RIGHTLY DIVIDING

THE WORD OF TRUTH

2 TIMOTHY 2:15

TEN OUTLINE STUDIES

OF THE MORE

IMPORTANT DIVISIONS OF SCRIPTURE

By Dr. C. I. Scofield

LOIZEAUX BROTHERS

Neptune, New Jersey

FIRST EDITION, JANUARY 1896

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

THE JEW, THE GENTILE, AND THE CHURCH OF GOD 4

THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS 9

THE TWO ADVENTS 12

THE TWO RESURRECTIONS 19

THE FIVE JUDGMENTS 21

LAW AND GRACE 24

THE BELIEVER

S TWO NATURES 31

THE BELIEVER

S STANDING AND STATE 35

SALVATION AND REWARDS 40

BELIEVERS AND PROFESSORS 42

RIGHTLY DIVIDING

THE WORD OF TRUTH

INTRODUCTION

In the second chapter of Second Timothy the believer is presented in seven

characters. He is called a son, verse 1; a soldier, verse 3; an athlete, verse 5; a

husbandman, verse 6; a workman, verse 15; a vessel, verse 21; and a servant,

verse 24.

With each of these characters there is a suited exhortation. As a son, Timothy is

exhorted to be strong in grace. Grace goes with sonship, just as law goes with

servitude - as we learn from Galatians. Then, as a soldier, Timothy is exhorted to

endure hardness, and to avoid worldly entanglements; these are right elements of

good soldiership. As a vessel, he is to be cleansed, separated; as a servant, gentle,

patient, meek; and so of each of these seven aspects of his life as a Christian.

In verse 15 he is told what is required of him as a workman:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be

ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."

The Word of Truth, then, has right divisions, and it must be evident that, as one cannot

be "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed" without observing them, so any

study of that Word which ignores those divisions must be in large measure profitless

and confusing. Many Christians freely confess that they find the study of the Bible

weary work. More find it so, who are ashamed to make the confession.

The purpose of this pamphlet is to indicate the more important divisions of the Word of

Truth. That this could not be fully done short of a complete analysis of the Bible is, of

course, evident; but it is believed that enough is given to enable the diligent student

to perceive the greater outlines of truth, and something of the ordered beauty and

symmetry of that Word of God which, to the natural mind, seems a mere contusion

of inharmonious and conflicting ideas.

The student is earnestly exhorted not to receive a single doctrine upon the

authority of this book, but, like the noble Bereans (Acts 17:11), to search the

SCRIPTURES daily whether these things are so. No appeal is made to human

authority. "The anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye

need not that any MAN teach you" (1 John 2:27).

THE JEW, THE GENTILE, AND THE

CHURCH OF GOD

KEY TEXT: "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the

church of God" (1 Cor. 10:32).

Whoever reads the Bible with any attention cannot fail to perceive that more than

half of its contents relate to one nation-the Israelites. He perceives, too, that they

have a very distinct place in the dealings and counsels of God. Separated from the

mass of mankind, they are taken into covenant with Jehovah, who gives them

specific promises not given to any other nation. Their history alone is told in Old

Testament narrative and prophecy - other nations being mentioned only as they

touch the Jew. It appears, also, that all the communications of Jehovah to Israel as

a nation relate to the Earth. If faithful and obedient, the nation is promised earthly

greatness, riches and power; if unfaithful and disobedient, it is to be scattered

"among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other" (Deut.

28:64). Even the promise of the Messiah is of blessing to "all the families of the

Earth."

Continuing his researches, the student finds large mention in Scripture of another

distinct body, which is called the Church. This body also has a peculiar relation to

God, and, like Israel, has received from Him specific promises. But similarity ends

there, and the most striking contrast begins. Instead of being formed of the natural

descendants of Abraham alone, it is a body in which the distinction of Jew and

Gentile is lost. Instead of the relation being one of mere covenant, it is one of birth.

Instead of obedience bringing the reward of earthly greatness and wealth, the

Church is taught to be content with food and raiment, and to expect persecution

and hatred, and it is perceived that just as distinctly as Israel stands connected

with temporal and earthly things, so distinctly does the Church stand connected with

spiritual and heavenly things.

Further, Scripture shows him that neither Israel nor the Church always existed. Each

had a recorded beginning. That of Israel he finds in the call of Abram. Looking then for

the birth of the Church he finds (contrary, perhaps, to his expectations, for he has

probably been taught that Adam and the Patriarchs are in the Church) that it certainly

did not exist before, nor during, the earth-life of Christ, for he finds Him speaking of

His Church as yet future when He says (Matt. 16:18), "Upon this rock I will build my

Church:"

Not "have built, nor "am building," but “WILL build.

He finds, too, from Eph. 3:5-10, that the Church is not once mentioned in Old

Testament prophecy, but was, in those ages, a mystery "hid in God." Scripturally, he

finds the birth of the Church in Acts 2, and the termination of its career on the earth in

1 Thess. 4.

The student also finds, in the scriptural division of the race, another class, rarely

mentioned, and distinguished in every respect from either Israel or the Church - the

Gentiles. The comparative position of the Jew, the Gentile, and the Church may be

briefly seen in the following Scriptures:

The Jew

The Gentile The Church

Rom. 9:4, 5 Eph. 2:11, 12 Eph. 1:22, 23

John 4:22 Eph. 4:17, 18 Eph. 5:29-33

Rom. 3:1, 2 Mark 7:27, 28 1 Pet. 2:9

Comparing, then, what is said in Scripture concerning Israel and the Church, he finds

that in origin, calling, promise, worship, principles of conduct, and future destiny - all is

contrast.

CALLING

Israel Church

Now the LORD had said unto Abram,

Get thee out of thy country, and from thy

kindred, and from thy father's house,

unto a land that I will show thee (Gen.

12:1).

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into

a good land, a land of brooks of water,

of fountains and depths that spring out

of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and

barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and

pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and

honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat

bread without scarceness (Deut. 8:7-9).

And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

And the LORD hath blessed my master

greatly, and he is become great; and he

hath given him flocks, and herds, and

silver, and gold, and menservants, and

maid-servants, and camels, and asses

(Gen. 24:34, 35).

The LORD shall cause thine enemies

that rise up against thee to be smitten

before thy face: they shall come out

against thee one way, and flee before

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of

the heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1).

For our citizenship is in heaven (Phil.

3:20, R. V.).

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes

have holes, and the birds of the air

have nests; but the Son of man hath

not where to lay his head (Matt. 8:20).

To an inheritance incorruptible, and

undefiled, and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven for you (1 Pet. 1:4).

Even unto this present hour we both

hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and

are buffeted, and have no certain

dwelling-place (1 Cor. 4:11).

And Jesus looked round about, and

saith unto his disciples, How hardly

shall they that have riches enter into

the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:23)

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath

not God chosen the poor of this world

rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom

which he hath promised to them that

love him? (Jas. 2:5)

They shall put you out of the

synagogues: yea, the time cometh that

whosoever killeth you will

think that he

thee seven ways (Deut. 28:7).

And the LORD shall make thee the

head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be

above only, and thou shalt not be

beneath (Deut. 28:13).

whosoever killeth you will think that he

doeth God service (John 16:2).

Whosoever therefore shall humble

himself as this little child, the same is

greatest in the kingdom of heaven

(Matt. 18:4).

Of course is not meant that a godly Jew did not, at death, go to heaven. The

distinction is that the incentive to godliness in his case was earthly blessings, not

heavenly. It should be needless to say that, in this dispensation, neither Jew nor

Gentile can be saved otherwise than by the exercise of that faith on the Lord Jesus

Christ whereby both are born again (John 3:3, 16) and are baptized into that "one

body" (1 Cor. 12:13) which is "the Church" (Eph. 1:22, 23). In the Church the

distinction of Jew and Gentile disappears. (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14. So in

writing to the Ephesians the Apostle speaks of them as "in time past Gentiles," Eph.

2:11; 1 Cor. 12:2, R.V., also says, "When ye were Gentiles.")

The contrast between Israel and the Church further appears in the rules given for the

conduct of each. Compare:

Israel Church

When the LORD thy God shall bring

thee into the land whither thou goest

to possess it, and hath cast out

many nations before thee . . . thou

shalt smite them, and utterly destroy

them: thou shalt make no covenant

with them, nor show mercy unto

them (Deut. 7:1, 2).

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for

hand, foot for foot, burning for

burning, wound for wound, stripe for

stripe (Exod. 21:24, 25).

But I say unto you, Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you, do good to

them that hate you, and pray for them

which despitefully use you, and persecute

you (Matt. 5:44).

Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted,

we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat (1

Cor. 4:12, 13).

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil:

but whosoever shall smite thee on thy

right cheek, turn to him the other also

(Matt. 5:39).

See also:

Deut. 21: 18-21 Luke 15: 20-23

In the appointments for worship we still find contrast. Israel could worship in but one

place, and at a distance from God - only approaching Him through a priest. The

Church worships wherever two or three are gathered, has boldness to enter into the

holiest, and is composed of priests. Compare:

Lev. 17:8, 9 with Matt. 18:20

Luke 1:10 " Heb. 10:19, 20

Num. 3:10 " 1 Pet. 2:5

In the predictions concerning the future of Israel and the Church, the distinction is still

more startling. The Church will be taken away from the earth entirely, but restored

Israel is yet to have her greatest earthly splendor and power. See what Scripture says

as to

THE CHURCH

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go

to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,

and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:2, 3).

