The Present Truth, vol. 10
July 19, 1894
“Front Page” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.1
This exhortation was enforced by the parable of the rich man who, in consequence of abundant crops, proposed to pull down his barns, and build greater, so that he might say to himself, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.2
The fool, in the Bible use of the term, is the one who says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1. God has revealed Himself in every star in the sky, every leaf of the forest, every fountain of the hills, and in every breeze that blows. The heavens declare His glory, and the whole earth is full of His goodness. This revelation lies at the very foundation of all true knowledge, and is the easiest and most natural thing in the world. Whoever therefore does not recognise it is justly a called a fool. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.3
The rich man in the parable talked and acted as though there were no God. He who really believes that there is a God, must believe that He is just what He has declared Himself to be,—“a rewarder of them that seek after Him;” a tender, loving Father. Therefore whoever believes that there is a God, will know that He alone is able to preserve life, and that He delights to supply the needs of His children. The rich man acted as though his life depended solely upon himself; and thus he said in his heart, “There is no God.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.4
But this parable is not for the rich alone. The poor need it as well. The exhortation, “Beware of covetousness,” is needed by the poor as well as by the rich. The poor man who bends all his energies towards the accumulation of wealth, or the one who has no hope or expectation of becoming rich, but who is in constant anxiety over the future, is trusting in earthly goods just a surely as any rich man. Whoever acts though his life depended wholly on itself, is thereby denying the existence of God. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.5
In the sixth chapter of Matthew the Saviour tells us that we cannot serve two masters; if we serve mammon we cannot serve God. Then He proceeds to show us that serving mammon consists in anxious care and worry about the future. Anxious thought as to what we shall eat, drink, and wear, is a characteristic of the heathen. Therefore the professed Christian who allows himself to doubt, or who is covetously anxious about the future, is denying the faith. Covetousness is idolatry. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.6
“Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” For “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19. “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 33:3, 4. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.7
“Studies in Romans. Universal Judgment. Romans 2:1-11” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1, 2. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.8
“My son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.9
Here we have the secret of the understanding of the Bible: study and meditation, coupled with an earnest desire to know the will of God in order to do it. “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17. Repetition-review-is one of the prime essentials to knowledge of the Bible. Not that any amount of study will compensate for lack of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but that the Holy Spirit witnesses through the word. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.10
A LOOK BACKWARD
In this study of Romans we wish to carry along with us as much as possible of what we learn. We will therefore take a view of the first chapter as a whole. We have found that it is naturally divided somewhat as follows:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.11
Verses 1-7, The salutation, containing an epitome of the whole Gospel. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.12
Verses 8-15, Paul’s personal interest in the Romans, and his sense of obligation to them and to all mankind. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.13
Verses 16, 17, What the Gospel is, and what it contains. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.14
Verses 21-23, The corruption of wisdom. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.15
Verses 24-32, The result of unthankfulness and of forgetting God. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.16
A careful reading of the chapter shows that the main thought is that God has made Himself known to every soul in His creation, and that even the most degraded heathen know that they are guilty and are worthy of death for their wickedness. “Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Verse 32. So “they are without excuse.” This leading thought of the first chapter should be well in mind before beginning the second chapter, for the second is a continuation of the first, and dependent upon it. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.17
A WIDER VIEW. Romans 2:1-11
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile; for there is no respect of persons with God.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.18
QUESTIONING THE TEXT
What declaration does the apostle make to man? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.19
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.20
What man is it that is inexcusable? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.21
“Whosoever thou art that judgest.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.22
Why is the man that judges inexcusable? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.23
“For wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.24
How is it that he condemns Himself? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.25
“For thou that judgest doest the same things.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.26
Of what may we be sure? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.27
“We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 449.28
Therefore what is the man who judges evil-doers not to think? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.1
“That thou shalt escape the judgment of God.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.2
What leading question is asked of the self-righteous judge? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.3
“Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.4
Of what is such an one ignorant? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.5
“Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.6
What do such treasure up for themselves? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.7
