Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/105

 who iixavedied w well, is provided in our Father's plan as the blessed opportunity of the coming age.

Some who can see something of the blessings due at the second advent, and who appreciate in some measure the fadt that the Lord comes to bestow the grand blessing pur- chased by his death, fail to see this last proposition, viz.; that those in their graves have as much interest in that glorious reign of Messi'ahas those who at that time wil] be less completely under the bondage of corruption death. But as surely as Jesus died for all, they ail must have the blessings and opportunities which he purchased with his own precious blood. Hence we should expect blessings in the Millennial age upon all those in their graves as well as upon those not in them ; and of this we will find abundant proof, as we look further into the Lord's testimony on the subject. It is because of God's plan for their release that those in the tomb are called "prisoners of hope*'

It is estimated that about one hundred and forty-three billions of human beings have lived on the earth in the six thousand years since Adam's creation. Of these, the very broadest estimate that could be made with reason would be that loss than one billion were saints of God,, This broad estimate would leave the immense aggregate of one hundred and forty-two billions (142,000,000,000) who went down into death without faith and hope in the only name given under heaven or among men whereby we must be saved* Indeed, the vast majority of these never knew or heard of Jesus, and could not believe in him of whom they had not heard.

What, we ask, has become of this vast multitude, of which figures give a wholly inadequate idea? What is, and is to be, their condition ? Did God make no provision for these, whose condition and circumstances he must have foreseen? Or did he, from the foundation of ita world,.

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