Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/328

 3 22 The Pton *f the Ages.

voice shook the literal earth, but now he hath promised, say- ing, "Yet once for all [finally], I will shake not only the earth, but the heaven also." Concerning this the Apostle explains, saying, "Now this [statement], Yet once for all, denotes the removal of the things shaken, because they are fabricated [false, made up, not the true], so that the un- shaken things [true, righteous things, only] may remain. Wherefore, seeing that we are to receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us hold fast the favor through which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and piety; for [as it is written], Our God is a consuming fire." Thus we see this apostle uses a storm to symbolize the trouble of this Day of the Lord, which he and others elsewhere refer to under the symbol of fire. The same events are here noted that are described under the fire symbol, namely, the sweep- ing away of all falsities, both from believers and from the world errors regarding God's plan and character and Word, and also errors as to social and civil affairs in the world. It will be good indeed for all to be rid of these fabrications, which came to man largely through his own depraved de- sires, as well as by the cunning craftiness of Satan, the wily foe of righteousness ; but it will be at great cost to all con- cerned that they will be swept away. It will be a terribly hot fire, a fearful storm, a dark night of trouble, which will precede the glorious brightness of that Kingdom of Right- eousness which can never be shaken, that Millennial day in which the Sun of Righteousness will shine forth in splendor and power, blessing and healing the sick and dying but re- deemed world. Compare Mai. 4 : 2 and Matt. 13 : 43.

David, the prophet through whose Psalms God was pleased to foretell so much concerning our Lord at his first ad- vent, gives some vivid descriptions of this Day of Trouble by widch his glorious reign will be introduced ; and he uses these various symbols fire, storm and darfe&ess

�� �