“Treasurest up unto thyself wrath.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.8
In accordance with what is this wrath treasured up? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.9
“After thy hardness and impenitent heart.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.10
Against what time is this wrath treasured up? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.11
“Against the day of wrath.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.12
What will then be revealed? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.13
“Revelation of the righteousness judgment of God.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.14
What will God then render? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.15
“Who will render to every man according to his deeds.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.16
To what class will He render eternal life? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.17
“To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.18
Unto how many will this be rendered? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.19
“Upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.20
In what order? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.21
“Of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.22
Is God as impartial in His rendering of rewards as of punishment? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.23
“But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.24
What is not found with God? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.25
“For there is no respect of persons with God.” He, “without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man’s work.” 1 Peter 1:17. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.26
Acknowledging their Guilt.-The truth of the apostle’s statement is easy of demonstration concerning the heathen and their deeds, that they know that they are worthy of death. When Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit, they were afraid to meet God, and hid themselves. Fear is a necessary accompaniment of guilt, and a proof of it. “Fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. “The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1. “But the fearful ... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire.” Revelation 21:8. If the heathen did not know that they were guilty, they would not expect punishment for murdering or stealing, and would not arm themselves for defence. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.27
An Unanswerable Charge.-There is wonderful shrewdness in the way that the apostle works up the charge made in the first verse. The first chapter is confined to the heathen. All will agree with the apostle’s statement that they are guilty of most abominable wickedness. “They ought to know better,” is the almost involuntary exclamation. “They do know better,” is the apostle’s reply, or, at least, they have a chance to know better, and they do know that they are not doing right. “They are without excuse.” Whatever men may think about the responsibility of the heathen, all agree that their practices are to be condemned. Then comes the crushing rejoinder: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” We are caught, and can not escape. If we know enough to condemn the unrighteous deeds of the heathen, we by that very judgment acknowledge ourselves to be without excuse for our own misdeeds. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.28
All Alike.—“Thou that judgest doest the same things.” It is clear enough that anybody who knows enough to condemn evil in another is without excuse for his own sins; but all will not at once see that the one who judges another does the same things. Read, therefore the last verses of the first chapter again, and compare the list of sins with that found in Galatians 5:19-21, and it will be seen that the things which the heathen do, and for which we can readily see that they are guilty, are but the works of the flesh. They are the sins that come “from within, out of the heart of men.” Mark 7:21-23. Whoever is included in the term “man” is subject to just such things. “The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works.” Psalm 33:13-15. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.29
Self-condemned.-Therefore, since all men are alike sharers in one common human nature, it is evident that whosoever in the world condemns another for any misdeed thereby condemns himself; for the truth is that all have the same evil in them, more or less fully developed; and the fact that they know enough to judge that a thing is wrong, is a declaration that they themselves are worthy of the punishment which they see that the other one deserves. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.30
Sympathy, not Condemnation.-The robber often cries out, “Stop thief!” after some other man, in order to direct pursuit away from himself. So people condemn sin in others, in order that it may not be suspected that they are guilty of the same things. Often, too, people PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.31
“Compound for sins they are inclined to
By damning those they have no mind to,“
PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.32
but of which they are actually guilty by reason of their human nature. Since all flesh of man is the same, we ought to be filled with humiliation, instead of contempt, when we hear of a gross sin that is committed; for it is really a picture of what is in our own hearts. Instead of saying, “God, I thank thee that I am not as other men,” we should bear the burden of the erring, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted. Very often the man whose weakness we feel inclined to condemn, has not failed so badly as we should have done if we had been tempted in the same way, and to the same degree. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.33
Outcry Against Sin.-When Talkative left it with Faithful to decide upon the subject of their conversation, Faithful proposed this question: “How doth the saving grace of God discover itself when it is in the heart of man?” And then Bunyan proceeds thus:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.34
Talk. I perceive then that our talk must be about the power of things. Well, it is a very good question, and I shall be willing to answer you; and take my answer in brief thus: First, where the grace of God is in the heart, it causeth there a great outcry against sin. Secondly— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.35
Faith. Nay, held, let us consider of one at once. I think you should rather say, it shows itself by including the need to abhor sin. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.36
