Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/267

 and a kingdom, that all people, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting domin- ion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. ' ' This the angel interpreted to mean that "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom tinder the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; and all dominions shall serve and obey him." Dan. 7 : 13, 27.

Thus seen, the dominion of earth is to be placed in the hands of Christ by Jehovah ("the Ancient of days "), who shall "put all things under his feet." (i Cor. 15 : 27.) Thus enthroned over God's kingdom, he must reign until he shall have put down all authority and power in conflicT: with the will and law of Jehovah. To the accomplishment of this great mission, the overthrow of these Gentile gov- ernments is first necessary; for the "kingdoms of this world," like the "prince of this world," will not surren- der peaceably, but must be bound and restrained by force. And thus it is written, "To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron ; to execute upon them the judgment written : this honor have all his saints. " Psa. 149 : 8, 9.

As we thus view present governments from the standpoint of our Lord and of the Prophet Daniel, and realize their ferocious, destructive, beastly and selfish character, our hearts long for the end of Gentile governments and joyfully look forward to that blessed time when the overcomers of the present age will be enthroned with their Head, to rule, bless and restore the groaning creation. Surely all of God's children can heartily pray with their Lord -" THY &ING- IHDM COME, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Each of these governments represented in the image and by the beasts existed before it came into power as the uni*

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