Ques. What knowledge had the nations who lived before Christ of sin and of judgment; and how will they stand in the day of judgment?
Ans. The oldest book now in existence, the Book of Job, throws great light on that question. It is evident, that in the earliest ages, God communicated to men the clearest knowledge of the atonement. (See Chapter 33:23-33.) Notice the marginal reading. Yes, in the oldest book known, God declares that He hath found a Ransom, or Atonement, so that a man could say then, if he believed God, "I have sinned;" and "He has delivered me from going down to the pit.”
Blessed is that man even now who can so speak. Was not the truth known to Abel, and rejected by Cain? It is the truth most disliked and rejected, to this day-for near 6000 years. Abraham and his spiritual seed, that is, all believers, believed God; and it, faith, was reckoned to them for righteousness, perhaps "the promise" was not dim to them. (See Heb. 11.) Surely all pointed forward to the death and resurrection of Christ.
Ques. Is the Church spoken of in the Old Testament?
Ans. The Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was the mystery kept hid, as stated in Eph. 3. The Song of Solomon may be used in illustration and meditation. But you will notice it never rises up to the heavenly position of the Church, the bride of the Lamb. It is more expressive of the yearnings of the Jewish remnant immediately before the coming of the Lord. Still Scripture is manifold, and no doubt the Spirit may use, in rich blessing to the Christian, such portions as speak of His having brought us into His banqueting-house, and of His banner over us being love. But Christ is precious everywhere in the Word of God, is He not? The Book of Ruth may be used in a similar way, also the call of Rebecca and the creation of Eve. But no one could have seen the Church in these until it was revealed, especially to Paul. Now the storms of darkness and tempest, like the destroying blizzard, are sweeping over the world. The Lord keep us holding fast the foundation truths of the Word of God.
Ans. This verse teaches us that Moses chose the very same character of reproach as Christ Himself, namely, the reproach arising from identification with God's people in all their need, their sorrow, and their degradation. He might have acted for them. He might have stood apart from them, and helped them by his personal influence. He might have patronized them; but none of these things could be called "the reproach of Christ." This latter is seen in Moses "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God." This was what Christ did perfectly. "In all their afflictions He was afflicted.”
Ans. The primary application of Luke 13:77Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? (Luke 13:7) is to Israel; but we may all learn a solemn lesson from it. Let us seek to be fruitful and not be cumberers of the ground. We live in a day of easy profession. God looks for reality, for diligence, for earnestness, and integrity of heart. May we be watchful, and never rest satisfied with mere head knowledge or lip profession. The Lord will have "truth in the inward parts.”