Talk. Why, what difference is there between crying out against and abhorring sin? PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.37
Faith. O, a great deal! A man may cry out against a sin, of policy; but he can not abhor it but by virtue of a godly antipathy against it. I have heard many cry out against sin in the pulpit, who can yet abide it well enough in the heart, house, and conversation. Joseph’s mistress cried out with a loud voice, as if she had been very chaste; but she would willingly, notwithstanding that, have committed uncleanness with him.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.38
A keen perception of right and wrong, and a vigorous denunciation of sin, will never justify any man. On the contrary, they only deepen his condemnation. It is a sad fact that too many of the so-called reformers of the present day seem to think that Gospel work consists largely in the denunciation of evil practices. A detective is not a minister of the Gospel. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 450.39
Judgment According to Truth.—“But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” “Hold,” says one, “I am not sure of that.” Well, you may very easily assure yourself of it. (1) God exists. We are agreed as to that. (2) He is the source whence every created thing comes. (3) Every creature is absolutely dependent upon him. “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” (4) Since all life depends on Him, it is evident that the continuation of man’s life depends upon his agreement and union with God. (5) Therefore God’s own character must be the standard of judgment. (6) But God Himself is truth. “There is no unrighteousness in Him.” (7) But He has made a revelation of Himself and His righteousness to all men. “His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.” Psalm 97:2. (8) Therefore all men, from the least to the greatest, are without excuse for their sin. (9) Then it is plain enough that when God judges all men, without exception, His judgment is according to truth. And earth will be constrained to join with heaven in saying, “Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.” “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.” Revelation 16:5, 7. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.1
No Escape.-No one need think that he can escape the righteous judgment of God. It is usually the most enlightened who flatter themselves that they shall escape. It is so easy for us to think that our great knowledge of right and wrong will be counted for righteousness, to persuade ourselves that our condemnation of the sins of others will make the Lord believe that we could never be guilty of such things. But that only makes our condemnation the more clear. The first chapter of Romans knocks all the props from under every man. If the lowest are justly held guilty, there is no escape for the “higher classes.” “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.2
Goodness Leading to Repentance.—“Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God is the perfection of purity and holiness; man is altogether sinful. God knows every sin, yet He does not despise the sinner. “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17. Christ said, “If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not.” John 12:47. And in everything that He said and did, He was simply representing the Father. God “is longsuffering to usward;” and “the longsuffering of our God is salvation.” 2 Peter 3:9, 15. Now it is impossible that one should consider the goodness and longsuffering of God without being humbled and moved to repentance. When we consider how tenderly God bears with us, it is not possible that we should deal harshly with our fellow-men. And if we do not judge, we shall not be judged. Luke 6:37. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.3
Repentance Is a Gift.—“By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:30, 31. But it was not to Israel alone that God gave repentance through Christ. “To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43. And so plainly did God make this appear that even the exclusive Jews were forced to exclaim, “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.4
Incentives to Repentance.-The goodness of God leads men to repentance. Therefore the whole earth is full of incentives to repentance, for “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:5. “The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy mercy.” Psalm 119:64. God may be known through His works, and “God is love.” All creation reveals the love and mercy of God. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.5
And we need not try to improve on the Scriptures, and say that the goodness of God tends to lead men to repentance. The Bible says that it does lead them to repentance, and we may be sure that it is so. Every man is being led toward repentance as surely as God is good. But not all repent. Why? Because they despise the riches of the goodness and forbearance and longsuffering of God, and break away from the merciful leading of the Lord. But whoever does not resist the Lord, will surely be brought to repentance and salvation. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.6
Treasuring up Wrath.-In the first chapter we learned that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” Therefore all who sin are treasuring up for themselves wrath. It should be noted that in the judgment God is clear. Men receive only what they have worked for. God is not arbitrary. He has not fixed arbitrary decrees, and declared that whoever violates them shall be visited with vengeance. The punishment that will come upon the wicked is the necessary result of their own choice. God is the only source of life. His life is peace. Now when men reject Him, the only alternative for them is wrath and death. “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; they would none of My counsel; they despised all My reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” Proverbs 1:29-32. Trouble and death are bound up in sin; they are what men choose when they refuse the Lord. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.7
“According to His Deeds.”—Unbelievers often say that it is not just for God to condemn a man simply because he does not believe a certain thing. But he does not do so. Not a word can be found in the Bible about judging a man according to his belief. Everywhere it is said that all will be judged according to their works. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27. “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12. He “judgeth according to every man’s work.” 1 Peter 1:17. The man who says that his work is all right, sets himself up as judge in the place of God, who says that every man is all wrong. God is Judge alone, and he judges strictly according to a man’s work, but a man’s work is decided by his faith. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:29. It is not for any man to judge himself, and say that his work is all right. It is for him simply to trust the goodness and mercy of the Lord, that his work may be wrought in God. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 452.8
