Paul in his famous sermon on Mars’ Hill stated that God “hath made of one blood all nations of man for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habita tion” (Acts 17:26). This is not the chronology of their existence, but the chairoi (to use the new English word in its plural), the “ opportune or decisive moments.” These come and go. They must be recognized to be seized and turned into the proper action. A number of references to the Biblical use of the terms time and day will suffice to show that God thinks and works in terms of time-periods which are both chronological and strategic, in the sense that the span is laid out with specific purpose in mind. This purpose is, as we have said, related to redemption. In Galatians 4:4, 5 we read of a ‘time’ related to the birth of Jesus Christ: “ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” The coming of the Son and His redemption point to the Cross, which thus becomes the watershed of the unfolding of the re- demptive drama. All that preceded it led up to it, and all that followed stemmed from it, and was based upon it. It has been suggested that this ‘time’ had its beginning with the first announcement of the Coming One in Gene- sis 3:15. Its terminus was doubtless announced with the words, “ It is finished,” John 19:30. Between these two termini God was progressively un folding his plan and purpose to His people. Details were added as the centuries went by. The composite picture of the Redeemer was slowly but accurately painted upon the historic, sacrificial, and prophetic canvases. When
Is Timing Running Out (continued) church, Barnabas, wrote, “Attend, my children, to the meaning of this expression, ‘He finished in six days.’ This implies that the Lord will finish all things in six thousand years, for a day is with Him a thousand years.’ Therefore, my children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, all things will be finished. ‘And He rested on the seventh day.’ This meaneth: when His Son, com ing [again] shall destroy the time of the wicked man, and judge the ungodly, and change the sun, and the moon, and the stars, then shall He truly rest on the seventh day” (Epistle of Barnabas, about A.D. 70-79). This tradition is to be found essentially in this form in Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Cyprian, Lactantius, Jerome, Hilary of Poitiers, Augustin, Andrew of Crete, Ambrose Ansbert, and so on, right up through the cen turies. Whether these men were right is not our immediate concern. They all do emphasize the concept that “ time” as we have defined it even in the chronological sense, but chiefly in the Biblical sense, will have an end. This end is determined by God. Regardless of what may be said of Immanuel Velikovsky as a scientist, his readers will have to admit that he has collected a vast amount of literary testimony from many ancient nations in all parts of the world that the present state of affairs ■will not last indefinitely (see his Earth in Upheaval, and Worlds in Collision). Thus even by their own testimony the post-Biblical and the secular worlds have no excuse for thinking that things will go on indefinitely as they have been, or as they are now. Biblical Use It is the Bible, of course, which settles the question.
*
|
*•
4
L
)
,
*
R E T I R E T O A S A T Now building in Salem, Oregon is Capital Manor, a fireproof building of ten stories with 258 pleas ant living units. It is located on a 20-acre campus overlooking the beautiful Willamette river in an area where you will enjoy the variety of four dis tinct seasons, but no violent extremes of weather. When completed in June, 1963, Capital Manor will be home to people much like you —mature in years, of Protestant belief, appreciating good friends and congenial surroundings, and looking forward to the pleasures and comforts of a secure, interesting, well-ordered life. maid and janitor service, telephone, individually controlled heat, water and other utilities. Each living unit is a comfortable, self-contained home where you can be alone, but not lonely. Each has a wardrobe, large closets, private bath with tub and shower, and sheltered view balcony. Wall-to-wall carpeting and colorful window draperies are furnished to complement your own furnishings. On each floor is a laundry for your personal things, and a kitchenette to use when you wish to prepare a special treat.
Founder’s fees which entitle you to occupy one of these residences during your lifetime begin at. $3,400 complete. Monthly maintenance fees are as low as $142 for one or $237 for two. If you are looking forward to a pleasant, satis fying life in retirement, you are invited to write us for references and informative literature. For your convenience, use the coupon at the right.
Freely available to each resident of Capital Manor will be a library, lounges, roof garden sun decks, chapel, recreation room, hobby room, and other service areas. Medical attention and a 20- bed infirmary attended at all times by a qualified nurse will guard your health. Also provided are three stimulating meals each day, room laundry,
THE KING'S BUSINESS
26
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs