Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/75

 EpocJis and Dispensations- %*$

first bind the strong man, and then he will spoil his house. ' (Mark 3 : 22-27.) Thus we are taught that Satan must first be bound, restrained and deposed, before Christ's reign of righteousness and peace can be established. This binding of Satan is accordingly shown to be the first work of the new dispensation. Rev. 20 : 2 n

It should be remembered that this earth is the basis of ages pass and dispensations change, still the earth con- tinues " The earth abidcth forever." (Eccl i : 4.) Car- rying out the same figure, Peter calls each of these periods a separate heavens and earth. Here the word heavens sym- bolizes the higher or spiritual controlling powers, and earth symbolizes human government and social arrange* mcnts. Thus the first heavens and earth, or the order and amingcment of things then existing, having served their purpose, ended at the flood. But the physical heav- ens (sky and atmosphere), and the physical earth, did not pass away: they remained. So likewise the present world (heavens and earth) will pass away with a great noise, fire and molting confusion, trouble and dissolution. The strong man (Satan), Ixiing bound, will struggle to retain his power. The present order or arrangement of govern- ment and society, not that of the physical sky and earth, will pass away. The present heavens (powers of spiritual control) must give place to the " new heavens" Christ's spiritual control. The present earth (human society as now organized under Satan's control) must (symbolically) melt and be dissolved, in the l>eginning of the " Day of the Lord/' which "shall burn as an oven," (Mai. 4:1.) It will be succeeded by "a new earth," /. A, society reor- ganized in harmony with earth's new Prince Christ. Righteousness, peace and love will rule among men when present arrangements have given place to the new and bet
 * 11 these "worlds" and dispensations, and that though

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