Immortality and Eternal Life.-God will render eternal life to them who seek for glory and honour and immortality. Christ “hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10. Life and immortality are two different things. Whoever believes on the Son of God has eternal life. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3. We have eternal life as soon as we know the Lord; but we can not have immortality until the Lord comes, at the last day. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. We are to seek for immortality; that of itself is proof that no man has it now. Since Christ has brought it to light through the Gospel, it is evident that immortality can be found in no other way than through the Gospel. Therefore those who do not accept the Gospel will never have immortality. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.1
Tribulation and Anguish.-Those who sin are the children of wrath. Ephesians 2:3. Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, are sure to come upon evil doers. But tribulation and anguish will have an end. The fact that none receive immortality except the ones who are Christ’s at His coming, shows that all others will eventually cease to exist. There will be torment in connection with the punishment of the wicked, but the torment, however long it may continue, will come to an end in the utter destruction of the wicked. God’s indignation will come to an end. “For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and Mine anger in their destruction.” Isaiah 10:25. The call is: “Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Isaiah 26:20, 21. “He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger forever.” Psalm 103:9. His anger will cease, not because He will become reconciled to iniquity, but because iniquity will come to an end with its workers. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.2
“To Every Soul.”—Tribulation and anguish will come upon “every soul of man that doeth evil,” and “glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good.” None will be left out. There is not a soul so poor and ignorant that he will be passed by, nor one so wealthy and learned that he will be allowed to escape. Wealth and position will have no influence in that court. God has made the revelation of Himself so plain that every man has had an opportunity of knowing Him. “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness.” Note well that His wrath is revealed against sin. Only those persons will suffer who cling to sin, and will not allow God to take it from them. In the final blotting out of sin, they are necessarily blotted out with it. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.3
To the Jew First.-This statement is sufficient to show that God is no respecter of persons. Indeed, the apostle states as a necessary conclusion that “there is no respect of persons with God.” “First” does not always refer to time. We speak of a man as being the first man in the country, not because there were no men before him, but because he is the chief man. In school a certain one is the first one in his class because he is the best scholar. The Jew is the one who has had the greatest revelation made to him, and therefore it is just that he should be chief in the judgment. The text shows, however, that God has no special favor to the Jew over other men. If glory, honour, and peace come to the Jew first, so also do indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish. The question is not, “What is the man’s nationality?” but, “What has he done?” God will render to every man according to his deeds, “for there is no respect of persons with God.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.4
“The Pope of Islam” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
The Pope of Islam.-The immense influence which the Sultan is able to exercise as head of the Mohammedan religion is thus stated by the late Sir Austen Layard:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.5
Do not forget what the Sultan is. He is the Pope of Islam, the chief of a faith fanatically held by one-third of Asia and the whole of Northern Africa. You may laugh if you please at his power which the Sultan is able to exert in India itself; but I was never so struck in my life as when I took a certain ex-potentate to see the Sultan. My friend had been a sovereign himself, but no sooner did he enter the presence of Abdul Hamid than he fell upon his face and began kissing the Sultan’s boots. Abdul Hamid, who is a good-natured man, wished to raise him, but he refused, and after the interview was over, and we had left the palace, I said to my friend, “How can you, who have been a sovereign yourself, kiss the shoes of the Sultan?” “Ah!” he replied, “he is the chief of my religion; I must do it.” In that incident you have a key to the attitude of Moslems throughout the world. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.6
“The True Israel” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” Romans 9:6, 7. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.7
These words of the Apostle Paul should be sufficient to clear up all mystery in the minds of Bible believers concerning who are the “Israel” of to-day. It is plain that all theories and all claims based upon literal descent from Abraham are of no value. It is of no consequence to us to know who are the natural seed of Abraham to-day, or what is to become of them in the future. No promise of God made to Israel was fulfilled through the simple process of natural descent. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.8
The line of descent from Abraham which God recognises is not a natural line, but a spiritual one. He has never recognised any line but the spiritual one, even from the days of Abraham himself. Of this fact there are many proofs. When Ishmael was born, and Abraham desired that he might live before God as the heir of the promise (Genesis 17:18), the Lord said to him, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” And when after the birth of Isaac, Sarah desired the son of Abraham by the bondwoman to be cast out because of his mocking, the Lord said to Abraham, “In all that Sarah hath said unto thee hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.9
