We have already observed how minutely and accurately the Scripture has been fulfilled as to the birth, life, sufferings, atoning death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ; and we may be assured that not one jot or tittle shall fail of all that is written concerning His coming for His saints, His glorious appearing, judgments and reign. Few things have so obscured the simplicity of the truth, or been more misleading than the traditions that there will be one general resurrection, and a general judgment, till which no one can have the assurance of his eternal safety. The reception of such doctrines, which are unknown in Scripture, can only be accounted for by persons going to the Reformation as the source of orthodoxy, instead of to the Word of God, to that which was at the beginning, and has been treasured up for us in the inspired writings. As to the Reformation we have much to thank God for in the wonderful recovery of the grand foundation truth of justification by faith, and the diffusion of copies of the Bible for general reading; but with these and other blessings, a mass of doctrines were received from Papists, which are held by many Protestants to this day; and among them that the Church will convert the world; that Christianity will triumph over infidelity and every opposing power. That a time will come when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," is unquestionable, as we have seen; but in the same chapter we are told it is to be brought about by Christ reigning in "righteousness," and not therefore by the preaching of the "gospel of the grace of God." (Isa. 11.) From Scripture we learn that Christ is "heir of all things," that, as the glorified Man, all things are to be put under His feet, and that all judgment is committed unto Him because He is the Son of man. His rightful place also, as having died for all, and triumphed over death and Satan is, that to Him every knee should bow in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. How is it possible that these things can be otherwise than strictly and accurately fulfilled by His power, whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself! It is, we repeat, God's unfailing faithfulness to His own word that comforts our hearts and strengthens our confidence in Himself, for "He is faithful that promised: He cannot deny Him: elf." Was He ever truer to the soul that seeketh Him than now? Was it ever a greater reality to souls than now, that, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them"? (Math. 18:20.) Is it not to thousands in these days as real to their hearts as if they saw Him in the midst? O the untold blessedness of having to do with the God. and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, receiving His testimony, and setting to our seal that God is true!
Our gracious God having caused His word to be written for our instruction, how could we expect it otherwise than its being accurately fulfilled according to His own will? Nor is it surprising, because it is His Word, the revelation of His own mind, that both Old and New Testaments give a note of most solemn warning to any who add to it or take from it. (Dent. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18-19) Nothing surely could more truly authenticate the sacred writings, or more thoroughly show the infinite perfection of the Bible.
"What Christ hath said must be fulfilled:
On this firm rock believers build:
His word shall stand, His truth prevail,
And not one jot nor tittle fail.”
(Continued from page 229.)