Old Theology Quarterly

No. 66—Do You Know?

OlJ) TH SOLOOT i VA. H TBRL T 'No. 6b—JUL P, 1904,          .

Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter at the P. O., Allegheny, Pa.

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MATTERS OF INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE TO ALL THINKING PEOPLE ESPECIALLY TO CHRISTIAANS.

DO YOU OGW that the Lord more than two thousand years ago gave, through the Prophet Daniel, a clear description of the times in which we are now living?

DO YOU WOW that the Bible, in referring to this present time as “the time of the end,” does not signify the destruction of the earth, but the end of the present dispensation, after which a new age will be introduced—the Millennium? ⁴‘ The earth abideth forever.”— Eccl. 114.

DO YOU WOW, or have you specially noticed, the several propositions in Daniel’s prophecy concerning '■ the time of the end ” ? They read thus :—In the time of the end (1) many shall run to and fro ; (2) and knowledge shall be increased ; (3) and the wise [virgins] shall understand ; (4) but none of the wicked shall understand. (J And at that time Michael [Christ] shall stand up [begin his reign]; (6] and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation—Dan. 12:9, 4, to, I.

DO YOU OOI that accoiding to the Scriptures “the time of the end’ ’ above mentioned began in A, D. 1and will continue until A. D. 1915 ?

2

DO YOU K N 0 W the most rapid means of commamc»» tion in 1799, the beginning of “the time of the end,” was on horseback, while now telephones and telegraphs unite cities, nations and continents ?                                 '

DO YOU KNOW that the first effective steamboat was built A. D. J 806? and that the first effective locomotive, the Ironsides, was built A. D. 1831 ?

DO YOU KNOW that Sir Isaac Newton, the great Christian philosopher, who died a. d. 1727, studying this very prophecy said, on the strength of it, “ I should not wonder if some day men will travel at the rate of fifty miles an hour ? ”

DO YOU KNOW that Voltaire, the great infidel philosopher, who died A. D. 1778, when much more was known of the power of steam, despising this prophecy of God’s Word, declared that it had made a fool of Sir Isaac Newton when it led him to make the above statement ?

DO YOU KNOW that the predidied “ running to and fro ” is being fulfilled by yourself and others as you travel everywhere by steamboats, steam and electric cars, etc. ?                 .

DO YOU KNOW that knowledge is greatly increased, in harmony with the prophecy?—and can you not discern such plain signs of the times in which we are now living ?

DO YOU KNOW that less than four centuries ago illiteracy ■was so general that the English Parliament passed a law providing for those of its members who were unable to read; while now ability to read and write is general, even amongst the poorest classes ?

DO YOU KNOW that free schools were started as Sunday Schools in 1784, and hence that knowledge began to increase greatly with “'the time of the end,” 1799?

' DO YOU KNOW that not a single one of the now many large Bible Societies or Trad! Societies was started until 1804, because only then was there much use for reading matter for the masses?

DO YOU KNOW that a right understanding of God’s Word not only adds to the wisdom of the wise, but also “ maketh wise Cue simple ? ”— Paa. 19.7.

DO YOU KNOW that God promised that in this “time of the end,” in which we are living, the wise [toward God-—not the worldly-

shwld mderstaad the hitherto secret things of his plan and Word ?

—And do you wish to be one of God’s humble “wise virgins?”—I Cor. 3:18-20.

DO YOU K K 0 W that the present social order is rot thoroughly satisfactory to any good men—rich or poor—although no human instrumentality is able to arrange for and introduce a better one ?

DO YOU KNOW that Christ will introduce a better, a perfect, social arrangement during the Millennium; and that he taught us to expedt, watch for, and pray for that Kingdom; saying, “ Pray ye,— thy Kingdom come, thy will lie done on earth as it is done in heaven?” If you have sincerely joined in that prayer, you will rejoice in the evidences that its fulfilment is at hand.

DO YOU KNOW that the blessings of the Millennial age are the theme of “all. the holy prophets? ”

DO YOU KNOW that the Millennial age was specially preached about by the Apostles as “The Day of Christ,” “ The Kingdom of God,” etc. ?—and that it was the earnest faith of the early Church ?~—Phil. I: 6; Mark 1 : X4.

