SECTION XI. FAITH AND HOPE IN THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF RIGHT AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. SUMMARY. 1-4—An ideal is placed before us of a time when difficulties shall be smoothed away, and when there shall be greater equality, independence, and freedom. 5-16 Jesus Christ taught his followers to pray for the coming of the kingdom of God upon earth; the prophets also foretell the victory of good over evil. 17-21-But it is useless to pray unless we also bestir ourselves to work, and work with confidence and hope of better days. 22-29-Let us then go forth and work for the reform of social life, striving to raise character, and to bring to pass a higher level of righteousness and rectitude of conduct among mankind. XI, 1-2. The Ideal of Peace and Happiness. 1. It shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve, that thou shalt take up this parable.. and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers; that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Isaiah xiv, 3-7. (R.V.) *Margin, "Exactness." 2. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. Isaiah xl, 4. (R.V.) XI, 3-5. 3. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 4. Luke iii, 5, 6. (a.v.) And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Micah iv, 3, 4. (a.v.) The Meaning of the Prayer 5. One of his disciples said unto Jesus, Lord, teach us to pray... And he said XI, 6-10. unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 6. Luke xi, 1, 2. (a.v.) The Jerusalem that is above is free. Galatians iv, 26. (R.v.) 7. The heavens are the heavens of the Lord; but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Psalm cxv, 16. (R.V.) 8. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat. Revelation vii, 16. (R.V.) 9. Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness shall come. II Esdras ii, 24. (APOC.) 10. The kingdom is already prepared for you: watch. II Esdras ii, 13. (APOC.) XI, 11-12. 11. Behold, the days come, when the Most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth. And there shall come astonishment of mind upon them that dwell on the earth. And one shall think to war against another, city against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom. And it shall be, when these things come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, then shall my Son be revealed. II Esdras xiii, 29-32. (APOC.) 12. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold I make all things new. And he said, Write for these words are faithful and true. He that overcometh shall inherit these things. Revelation xxi, 4, 5. 7. (R.v.) |