Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/104

 p$ The Plan of the

with ifae gospel (which is free to all who hear) than others. Glance at & map of the world and see how small is the portion enlightened or blessed in any appreciable degree by the gospel of Christ, Contrast yourself, with your privi- leges and knowledge, with the millions in heathen darkness to-day, who never heard the call, and who consequently were not called. When the called-out company (called to be sons of God, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord who have made their calling and elec- tion sure) is complete, then the plan of God for the world's salvation will be only beginning.

Not until it is selected, developed, and exalted to power, will the Seed bruise the serpent's head. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (Rom. 16 ; 20 j Gen. 3 : 15.) The Gospel age makes ready 'the chaste virgin, the faithful Church, for the coming Bride- groom. And in the end of the age, when she is made " ready" (Rev. 19: 7), the Bridegroom comes, and they that are ready go in with him to the marriage the second Adam and the second Eve become one, and then the glo- rious work of restitution begins. In the next dispensation, the new heaven and the new earth, the Church will be no longer the espoused virgin, but the Bride ; and then shall " The Spirit and the Bride say, Come ! And let him that heareth say, Come ! And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely-" Rev. 22 : 17.

The Gospel age, so far from closing the Church's mis- sion, is only a necessary preparation for the great future work. For this promised and coming blessing, the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Rom. 8 : 22, 19.) And it is a blessed &<5t that free grace in fullest measure, not merely for the living but for thos*

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