March 1927
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
145
the First and Second Cycles, This course of events is presented in symbolic form in the Book of Daniel. First, as a whole in one Great Image (Dan. 2 ) ; and second, in four parts, under the symbols of four Wild Beasts' (Dan. 7). The number of years during which Gentiles were to hold sway has not been revealed, but each of the Ruling Powers had its time-limit appointed by God, and was re moved when that time-limit was reached. This is clearly indicated by the terms used by our Lord when describing the era of Gentile supremacy—“The Times (fixed per iods) of the Gentiles” (Luke 21 :24). Earthly government has been in the hands of Gentiles from ^Nebuchadnezzar’s time until now, and held in res ponsibility to God, whether acknowledged or not. Most students of prophecy are agreed that the Image of Dan. 2 and the Four Beasts of Dan. 7 represent four great em pires, seen from man’s view-point and God’s view-point. In the Image, that of worldly pomp and power, to be sought after and admired by men; and in the Wild Beasts, that which is iniquitous and cruel calling down judgment from God. It is generally conceded that the four great empires are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. That the first was Babylon is definitely stated: “Thou art this head of gold” (Dan. 2:38). The second Medo-Persia (Dan, 7: 30, 31). This kingdom is seen as the ram with two horns —a joint kingdom—in Dan. 8:20. Medo-Persia was sue-, ceeded by Greece (Dan. 8:21). The fourth empire in historic sequence must of necessity be Rome. Taking, then, a general survey of chapters 2 and 7, we find there predicted a gradual deterioration in the forms of human government—from the Despotic, where the king was supreme, to the Autocratic, consisting of emperor and counsellors. Then the government by military rulers,- such as Alexander the Great, and afterward his four gen erals ; also the Caesars and the Roman Senate. In a descending scale there developed government under a limited Monarchy —king and parliament—fol lowed by Republicanism —one man elected from among the people—and finally Democratic government, when the people rule. L ast F orm of G overnment This last form of government is depicted as the worst of all, for out of it will ultimately arise the Lawless One, culminating in the awful blasphemy of the Man of Sin. Then will God bring to an end, by His judgments, this last exhibition of human government formed out of the rem nants of the Roman Empire—a Ten-kingdom Confed eracy—which will be smitten, as seen in the feet and toes of the Great Image, by Him who is represented by the Stone, “cut out without hands,” not of human origin but divine. It will not then be a question of misrule by king or emperor, but the utter misrule of the peoples through their, chosen leaders. Consequently,., judgment will fall upon the peoples. Then will the “Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking ven geance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1 :7, 8 ). “Then shall that wicked (one) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall des troy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thess. 2 : 8 ). “In the days of these kings (ten-kingdom confeder acy) shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people (no further succession of Gentile
rule), but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Dan. 2 : 44 ). Obviously all this is yet future, and belongs to that unfulfilled portion of the prophecies relating to the “Times of the Gentiles,” a period during the whole of which, from start to finish, some of the greatest events in history take place. C onclusion of G ospel A ge When the number of the saved of this Gospel Age is completed, the Lord will descend into the air, raising those who have died in faith, and changing the redeemed who are alive on the earth, and the whole company will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). A point will then be reached (how near it seems) when the Jews and Jerusalem will again come into view, and the unfolding and fulfilment of Old Testament pro phecies will rapidly ensue. The godly remnant among the Jews will be able to measure the days. They will know exactly how to act under given circumstances. They will pray in the language of Scripture suitable to the character of the age (so different from ours), calling upon God to avenge them against their enemies. What a period it will be! No doubt, after a season, the world will recover from the terrible shock of millions of Christians mysteriously removed from their midst. All will be forgotten in the absorbing interests of life as it will then develop. A corrupt religion (a strong delusion, 2 Thess. 2:11, 12 ) will quiet the qualms of conscience, while they drink to the full the cup of pleasure, and engage in the mad rush to accumulate wealth (Jas. 5:1-6; Rev. 18:1-24). The flood-gates of God’s wrath will be held back for a short season, and then it will break forth in its awful fury, commencing with the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:10, 11, 30, 31; Rev. 6 ), and culminating in the Coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt. 24:29, 30; Rev. 1:19). So: will the pride, the pomp, the rebellion and misrule of man be brought into the dust, and God will set His King upon His holy hill of Zion. Thus will terminate the “Times of the Gentiles,” and the kingdoms of this world will then become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11:15). The Daily Rate “A daily rate for every day.’li —2 Kings 25 :30. “As thy days; so shall thy strength be.”—Deut. 33 :25.. What folly to try to live today on yesterday’s grace. We do riot talk of gaining physical strength to support today on the food we ate last week. If the soul would be active and strong, its divine sustenance must come like the manna from heaven to the Israelites—“a daily rate for every day’—fresh from heaven today. Since this is provided for us if we will but take it, what folly to be borrowing tomorrow’s trouble. Tomorrow is just as sure to have its measure of grace. As Tupper says: “It’s the evils that never happened that have mostly made men miserable.” Let us make use of Monday’s rate for Monday and Tuesday’s rate for Tuesday. Note: Mr. Fitzgerald’s concluding article next month will be on “The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.”
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