DO YOU KNOW of the Apostle Peter’s reference to it, in Adis 3 : 19, 21, where he calls it ’■‘■the limes of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets? ”

DO YOU KNOW that St. Peter there declares that these times of blessing will not precede, but will follow, the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus ?

DO YOU KNOW that the prophecies and signs which nowherald the second advent of Christ, are much more distindi than were those signs and prophecies which marked his first advent?

DO YOU KNOW that the driving of the Jews out of all nations and the resettlement of many of them in Palestine, now in progress, is another sign of the close of the Gospel age and the dawn of the Millennium ?—Jer. 16:15; Rom. 11:25-32.

DO YOU KNOW that the Second Coming of Christ will be as different from human expedlation as was his first advent ? and that his day will come upon the world unawares-—that they will be “ in his days" and that only the wise will know it?

DO YOU KNOW that the objehl of the Second Coming of Christ, as well as its manner, is generally misunderstood ?—that his coming, ac-wding to the Scriptures₉»?.eans the blessisg af all the fwilies of the earth ?

“Hear, O Earth!”

DO YOU KNOW that the Church which God is electing or selecting during this Gospel age is promised a spiritual or heavenly reward?—io be “ made partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4), and to share with Christ the work of blessing the world during the Millennium, but that the Lord’s provision for those who accept his grace during the Millennial age is a restitution or restoration of the perfections of human nature (lost by sin), in Paradise restored—the new earth?—-Ads 3:19-21; Rev. 21:1-4.

DO YOU KNOW that the Day of Judgment will be a thousand-year-day, and not a twenty-four-hour-day?—and that the word judgment implies, not merely a. sentence, but also a trial?

DO YOU KNOW that during the world’s great day of trial os judgment (the Millennium) the Church now being selected from among⁴ men will be, with Christ, the Judges of the world? (1 Cor. 6:2)—that to prepare them for that service they themselves are now severely tried in all points, that they may be able to sympathize with those whom they will then judge ?—and that they shall be kings and priests of God and, gs Abraham’s seed, bless all the families of the earth ?—Rev. 20:45 Gal. 3:16, 29; Gen. 22: 18.

DO YOU KNOW that not all who worship andjsav- “ Lord, Lord,” shall enter into or be members of that elect Church? (Matt. 7: 21—23)—and that not all who have their names upon earthly Church, rolls, but only those “ whose names are written in heaven,” and whose names will not be blotted out because of unfaithfulness, will constitute the one Church of the living God,—m all a “ little flock? ”— Heb. 12: 23; Rev. 3:5; I Tim. 3:15; Luke 12:32.

DO YOU KNOW that all the members of the Church are now probationary members, waiting and striving and hoping for full membership in the Church triumphant at the first resurrection ?—Rev. 20:4.

DO YOU KNOW that the large majority of humanity has never had any trial, because they died in total ignorance of the only name given whereby they can be saved?

DO YOU KNOW that the Apostle Paul declares that there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all [men], to be testified [to all men! in due time? ” —1 Tim. 2:6.

DO YOU KNOW that while to many of us the “due time’’’ to learn of this grace of God is during the present life, yet to the vast ma-

jority this ^u due time” must be in a future life; because less than one-third of the human family have ever heard of, so that they could believe on, the only name “ under heaven given among men, whereby we may be saved? ”—Adts 4:12.

DO YOU KNOW that the Millennial age is for the very purpose of causing the knowledge of the Lord to fill the whole earth as the waters cover the sea, and to open the eyes of men’s understanding and to unstop their ears that they may hear God’s message of mercy, and see “the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world? ”— Isa. 11:9; 35^:5 > John 1:9.

DO YOU KNOW that some living in civilized lands have never had a full knowledge of the gospel with a full opportunity to show whether they would choose righteousness or sin; because they have had comparatively little knowledge of righteousness, by either experience or observation, and great experience only with sin, within and without ?

DO YOU KNOW that our Lord Jesus paid the great price for all; to secure for all a full opportunity to gain everlasting life by faith and obedience?—1 Tim. 2:6; Adts 3:22, 23.

