Editorial

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
Our calendar tells us that Jesus Christ was born one thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven years ago. But according to the best chronologists we must add about 5 years to that large number. If it is correctly 1992, then in just eight years more will arrive the year 2000.
These figures have special significance to the Christian and also to God's earthly people, Israel. All true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the judgments fall upon the world. These judgments will prepare for Christ's righteous reign for 1,000 years.
The Lord spoke through the prophet Hosea of Israel and Judah: "I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early. Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Hos. 5:15; 6:1, 215I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (Hosea 5:15)
1Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (Hosea 6:1‑2). If the third day is 1,000 years, then the two days are 2,000 years. That is, we know that the millennium is 1,000 years as stated in Rev. 20:4-64And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4‑6), therefore, the two days before Israel is nationally revived by the Lord is this nearly 2,000 years of grace.
We know the Lord will call us home at least seven years before He comes to set up His kingdom. During that time great judgments shall fall upon the earth and His earthly people shall be prepared for His coming. Truly we as Christians, can rightly expect the Lord's return for us at any moment.
In view of this, there is another precious truth in this issue of the Christian Treasury that we are emphasizing. It is resurrection. "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" Acts 26:88Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? (Acts 26:8). Our God has given many credible evidences to us.
As the sun moves northward from the southern hemisphere, from January through June, it is very interesting to observe the results of its warmth and light. It causes life to spring forth from the seeds and plants. Resurrection! Steadily the warmth moves northward throughout the spring and the same results are seen and appreciated by humanity in general. This is especially true in climates that know the barrenness of severe frost. Where deciduous trees lose all their leaves and grass turns brown, it is wonderful to witness leaf buds and green blades of plants springing forth. Each year the Creator of all the universe patiently and faithfully places before our eyes a renewed testimony of resurrection.
The beautiful poetic language of the Psalmist says, "The sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." Psa. 19:4-64Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Psalm 19:4‑6). Ed.