Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/33

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when the gospel was beginning to go to the Gentiles. (Acts 10 : 28; ii : 1-3 ; Gal. 2 : 11-14.) Peter's uncertainty was in marked contrast with Paul's assurance, inspired by the words of the prophets, God's past dealings, and the direct revelations made to himself.

Paul evidently had more abundant revelations than any other apostle. These revelations he was not allowed to make known to the Church, nor fully and plainly even to the other apostles (2 Cor. 12 : 4; Gal. 2 : 2), yet we can see a value to the entire church in those visions and revela- tions given to Paul ; for though he was not permitted to tell what he saw, nor to particularize all he knew of the myster- ies of God relating to the "ages to come," yet what he saw gave a force, shading and depth of meaning to his words which, in the light of subsequent facts, prophetic fulfilments and the Spirit's guidance, we are able to appre- ciate more fully than could the early church.

As corroborative of the foregoing statement, we call to mind the last book of the Bible Revelation, written about A. D. 96. The introductory words announce it as a special revelation of things not previously understood. This proves conclusively that up to that time, at least, God's plan had not been fully revealed. Nor has that book ever been, until now, all that its name implies an unfolding, a REVELATION. So far as the early church was concerned, probably none understood any part of the book. Even John, who saw the visions, was probably ignorant of the significance of what he saw. He was both a prophet and an apostle ; and while as an apostle he understood and taught what was then " meat in due season," as a prophet he uttered things which would supply "meat" in seasons future for the household.

During the Christian Age, some of the saints sought to understand the Church's future by examining this symbolic book, and doubtless all who read and understood even a

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