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain

unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. For

the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we

which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to

meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:15-17).

For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord

Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be

conformed to the body of his glory (Phil. 3:20, 21, R. V.).

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but

we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he

is (1 John 3:2).

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is

come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she

should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the

righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are

called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9).

Blessed 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 (Rev. 20:6).

ISRAEL

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call

his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall

reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end

(Luke 1:31-33).

(Of these seven promises to Mary five have already been literally fulfilled. By what

rule of interpretation are we authorized to say the remaining two will not be also

fulfilled?)

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them

a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:

After this I WILL RETURN, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is

fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up (Acts 15:14-

16).

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite,

of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. I say then, Have they stumbled

that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto

the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. For if thou wert cut out of the olive

tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive

tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into

their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this

mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is

happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And SO ALL

ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the

Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Rom. 11:1, 11, 24-26).

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the

second time to recover the remnant of his people....

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of

Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the

earth (Isa. 11:11, 12).

For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob and will yet choose Israel, and set them in

their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to

the house of Jacob (Isa. 14:1).

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said,

The LORD liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but,

The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and

from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into the

land that I gave unto their fathers (Jer. 16:14, 15). Behold, the days come, saith the

LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and

prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah

shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall

be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHT

EOUSNESS (Jer. 23:5, 6).

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries whither I have driven them in mine

anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this

place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: and they shall be my people, and I will

be their God (Jer. 32:37, 38).

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O

daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out

thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt

not see evil any more (Zeph. 3:14, 15).

It may safely be said that the Judaizing of the Church has done more to hinder her

progress, pervert her mission, and destroy her spiritually, than all other causes

combined. Instead of pursuing her appointed path of separation from the world and

following the Lord in her heavenly calling, she has used Jewish Scriptures to justify

herself in lowering her purpose to the civilization of the world, the acquisition of

wealth, the use of an imposing ritual, the erection of magnificent churches, the

invocation of God's blessing upon the conflicts of armies, and the division of an equal

brotherhood into "clergy" and "laity."

THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS

The Scriptures divide time (by which is meant the entire period from the creation of

Adam to the "new heaven and a new earth" of Rev. 21:1) into seven unequal periods,

usually called "Dispensations" (Eph. 3:2), although these periods are also called

"ages" (Eph. 2:7) and "days" as, "day of the Lord," etc.

These periods are marked off in Scripture by some change in God's method of dealing

with mankind, or a portion of mankind, in respect of the two questions: of sin, and of

man's responsibility. Each of the dispensations may be regarded as a new test of the

natural man, and each ends in judgment - marking his utter failure in every

dispensation.

Five of these dispensations, or periods of time, have been fulfilled; we are living in the

sixth, probably toward its close, and have before us the seventh, and last - the

millennium.

1. MAN INNOCENT. - This dispensation extends from the creation of Adam, Gen. 2:7,

to the expulsion from Eden. Adam, created innocent, and ignorant of good and evil,

was placed in the garden of Eden with his wife, Eve, and put under responsibility to

abstain from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Dispensation

of Innocence resulted in the first failure of man, and in its far reaching effects, the

most disastrous. It closed in judgment - "So he drove out the man." See:

Gen. 1:26 Gen. 3:6

Gen. 2:16, 17 Gen. 3:22-24

2. MAN UNDER CONSCIENCE. - By the Fall, Adam and Eve acquired, and

transmitted to the race, the knowledge of good and evil. This gave conscience a basis

for right moral judgment, and hence the race came under this measure of

responsibility - to do good and eschew evil. The result of the Dispensation of

Conscience, from Eden to the Flood (while there was no institution of government and

of law), was that "all flesh had corrupted his way on the earth"; that "the wickedness of

man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart

was only evil continually"; and God closed the second testing of the natural man with

judgment - the Flood. See:

Gen. 3:7, 22 Gen. 6:5, 11, 12 Gen. 7:11, 12, 23

3. MAN IN AUTHORITY OVER THE EARTH. - Out of the fearful judgment of the

Flood God saved eight persons, to whom, after the waters were assuaged, He gave

the purified earth with ample power to govern it. This, Noah and his descendants were

responsible to do. The Dispensation of Human Government resulted, upon the plain of

Shinar, in the impious attempt to become independent of God and closed in judgment

- the Confusion of Tongues. See:

Gen. 9:1, 2 Gen. 11:1-4 Gen. 11:5-8

4. MAN UNDER PROMISE. - Out of the dispersed descendants of the builders of

Babel, God now calls one man, Abram, with whom He enters into covenant. Some of

the promises to Abram and his descendants were purely gracious and unconditional.

These either have been, or will yet be, literally fulfilled. Other promises were

conditional upon the faithfulness and obedience of the Israelites. Every one of these

conditions was violated, and the Dispensation of Promise resulted in the failure of

Israel and closed in the judgment of Bondage in Egypt.

The book of Genesis, which opens with the sublime words, "In the beginning God

created," closes with, "In a coffin in Egypt."

Gen. 12:1-3 Gen. 26:3 Gen. 13:14-17

Gen. 15:5 Gen. 28:12, 13 Ex. 1:13, 14

5. MAN UNDER LAW. - Again the grace of God came to the help of helpless man and

redeemed the chosen people out of the hand of the oppressor. In the wilderness of

Sinai He proposed to them the Covenant of Law. Instead of humbly pleading for a

continued relation of grace, they presumptuously answered: "All that the Lord hath

spoken we will do." The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the Land is one long

record of flagrant, persistent violation of the Law, and at last, after multiplied warnings,

God closed the testing of man by Law in judgment: first Israel, and then Judah, were

driven out of the Land into a dispersion which still continues. A feeble remnant

returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, of which, in due time, Christ came: "Born of a

woman-made under the law." Him both Jews and Gentiles conspired to crucify. See:

Exod. 19:1-8 Rom. 3:19, 20 Acts 2:22, 23

Rom, 10:5 2 Kings 17:1-18 Acts 7:51, 52

Gal. 3:10 2 Kings 25:1-11

6. MAN UNDER GRACE. - The sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ introduced

the dispensation of pure grace which means undeserved favor, or God GIVING

righteousness, instead of God REQUIRING righteousness, as under Law.

Salvation, perfect and eternal, is now freely offered to Jew and Gentile upon the

acknowledgment of sin, or repentance, with faith in Christ.

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on him

whom he hath sent (John 6:29).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH on me HATH everlasting life (John

6:47).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and BELIEVETH him that sent

me, HATH eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death

into life (John 5:24, R. V.).

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them

eternal life; and they shall never perish (John 10:27,28).

For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift

of God: not of works, that no man should glory (Eph. 2:8, 9. R. V.).

The predicted result of this testing of man under grace is judgment upon an

unbelieving world and an apostate Church.

Luke 18:8 Luke 17:26-30

Rev. 3:15, 16 2 Thess. 2:7-12

The first event in the closing of this dispensation will be the descent of the Lord from

heaven, when sleeping saints will be raised and, together with believers then living,

caught up "to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1

Thess. 4:16, 17).

Then follows the brief period called "the great tribulation."

Matt. 24:21, 22 Zeph. 1:15-18

Dan. 12:1 Jer. 30:5-7

After this occurs the personal return of the Lord to the earth in power and great glory,

and the judgments which introduce the seventh, and last dispensation.

Matt. 24:29, 30 Matt. 25:31-46

7. MAN UNDER THE PERSONAL REIGN OF CHRIST. - After the purifying

judgments which attend the personal return of Christ to the earth, He will reign over

restored Israel and over the earth for one thousand years. This is the period

commonly called the Millennium. The seat of His power will be Jerusalem, and the

saints, including the saved of the Dispensation of Grace, viz., the Church, will be

associated with Him in His glory. See:

Acts 15:14-17 Rev. 19:11-21

Isa. 2:1-4 Rev. 20:1-6

Isa. 11 - the entire chapter

But when Satan is "loosed a little season," he finds the natural heart as prone to evil

as ever, and easily gathers the nations to battle against the Lord and His saints, and

this last dispensation closes, like all the others, in judgment. The "great white throne"

is set, the wicked dead are raised and finally judged, and then come the "new heaven

and a new earth" - eternity is begun.

Rev. 20:3, 7-15 Rev. 21 and 22

THE TWO ADVENTS

KEY TEXT: ". . . When it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that

should follow" (1 Pet. 1:11).