Ishmael was the father of a great nation; and we read that Abraham had other sons beside Ishmael and Isaac; but to these he gave gifts and sent them away, and Isaac alone was his heir. So there were several sons of Abraham, but only one heir; multitudes of natural descendants, but only a certain line of them whom God recognised as his children. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.10
Isaac was chosen as the heir because he was the child of promise. The scripture commentary upon this is, “They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” So then the line of descent was reckoned from God Himself. Between God and the carnal nature there could be no possible union, and therefore no child of the flesh could be a son of God. Isaac was the child; that is, he was born through faith in the promise of God made to Abraham, and thus he became a son. No person was ever a son of God who did not become so by faith. It has been possible for all the fallen sons of Adam to become the sons of God by believing, as Abraham did, on “Him that justifieth the ungodly.” By so doing they are “born again,” into the line of the true descendants of Abraham,—into the family of God. And the same privilege is open to every man to-day. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 453.11
The distinguishing mark of this line of descent from Abraham, is righteousness; and his descendants compose together a “righteous nation,”—the only righteous nation this earth has ever known. Of them it will be said in the final day of reckoning, “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.” Isaiah 26:2. This righteousness is by faith; for we read that “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness;” and also, “to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:3, 5. And thus, as the apostle states in another place, “they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” And the same are also the sons of God; for “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of men, but of God.” John 1:12, 13. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.1
Faith, and faith alone, stands out through all the history of Israel as the means by which the heirship of the promises of God was received. Abraham had faith in God, and God gave him the covenant of circumcision, “a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe.” Romans 4:11. But when the Israelites signally failed in faith, at Kadesh-Barnea, and were turned back from the land of promise to wander in the wilderness, circumcision ceased among them, and was not renewed until, under the command of Joshua, they again stood on the borders of Canaan. Though they were the literal descendants of Abraham, and of Isaac, the child a promise, the Lord refused to recognise them as the children of Abraham, because of their unbelief. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.2
John the Baptist, also, and the Saviour, plainly told the Pharisees that they were not the children of Abraham. Said John, “Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our Father; I say unto you, that God is able of the stones to raise the children unto Abraham.” Matthew 3:9. Thus he declared that natural descent from Abraham counted for nothing. And the Saviour said of them, “If ye were Abraham’s children ye would do the works of Abraham;” and also, “Ye are of your father the devil.” They had not been born of God and therefore were neither the children of God nor the children of Abraham. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.3
As the natural seed of Abraham were not counted as children without faith, so on the other hand those who were not the natural seed could become united to Israel by faith. Any stranger could come and join himself to them and be counted as one of them. The promises of God were specifically made to the stranger who came and united with Israel, as to the natural descendants themselves. God did not separate the Israelites from the other nations for the purpose of going off by Himself with a certain people to favour them, and shutting the others out. He separated them from the wickedness of the nations around them, that they might not be contaminated thereby; but He excluded no one from joining them and sharing with them in all their blessings. He designed to magnify His name in them before all the world, that men might be drawn to them with a desire to obtain a knowledge of Him. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.4
There is an Israel of God to-day, as there ever has been; and now, as then, it is open to all persons of whatever race or ancestry to unite themselves to it. There is nothing exclusive about it; it is as free as the offer of salvation. The condition of union with Israel now is the same that it ever was,—belief in God. “They which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” The same promises of God to ancient Israel hold good to-day; the advantages of union with Israel are the same. But there is no promise to the merely natural descendants, and no advantage in being connected with Abraham Isaac or Jacob through the flesh. The Israel of God is to-day the remnant of the “righteous nation,” that have been gathered out in all ages from every race and kindred and tongue, by the power of God’s grace, through faith. “Israel” stands for those who by faith have power, as Jacob did, with God, and prevailed. All these are children of God; and only these has God recognised in past times as Abraham’s children, or does recognise as such to-day. They are those whom Christ has redeemed. “If ye Christ’s, then are ye Abraham seed, and heirs according to the promise.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.5
“An Intoxicating Plant” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
There is a fine moral in the following newspaper paragraph:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.6
In Texas there abounds a dangerous weed which farmers and stock raisers are doing their best to exterminate. It is the Lathyrus cicera, a low creeping vetch, known as the “loco plant” in its native habitat. Horses and cattle are extremely fond of this herb, and seek it out and devour it with the avidity with which men take alcohol or opium. Its effect is to befuddle the animals which eat it, and if they consume it in any quantity they not only become intoxicated, but mad. A doctor, who has made a study of the symptoms of “loco” poisoning, says the prominent ones are due to a loss of muscular co-ordination. The animals become weak and staggering, and a slight blow on the head would be sufficient to cause one affected by the poison to rear and fall over backwards. There is also considerable loss of flesh, the coat loses its natural bright shiny appearance, and the hair becomes rough and of a dirty colour. The brain, as well as the spinal cord in some cases, seems to be affected, and the animals become perfectly crazy. Man, we are sometimes told, is the only animal that gets drunk, but horses and cattle do the same, it seems, when they have the opportunity. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.7
