Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/309

 TJie Kingdom flf God. 30^

rule " He shall rule them with a rod of iron.*' (Compare Rev. 2:26,27; Psa. 2 : 8-1 2 and 49 : 1 4- ) Thus will be ful- filled the statement, " Judgment will I lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet. And the hail [righteous judg- ment] shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters [truth] shall overflow the hiding place," and every hidden thing shall be revealed. Isa. 28 : 17 j Matt. 10 : 26.

Many will feel rebellious against that perfect and equita- ble rule because accustomed in the past, under the rule of the present prince, to lord it over their fellow mortals, and to live wholly at the expense of others without rendering compensating service. And many and severe will be the stripes which a present life of self-indulgence and gratifica- tion will naturally demand and receive under that reign, before such will learn the lessons of that kingdom equity, justice, righteousness. (Psa. 89 : 32 ; Luke 1 2 : 47, 48.) The lesson on this subject comes first to the living generation, and is near at hand. James 5.

But, blessed thought ! when the Prince of Life has put in force the laws of righteousness and equity with an iron rule, the masses of mankind will learn that " Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people," They will learn that God's plan and laws are best in the end for all concerned, and ultimately they will learn to love righteousness and hate iniquity. (Psa. 45 : 1> ^\>. i : 9.) All who under that reign have not learned to love the right will be counted unworthy of lasting life and will be cut off from among the people. A<5ls 3:23; Rev. 20 : 9 ; Psa. 11:5-7-

THE KINGDOM EVERLASTING.

" Jehovah shall be King over all the earth in that day." (Zech. 14: 9.) The kingdom which Jehovah will estab- lish in the hands of Christ during the Millennium will be Jehovah's kingdom, but it wiU be under the direct control

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