DO YOU KNOW that Christ “ is the propitiation (^satisfaction] for our sins, and not for ours [the Church’s sins] only, but also fo» the sins of the whole world? ”—I John 2:2.

DO YOU KNOW that the Bible teaches both the dodlrine o£ Election and the dodlrine of Free Grace?—the election of the Church during this age, and free grace for the world in general in the Millennial) age ? and that this harmony, of these two dodlrines so long supposed to be in conflict, can be clearly shown from the Scriptures ?

DO YOU KNOW that 6,000 years of Earth’s history is past, according to Bible Chronology ?— and that the seventh thousand is the Millennium of Christ’s reign ?—and that the present time, from 1875 to X915, is the lapping period styled in Scripture the “ harvest ” of the age, in which the number of the eledt Church will be completed ?—and that then the Millennial age will be ushered in by a “ great time of trouble ” (anarchy, etc., mentioned repeatedly in Scripture), which will level society, humble pride and prepare the way for Immanuel’s long promised Kingdom—“ under the whole heavens ” ?—Dan. 2: 28,44; 7:13,14,18,22,27.

DO YOU KNOW that •“ in that day ” [now come] there will be wise virgins as well as foolish virgins (Matt. 25 : 1,—virgin signi* lies pure), but that only the wise [the obedient] shall understand?

“HeeW) & Kerth /^r>

DO YOU K N 0 W that the “ wise virgins ” who shall enter ifi with the Bridegroom will have oil in their vessels [the spirit of the truth in their hearts and lives] as well as in their lamps [the Scriptures] ?— and that it is declared that “none of the wicked shall understand” (Dan. 12: io; i Cor. 2: 14), but only the humble and consecrated—the wise?—And do you wish to be one of the “ wise virgins? ”

DO YOU K. N 0 W that the Apostle tells us that although the day cf the Lord” shall come as a thief and a snare upon the whole world, yet the brethren of Christ will not be in darkness ?—1 Thes. 5 :4. Note also our Lord’s words in Luke 21: 34, 35.

DO YOU K N 0 W that “ the time is short ” in which the consecrated may “ make their calling and election sure ” and “ so run as to obtain ” the great prize of this gospel age,—viz., joint-heirship with Christ in his Kingdom?

DO Y 0 U K N 0 W that the powers of the heavens [the nominal Church] are being shaken, and that soon there will be a great union or “ confederacy ” of ail denominations of nominal Christians (See Isa. 8: 10-12-16), in fulfilment of the statement ttu. ‘‘the heavens shal be rolled together as a scroll ’’—while men’s hearts are failing them for fear and for looking forward to those things coming upon the earth ?— Luke 21:26; Rev. 6:14; Isa. 34:4.

DO YOU KNOW whether or not you have put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in this evil day already upon us ?—Eph. 6:13,

DO YOU KNOW that to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil in this evil day you need the whole armor of God—the helmet (an intellectual protediion from the assaults of error), as well as a substantial.shield of faith and ability to wield “ the sword of. the spirit, which is the word of God ” ?

DO YOU KNOW that God has provided this armor complete and special food—“ meat in due season ” for the household of faith in the present time—things new as well as old? (Matt. 13 : 52; 24: 45)— and that riches of grace and knowledge relative to the divine plan, never possible before this “ harvest,” may now be enjoyed by you, if you are wholly the Lord’s?

DO YOU KNOW that the same prophet, Daniel, predidied that, after the running to and fro had generally increased knowledge amongst men, discontent would become general and th&t there would be

« a tame, of trouble such as was not since there was a nation ?”■—-Dan. 12: t.

DO YOU KNOW that this trouble will be socialistic and eventually anarchistic, and, according to the Scriptures, result in the downfall of all the kingdoms of the world and thus make ready for Christ’s Millennial Kingdom?—See Millennial Dawn, Vol. i., Chaps, xiii-xv.

DO YOU KN OW that Millennial Dawn, Vol. l, is reclaiming more Infidels, helping more Skeptics and establishing more Christians than any other book in the world? It is indeed a “Bible Key” and “ A Helping Hand lor Bible Students.”

