The Divine Economy in the Ransom, Part 1

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If you learn any of the first principle doctrines see to it that you learn this one, it is of the UPMOST IMPORTANCE and with a proper understanding will spare you from becoming entangled in most of the predominant errors, foul spirits” (impure principles and doctrines) dwelling within the professing church today. However should you, unfortunately already be entangle, perhaps if you are not to dogmatic your mind free from prejudice and as such are willing to be taught and if need be corrected by the Lord then a proper understanding of the Ransom will greatly aid you in getting free from these errors.

The Following was a sermon given by the late Pastor Russell (SM656)

THE DIVINE ECONOMY IN THE RANSOM

"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a Ransom for all, to be testified in due time."--1 Tim. 2:5, 6.

The Ransom is the very center of all the New Testament teachings, the general touchstone by which we may determine what is truth and what is not truth in respect to every feature of the Divine Plan. The Ransom may be likened to the hub of a wheel, from which various spokes radiate in every direction to a general periphery, or circumference.

In the great Plan of God for human salvation the Ransom constitutes the very central feature, and from it radiates all the doctrines which end in the fullness and completeness of that Divine Plan. Indeed, from whatever viewpoint we look at this subject, it is both beautiful and consistent.

Yet there was a time with you and with me, and doubtless with all the thinking public, when it seemed strange that there could be any necessity for a Ransom; for we had not then come to understand our great Heavenly Father’s Character and Plan. At that time we would have been inclined to say, "Oh no! God would never in any sense of the word have a Plan or Program which would necessitate the shedding of blood! He would not wish to have any one die for the wrong doings of another!

Such a proposition would be unjust." But in so expressing ourselves we would be reasoning falsely; and this is just what many earnest people are doing today. Many thoughtful people are saying, "I do not believe in this idea of a necessity for a human sacrifice." Nevertheless this thought of a Ransom is found throughout the Scriptures; and when we get the right conception of the subject from the Biblical viewpoint, we see such a wonderful beauty, such a wonderful consistency, in this whole matter that we are amazed and long for the time when the entire world shall see it.

Different phases of God's Plan strike different individuals amongst His children in slightly different ways. Some are more attracted by one particular and others by another. With me it has always seemed very wonderful to note the element of economy exhibited by our Heavenly Father, who apparently never wastes anything, so, also, with our Lord Jesus. After He had, by Divine Power, fed thousands from a few loaves and fishes, He instructed His disciples to gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost. (John 6:12.) Surely this injunction must have seemed strange to them. Why should the Master, who had power to create on so large a scale, be so careful about the fragments? Doubtless, too, every scientist has marveled at the Divine economy in nature, where all things are balanced, and merely change their form as they pass from one condition to another—whether from solid to liquid or from liquid to gas, etc. Apparently God has a principle of perpetual motion in nature, by which nothing is lost, but reappears in another form.

Continued with next post.

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