Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/99

 Our Lord's Return.

��was exalted or seated at the right hand of power, by the German Emperor ; and Joseph was at the right hand of Pharaoh in the kingdom of Egypt not literally, but after the customary figure of speech. Jesus' words to Caiaphas agree with this thought : " Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (Matt. 26 : 64.) He will be on the right hand when coming, and will remain on the right hand during the Millennial age, and forever.

A further examination of God's revealed plans will give a broader view of the object of both the first and second advents ; and we should remember that both events stand related as parts of one plan. The specific work of the first advent was to redeem men ; and that of the second is to restore ', and bless, and liberate the redeemed. Having given his life a ransom for all, our Savior ascended to present that sacrifice to the Father, thus making reconciliation for man's iniquity. He tarries and permits "the prince of this world ' ' to continue the rule of evil, until after the selection of "the Bride, the Lamb's wife," who, to be accounted worthy of such honor, must overcome the influences of the present evil world. Then the work of giving to the world of man- kind the great blessings secured to them by his sacrifice will be due to commence, and he will come forth to bless all the families of the earth.

True, the restoring and blessing could have commenced at once, when the ransom price was paid by the Redeemer, and then the coming of Messiah would have been but one event, the reign and blessing beginning at once, as the apostles at first expected. (A<5ls i : 6.) But God had pro- vided "some better thing for us" the Christian Church (Heb. ii : 40); hence it is in our interest that the reign of Christ is separated from the sufferings of the Head by these eighteen centuries,

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