The poor beasts, like many men, have not the power or the inclination to resist an appetite that is so perverted by the narcotic or stimulant that no healthful food can supply the demand. But why do not the stock-raisers make provision to grow this herb and supply it in moderate quantities to the stock? Simply because they know that things of this nature, which produce such results when taken in quantities, are harmful in whatever proportion they are taken. The real food does not enslave the appetite. Stock-raisers prefer to supply the horses and cattle with food; and, as they raise them for profit, they try to exterminate the weed described. Amongst men we find the use of stimulants and opiates producing exactly similar effects, and yet there are encouragements offered to the traffickers in these things that ruin men’s bodies, as the Texan weed ruins the bodies of the cattle. And although souls are lost in the indulgence of perverted taste, even some well-intentioned people apologise for the moderate use of intoxicants, thinking they can stop short of injury to health. It is coming to be recognised more and more generally that they cannot begin without injury to health. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 454.8
“Spiritual or Fanciful?” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
It is impossible for man to give a spiritual meaning to any text of Scripture; and therefore it is impossible for anyone to “spiritualise” away the meaning of any text; but he may take away its meaning for himself and others who listen to him through his own fancy or imagination. Every text of Scripture is spiritual and its meaning is spiritual, and only by the aid of the Spirit can its meaning be impressed upon the heart. This spiritual character of the Scripture is impressed upon the words by the Spirit which dictated them, and no man has power to impress a spiritual nature upon anything. All men could do is to make Scripture appear fanciful, by “interpreting” it according to his own imaginations. And this he has no business to do. For the Spirit is the interpreter and the guide into all truth. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.1
The spiritual meaning of all Scripture is therefore to be revealed by the Spirit itself; and this being so, it follows that the Bible must be its sole interpreter, or in other words, that what the Spirit has said in one place must be understood in the light of what it has said in another place; each text must be understood in the light of all others. He who presumes to interpret the word of God in any other way, only darkens counsel by words without knowledge. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.2
“Unclean Fiction” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
Unclean Fiction.-A writer in a literary journal scathingly arraigns the writers and readers of the classic novels which have become popular of late, which profess to teach good morals by putting wickedness on exhibition. He says:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.3
Druggist and physicians have told me that a person who takes to opium-eating will lie, steal, or barter body and soul for a morsel of dried poppy-juice. Never in my life have I known that a man or a woman given over to the pleasure of writing or of reading novels based on illicit love who did not habitually lie to avoid personal responsibility. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.4
“Getting Angry” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
Getting Angry.-Nearly everyone knows by experience that it is a bad thing physically to allow feelings of anger to rage inside the heart, whether the feelings are directly expressed or not. Impatience and forgetfulness make many people old before their time. Mdme. Modjeska recently said:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.5
I cannot afford to get angry. A woman at my time of life must economise her emotions and her nerves if she wants to hold the remnants of her youth and beauty. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.6
Anger means physical ill, but, worse than that it means also spiritual death. The light was an unnatural one on Stephen’s face, when the council saw it, “as it were the face of an angel,” but his face would not have shown as the face of an angel if he had had one trace of anger and bitterness in his heart toward those who were about to martyr him for his testimony. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 455.7
“News of the Week” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
-Lord Charles Russell took the oath of allegiance on his appointment as ford Chief Justice, July 11. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.1
-Emperor William is expected to arrive in England at the beginning of the second week in August. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.2
-The Perth School Board have decided that the teaching of dancing in the schools is to be continued. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.3
-The plague still continues at Hong Kong, but is said to be abating. The number of deaths to date is 2,370. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.4
-About 160 Russian Poles have been banished to Siberia for commemorating the Kilinsky insurrection of 1799. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.5
-The Canadian Government will grant an annual subsidy of $750,000 for a new fast mail across the Atlantic. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.6
-At West Bromwich a father is said to have sold his daughter, aged eleven, in a public-house, to a man for a pint of beer. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.7
-A bust supposed to be that of Herod the Great, and the only one extant, has been placed in the Imperial Hermitage in St. Petersburg. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.8
-According to a telegram from Yokohama, Japan declines to withdraw her troops from Korea, and a war with China is regarded as inevitable. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.9
-The Parliamentary Committee on the London Buildings have passed a clause fixing the maximum height of any building at eighty feet. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.10