Whoever carefully considers Old Testament prophecies must be struck by two

contrasting, and seemingly contradictory, lines of prediction concerning the coming

Messiah. One body of prediction speaks of Him as coming in weakness and

humiliation, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, as a root out of dry ground,

having no form nor comeliness, nor beauty that He should be desired. His visage is to

be marred, His hands and feet pierced, He is to be forsaken of man and of God, and

to make His grave with the wicked. See

Isa. 53 (entire chapter) Dan. 9:26

Isa. 7:14 Zech. 13:6, 7

Ps. 22:1-18 Mark 14:27

The other line of prophecy foretells a splendid and resistless Sovereign, purging the

earth with awful judgments, regathering dispersed Israel, restoring the throne of David

in more than Solomon's splendor, and introducing a reign of profound peace and

perfect righteousness. See, as examples:

Isa. 11:1, 2, 10-12 Dan. 7:13, 14

Deut. 30:1-7 Micah 5:2

Isa. 9:6, 7 Matt. 1:1

Isa. 24:21-23 Matt. 2:2

Isa. 40:9-11 Luke 1:31-33

Jer. 23:5-8

In due time the fulfilment of Messianic prophecy began with the birth of the Virgin's

Son according to Isaiah, in Bethlehem according to Micah, and proceeded with perfect

literalness unto the full accomplishment of every prediction of Messiah's humiliation;

for sin must first be put away, before the Kingdom could be established. But the Jews

would not receive their King in the form in which He was presented, "meek and sitting

upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass"; and they crucified Him:

Zech. 9:9 with Matt. 21: 1-5, etc. John 19:15, 16

But we must not conclude that the wickedness of man has baffled the deliberate

purpose of God, for His counsels include a second advent of His Son, when the

predictions concerning Messiah's earthly glory will receive the same precise and literal

fulfilment as did those which concerned His earthly sufferings.

Hosea 3:4, 5 Acts 1:6, 7

Acts 15:14-17 Luke 1:31-33 (verse 31 has already

been literally fulfilled)

Matt. 24:27-30

The Jews were slow of heart to believe all that the prophets had spoken concerning

the SUFFERINGS of their Messiah, we are slow of heart to believe all that they have

spoken concerning His GLORY. Surely the greater reproach is ours, for it ought to be

easier to believe that the Son of God would come "in the clouds of heaven, with

power and great glory," than that He would come as the Babe of Bethlehem, and the

Carpenter of Nazareth. Indeed, we believe the latter because it has happened, not

because the prophets foretold it, and it is time we ceased to reproach the Jews for

their unbelief. If it be asked how they could possibly be blinded to the evident

meaning of so many and such unequivocal predictions, the answer is, that they were

blinded in exactly the same way that many Christians are blinded to the equally

evident meaning of a far greater number of predictions of His earthly glory, viz., by

the process of "spiritualizing" Scripture. In other words, the ancient scribes told the

people that the prophecies of Messiah's sufferings were not to be interpreted

literally, just as some modern scribes are telling the people that the prophecies of

Messiah's earthly glory are not to be literally interpreted.

But the second advent is a promise to the Church as well as to the Jew. Among the

last words of comfort and exhortation addressed by our Lord to His perplexed and

sorrowing disciples before He accomplished the sacrifice of the cross were these:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's

house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a

place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive

you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3).

Here the Lord speaks of His coming again in precisely the same terms as of His

departure. The latter was, we know, personal and bodily. If we say that the former is

impersonal and "spiritual," surely to such a forced interpretation of simple language

we ought to be constrained only by the most imperative and unqualified Scripture

elsewhere. But no such passages exist.

But we are not left to doubt upon this vital point, nor to the conclusions of reason,

however irresistible.

In the very moment of our Lord's disappearance from the sight of His disciples, "two

men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand

ye gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, which is taken up from you into

heaven, shall so come IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts

1:10,11).

To the same purport is 1 Thess. 4:16,17:

For THE LORD HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of

the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then

we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,

to meet THE LORD in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious APPEARING of the great God and

our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also WE WAIT FOR a Saviour, the

Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be

conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even

to subject all things unto himself (Phil. 3: 20, 21, R. V.),

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, we shall be like him; for we shall see

him as he is (1 John 3:2).

And behold, I COME quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man

according as his work shall be (Rev. 22:12).

For this "blessed hope" we are taught to "watch" (Mark 13:33, 35, 37; Matt. 24:42;

25:13); "wait" (1 Thess. 1:10); and be "ready" (Matt. 24:44). The last prayer in the

Bible is one for Christ's speedy return (Rev. 22:20).

By these Scriptures it abundantly appears that the second advent will be personal and

bodily; therefore it does not mean the death of the believer, nor the destruction of

Jerusalem, nor the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, nor the gradual diffusion of

Christianity; but that it is the "blessed hope" of the Church, the time when sleeping

saints will be raised, and, together with saints then living, who will be "changed" (1

Cor. 15:51, 52), caught up to meet the Lord; the time when we who are now the sons

of God will be like Him, and when faithful saints will be rewarded for works of faith, for

His name's sake, after they have been saved.

The following Scriptures will further bring into view the contrast between the two

advents of our Lord. Compare:

First Advent

Second Advent

And she brought forth her first-born

son, and wrapped him in swaddling

clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them

in the inn (Luke 2:7).

But now once in the end of the world

hath he appeared to put away sin by

the sacrifice of himself (Heb. 9:26).

For the Son of man is come to seek

and to save that which was lost (Luke

19:10).

For God sent not his Son into the

world to condemn the world; but that

And then shall appear the sign of the Son

of man, in heaven: and then shall all the

tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall

see the Son of man coming in the clouds of

heaven with power and great glory (Matt.

24:30).

So Christ was once offered to bear the

sins of many; and unto them that look for

him shall he appear the second time,

without sin, unto salvation (Heb. 9:28).

And to you who are troubled, rest with us:

when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed

from heaven with his mighty angels, in

flaming fire taking vengeance on them that

know not God, and that obey not the

gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess.

1:7, 8).

the world through him might be saved

(John 3:17).

And if any man hear my words, and

believe not, I judge him not: for I

came not to judge the world, but to

save the world (John 12:47).

Because he hath appointed a day, in the

which he will judge the world in righteous-

ness, by that man whom he hath ordained;

whereof he hath given assurance unto all

men, in that he hath raised him from the

dead (Acts 17:31).

The student may multiply these contrasts almost indefinitely. Enough, however, has

been adduced to show that both the promises to Israel and to the Church imperatively

require a return of our Lord to the earth.

NOTE. - It may be helpful to beginners in Bible study to consider, briefly, the various

theories which are here and there put forward to oppose the scriptural doctrine of the

personal and corporeal return, or second advent of Christ.

It will, of course, be clearly understood that the Scriptures which speak of His visible

and bodily appearing at the close of this dispensation must be distinguished from

those which refer to His divine attributes of omniscience and omnipresence, by virtue

of which He knows all things and is always present everywhere, and of which such

passages as Matt. 18:20 and Matt. 28:20 are examples.

It is blessedly true that, in this sense, He is with us always, even unto the end of the

age.

But the "MAN CHRIST JESUS" is now personally and corporeally at the right hand of

God, as Acts 1:9-11 plainly declares: And when he had spoken these things, while

they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while

they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them

in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into

heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in

like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Stephen saw Him there: But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into

heaven, and saw the glory of God, and JESUS STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF

GOD, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on

the right hand of God (Acts 7:55, 56).

. . . When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down ON THE RIGHT HAND OF

THE MAJESTY ON HIGH (Heb. 1:3). If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things

which are above, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (Col.

3:1).

To illustrate: During the Franco-Prussian war, Von Moltke, by his genius and skill, and

by a network of telegraph wires, was really present on every battle-field, though visibly

and personally present in his office in Berlin. Later in the war he joined the army

before Paris, after which his actual and visible presence was there. So our Lord, by

virtue of His divine attributes, is really present with His Church now, but He will be

visibly and personally upon the earth at His second coming.

1. The prophecies concerning the return of the Lord were not fulfilled by the descent of

the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, nor by His manifestation in powerful revivals and happy

prayer-meetings, because:

1st. This interpretation practically nullifies the doctrine of the Trinity - making

the Holy Spirit only a manifestation of Christ.

2nd. In Christ's promise of the descent of the Spirit He distinctly speaks of Him

ANOTHER COMFORTER

(John 14:16); and in John 16:7 Christ says:

"If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will

send him unto you."

3rd. The inspired writers of Acts, the Epistles, and of Revelation, mention the

return of the Lord more than one hundred and fifty times after Pentecost,

and always as yet future.

4th. None of the events predicted to accompany the second advent of Christ

occurred at Pentecost. These are: The resurrection of sleeping saints (1

Cor. 15:22, 23; 1 Thess. 4:13-16); the "change" of living believers, by

which they "put on incorruption" - their "vile bodies" being "fashioned like

unto His glorious body," and their being caught up to meet the Lord in the

air (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:17; Phil. 3:20, 21); and the mourning of all

the tribes of the earth because of the visible coming of the Son of man in

power and great glory (Matt. 24:29, 30; Rev. 1:7).

These are the phenomena associated with the event of our Lord's return.

When He comes, these phenomena will be present. Not one of these

things occurred at Pentecost, nor in any other manifestation of the Holy

Spirit.

2. The conversion of a sinner is not the coming of the Lord. One would think this

theory too puerile to be seriously put forth as a sufficient explanation of prophecies so

numerous and circumstantial. We need only say that:

1st. According to Scripture this is exactly reversed. Conversion is the coming of

a sinner to Christ, not the coming of Christ to a sinner (Matt. 11:28; John

5:40; John 7:37; John 6:37).

2nd. None of the events above enumerated, predicted to occur when the Lord

returns, accompany the conversion of a sinner.

3. The death of a Christian is not the coming of Christ; for:

1st. When the disciples understood the Lord to say that one of their number

should tarry till He came, the saying went abroad among them that "that

disciple should not die" (John 21:22-24).

