16 - Conclusion

Conclusion

321. It would be a delightful task to continue these studies in the glorious Word of our God: but the object of our little book is, as we have already remarked, very unpretentious. Indeed, if it be permitted to stimulate any of its readers to a deeper search into the matters with which it deals, its aim will have been accomplished. Certainly, there are many subjects of revelation upon which we have not touched; but these have been expounded by other and more competent students. We will, however, add one more chapter to our work, and endeavour to show how much light may be thrown upon apparently obscure parts of the Bible by even a slight knowledge of the threads of God’s Plan.

322. The instance which we will select is the tenth chapter of Isaiah - a passage which conveys but little sense to a casual and ill-informed reader. Yet it will be found, that even the elementary studies contained in this book will help us materially to understand the apparently dark oracles of the prophet.

323. In the preceding chapter, the ninth, we find a description of the pride and perversity of Israel, and a gloomy foreshadowing of indignation upon the sinful people, with a thrice-repeated declaration, that, in spite of all that they have endured, the Lord’s anger, nevertheless, is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. Yet further chastisement is needed, and so the tenth chapter opens with a denunciation; and, in the third verse, goes on to inquire what the sinful nation will do, and to whom they will flee, in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from afar.

324. Now, what day of visitation and desolation is here meant? The reader will find an account of it in paragraph 61, and, also, in the whole chapter entitled "The Last, or Seventieth, Seven." There the question is answered, and we see, that the prophet is foretelling events which are to occur in the period of culminating judgments, just before the final deliverance of Israel. In the fourth verse, if we accept the rendering of the A.V., God shows what the people will have to endure, because they have forsaken Him, and lost His help. In the fifth, He addresses the man whom He has chosen to be the rod wherewith He will chastise them. He calls him the Assyrian; and, if we turn to paragraphs 131-41, we shall learn who this Assyrian is. The sixth describes the nation against whom the Assyrian is to be sent, and the kind of chastisement which he is to inflict. The nine verses that follow indicate, that, although God is using this Assyrian for His purposes, yet the agent marches to war in his own name, and with great pride and blasphemy. (See paragraph 134, and Revelation 13:6)

Therefore, in the sixteenth verse, we are told, that, as soon as he has accomplished the chastisement for which he was sent, he himself and his wicked hosts will be punished. See paragraphs 140 and 247. The seventeenth verse introduces the Lord Jesus as "the Light of Israel," and "the Holy One" Who shall burn and devour the thorns and the briars in one day. Compare the splendid passage in 2 Samuel 23:6-7 (R.V.). The "one day" is the same as that which is described in Malachi 4:1. The twentieth predicts, that, as soon as the terrors of judgment are over, and the wicked, whether Jews or Gentiles, have been cut off, then the remnant of Israel "shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth." A reference to paragraph 91 will show what this means. The next three verses very clearly point to what is also foretold in Daniel 9:24. These verses explain the manner in which righteousness will be brought in; how the time is determined (5:22); and that the transgression will be finished, because the incorrigibly wicked will be destroyed, and the remnant of Israel return unto the Mighty God.

325. Now, all these points teach us the intention of the prophecy, and indicate the time in which its predictions are to find their fulfilment, namely, that which is marked by No. 42 on Diagram C. The chapter closes with a magnificent and highly poetical description of the march of the Antichrist upon Jerusalem, and his sudden destruction by the Lord Himself. Then the eleventh chapter follows with a prophecy of the Branch That shall grow out of the roots of Jesse (Revelation 5:6), and upon Whom the Seven Spirits of God will rest. He, we are told, will destroy the Wicked One, as we also learn from 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (see paragraph 140), and will then begin His Own glorious reign in righteousness, which the prophet describes in its proper order (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:9). Lastly, passing on to the twelfth chapter, we have a beautiful illustration of the rapturous way in which the Israelites themselves will at length rejoice in their God, and in His salvation. We may thus see how much clearer the prophecies become when we have attained to an intelligent comprehension of God’s plan. And we shall find it an excellent spiritual exercise to read through the prophetic books, and to seek out for ourselves their real and vivid meaning, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and by comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

326. But our study is now completed. Nothing further remains for us, except to inquire, Has the object of our labour been attained? Is the Word of God more intelligible to us? Has its value increased in our eyes? Is it more attractive to us than it was when we commenced this study? If we can give an affirmative answer to these questions, let us render praise to the Lord. To Him be all the glory. But let us learn one more lesson. For whatever we may now know, however much we may understand, or however deep may be our spiritual experience, the Word of God, and the spiritual experiences open to us, are infinite, and, therefore, inexhaustible. And, if it be a blessed thing to comprehend some of the teachings of the Word, and to realize some of the experiences of God’s full salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, how much more blessed is it to be continually advancing, to rise to greater heights of knowledge, and to penetrate to deeper depths of experience! While, then, we should be humbly grateful for what we have been already permitted to enjoy, let us never be satisfied with present attainments, but pray without ceasing, that the God of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of His calling and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe.