CORRESPONDENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 6 April 1934, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

(To the Editor). Sir,—May I be permitted to reply to “Sarco s” letter of the 28tli. lie thinks that the churches need revitalising; that more life put into the Gospel message would Help heal the present distressful condition of the world. The cause of these world troubles is given in ller. 12:12 and reading backwards to the event leading to that cause, itev. 12:7-9, and still further backward Rev. 11:17-18, gives cause and effect. It is necessary to realise the fact that we are now living in the overlapping period of the “ends, of the ages'' (1 Cor. 10: 11), that is, the end of the old age and the beginning of the new. The Gospel message has achieved the desired object as stated in Acts 15:14-17. “So shall my word be that goetli out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing where unto 1 sent it." (Isa. 55:11), and because this is the end of the age this prophecy, of Isaiah is proof that the Gospel message has accomplished its purpose. In answer to His Disciples’ question as to what events would indicate. His presence as Earth’s King and therefore the end of the age, Jesus described the events that apply to the present world conditions (Matt. 24:7-14 and Luke-21 : 10, 11, 24, 26), “and when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.'’ “Know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. This generation nessing the fulfilment of these things) shall not pass away till all bo fulfilled.” (Luke 21:28-32). But we enquire, why must these troubles be, and what does the new age portend? When Jehovah created man on the Earth he set over him as “the anointed cherub that covereth,” or protecteth, his son Lucifer (Ezek. 28:13-15, Isa. 14:11-17) who rebelled, challenging Jehovah’s word and His power by claiming, in effect, that having seduced'the first perfect man and succeeded in turning him against God he could do so with all men (as illustrated by Job 1:9-12) and turn the worship of all men to himself. Justice required that God’s name he vindicated; therefore Satan was required to prove his challenge. To this end he was permitted to retain his office ns Earth’s overlord and to exalt himself as the “god of this world who has blinded the minds” of men (2 Cor. 4: 4) claiming all the kingdoms of the world as his own “for they are delivered unto me and I give them to whomsoever I will” (Luke 4: 6). His boasting and arrogance thus led him into an admission that he was the author of the sin and misery, poverty, sorrow and distress that _ have been upon the world. “I giveth it (the rulership) to whomsoever I will.” Furthermore, it is plainly stated that he is responsible for sickness (Luke 13: 16; Acts 10: 38). storm and tempest (Matt. 8: 24, 26 for Satan’s constant effort was to destroy the Son of God —(John 13: 2) and death (Heb. 2: 14), and this he has been permitted to do in an endeavour to cause men to “curse God and die” (Job 2: 9). Particularly is this true since 1914, for then it was that Satan’s permission to rule ended and “He knowetli that he hath hut a short time.” Tt was then that Jehovah set his own King upon the throne (Psa. 2: 6) saving “rule thou in the midst of thine enemies” (Psa. 110: 1,2). All men must lie given the opportunity to learn of the new age and earth’s new Ruler (Matt. 24: 14) and declare on which side they will stand (Matt. 25: 32). —I am, etc.. NORMAN KELLY. Tokomain, April 4.