2nd. The inspired writers always refer to a believer's death as his departure. In

not one instance is the coming of the Lord connected with a Christian's

death. See Phil. 1:23; 2 Tim. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:8. Dying Stephen saw the

heavens opened, and the Son of man - not coming, but -

STANDING on

the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55, 56).

3rd. None of the events predicted to occur when the Lord returns accompany

the death of a Christian.

4. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans was not the second coming of

Christ; for:

1st. In Matt. 24, and Luke 21, three events are foretold: The destruction of the

temple, the coming of the Lord, and the end of the world (age). See Matt.

24:3. It was the needless confusion of these perfectly distinct things

which gave rise to the notion that the fulfilment of one was the fulfilment

of all.

2nd. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation after the destruction of

Jerusalem, but still speaks of the coming of the Lord as a future event

(Rev. 1:4, 7; 2:25; 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20). The last promise of the Bible is,

"Surely, I come quickly"; the last prayer, "Even so, come Lord Jesus."

3rd. None of the events predicted to occur when the Lord returns occurred

when Jerusalem was destroyed. See 1 Thess. 4:14-17; Matt. 24:29-31;

Matt. 25:31, 32, etc.

5. The diffusion of Christianity is not the second coming of Christ; for:

1st. The diffusion of Christianity is gradual, whereas the Scriptures refer to the

return of the Lord as sudden and unexpected (Matt. 24:27, 36-42, 44, 50;

2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3).

2nd. The diffusion of Christianity is a process: Scripture invariably speaks of

the return of the Lord as an event.

3rd. The diffusion of Christianity brings salvation to the wicked, whereas the

coming of Christ is said to bring, not salvation to them, but "sudden

destruction" (1 Thess. 5:2, 3; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Matt. 25:31-46).

6. Nor do these alleged explanations and theories, though wide-spread, appear in

the books of reputable theologians of any school or denomination, nor are they

maintained by a single exegete of universally recognized eminence. These all

maintain the bodily and visible second coming of Christ.

It is, however, sometimes said that this coming cannot occur until after the world has

been converted by the preaching of the gospel, and has submitted to the spiritual

reign of Christ for one thousand years. It is submitted that this view is wholly

erroneous, because:

1st. Scripture clearly describes the condition of the earth at the second

coming of Christ to be one, not of millennial blessedness, but of awful

wickedness (Luke 17: 26-32, with Gen. 6:5-7 and Gen. 13:13; Luke 18:8;

Luke 21:25-27).

2nd. Scripture describes the whole course of this dispensation from the

beginning to the end in such terms as to exclude the possibility of a

converted world in any part of it (Matt. 13:36-43, 47-50; Matt. 25:1-10; 1

Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:3, 4; 2 Pet. 3:3, 4; Jude 17-19).

3rd. The purpose of God in this dispensation is declared to be, not the

conversion of the world, but to "gather out of the Gentiles a people for his

name." After this He "will return," and then, and not before, will the world

be converted. See Acts 15:14-17; Matt. 24:14 ("for a witness"); Rom. 1:5

("among," not "of" all nations); Rom. 11:14 ("some," not "all"); 1 Cor.

9:22; Rev. 5:9 ("out of," not "all" of).

4th. It would be impossible to "watch" and "wait" for an event which we knew

could not occur for more than one thousand years.

THE TWO RESURRECTIONS

The Word of Truth teaches in the clearest and most positive terms that all of the

dead will be raised. No doctrine of the faith rests upon a more literal and emphatic

body of Scripture authority than this, nor is any more vital to Christianity.

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be

not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain (1 Cor. 15:13, 14.)

But it is important to observe that the Scriptures do not teach that all the dead are

raised at one time. A partial resurrection of saints has already occurred:

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and

came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and

appeared unto many (Matt. 27:52, 53).

Two resurrections, differing in respect of time and of those who are the subjects of

the resurrection, are yet future. These are variously distinguished as "the

resurrection of life" and "the resurrection of damnation"; as "the resurrection of the

just and the unjust," etc. The Scriptures bearing upon this important subject are as

follows:

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall

hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection

of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28,

29.)

If it be objected that the word "hour" would indicate a simultaneous resurrection of

these two classes, it is answered that the "hour" of verse 25 has already lasted

eighteen hundred years. (See also "day," in 2 Pet. 3:8; 2 Cor. 6:2; John 8:56).

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and

thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be

recompensed at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:13, 14).

In this passage our Lord speaks of the first resurrection only. In the 15th of 1

Corinthians the distinction still further appears:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his

own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming (1 Cor.

15:22, 23).

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are

asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that

Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring

with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive

and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent (precede) them which are

asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice

of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (1

Thess. 4:13-16).

This "resurrection of life," of "the just," of "the dead in Christ," is that of which Paul

speaks in Phil. 3:11 (R. V.): If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from

the dead. Not "of the dead," as in A. V. The resurrection of the dead would imply that

all the dead were raised simultaneously: "from the dead," necessarily implies a

selection - that some of "the dead" remain. Literally, it is "the resurrection out of the

dead ones." The Emphatic Diaglott has "from among the dead"; Rotherham, "the out-

resurrection, that from among the dead."

If the Apostle had in mind a resurrection of all the dead, how could he speak of

attaining it "by any means," since he could not possibly escape it?

In Revelation 20:4-6 the two resurrections are again mentioned together, with the

important addition of the time which intervenes between the resurrection of the

saved and of the unsaved.

And 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. But the REST OF THE DEAD lived not

again until the thousand years were finished. This is the FIRST RESURRECTION.

Blessed 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.

Verses 12 and 13 describe the second resurrection - that "unto damnation."

The testimony of Scripture, then, is clear that believers' bodies are raised from

among the bodies of unbelievers, and caught up to meet the Lord in the air a

thousand years before the resurrection of the latter. It should be firmly held that the

doctrine of the resurrection concerns only the bodies of the dead. Their disembodied

spirits are instantly in conscious bliss or woe (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Luke 16:22, 23).

THE FIVE JUDGMENTS

The expression, "general judgment," of such frequent occurrence in religious

literature, is not found in the Scriptures, and, what is of more importance, the idea in-

tended to be conveyed by that expression is not found in the Scriptures.

Dr. Pentecost well says: "It is a mischievous habit that has led the Christian world to

speak of the judgment as being one great event taking place at the end of the world,

when all human beings, saints, sinners, Jews and Gentiles, the living and the dead,

shall stand up before the `Great White Throne' and there be judged. Nothing can be

more wide of the teaching of the Scriptures:'

The Scriptures speak of five judgments, and they differ in four general respects:

(1) As to who are the subjects of judgment,

(2) As to the place of judgment,

(3) As to the time of judgment, and

(4) As to the result of the judgment.

1. AS TO BELIEVERS:

Their sins have been judged. - Time: A. D. 30. Place: the cross. Result: death for

Christ: justification for the believer.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is

called in the Hebrew, Golgotha: Where they crucified him (John 19:17, 18).

Who HIS OWN SELF bare our sins in his own body on the tree (1 Pet. 2:24).

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring

us to God (1 Pet. 3:18).

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is

written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (Gal. 3:13).

For he [God] hath made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might

be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5:21).

But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away sin by the

sacrifice of himself (Heb. 9:26).

When he had by himself purged our sins (Heb. 1:3).

There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1,

R. V.).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent

me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into

life (John 5:24, R. V.).

The word translated "judgment" in this passage ("condemnation" in the common

version) is the same word rendered "judgment" in Matt. 10:15; Heb. 9:27; 2 Pet. 2:4.

An entirely different word is used in 2 Cor. 5:10, where the judgment of our works as

believers is referred to.

2. THE JUDGMENT OF SIN IN THE BELIEVER.

Time: any time. Place: anywhere. Result: chastisement by the Lord, if we judge not

ourselves.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged,

we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world (1

Cor. 11:31, 32).

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom

the father chasteneth not? (Heb. 12:7)

See also 1 Pet. 4:17; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Sam. 7:14, 15; 2 Sam. 12:13, 14; 1 Tim. 1:20.

3. THE CONDUCT, OR WORKS OF BELIVERS ARE TO BE JUDGED.

Time: when Christ comes. Place: "in the air." Result to the believer: "reward" or "loss"

- "but he himself shall be saved."

It is a solemn thought that though Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree,

and God has entered into covenant with us to "remember them no more" (Heb. 10:17),

every work must come into judgment. The life, the works of the believer must be

reviewed by the Lord.

Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing

unto him. For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that

each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he bath done,

whether it be good or bad (2 Cor. 5:9, 10, R. V.).

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for

we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10).

It will be observed that both of these passages are limited by the context to believers.

In the first, the Apostle speaks of us as in one of two states: either we are at home in

the body and absent from the Lord, or absent from the body and present with the Lord

- language which could not be used of unbelievers. "Wherefore we make it our aim" to

be well-pleasing unto the Lord, "for we must all be made manifest," etc. (2 Cor. 5:8,

9).

In the other passage the words "we" and "brother" again limit it to believers. The Holy

Spirit never commingles the saved and the unsaved. Then, lest it should seem

incredible that a blood-cleansed saint could come into any judgment whatever, he

quotes from Isaiah to prove that "every knee shall bow," etc., and adds, "So then

every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

The following passage gives the basis of the judgment of works.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any

man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: every

man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be

revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's

work abide which he bath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's

work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by

fire (1 Cor. 3:11-15).

