yet, in a moment of discomfort, he went over to the enemy, and testified that to him the Lord was worth only the price of a common servant.

Shall we say, because of Judas' great experience and intimacy with the Lord, even to being honored with the position of treasurer of the cause, because of the knowledge he had gained from the Word, that therefore his testimony is of extraordinary value? Not even the bitterest enemy of Christ has ever been known to bring up the final decision of Judas as evidence against the Christian religion. Yet such an argument would be just as plausible as the testimony against the Sabbath commandment on the part of one who had once believed and taught the truth of the Scriptures that sustain it. The testimony of an enemy of the law of God is not very potent against the truth. The testimony of the Spirit is that the law of God is the truth. Ps. 119:142.

The testimony of one who should openly disavow the ninth precept of the law would not be accepted in any court; yet the scripture tells us that to offend in one point of the law is to be "guilty of all." A resort to the testimony of one who has avowedly turned traitor to the commandments of God is evidence of a decidedly weak cause. G.

A NEW MENACE TO CHILDREN.

By G.

SECOND to nothing—excepting, perhaps, the strong drink habit—has been the influence of the theater in enervating and degenerating humanity. True, it is the product of so-called "civilization," but its chief encouragement comes from the devotees of sensuous pleasure, from the wealthy and their would-be imitators, and from the vicious. It has contributed, in every age, to the pulling down of otherwise strong nations, but not until great wealth and extreme poverty on the one hand, and consequent idleness and indolence on the other, called for exciting entertainment of some sort. The morally-debilitating influence of the playhouse is illustrated in the fact that professed Christians, who, ten or twenty years ago, would not have dared to enter the theater—because of the example, if for no other reason—are now finding more enjoyment in the playhouse than in the prayer-meeting.

Even the professedly good things that are placed on the stage are, at best, but cheap imitations with deteriorating perversions of truth. The only real thing about the drama is its innate viciousness and sinister influence, in spite of its occasional moral and religious pretense. Gilding gold with cheap bronze must ever have the effect of deceiving the public as to the real value of the gold. Imitations are sometimes alluring to the unwary, but they are always deceptive. And the play, like the dance, is ever an excuse for indulging evil associations and attitudes and lusts that would not be tolerated in the social circles of home life.

So well does the enemy of righteousness know the evil results of the theater—which is a product of his own inspiration—that he is continually scheming to connect it with childhood as well as with those of mature years. So in giddy Paris, which sets the fashions and the pace for the world, they now have the "children's theater." La Vie Illustrée says:

Up to the present our little ones merely had Guignol and the circus as places of amusement, for the entire attention of theater managers was given to the amusement of adults. In consideration of this fact, M. Lucien Klotz recently leased the Theater del'Ambigue, where he intends to inaugurate a series of plays written for and played by children.

Thus the enemy of truth would imbue the

minds of the children with a love for the fictitious, gilded side of life, and with a desire to pervert its God-given powers in the shallow art of producing the unreal. With the murderous child-labor system in factories, and the influence of intemperance on every hand, and now the beginning of a "system" of children's theatricals, the pathway of childhood is quite fully beset with obstacles to moral and physical growth.

GOD’S MEANS OF RESTORING ORDER.

THE Lord’s infallible means of bringing order out of chaos is illustrated in the scriptural account of Creation. That record says: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.”

In all the history of this world the principle herein set forth has been in vogue. When man fell from grace in Eden, the result was spiritual chaos; and when God would redeem the race and restore the former condition of the earth, He used the same means to bring order out of chaos that He had used in the first instance. He sent His Spirit abroad to brood over the chaotic condition and shed light upon it. The Spirit worked upon the minds of such men as would yield to its influence, and through them gave verbal instruction, warning, and encouragement to all who would heed its light-giving ministration.

In course of time such history, exhortation, reproof, and direction as were deemed essential for the guidance of men were written out by direction of the Spirit. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21), and the matter was written for our learning (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11).

That this means of restoration was to obtain from beginning to end of the Gospel work is made plain by the Scripture: (1) “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an Horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” Luke 1:68-70. (2) In addition to the personal experience of the apostles with Christ, Peter says, “We have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19, A.R.V. Thus is the office of the Spirit of prophecy established from the beginning to the final restoration of all things.

Time after time, as the professed people of God apostatized, reformation was instituted by the Spirit’s hovering over the situation and throwing upon it the penetrating light of God’s Word. And no true reformation ever has been accomplished in any other way.

Just prior to the first advent of Christ, not only the world but the church “sat in darkness,” but with the coming of the Just One there was seen “a great Light.” His special forerunner and messenger, John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Ghost even “from his mother’s womb;” and until Christ Himself began to teach, no greater prophet than John ever had appeared. As for Jesus, He was not only filled with the Spirit, but it was poured out upon Him in such plentitude that it even rested upon Him in bodily form, and abode upon Him. It was dealt out to Him “without measure,” and by this means He became preeminently “the Light of the World.”

To such an extent was this true, that by the impartation of His Spirit to His disciples, they, too, become “the light of the world.” By the Spirit, through the lamp of God’s Word, we are to be instructed, guided, comforted, sanctified, encouraged. The presence of the Spirit is the “earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.”

