What was the great work which our Lord proposed to accomplish? “To save a world of sinners lost.” How did he begin that work? By laying aside the glory which he had with the Father. “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” Humility, then, was the first blade that shot forth from the seed which was to become a tree, the leaves of which should be for the healing of the nations. THE “mighty” came down to man’s estate, but the wondrous stoop…
“Who then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.” (Matt 24:45,46) We understand these words to have been spoken to the disciples originally, but were for the instruction of the church throughout the Gospel age, but especially at its close. As some of the times and events spoken of by our…
Because seven was so intimately connected with all God’s works and plans, and because he intended all his works to culminate in perfection, therefore, when he selected Israel as a typical people, he gave them several Sabbaths or rests which shadowed certain blessings of rest in future, and as was His method, he used seven to represent that coming perfection of rest. Hence, we find in their Law, a number of Sabbaths. The seventh day and its cycle of seven times seven days…
“An idea sometimes becomes so imbedded in our minds, so much a part of ourselves, as that we can scarcely part with it. Yet how many of our ideas we have found it necessary to modify, the reason doubtless being that presently we see as through looking through a smoked glass, dimly. To very many it becomes a trial to have a long-cherished theory interfered with; but to all who have the childlike spirit of Christ, viz.: a readiness to…
“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 We learned this text so long ago, some of us in childhood, and have heard it so often, that we are now apt to read or hear it without noticing its breadth and depth. “God so loved.” Is this true? Orthodoxy says it was Jesus that so loved the world. The Father did not…
Among Christians there is much which passes for “entire consecration,” but it is often a consecration to some self-imposed tasks, or work, instead of to God. Some are consecrated and are living sacrifices to business, some to their families, some to the temperance work, some to building up and working for their particular denominational church or to some particular ministry, some to ministering to the poor and the sick, some to social or moral reforms. These are each good enough…
The following request was sent to Pastor Russell, which he allowed his wife to answer. (We have edited it here a bit, but have not changed the questions or answers.) Are we to expect revivals and the conversion of sinners now? Are we to labor for this result? Is the church coming up higher? Are we to come out of the church, take our name off church books, or remain in the church and labor to bring the rest upon the higher plain; or is each individual to be fully persuaded in…
“Many are familiar with the outline of God’s plan as embodied in the three worlds, – The world that was before the flood, the world that now is, and the world to come. This is a striking example of the fundamental character of the number three in the structure of the Bible plan of revelation and salvation. Each of these worlds, or orders, is spoken of in succession as having its own “heavens and earth.” 2 Pet 3. Here we have the foundation…
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast. 1 Cor 5:7 The Passover was a Jewish feast kept annually (and is still observed by them) as a commemoration of their remarkable deliverance under the tenth plague upon Egypt – the Passing-over or sparing from death of their first-born. The circumstances as narrated in Exodus Chapter 12 – the slaying of the Lamb, the roasting of the flesh with fire, and the eating of it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread while…
Is it true that the Greek word anastasis always means a resurrection to spiritual life? Answer: Our English word resurrection signifies to raise up again and it does not indicate whether the body or thing raised has any life. For instance, Lazarus was raised by our Lord after having died, but not soon after he returned to the grave as all men do. His was not a resurrection in the fullest since of the word, but rather a resuscitation. He was raised (awoken from the…