The following passages fix the time of this judgment:

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels: and then he

shall reward every man according to his works (Matt. 16:27).

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be

recompensed at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14). See 1 Cor. 15:22, 23.

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to

light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the

hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God (1 Cor. 4:5).

But how comforting it is, in view of that inevitable scrutiny of our poor botch-work,

to learn that in His patient love He is so leading us, and working in us now, that He

can then find something in it all for which to praise us.

Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as

his work shall be (Rev. 22:12).

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the

righteous judge, shall give me at that day (2 Tim. 4:8).

For the place of this judgment, see 1 Thess. 4:17; also Matt. 25:24-30.

4. THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS.

Time: the glorious appearing of Christ (Matt. 25:31, 32; Matt. 13:40, 41).

Place: the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:1, 2, 12-14). Result: some saved, some

lost (Matt. 25:46).

Basis: The treatment of those whom Christ there calls, "my brethren" (Matt. 25:40,

45; Joel 3:3, 6, 7). These "brethren" we believe are the Jewish Remnant who shall

turn to Jesus as their Messiah during "the great tribulation" which follows the taking

away of the Church, and is terminated by the glorious appearing of our Lord (Matt.

24:21, 22; Rev. 7:14, R. V.; 2 Thess. 2:3-9, R. V.). The proof is too extensive to be

adduced here. It is evident, however, that these "brethren" cannot be believers of

this dispensation, for it would be impossible to find any considerable number of

Christians who are so ignorant that they do not know that offices of kindness to

believers are really ministries to Jesus Himself.

As this judgment of the living nations is sometimes confounded with that of the

"great white throne" in Rev. 20:11, it may be well to note the following contrasts

between the two scenes.

Living Nations Great White Throne

No resurrection. A resurrection.

Living nations judged. "The dead" judged.

On the earth. Heavens and earth fled away.

No books. "Books were opened."

Three classes - sheep, goats, "brethren." One class - "the dead."

Time, when Christ appears. After He has reigned 1,000 years.

The saints will be associated with Christ in this judgment, and hence cannot be the

subjects of it. See 1 Cor. 6:2 with Dan. 7:22 and Jude 14, 15.

In truth, the judgment of the Great White Throne and the judgment of the living

nations have but one thing in common - the judge.

5. THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED DEAD.

Time: a determined day, after the Millennium (Acts 17:31; Rev. 20:5,7).

Place: before "the great white throne" (Rev. 20:11).

Result: Rev. 20:15.

Some may be troubled by the word "day" in such passages as Acts 17:31 and in

Rom. 2:16. See the following passages, where "day" means a lengthened period: 2

Pet. 3:8; 2 Cor. 6:2; John 8:56. The "hour" of John 5:25 has now lasted more than

eighteen hundred years.

[NOTE.-The Scriptures speak, also, of a judgment of angels (1 Cor. 63; Jude 6; 2

Pet. 2:4). Luke 22:30 probably refers to judges as under the Theocracy - an

administrative office, rather than judicial. See Isaiah 1:26.]

LAW AND GRACE

The most obvious and striking division of the Word of Truth is that between Law and

Grace. Indeed, these contrasting principles characterize the two most important

dispensations - the Jewish and Christian.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John

1:17).

It is not, of course, meant that there was no law before Moses, any more than that

there was no grace and truth before Jesus Christ. The forbidding to Adam of the fruit

of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17) was law, and surely grace

was most sweetly manifested in the LORD God's seeking His sinning creatures, and in

His clothing them with coats of skins (Gen. 3:21) - a beautiful type of Christ who "is

made unto us . . . righteousness" (1 Cor. 1:30). Law, in the sense of some revelation

of God's will, and grace, in the sense of some revelation of God's goodness, have

always existed, and to this Scripture abundantly testifies. But "the law," everywhere

mentioned in Scripture, was given by Moses, and from Sinai to Calvary, dominates,

characterizes, the time; just as grace dominates, or gives its peculiar character to, the

dispensation which begins at Calvary, and has its predicted termination in the rapture

of the Church.

It is, however, of the most vital moment to observe that Scripture never, in any

dispensation, mingles these two principles. Law always has a place and work distinct

and wholly diverse from that of grace. Law is God prohibiting and requiring. Grace is

God beseeching and bestowing. Law is a ministry of condemnation; grace, of

forgiveness. Law curses, grace redeems from that curse. Law kills; grace makes alive.

Law shuts every mouth before God; grace opens every mouth to praise Him. Law puts

a great and guilty distance between man and God; grace makes guilty man nigh to

God. Law says, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth"; grace says, "Resist not

evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Law says, "Hate thine enemy"; grace, "Love your enemies, bless them that

despitefully use you." Law says, Do and live; grace, Believe and live. Law never had a

missionary; grace is to be preached to every creature. Law utterly condemns the best

man; grace freely justifies the worst (Luke 23:43; Rom. 5:8; 1 Tim 1:15; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Law is a system of probation; grace, of favor. Law stones an adulteress; grace says,

"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Under law the sheep dies for the

shepherd: under grace the Shepherd dies for the sheep.

Everywhere the Scriptures present law and grace in sharply contrasted spheres.

The mingling of them in much of the current teaching of the day spoils both; for law is

robbed of its terror, and grace of its freeness.

The student should observe that "law," in the New Testament Scriptures, always

means the law given by Moses (Rom. 7:23 is the only exception); but sometimes the

whole law - the moral, so-called, or the Ten Commandments, and the ceremonial - is

meant: sometimes the commandments only; sometimes the ceremonial only. Among

passages of the first class, Rom. 6:14; Gal. 2:16, and 3:2 are examples. Of the second

class. Rom. 3:19 and 7:7-12 are examples. Of the third class, Col. 2:14-17.

It should be remembered also, that in the ceremonial law are enshrined those

marvelous types - the beautiful foreshadowings of the Person and work of the Lord

Jesus as Priest and Sacrifice, as in the Tabernacle (Exod. 25-30) and Levitical

offerings (Lev. 1-7), which must ever be the wonder and delight of the spiritually

minded.

Expressions in the Psalms, too, which would be inexplicable if understood only of the

"ministration of death, written and engraven in stones" (2 Cor. 3:7), are made clear

when seen to refer to Christ, or to the redeemed.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and

night (Ps. 1:2).

O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day (Ps. 119:97).

Three errors have troubled the Church touching the right relations of law and grace:

1. ANTINOMIANISM, or the denial of all rule over the lives of believers; the affirmation

that, because saved by God's free grace, wholly without merit, men are not required to

live holy lives.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and

disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:16).

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this

condemnation; ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and

denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 4).

2. CEREMONIALISM. In its first form, the demand that believers should observe the

Levitical ordinances.

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except

ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved (Acts 15:1).

The modern form of this error is the teaching that Christian ordinances are essential to

salvation.

3. GALATIANISM, or the mingling of law and grace - the teaching that justification is

partly by grace, partly by law; or, that grace is given to enable an otherwise helpless

sinner to keep the law.

Against this error, the most wide-spread of all, the solemn warnings, the unanswerable

logic, the emphatic declarations of the Epistle to the Galatians are God's conclusive

answer.

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the

hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made

perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:2, 3).

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ

unto another gospel: which is not another [there could not be another gospel]; but

there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we,

or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have

preached unto you, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:6-8).

The following may be helpful as an outline of Scripture teaching on this important

subject. The moral law only is referred to in the passages cited.

1. WHAT THE LAW IS.

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Rom.

7:12).

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin (Rom. 7:14).

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man (Rom. 7:22).

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully (1 Tim. 1:8).

And the law is not of faith (Gal. 3:12),

2. THE LAWFUL USE OF THE LAW.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by

the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet (Rom.

7:7; see also ver. 13).

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by

the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions (Gal. 3:19).

Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the

law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before

God (Rom. 3:19).

[Law has but one language: "what things soever." It speaks only to condemn.]

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of

the law to do them (Gal. 3:10).

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of

all (James 2:10).

The ministration of death, written and engraven in stones (2 Cor. 3:7).

The ministration of condemnation (2 Cor. 3:9).

For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin

revived, and I died (Rom. 7:9).

The strength of sin is the law (1 Cor. 15:56).

It is evident, then, that God's purpose in giving the law, after the race had existed

twenty-five hundred years without it (John 1:17; Gal. 3:17), was to bring to guilty

man the knowledge of his sin first, and then of his utter helplessness in view of

God's just requirements. It is purely and only a ministration of condemnation and

death.

3. WHAT THE LAW CANNOT DO.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by

the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus

Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the

faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no

flesh be justified (Gal. 2:16).

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then

Christ is dead in vain (Gal. 2:21).

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just

shall live by faith (Gal. 3:11).

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending

his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh

(Rom. 8:3).

And by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be

justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:39).

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the

which we draw nigh unto God (Heb. 7:19).

4. THE BELIEVER IS NOT UNDER THE LAW.

The 6th of Romans, after declaring the doctrine of the believer's identification with

Christ in His death, of which baptism is the symbol (vers.1-10), begins, with verse

11, the declarations of the principles which should govern the walk of the believer -

his rule of life. This is the subject of the remaining twelve verses; verse 14 gives

the great principle of his deliverance - not from the guilt of sin, that is met by

Christ's blood - but from the dominion of sin; his bondage under it.

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under

grace."