-Owing to the failure of a brake, a train was wrecked on a Spanish railway line near Bilbao, twelve persons being killed and thirty-eight injured. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.11
-An attempt has been made to smuggle Chinese girls into America in boxes. While removing a huge box, a sound was heard, and upon opening it, four girls were found, nearly dead from suffocation. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.12
-A new company has been formed in Paris, with a capital of 50,000,000 francs, to continue the construction of the Panama. Canal to completion. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.13
-At last the federal authority in Argentina, he decided that Mr. Jabot, Balfour, the much wanted manager of the Liberator Society, cannot he extradited. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.14
-Contradictory reports are being circulated concerning the health of the Pope, and an impression prevails that a papal conclave and a new election will be is necessary of the near future. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.15
-Cholera has reappeared in St. Petersburg and other places on the Continent, and seems to be rapidly making its way westward. At St. Petersburg it has already attained the stage of an epidemic. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.16
-At a recent secret meeting of the Miners’ Federation at Pilsen, it was decided to propose to the federations in all the other parts of the world a universal miners’ strike, to take place in August or September next. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.17
-Reliable coal deposits are said to have been found in Matabeleland. This is an important discovery for those interested in developing the resources of the country, as the fuel supply is almost the first necessity in such inland countries. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.18
-A violent shock of earthquake was felt July 10 at Constantinople. At Stamboul about fifty persons were killed, and the people of both places were panic-stricken. In all about 150 lives are supposed to have been lost and an enormous amount of damage has been done to property. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.19
-Mr. Siemens, the electrician, has submitted an offer to the Government of the Dominion of Canada for laying a cable under the Pacific Ocean, from Victoria, British Columbia, to Sydney, New South Wales. He undertakes to complete the construction within three years. His offer is now being considered. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.20
-Count Leo Tolstoi has recently prepared a brochure on “Patriotism and Christianity,” the publication of which has created considerable sensation in political as well as literary circles throughout Austria and other portions of Europe, on account of its portrayal of the antagonism between those two forces. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.21
-News has been brought to Memel by steamer that the township of Plunjan, on the Russian frontier, about seven miles from Memel, has been completely destroyed by fire. Three hundred and seventy houses have been burnt to the ground, and over 2,000 people are without shelter. A few children perished in the flames. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.22
-According to mail advices from Fiji, a number of hill tribes in Vauna Levu recently refused to obey summonses for neglecting to pay communal duties, and attacked the native police with clubs owing to their attempting to enforce pay merit. Cannibalism was revived, together with other heathen practices. Sir John Thurston, the Governor, proceeded against the tribes at the head of an armed party, and quelled the rising. Seven of the rebels were killed. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.23
-The latest reports made to the Italian Minister of Justice at Rome show that there are 250 Anarchists in prison in that city. At Milan there are 300 in prison, at Turin 815, at Genoa 180, at Bologna 213, including, it is believed, several members of the gang who are thought to have plotted the attempted murder of Signor Crispi and the death of M. Carnot; and about 900 more are distributed among the prisons at Pisa, Leghorn, Lutta, Ravenna, Forti, and some smaller towns. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.24
-The railway strike in America, which began with a dispute over wages in the car shops of the Pullman Company, near Chicago, rapidly grew in size until it assumed the dimensions of a civil war, and involved nearly all the railway lines west of Chicago, and several large lines east of that city. The World’s Fair buildings were burned, thousands of railway cars were destroyed, and arson and pillage were almost unrestrained. The militia were called out to suppress the rioting and a large number of the mob were shot. In California the militia and strikers joined hands, and the State and government authorities seem openly defied: but on the arrival of regular troops they abandoned their hostile attitude. The total damage to property cannot, it is said, be less than $6,000,000. President Cleveland was obliged to issue a proclamation placing Chicago and other centres of disturbance under martial law. The strike seems to have collapsed, although it is stated that a general strike of the trades unions will be inaugurated on the 14th, in support of the demands of the Pullman employees. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 462.25
“Back Page” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
This is what Mr. Chauncey Depew telegraphs to the Times concerning the labour troubles in the United States: “There is universal unrest, and an almost frantic desire for anything in place of the present conditions.” That does not afford a very hopeful prospect for the future. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.1
In consequence of competition with Continental steamship lines, the American Line has announced a reduction in their steerage rates from London, Liverpool, or Queenstown to any of their American ports, to 86s. for adults, including outfit. This is the lowest rate ever offered. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.2
The simple, practical faith of the Chinese boy in California, who began to keep the Sabbath after attending a mission school, and studying the Bible, is worth noting. When asked why he did so, he replied: “God talk to me in English Bible and Chinese Bible all the same; He say seventh day Sabbath day, and I believe Him.” Surely a better reason could not be asked for nor given. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.3
