Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/308

 Pfa* of iht Ages,

phase of the Hngdom under Christ. They loved righteous- ness and hated iniquity, and were deeply grieved and peni- tent when overtaken by a fault, or stumbled by a weakness or besetmeut. So, too, it has been with the faithful of the Gospel age; and so it will be with all in the Millennial age, when the spirit of God, the spirit of truth, is poured upon all flesh. The overcomers of that age will also need to strive for purity of heart and life, if they would have a right under God's arrangement to enter into the city the king- dom prepared for them from the foundation of the world the original dominion restored.

THE IRON RULE.

Many erroneously suppose that when Christ's Millennial Kingdom is inaugurated every one will be pleased with its ruling. But not so, Its regulations will be far more exact- ing than those of any previous government, and the liber- ties of the people will be restricted to a degree that will be galling indeed to many now clamoring for an increase of liberty. Liberty to deceive, to misrepresent, to overreach and to defraud others, will be entirely cut off. Liberty to abuse themselves or others in food or in drink, or in any way to corrupt good manners, will be totally denied to all. Liberty or license to do wrong of any sort will not be granted to any. The only liberty that will be granted to any will be the true and glorious liberty of the sons of God liberty to do good to themselves and others in any and destroy in all that Holy Kingdom. (Isa. 11:9; Rom. 8: 21.) That rule will consequently be felt by many to be a severe one, breaking up all their former habits and cus- toms, as well as breaking up present institutions founded upon these false habits and false ideas of liberty. Because of its firmness and vigor, it is symbolically called an iron

�� �