Lest this should lead to the monstrous Antinomianism of saying that therefore a

godly life was not important, the Spirit immediately adds:

What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God

forbid (Rom. 6:15).

Surely every renewed heart answers "Amen" to this.

Then the 7th of Romans introduces another principle of deliverance from law.

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;

that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that

we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of

sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that

we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter (Rom. 7:4-

6).

(That this does not refer to the ceremonial law, see verse 7.)

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God (Gal. 2:19).

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which

should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us

unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no

longer under a schoolmaster (Gal. 3:23-25).

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law

is not made for a righteous man (1 Tim. 1:8, 9).

5. WHAT IS THE BELIEVER

S RULE OF LIFE?

He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked (1

John 2:6).

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we

ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16).

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,

which war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11; see also verses 12-23).

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering,

forbearing one another in love (Eph. 4:1, 2).

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love as Christ also

hath loved us, and hath given himself for us (Eph. 5:1, 2).

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children

of light (Eph. 5:8).

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time,

because the days are evil (Eph. 5:15, 16).

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal.

5:16).

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (John

13:15).

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my

Father's commandments, and abide in his love (John 15:10).

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John

15:12).

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me (John

14:21).

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments,

and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That

we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he

gave us commandment (1 John 3:22, 23).

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will

put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them (Heb. 10:16).

A beautiful illustration of this principle is seen in mother-love. The law of the

commonwealth requires parents to care for their offspring, and pronounces penalties

for the wilful neglect of them; but the land is full of happy mothers who tenderly care

for their children in perfect ignorance of the existence of such a statute. The law is in

their hearts.

It is instructive, in this connection, to remember that God's appointed place for the

tables of the law was within the ark of the testimony. With them were "the golden pot

that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded" (types, the one of Christ our

wilderness bread, the other of resurrection, and both speaking of grace), while they

were covered from sight by the golden mercy-seat upon which was sprinkled the

blood of atonement. The eye of God could see His broken law only through the

blood that completely vindicated His justice and propitiated His wrath (Heb. 9:4, 5).

It was reserved to modern nomolators to wrench these holy and just but deathful

tables from underneath the mercy-seat and the atoning blood, and erect them in

Christian churches as the rule of Christian life.

6. WHAT IS GRACE?

But after that the kindness and love of Gad our Saviour toward man appeared . . .

according to his mercy he saved us (Titus 3:4, 5).

That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his

kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:7).

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ

died for us (Rom. 5:8).

7. WHAT IS GOD'S PURPOSE IN GRACE?

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of

God: not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8, 9).

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us

that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and

godly, in this present world: looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing

of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13).

That, being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of

eternal life (Titus 3:7).

Being justified freely by his grace., through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

(Rom. 3:24).

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand (Rom. 5:2).

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able

to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified

(Acts 20:32).

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the

beloved; in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace (Eph. 1:6, 7).

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and

find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

How complete, how all-inclusive! Grace saves, justifies, builds up, makes accepted,

redeems, forgives, bestows an inheritance, gives standing before God, provides a

throne of grace to which we may come boldly for mercy and help; it teaches us how to

live, and gives us a blessed hope!

It remains to note that these diverse principles cannot be intermingled.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it

be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work (Rom. 11:6).

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him

that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted

for righteousness (Rom. 4:4, 5; see also Gal. 3:16-18; 4:21-31).

Finally:

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free (Gal. 4:31).

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire,

nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the

voice of words: which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be

spoken to them any more (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And

if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a

dart: and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake). But

ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly

Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and

church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to

the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,

and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel (Heb.

12:18-24).

It is not, then, a question of dividing what God spoke from Sinai into "Moral Law" and

"Ceremonial Law" - the believer does not come to that mount at all.

As sound old Bunyan says:

"The believer is now, by faith in the Lord Jesus, shrouded under so perfect and

blessed a righteousness, that this thundering law of Mount Sinai cannot find the least

fault or diminution therein. THIS IS CALLED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

WITHOUT THE LAW.

Should this meet the eye of an unbeliever, he is affectionately exhorted to accept the

true sentence of that holy and just law which he has violated: "For there is no

difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:22, 23).

In Christ such will find a perfect and eternal salvation, as it is written: "If thou shalt

confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath

raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9); for Christ is "the end of

the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10:4).

THE BELIEVER'S TWO NATURES

The Scriptures teach that every regenerate person is the possessor of two natures:

one, received by natural birth, which is wholly and hopelessly bad; and a new nature,

received through the new birth, which is the nature of God Himself, and therefore

wholly good.

The following Scriptures will sufficiently manifest what God thinks of the old, or Adam

nature:

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me (Ps. 51:5).

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer.

17:9) (Dr. Young's literal rendering of this passage is: "Crooked is the heart above all

things, and it is incurable - who doth know it?")

There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none

that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become

unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Rom. 3:10-12).

God does not say that none of the unregenerate are refined, or cultured, or able, or

sweet-tempered, or generous, or charitable, or religious, even; but He does say that

none are righteous, none understand God, or seek after Him.

It is one of the sorest of faith's trials to accept the divine estimate of human nature; to

realize that our genial and moral friends, who, not infrequently, are scrupulous in the

discharge of every duty, who are filled with sympathy for the woes and the aspirations

of humanity, and strenuous in the assertion of human rights, are yet utter contemnors

of God's rights, and untouched by the sacrifice of His Son, whose Divinity they with

unspeakable insolence deny, and whose word they contemptuously reject. A refined

and gentle lady who would shrink with horror from the coarseness of giving a fellow-

creature the lie, will yet make God a liar every day! (See 1 John 1:10; 5:10). And this

difficulty is vastly increased for thousands by the current pulpit laudations of humanity.

How startling the contrast between appearances and realities in the time before the

flood. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that (i.e., improving

still upon that), when the sons of God (descendants of Seth) came in unto the

daughters of men (descendants of Cain), and they bare children to them, the same

became mighty men which were of old, men of renown (Gen. 6:4).

And so it appeared that the world was growing better, in men's eyes; a continual

improvement they probably would trace, and the apparent result of the unholy

intermarriage of the godly with the worldly was the lifting up of human nature to still

grander heights.

But, just here:

God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every

imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen. 6:5).

See, further:

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,

murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,

blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile man

(Mark 7:21-23).

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are

foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually

discerned (1 Cor. 2:14).

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God,

neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom. 8:7,

8).

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of

wrath (Eph. 2:3).

By these it appears that the unconverted man has a threefold incapacity. He may be

gifted, or cultured, or amiable, or generous, or religious. He may pay his honest debts,

be truthful, industrious, a good husband and father - or all these together - but he can

neither obey God, please God, nor understand God.

The believer, on the contrary, while still having his old nature, unchanged and

unchangeable, has received a new nature which "after God is created in

righteousness and true holiness."

The following Scriptures will show the origin and character of the new man.

It will be seen that regeneration is a creation, not a mere transformation: the bringing

in a new thing, not the change of an old. As we received human nature by natural

generation, so do we receive the divine nature by regeneration.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee [Nicodemus, a moral, religious man], Except a man be

born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of

the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12, 13).

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26).

(It will be observed what bearing these Scriptures have upon that specious and

"taking," but utterly unscriptural phrase, so popular in our day, "The universal

fatherhood of God, and the universal brotherhood of man" - an expression all the more

dangerous for the half-truth of the last clause. Not all who are born, but all who are

born again are the children of God. The Scripture tells us indeed that Adam was the

son of God, but it is also careful to state that Seth was the son of Adam - Luke 3:38).

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true

holiness (Eph. 4:24).

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [literally, "a new creation"]: old

things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).

And this "new man" is linked with Christ.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the

life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me

and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery

among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life

shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory (Col. 3:3, 4).

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye

might be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of

righteousness (Rom. 8:10).

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (1

John 5:11, 12).

But this new, divine nature, which is Christ's own, subsists in the believer together with

the old nature. It is the same Paul who could say, "Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me,"

who also says, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing"

(Rom. 7:18); and, "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with

me" (Rom. 7:21). It was Job, the "perfect and upright man," who said, "I abhor myself."

It was Daniel, eminently a man of God, who said, "My comeliness was turned in me

into corruption," when he saw the glorified Ancient of Days.

Between these two natures there is conflict. Study carefully the battle between the two

"I's" - the old Saul and the new Paul in Romans 7:14-25. It is an experience like this

which so discourages and perplexes young converts. The first joy of conversion has

subsided, his glowing expectations become chilled, and the convert is dismayed to

find the flesh with its old habits and desires within himself as before his conversion,

and he is led to doubt his acceptance with God. This is a time of discouragement and

danger. Paul, in this crisis, cries out for deliverance, calling his old nature a "body of

death." The law only intensifies his agony (though a converted man), and he finds

deliverance from "the flesh," not through effort, nor through striving to keep the law,

but "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 7:24, 25).

The presence of the flesh is not, however, an excuse for walking in it. We are taught

that "our old man is crucified with Christ"; that, in that sense, we "are dead," and we

are called upon to make this a constant experience by mortifying ("making dead") our

members which are upon the earth.

The power for this is that of the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer (1 Cor. 6:19),

and whose blessed office is to subdue the flesh.

"But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh

lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary the

one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:16, 17, R. V.).

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the

deeds of the body, ye shall live (Rom. 8:13).

