Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/87

 The Hidden Mystery. Si

which he says: "Simeon hath declared bow God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name [a bride]. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, 'After this [after this people from the Gentiles has been taken out] I will return, and mil build again the tabernacle of David [the earthly dominion] which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins there- of, and I will set it up. ' " Acts 15 : 14-16.

James began to read in God's providence, in the sending of the Gospel through Peter to the first Gentile convert and through Paul to Gentiles in general, that during this age believing Jews and Gentiles were to be alike favored. He then looked up the prophecies and found it so written; and that after the work of this Gospel age is completed, then the promises to fleshly Israel will be fulfilled. Gradually the great mystery, so long hidden, began to be understood by a few the saints, the special "friends" of God.

Paul declares (Col. i : 27) that this mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, now made man- ifest to his saints, is

"CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OP GLORY."

This is the great mystery of God which has been hidden from all previous ages, and is still hidden from all except a special class the saints, or consecrated believers. But what is meant by "Christ in you?" We have learned that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit (A s 10: 38), and thus we recognize him to be the Christ the anointed for the word Christ signifies anointed. And the Apostle John says that the anointing which we (consecrated believers) have received abidfth in us. (i John 2 : 27.) Thus the saints of this Gospel age are an anointed company anoint- ed to be kings and prtests unto God (2 Cor. 1:21; Peter

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