DO YOU KNOW that we can supply you helpful literature on all these subjects which will in every case cite you, not to the creeds and opinions of fallible men, however good, but to the words of our Lord the apostles and prophets?—“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”—I flor. 2 : 5, 9-14.

DO YOU KNOW that many of the most prominent ministers of the various denominations are preaching on every other subject than the gospel, while some of them are denying the fall, the redemption and a coming restitution, so clearly taught in the Bible, and teaching, instead, Evolution ?—yea, and even denying the inspiration of the Bible ?

DO YOU KNOW that meanwhile a famine prevails—not a famine for bread, nor for water, but for the hearing [understanding] of the word of the Lord?—See Ainos 8: 11.

DO YOU K N 0 W that ibe Lord, is raising up many who are voluntarily giving their time and going from house to house to call attention to these matters and that if“■ one of the least of these,” the Lord’s /‘little ones,”—an angel or messenger of the truth-—should at any time call upon you, and be received in a spirit of meekness and love, he will show you,y)w of charge, the Chart of the Ages, the examination of which -will help you to rightly divide the word of truth and to apply and understand all Scriptures, and thus prove a great and lasting blessing to you ?

DO YOU KNOW that we are the friends of all who are trusting in the precious blood of Christ, and who are consecrated to his service 1-—and that we will be glad to have such (and honest skeptics as well) write to us upon these subjects ? ami that if you are poor we will g ladly supply you spiritu al food and drink, free ? Address us as follows:—• WMTGJl TOWH^ BlBliH & THUCT SOG'Y,

BIBLE HOUSE, ARCH STREET,

An.KCHKNv, pa., y- S. A.

A WORD TO TRUE CHRISTIANS.

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS [truth in thought, word and deed] ; FOR

THEY SHALL BE FILLED.

Overcharged, as many Christian people are, with the cares of this life, and intoxicated, as some others are, with its fleeting pleasures, it is quite possible that a very large majority fail to discern the peculiar signs of these times, which the Scriptures show to be a transition period, closing the gospel age and ushering in the Millennium.

We live in a day when many, even in the pulpit, as well as out of it, are boldly contradidling the Bible and denying its divine authorship, in whole or in part; and never in the history of the Church have so many conflicting voices confused the truths of the Gospel. We are told that the prophets and apostles, though honest, were mistaken or fanatical men who made serious errors in what they said and wrote: that even ©ur Lord Jesus was mistaken in much that he said,—as, for instance, in his references to Jonah and the great fish, to Noah and the deluge, etc. (Matt. 12:40; 24-37-39; Luke 17 : 26,27.) What is termed the higher criticism of the Bible rejects all such statements, including miracles and prophecies, as generally absurdities, unworthy of the credence of thinking men; and it accepts merely the moral precepts, whatever of the historical portions suits its convenience, etc., as from any other book. This great “ falling away ” was predicted for the end of this age, and it therefore becomes another sign of the times. Note carefully the following Scriptures, which indicate that a thousand will thus fall (into unbelief), to one who will stand faithful. Let all who would stand seek quickly and put on “ the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.”—Psa. 91 : 7,11,12; Luke 18:8; 2 Tim. 3:1; Eph. 6:13.

Yet, in the midst of all the confusing voices of this “evil day,” the Lord’s sheep will hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, and, following him, will not be left in the outer darkness of doubt and unbelief, but will be guided into all the truth now due to the household of faith. Such was his promise; and such should be the expectation of his people, especially now, when “ the whole armor of God,”—the full understanding and clear appreciation of the divine plan—is needed as never before.

Write to us at one e, if you feel a hunger and thirst for the bread of life and. the living water; for Luke 12:37 ’-^s now being fulfilled. We send sample traits and papers free to applicants.

We earnestly commend to God’s people the careful and prayerful reading of a work which we publish at cost price in order to bring it within the reach of even the poorest. It is entitled The Divine Plan of the Ages. Over 1,000,000 copies are already in circulation in various languages, and a blessing is going out therefrom to God’s consecrated people.

WRTCH TOWER BlBhE & THflCT SOC’Y BIBLE HOUSE, ARCH ST., ALLEGHENY, PA., U.S.A.

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