Therefore, instead of meeting the solicitations of the old nature by force of will, or by

good resolutions, turn the conflict over to the indwelling Spirit of God.

The 7th of Romans is a record of the conflict of regenerate man with his old self, and

is, therefore, intensely personal. "I would," "I do not," "I would not," "I do," is the sad

confession of defeat which finds an echo in so many Christian hearts. In the 8th

chapter the conflict still goes on, but how blessedly impersonal! There is no agony, for

Paul is out of it; the conflict is now between "flesh" - Saul of Tarsus - and the Holy

Spirit. Paul is at peace and victorious.

(It will be understood that this refers to victory over the flesh, such inward solicitations

to evil as lust, pride, anger, etc.; temptations from without are met by recourse to

Christ our High Priest).

Consider attentively the following passages:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be

destroyed [annulled, rendered powerless] that henceforth we should not serve sin

(Rom. 6:6).

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ

Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3).

For ye are dead [i.e., have died - in Christ], and your life is hid with Christ in God

(Col. 3:3).

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God

through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:11).

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the

lusts thereof (Rom. 13:14).

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh (Rom.

8:12).

THE BELIEVER'S STANDING AND STATE

A distinction of vast importance to the right understanding of the Scriptures,

especially of the Epistles, is that which concerns the standing or position of the

believer, and his state, or walk. The first is the result of the work of Christ, and is

perfect and entire from the very moment that Christ is received by faith. Nothing in

the afterlife of the believer adds in the smallest degree to his title of favor with God,

nor to his perfect security. Through faith alone this standing before God is conferred;

and before Him, the weakest person, if he be but a true believer on the Lord Jesus

Christ, has precisely the same title as the most illustrious saint.

What that title or standing is, may be briefly seen from the following Scriptures:

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1).

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in

heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready

to be revealed in the last time (1 Pet. 1:4, 5).

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance (Eph. 1:11).

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him (1 John 3:2).

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9).

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made

us kings and priests unto God and his Father (Rev. 1:5, 6).

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (Col.

2:10).

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus

Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and

rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:1, 2).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that

ye may know that ye have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus

(Heb. 10:19.)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all

spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3).

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the

beloved (Eph. 1:6).

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we

were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved),

and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ

Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6).

But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off, are made nigh by the blood

of Christ (Eph. 2:13).

In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise

(Eph. 1:13).

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13.)

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Eph. 5:30).

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost? (1 Cor. 6:19).

Every one of these marvellous things is true of every believer on the Lord Jesus

Christ. Not one item in this glorious inventory is said to be gained by prayer, or by

diligence in service, or by church-going, or by alms-giving, or self-denial, or holiness of

life, or by any other description of good works. All is the gift of God, through Christ, to

faith, and therefore belongs equally to all believers. When the jailor of Philippi

believed on the Lord Jesus Christ he became at once a child of God, a joint heir with

Christ, a king and priest, and had the title to the incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading

inheritance. In the instant that he believed with his heart and confessed with his

mouth, Jesus as Lord, he was justified from all things, had peace with God, a standing

in His grace, and a sure hope of glory. He received the gift of eternal life, was made

accepted in the full measure of Christ's own acceptance, was indwelt by, and sealed

with the Holy Spirit, by whom also he was baptized into the mystical body of Christ -

the church of God. Instantly he was clothed with the righteousness of God (Rom.

3:22), quickened with Christ, raised with Him, and in Him seated in the heavenlies.

What his actual state may have been is quite another matter; certainly it was far, far

below his exalted standing in the sight of God. It was not all at once that he became

as royal, priestly, and heavenly in walk as he was at once in standing. The following

passages will indicate the way these two things are constantly discriminated in the

Scriptures:

Standing

State

Unto the church of God which is at

Corinth, to them that are sanctified in

Christ Jesus . . . I thank my God

always on your behalf, for the grace

of God which is given you by Jesus

Christ; that in every thing ye are

enriched by him, in all utterance, and

in all knowledge; even as the

testimony of Christ was confirmed in

you: so that ye come behind in no

gift; waiting for the coming of our

Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also

confirm you unto the end, that ye

may be blameless in the day of our

Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by

whom ye were called unto the

fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ (1

Cor. 1: 2-9).

But ye are washed, but ye are

sanctified, but ye are justified in the

name of the Lord Jesus, and by the

Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11).

Know ye not that your bodies are the

members of Christ? (1 Cor. 6:15)

And Jesus answered and said unto

him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-

jona: for flesh and blood hath not re

For it hath been declared unto me of you,

my brethren, by them which are of the

house of Chloe, that there are contentions

among you (1 Cor. 1:11).

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you

as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal ... For

ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is

among you envying, and strife, and

divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as

men? (1 Cor. 3 : 1-3)

Now some are puffed up (1 Cor. 4:18).

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather

mourned, that he that hath done this deed

might be taken away from among you (1

Cor. 5: 2).

Now therefore there is utterly a fault

among you, because ye go to law one with

another (1 Cor. 6:7).

Shall I then take the members of Christ,

and make them the members of an harlot?

(1 Cor. 6:15)

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get

thee behind me, Satan; for thou art an

offence unto me; for thou savorest not the

jona: for flesh and blood hath not re-

vealed it unto thee, but my Father

which is in heaven (Matt. 16: 17).

Giving thanks unto the Father, which

hath made us meet to be partakers of

the inheritance of the saints in light:

who hath delivered us from the power

of darkness, and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col.

1:12, 13).

things that be of God, but those that be of

men (Matt. 16: 23).

But now ye also put off all these; anger,

wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communi-

cation out of your mouth. Lie not one to

another, seeing that ye have put off the old

man with his deeds (Col. 3: 8, 9).

The student cannot fail to notice, also, that the divine order, under grace, is first to

give the highest possible standing and then to exhort the believer to maintain a state

in accordance therewith. The beggar is lifted up from the dung-hill and set among

princes (1 Sam. 2:8), and then exhorted to be princely. As examples, see:

Standing

State

Knowing this, that our old man is

crucified with him, that the body of sin

might be destroyed (Rom. 6:6).

Ye are the light of the world (Matt.

5:14).

Who hath saved us, and called us

with an holy calling, not according to

our works, but according to his own

purpose and grace, which was given

us in Christ Jesus before the world

began (2 Tim. 1:9).

And hath raised us up together, and

made us sit together in heavenly

places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).

When Christ, who is our life, shall

appear, then shall ye also appear with

him in glory (Col. 3:4).

For ye were sometimes darkness, but

now are ye light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8).

Ye are all the children of light, and the

children of the day: we are not of the

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the

rudiments of the world, why, as though

living in the world, are ye subject to

ordinances? (Col. 2:20)

Let your light so shine before men, that they

may see your good works, and glorify your

Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always

obeyed, not as in my presence only, but

now much more in my absence, work out

your own salvation with fear and trembling

(Phil. 2:12).

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those

things which are above, where Christ sitteth

on the right hand of God (Col. 3:1).

Mortify therefore your members which are

Let it be observed, in reading this much-abused text, that the salvation spoken of here is not that of the soul, but

salvation out of the snares which would hinder the Christian from doing the will of God.

night, nor of darkness (1 Thess. 5:5).

For God hath not appointed us to

wrath, but to obtain salvation by our

Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

that, whether we wake or sleep, we

should live together with him (1

Thess. 5: 9, 10).

By the which will we are sanctified,

through the offering of the body of

Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10).

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who

of God is made unto us . . .

sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30).

For by one offering he hath perfected

forever them that are sanctified (Heb.

10:14).

Let us therefore, as many as be

perfect, be thus minded (Phil. 3:15).

Herein is our love made perfect, that

we may have boldness in the day of

judgment: because as he is, so are

we in this world (1 John 4:17).

upon the earth (Col. 3:5).

Walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8).

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but

let us watch and be sober (1 Thess. 5:6).

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and

edify one another, even as also ye do (1

Thess. 5:11).

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is

truth (John 17:17).

And the very God of peace sanctify you

wholly (1 Thess. 5:23).

Not as though I had already attained, either

were already perfect (Phil. 3:12).

Therefore, leaving the principles of the

doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto

perfection (Heb. 6:1).

He that saith he abideth in him, ought

himself also so to walk, even as he walked

(1 John 2:6).

The student will be able to add largely to this list of comparative passages showing

that the Scripture makes a clear distinction between the standing and state of the

believer. It will be seen that he is not under probation to see if he is worthy of an

inconceivably exalted position, but, beginning with the confession of his utter

unworthiness, receives the position wholly as the result of Christ's work.

Positionally he is "perfected forever" (Heb. 10:14), but looking within, at his state,

he must say, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect"

(Phil. 3:12).

It may be said that all the after-work of God in his behalf, the application of the

Word to his walk and conscience (John 17:17; Eph. 5:26), the chastisements of the

Father's hand (Heb. 12:10; 1 Cor. 11:32), the ministry of the Spirit (Eph. 4:11, 12),

all the difficulties and trials of the wilderness way (I Pet. 4:12-14), and the final

transformation when He shall appear (1 John 3:2), all are intended simply to bring

the believer's character into perfect conformity to the position which is his in the

instant of his conversion. He grows in grace, indeed, but not into grace.