The desperate determination with which anarchists are adhering to their warfare against society and government, especially in France, is seen from information which has come to light, of plots to destroy the military arsenal at Toulon, and to blow up a number of public buildings in Paris, among them the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and the Elysee. As a consequence the inhabitants of the French capital are almost in a state of panic. And meanwhile such a state of affairs as prevails in America and in some of the countries of Europe, is doing much more to breed anarchists than civil governments can do to exterminate them. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.4
The bubonic plague which prevails at Hong Kong is said by medical authorities to be identical with the terrible “black death,” which has ravished Asia and Europe at different times in preceding centuries. The fact of an outbreak now in a district closely connected by trade with the civilised world, affords some cause for fear of another visitation, which would be the more dreaded because the nature and proper treatment of the disease seem not yet to be understood by the medical world. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.5
The Catholic, an Irish anti-Roman paper, gives a recently-found confession of St. Patrick, it discovered in an ancient manuscript in Paris. In it St. Patrick says:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.6
If now Thy vengeance upon me shall be as great as my own sins multiplied upon me, how shall I bear up against Thy judgment? But I have Thee for my High Priest, to whom I confess all my sins, and to Thee alone, my God, do I confess my sins, for to Thee alone have I sinned, and before Thy face have I done evil. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.7
The early Irish and British believers knew too much of the word of God to be a Romanists. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.8
The records of those early days are fragmentary, but enough remains to show that in many things the traditions of the Roman apostasy had not corrupted the faith in the North of Ireland and Scotland as it had in the most of Europe. Thus Mr. Skene, in his “Celtic Scotland” (Edinburgh), says of the Scottish churches as late as the eleventh century:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.9
They seem to have followed a custom of which we find traces in the early Monastic Church of Ireland, by which they held Saturday to be the Sabbath. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.10
To get the people to conform to Roman custom, and cease their worldly labour on Sunday, Queen Margaret quoted the decrees of Pope Gregory, and used her authority. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.11
In an article in the North American Review, on “How to Protect a City from Crime,” Superintendent Byrnes, of the New York Police Department, says:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.12
When once a man serves a term in prison, I have very little hope for him; for while there he lives in a criminal atmosphere; He comes in contact with other prisoners, who talk to him about their crimes, and who teach him new ways of committing a crime; so that he leaves the place more tainted than he was when he went into it. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.13
He states that he does not intend any slur on prison life, but that this is the necessary result of prison life at best. There is certainly but a forlorn hope that crime will ever be diminished, when the best means at Government command for that end, only add to the amount. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.14
“In Bondage” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
In Bondage.-Remonstrating against the Prime Minister’s first appointment to a Bishopric, that of Bath and Wells, one of the most representative organs of the Church of England, the Church Times, says:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.15
The time is coming when the Church herself will claim a voice in the selection of her rulers and chief pastors. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.16
It is a humiliating confession of wide departure from Gospel lines. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.17
“Called and Sent” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
Called and Sent.-Paul was “called to be an apostle.” An apostle is one who is sent. The Lord called Paul in order that He might send him with a message. But in order that he might carry the message, He revealed His Son in him (Galatians 1:16), because He was called to preach Christ. Still God is calling, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah 6:8. The call is not limited. “Whosoever will, may come;” but let everyone remember that it is a call to service. Then with his iniquity taken away, let him reply, “Here am I; send me.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.18
“Authority” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
Authority.—When the Lord speaks, His word requires no endorsement of man; and where His word is silent no power of men can speak with authority. But the Catholic theory is thus stated by a clergyman in the last Church Times:— PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.19
It is an axiom in theology, that short of an Ecumenical decree, nothing is so authoritative as universal consent, according to the Vincentian rule. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.20
But the safer way is to take God’s word alone as authority. Instead of telling us to follow common consent, or the majority, He tells us to follow Him, and in warning says, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.21
“Settling Labour Troubles” The Present Truth 10, 29.
E. J. Waggoner
Settling Labour Troubles.-There are two ways of settling labour troubles,—man’s way and God’s way. Man’s way is by force, as represented in a strike, where each party seeks to compel the other to submit. God’s way is by persuasion, and never by force. God’s way teaches men patiently to endure wrong, trusting in Him who is all-powerful to enable them to endure every ordeal, and who has said that He would never suffer the righteous to be moved. God’s way converts men, and thus cleanses the fountain of people at its source. Man’s way simply dams up the tide, and by that very thing increases the evil at its source. And therefore man’s way can never permanently succeed, and the only hope for peace and order among men lies in the uplifting power of the Gospel. Wherever the Gospel is received, there will be quietness and peace; and wherever it is rejected, there we may look for confusion and every evil work. PTUK July 19, 1894, page 464.22