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…
One day is with the Lord as a thousand years. (2 Pet 3:8). The seventh thousand (or Sabbath – “the seventh day is the Sabbath“) commenced in 1873, consequently we are now in the Sabbath day of our text: Pray (desire) that your flight (out of Babylon, nominal Zion) be not on the Sabbath. The Jewish law placed restrictions upon the people on the Sabbath, and hindered them from journeying as much as they might desire – therefore, if bound…
The above subject (Luke 17:31) is found with other connections in Matt 24:17-21, viz: “Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house…and woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! But pray you that your flight be not in the winter (neither on the Sabbath day) for then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever…
Continuing the above discourse on the things due during the day of the revelation of his presence, Jesus says: “I tell you in that night (before the day has dawned yet a part of that day) there will be two in a bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two will be grinding together; the one will be taken and the other left.” [Diaglott.] A bed is a place in which to rest; it is here used, we believe, to represent the resting…
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…