A prince, while he is a little child, is presumably as wilful and as ignorant as other

little children. Sometimes he may be very obedient and teachable and affectionate,

and then he is happy and approved. At other times he may be unruly, self-willed,

and disobedient, and then he is unhappy, and perhaps is chastised - but he is just

as much a prince on the one day as on the other. It may be hoped that, as time

goes on, he will learn to bring himself into willing and affectionate subjection to

every right way, and then he will be more princely, but not more really a prince. He

was born a prince.

In the case of every true son of the King of kings, and Lord of lords, this growth into

kingliness is assured. In the end, standing and state, character and position, will be

equal. But the position is not the reward of the perfected character - the character

is developed from the position.

SALVATION AND REWARDS

The New Testament Scriptures contain a doctrine of salvation for the lost - for

sinners, and a doctrine of rewards for the faithful services of those that are saved;

and it is of great importance to the right understanding of the Word that the student

should clearly make the distinction between these. What that distinction is may be

seen by carefully noting the following contrasts:

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is

that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would

have given thee living water (John 4:10).

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;

come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without

price (Isa. 55:1).

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And

let him that is athirst come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely

(Rev. 22:17).

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ

our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of

God: not of works lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8, 9).

But in contrast with the freeness of salvation, note that:

WORKS PLEASING TO GOD SHALL BE REWARDED.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only

in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward

(Matt. 10:42).

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth

there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according

as his work shall be (Rev. 22:12).

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,

that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all

things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible (1 Cor.

9:24, 25).

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a

very little, have thou authority over ten cities (Luke 19:17).

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any

man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every

man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be

revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's

work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work

shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1

Cor. 3:11-15).

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of

you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou

faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Not receive "life" -

the suffering saints in Smyrna had life, eternal life, and were suffering for

righteousness' sake - but a "crown of life" they should receive.

Crowns are symbols of rewards-of distinctions earned. It may be remarked that four

crowns are mentioned: that of joy, or rejoicing, the reward of ministry (Phil. 4:1; 1

Thess. 2:19); of righteousness, the reward of faithfulness in testimony (2 Tim. 4:8); of

life, the reward of faithfulness under trial (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10); and of glory, the

reward of faithfulness under suffering (1 Pet. 5:4; Heb. 2:9).

SALVATION IS A PRESENT POSSESSION

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life (John 3:36).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me,

hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life

(John 5:24, R. V.).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life (John 6:47).

Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but

according to his own purpose and grace (2 Tim. 1:9).

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace (Luke 7:50).

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he

saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son

(1 John 5:11). But:

REWARDS ARE BESTOWED IN THE FUTURE

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he

shall reward every man according to his works (Matt. 16:27).

For thou shalt de recompensed at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14).

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man

according as his work shall be (Rev. 22:12).

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that

fadeth not away (1 Pet. 5:4).

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the

righteous judge, shall give me at that day (2 Tim. 4:8).

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them (Matt.

25:19).

God's purpose in promising to reward with heavenly and eternal honors the faithful

service of His saints is to win them from the pursuit of earthly riches and pleasures,

to sustain them in the fares of persecution, and to encourage them in the exercise

of Christian virtues. See:

Heb. 11:8-10, 24-27 Col. 3:22-24

Heb. 12:2, 3 Matt. 5:11, 12

Luke 14:12, 14 John 4:35, 36

Matt. 10:41, 42 Daniel 12:3

Heb. 6:10 Luke 12:35-37

2 Tim. 4:8

Finally, let us heed the warning - Rev. 3:11.

BELIEVERS AND PROFESSORS

Ever since God has had a people separated to Himself they have been sorely

troubled by the presence among them of those who professed to be, but were not,

of them. And this will continue until "the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and

they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do

iniquity . . . Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their

Father" (Matt. 13:14-43).

Scripture plainly tells us of this mingling of tares and wheat - of mere professors

among true believers; yet misguided students have frequently applied to the

children of God the warnings and exhortations meant only for the self-deceived or

hypocritical.

The fact of such admixture is abundantly recognized in the Scriptures. See:

Gen. 4:3-5 Matt. 13:24-30, 37-43

Exod. 12:38 2 Cor. 11:13-15

Num. 11:4-6 Gal. 2:4

Neh. 13:1-3 Pet. 2:1, 2

Neh. 7:63-65

It is impossible, in a brief Bible-reading, to refer to all the passages which

discriminate true believers from the mass of mere formalists, hypocrites, or

deceived legalists, who are working FOR their own salvation, instead of working

OUT a salvation already received as a free gift. See Phil. 2:12, 13 with Eph. 2:8, 9.

The following, however, will sufficiently indicate the lines of demarcation:

BELIEVERS ARE SAVED, MERE PROFESSORS ARE LOST.

Compare:

True Believers

Pretenders

And he said to the woman, Thy faith

hath saved thee; go in peace (Luke

7:50).

And they continued stedfastly in the

apostles' doctrine and fellowship,

and in breaking of bread, and in

prayers (Acts 2:42).

My sheep hear my voice, and I

know them, and they follow me: and

I give unto them eternal life; and

they shall never perish, neither.

shall any man pluck them out of my

hand. My Father, which gave them

me, is greater than all; and no man is

able to pluck them out of my Father's

Then Simon himself believed also: and

when he was baptized, he continued with

Philip. But Peter said unto him . . . Thou

hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for

thy heart is not right in the sight of God

(Acts 8:13, 21).

They went out from us, but they were not

of us; for if they had been of us, they

would no doubt have continued with us:

but they went out, that they might be made

manifest that they were not all of us (1 John

2:19).

But there are some of you that believe not.

For Jesus knew from the beginning who

they were that believed not, and who should

hand (John 10:27-29).

All that the Father giveth me shall

come to me; and him that cometh to

me I will in no wise cast out.

And this is the Father's will which hath

sent me, that of all which he bath

given me I should lose nothing, but

should raise it up again at the last day

(John 6:37, 39).

And while they went to buy, the

bridegroom came; and they that were

ready went in with him to the

marriage: and the door was shut

(Matt. 25:10).

Even the righteousness of God which

is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and

upon all them that believe: for there is

no difference (Rom. 3:22).

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give

honor to him; for the marriage of the

Lamb is come, and his wife hath

made herself ready. And to her was

granted that she should be arrayed in

fine linen, clean and white: for the fine

linen is the righteous acts of saints

(Rev. 19: 7, 8, R.V.).

I am the good shepherd, and know

my sheep, and am known of mine

(John 10:14). Nevertheless the

foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal, The Lord knoweth

them that are his (2 Tim. 2:19).

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that

believeth on me hath everlasting life

(John 6:47).

Father, I will that they also, whom

thou hast given me, be with me where

I am; that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me: for thou

lovedst me before the foundation of

the world (John 17:24)

betray him. And he said, Therefore said I

unto you, that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went

back, and walked no more with him (John

6:64-66).

Afterward came also the other virgins,

saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he

answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I

know you not (Matt. 25:11, 12).

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous

unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy

and iniquity. Ye serpents, ye generation of

vipers! how can ye escape the damnation of

hell? (Matt. 23:28, 33).

And when the king came in to see the

guests, he saw there a man which had not

on a wedding garment: and he saith unto

him, Friend, how earnest thou in hither not

having a wedding garment? And he was

speechless. Then said the king to the

servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take

him away, and cast him into outer darkness

(Matt. 22:11-13).

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name? and

in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy

name done many wonderful works? And

then will I profess unto them, I never knew

you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity

(Matt. 7:22, 23) .

What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man

say he bath faith, but have not works? Can

that faith save him? (James 2:14, R. V.).

For it is impossible for those who were once

enlightened, and have tasted of the

heavenly gift, and were made partakers of

the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good

word of God, and the powers of the world to

come, if they shall fall away, to renew them

again unto repentance (Heb. 6:4-6).

Probably this passage, more than any other in the Bible, has been perverted to the distress of children of God,

between whom and this supposititious "taster" there is no real likeness. The text shows how very far tentative

the world (John 17:24).

Being confident of this very thing, that

he which hath begun a good work in

you, will perform it until the day of

Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).

But we are not of them who draw

back unto perdition, but of them that

believe to the saving of the soul (Heb.

10:39).

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any

man draw back, my soul shall have no

pleasure in him (Heb. 10:38).

BELIEVERS ARE REWARDED, PRETENDERS ARE CONDEMNED.

Compare:

Matt. 25:19-23 with Matt. 25:24-30

Luke 12:42-44 " Luke 12:45-47

Col. 3:24 " Matt. 7:22, 23

Some texts are not free from difficulty, but with prayer, careful study, and keeping in

mind the important rule: "Never use a doubtful or obscure passage to contradict a

clear and positive one," light will surely come. Do not use an "if" to contradict a "verily"

- Heb. 6:6 to contradict John 5:24.

The cases of Judas Iscariot and of Peter should present no difficulty. Judas was never

a believer. (See John 6:68-71.) Peter never ceased to be one (Luke 22:31, 32, R. V.).

Finally: It should be ever remembered that these principles are to guide us only in

rightly dividing the Word of God, but are never to be applied to living persons. The

judgment of professors is not committed to us, but is reserved to the Son of Man.

Study carefully Matt. 13:28, 29; 1 Cor. 4:5.

profession may be imagined to go, and yet fall short of entire surrender to Christ, which alone is conversion. Verse 9

ought to guard true believers against the perversion referred to, for it distinctly states that the things which

accompany salvation are "better" than these.