Therefore the rejection of the Spirit of prophecy, on the part of the individual or of the church, is a deliberate return to spiritual chaos. To close the eyes to the “sure word of prophecy,” which is given as a special light in this “dark place” of sin, is to choose darkness rather than light. This is what the Jews did when they rejected Christ (John 3:19) and Stephen (Acts 7:51-60), and it is what every one does who rejects the testimony of His Spirit. In order that the natural heart may be regenerated and brought into subjection to the law of God, it is essential that the Spirit of Christ move upon it; and that the light of His Word permeate its inmost recesses. This is the only Gospel means of salvation. The inspired counsel is: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God; whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30. “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying.” 1 Thess. 5:19, 20.

Question Corner

By Editor

1776.—The Passion Play.

Please state when and by whom the Passion Play originated, and if it is still being played, and also if the “clown” or “fool” in the play is the character of Satan. W. F.

The Passion Play is a performance which takes place every tenth year in the village of Oberammergau, in the Bavarian highlands. In the seventeenth century a plague desolated that region. When it ceased, the village, as an act of gratitude, in the year 1633, vowed to represent the passion of Christ every ten years, and have ever since observed their vow. I do not think that any other character comes into the play as originally instituted, but just what appear in the Biblical history, Christ and His disciples, the high priests and scribes and Pharisees, Pilate, the Roman soldiers, etc. Since that time it has been played in theaters in different places, sometimes in universities; and some things may have been added to it, as doubtless there have; but at its birthplace the Gospel narrative is closely followed. Between the acts there are tableaux from the Old Testament, choral odes, etc. Its effect upon the people is thought by Catholics to be beneficial, and by many others to be of no benefit whatsoever.

1777.—Questions on the Covenant.

1. What is a covenant? 2. If a covenant has been fulfilled, does it still exist? H. W. S.

1. A covenant in human understanding and practise is a mutual agreement between two or more persons. In God's Word it sometimes means His law, "And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:13. It has the sense of a will or testament in this respect, God's expressed will as to man's duty. This also includes God's promise on obedience to His law. In the old covenant, God entered into mutual relations with His people. Exodus 19. This is after the human idea of a covenant, but that covenant to which both God and His people were parties had for its basis, as all other covenants of God's Word, the Ten Commandments.

2. The answer to this question depends on the nature of the covenant. If it is an agreement to do a certain thing at a certain time, when that certain thing at the certain time is done, it fulfils the covenant, and it becomes null for anything future. If it refers to duty to be performed continuously, one may be constantly fulfilling the covenant and yet the covenant still remain operative; for instance, Israel covenanted to obey God's voice. Every day they obeyed, of course they fulfilled their part of the covenant, and God fulfilled His covenant-promises; and that would have continued as long as Israel was obedient, but such fulfilment could never, in the very nature of the case, destroy the covenant.

1778.—The Comforter.

Was not the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, in the earth before Jesus ascended to His Father? Then why does John say in the seventh chapter of his Gospel, the thirty-ninth verse, that the Spirit was not yet given?

Yes, the very passages you cite in your question (Mark 12:36; Ps. 57:11; 2 Peter 1:21), and others such as 2 Sam. 23:2; Heb. 3:6—all these clearly show that the Spirit of God was in the earth before Jesus ascended.

John 7:39 simply states the fact that the Spirit had not been received. The same thing in John 16:7, "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." He tells us that it is expedient for them that He go away that the Comforter may come. The simple fact is that His people could not separate the power of God from Christ's personal presence. They felt that He must be actually with them in order to do any miracles. Said His closest friend: "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died;" and yet there was the Roman centurion who grasped the fact of the ever-present Spirit and power of God, "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." The difficulty was not in the giving of the Spirit, but in the receiving of it. One other thought, the Lord wanted to teach His children that the Spirit must come to them through Christ Jesus the Lord.

1779.—What Law? Gal. 3:19.

Will you please explain the meaning of the text in Gal. 3:19? E. A. D.

Read carefully the context. The apostle has just stated that God's covenant was confirmed in Abraham 430 years before the law was spoken. He also teaches us in this chapter that it is not by the law we are saved, but by God's promise in Christ Jesus. The blessings of Abraham come by faith. Paul anticipates the question that would naturally be raised. You ask, "Wherefore then the law?" And he replies, "It was added—given, spoken—because of transgression." Rom. 5:20 states it, "The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound." Man's conscience became so benumbed that he must have the written law held out before him to show him that he was a sinner, and how he was sinning. God wanted Israel of old to see how exceeding sinful is sin that they might flee from their transgressions and be saved by His grace. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20. "I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Rom. 7:7. And that has been the purpose of God's law to the sinner always. For how long does the law fulfil this object? Until the Seed shall come to whom the promise was made. And who is the Seed? Christ, the one promised in Gen. 3:15. What is the promise? The Seed shall be "heir of the world." Rom. 4:11, and other Scriptures. When will Christ receive His inheritance, the inheritance promised to Abraham?—When He comes again the second time. Dan. 7:27; Matt. 25:31, 34. The meaning of the text, then, is that God gave the law in order that man might see how great were his transgressions, and so be led to Christ, and that this office of the law shall continue until the Seed, Christ Jesus, shall come and take His throne.

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