Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/81

 Lord. (Isa. 11:9; Jer, 31: 34.) This is not true in this age, and it cannot be true until the Lord, having come again, has established his kingdom; for throughout this age there have been many seducing deceptions, and we ars told that even in the very end of the age" In the last days, . . evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, de- ceiving and being deceived.'* (2 Tim. 3: i,:3.) It will be as the result of Messiah's reign during the Millennial age that knowledge and righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

A similar mistake, and a very common one, is to suppose that God's kingdom is now established and ruling over the earth, and that his will is now done among the nations. This is manifestly far from the truth, for the kingdoms of this world are supported and enriched through oppression, injustice and deceit, to as great an extent as the increasing intelligence of the people will permit. Satan, the present prince of this world," must yet be displaced, and these kingdoms, now under his control, must become the king* doms of our Lord and of his Anointed, when he shall take unto himself his great power, and reign.

By the light now due to the household of faith, we dis- cern that system and order which mark the- stately step- pings of our God through the ages past, and we are forcibly reminded of the beautiful lines of Cowpcr, inspired by a living faith, which trusted where it could not trace the Al- mighty Jehovah:


 * God moves in a mysterious way.

His wonders to perform: He plants bis footsteps in the sea, Ajod rides upon the stonn.

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