A NEW WORLD

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 7

A NEW WORLD

Christadelphian Lecture

In these days frequent reference is made in the press to the "new world that is going to emerge out of the present conflict. That A "new world" is certainly coming, but not. in the way anticipated, was advanced in the course of a Christadelphian lecture entitled "Eternal life in the World to come,” given in the 1.0.0. F. Hall, Allen Street. Wellington, last Sunday evening. The speaker said that readers of the Bible had every justification for believing that a new world was coining. Both Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul had made reference to “The World to come,’ as could be seen in ’Mark 10: 2S-30, Luke 18: 30. Eph. 1 : 21. In these passages the Greek original translated‘‘World ’ was “aion” meaning “age’’ or “dispensation. Reference by both Christ and Paul to •‘The age to come” was an implication that the present age styled bv Jesus “The times of the Gentiles’’ (Luke 21: 24) would come to an end. and that was certainly taught in the Bible. So the Apostle Paul could write “The things which are seen are temporary” (2 Cor. 4: IS) and the Apostle John “The world passe th away” (T John 2: 17) and both Isaiah and Peter made reference to new earth” (Isa. 65: 17, 2 Peter 3 : 13). When would the present age end and the new age begin? The answer was indicated in a question the disciples put to Jesus recorded in Matthew 24: 3, “What will be the sign of Thy presence and of the consummation of the age?” The

“presence” of Jesus Christ, once again upon the earth would certainly denote the consummation of the present age. Why? Because with the coming of Christ a very radical change would occur, the change indicated in Rev. 11: 15, "’rhe Kingdoms of tliis world are become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign for ever and ever.” “The Kingdoms of this world” are the. existing

"Kingdoms of men” and the Bible definitelr taught that with the coming of Christ "the Kingdoms of men” would pass away, their lands and peoples being incorporated into one new universal Kingdom —the Kingdom of God —with Christ as King. It was for this Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Matt. 6: 10) and it was Ihe theme of Christ’s own preaching for the gospel He preached was “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God” (Malt. S): 35. Luke 8: 1). Tlie establishment of the Kingdom of God upon earth by Jesus Chriot when He comes will truly result in a "new world” —"The World to come"—a world administered upou Divine principles to the glory of Gori and the blessing of allmankind. Jesus very appropriately referred to this coming new age as "The Regeneration" (Matt. 19: 28). and "Paradise" (Luke 23: 43). and the Apostle Peter styled it “The times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3: 19-21). Continuing, the speaker said that the title of tlie lecture for that evening was “Eternal Life in the World to Come,” a title based upon the words of Jesus in Marl; 10: 30. “Etermil life in tlie age to euine" was the hope of every true follower of Jesus Christ—a hope based upon the solid teaching of ihe Holy Scriptures. As the majority of Chrisl’o followers were now ilend, "sleeping in the dust of the earth" (Dan. 12: 2), ir followed th,M before they could experience "eternal life in the age to route" they would have to be subjects of a resurrection from among the dead. Consequently “the resurrection of the dead" was taught bv both Jesus and His Apostles (John : 28-29. Acts 2-1: 151, then v oulrl the accepted followers of Jesus Christ receive God's gift of eternal life by' experiencing the promised “change" from mortality to immortality (1 Cor. 15: 51-54. Phil. 3: 20-21). They would then be immortal as Jesus was after Ilis resurrection (Roms. (>: 9, Luke 2-1: 36-43, 1 John 3: 2). and “equal unto the Angels” (Luke 20: 35-36). Christ would then Invite them to inherit the Kingdom _of God on earth (Mall : 25: 3-1. Dan. 7: ”7), in which they would “reign witli Him ns "Kings and Priests" (Rev. 21): It. Rev. 5: I) 10.' Rev. 2: 20-27. I Cor. 6: 2.2 Tim. 2: 12). Thereby would Ghrisl s promise of “eternal life in the World to come" be fulfilled.