Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/282

 with him in that kingdom, seemed too absurd for consider- ation Rome, with its disciplined warriors, its abl gener- als and immense wealth, was the master of the world, and was daily growing more powerful. Who, then, was this Nazarene? and who were these fishermen, without money or influence, and with but a meager following among the common people? Who were these that they should talk about establishing the kingdom long promised to be the grandest and mightiest earth had ever known?

The Pharisees, hoping to expose the supposed weakness of our Lord claims, and thereby to undeceive his followers, demanded of him When will this kingdom which you preach begin to make its appearance? when will your sol- diers arrive? when will this Kingdom of God appear? (Luke 17 : 20-30.) Our Lord's answer would have given them a new thought had they not been prejudiced against him and blinded by their own supposed wisdom. He altered that his kingdom would never appear in the manner in which they expected it. The kingdom which he preached, and in which he invited his followers to joint-heirship, was an invisible kingdom, and they must not expeft to see it. "He answered them, and said, The Kingdom of God com- eth not with observation [outward manifestation ]; neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for the Kingdom of God is [to be] in your midst."* In a word, he showed that when his kingdom should come, it would be every- where present and everywhere powerful, yet nowhere visible.

which is synonymous with. **in your midst." It certainly would agree with no theory to insist that the kingdom which Ji-sus claimed to be about to establish would be within the hearts of the Pharisees, whom lie styled hypocrites and whited sepulchres. But this kingdom, when established, will be "* the midst of* or " among" all classes, ruling and judging all.
 * The Diaglott and Rotherham's translation render this ** among you,"

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