C.--Does not the race get back, in the second Adam, spiritual life?
A.--Certainly not; Adam was not a spiritual but a human being, consequently had human life and powers, which were declared "very good” i.e. perfect."
The consecrated are the only ones warranted by the word of God in expecting a change from human to spiritual conditions--spiritual bodies with spiritual powers "like unto the angels," (the Great Company class) AND "like unto Christ's glorious body” (the “Little Flock”).
This spiritual condition will be ours "in the resurrection." Those who hope to obtain this new nature are influenced by those hopes and promises during the present life, and endeavor to live in harmony with that new nature. These are said to be "begotten of the Spirit through the word of truth that they should be (at birth- -resurrection) a kind of first fruits of his (God's) creatures." -- Jas. 1:18; Rev. 14:4. Because of this begetting we speak of them as already spiritual beings, though really such in embryo only. Those of our race not begotten of these promises, etc., will never be spiritual beings, but as we have seen will be restored to human perfection.
The following comment is very important to be understood by those troubled by the strictness of God’s justice.
C.--I have heard frequently your views of restitution, and saw some force and considerable beauty in them, but I never before saw how absolutely certain man's restoration to life is. I see now that the same JUSTICE of God, which could in no case clear the guilty, could not permit man's release from death until the price of his ransom had been paid. The very purity of this justice, as well as the love of God in providing the ransom, assures us that the penalty or price being paid, every man MUST ultimately be released from DEATH.
And, Brother A., from one of your remarks I get a beautiful thought,--i.e., that the world's redemption from sin and restoration from death, has been awaiting for 6000 years the coming and work of THE CHRIST (head and body). For over 4000 years it awaited the coming and sacrifice of the Head, and for nearly 2000 years it has also been awaiting the completion and sacrifice of the body. When the body is complete, sacrificed and united to the Head, then follows the glorious restoration of the fallen race. Oh, how grand and glorious it seems! How like a God of infinite wisdom and love.
B.--Yes, yes; it lifts a load from my heart, as I think how God's word is its own interpreter, and shows forth his great, loving plans for the entire race. And yet, we can scarcely realize its truth, though thus supported by his Word and commended of our judgment. I presume it is because from infancy we have been bound by false ideas.
A.--And how it seems to unfold itself now, just at the time most needed, as the offset of the arguments of infidels; to give confidence and strength to God's children, who are being forced out of, and separated from the worldly-minded churches of today. I consider it strong evidence that the Gospel age is ending, and that, therefore, this message of "Restitution," not due during the age, is put into our mouths now. Thus, God is gradually revealing himself through his plans, and the more we know of him, the more we will love and honor him.
C.--One other thought I would like to suggest. Paul speaks of being made a spectacle to angels. Can it be that angels are learning the dreadful effects of sin, from seeing man's experience with it, and the love, mercy, justice, and power of God, in rescuing man from it? The thought presented to my mind is, that this terrible fall, with all its bitter consequences, together with this glorious plan of the ages for the restoration of the fallen race, and the introduction of the new creation, of which Jesus is the head, is intended for the instruction and benefit of all God's intelligent creatures, as well as for mankind.
A.--A very good thought. We know that angels are intensely interested in watching the unfolding of the plan. We read in 1 Peter 1:12, "Which things the angels desired to look into," and again (Heb. 1:14), "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?"
Probably they are learning for the first time the immensity of God's love, and wisdom, and power--the exceeding beauty of holiness, in contrast with sin, and the lesson of the necessity of entire obedience and complete submission to the will of the one great Master and Father of all, as was beautifully exemplified in his dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
C.--What we have seen relative to evil in man--how and why it came--when and how it will be eradicated, its usefulness, yea, necessity, as a protection against future sin, etc., seems not only satisfactory, but a grand solution of a question which has long perplexed me and many others of God's children.
Continued with next post.
A.--Certainly not; Adam was not a spiritual but a human being, consequently had human life and powers, which were declared "very good” i.e. perfect."
The consecrated are the only ones warranted by the word of God in expecting a change from human to spiritual conditions--spiritual bodies with spiritual powers "like unto the angels," (the Great Company class) AND "like unto Christ's glorious body” (the “Little Flock”).
This spiritual condition will be ours "in the resurrection." Those who hope to obtain this new nature are influenced by those hopes and promises during the present life, and endeavor to live in harmony with that new nature. These are said to be "begotten of the Spirit through the word of truth that they should be (at birth- -resurrection) a kind of first fruits of his (God's) creatures." -- Jas. 1:18; Rev. 14:4. Because of this begetting we speak of them as already spiritual beings, though really such in embryo only. Those of our race not begotten of these promises, etc., will never be spiritual beings, but as we have seen will be restored to human perfection.
The following comment is very important to be understood by those troubled by the strictness of God’s justice.
C.--I have heard frequently your views of restitution, and saw some force and considerable beauty in them, but I never before saw how absolutely certain man's restoration to life is. I see now that the same JUSTICE of God, which could in no case clear the guilty, could not permit man's release from death until the price of his ransom had been paid. The very purity of this justice, as well as the love of God in providing the ransom, assures us that the penalty or price being paid, every man MUST ultimately be released from DEATH.
And, Brother A., from one of your remarks I get a beautiful thought,--i.e., that the world's redemption from sin and restoration from death, has been awaiting for 6000 years the coming and work of THE CHRIST (head and body). For over 4000 years it awaited the coming and sacrifice of the Head, and for nearly 2000 years it has also been awaiting the completion and sacrifice of the body. When the body is complete, sacrificed and united to the Head, then follows the glorious restoration of the fallen race. Oh, how grand and glorious it seems! How like a God of infinite wisdom and love.
B.--Yes, yes; it lifts a load from my heart, as I think how God's word is its own interpreter, and shows forth his great, loving plans for the entire race. And yet, we can scarcely realize its truth, though thus supported by his Word and commended of our judgment. I presume it is because from infancy we have been bound by false ideas.
A.--And how it seems to unfold itself now, just at the time most needed, as the offset of the arguments of infidels; to give confidence and strength to God's children, who are being forced out of, and separated from the worldly-minded churches of today. I consider it strong evidence that the Gospel age is ending, and that, therefore, this message of "Restitution," not due during the age, is put into our mouths now. Thus, God is gradually revealing himself through his plans, and the more we know of him, the more we will love and honor him.
C.--One other thought I would like to suggest. Paul speaks of being made a spectacle to angels. Can it be that angels are learning the dreadful effects of sin, from seeing man's experience with it, and the love, mercy, justice, and power of God, in rescuing man from it? The thought presented to my mind is, that this terrible fall, with all its bitter consequences, together with this glorious plan of the ages for the restoration of the fallen race, and the introduction of the new creation, of which Jesus is the head, is intended for the instruction and benefit of all God's intelligent creatures, as well as for mankind.
A.--A very good thought. We know that angels are intensely interested in watching the unfolding of the plan. We read in 1 Peter 1:12, "Which things the angels desired to look into," and again (Heb. 1:14), "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?"
Probably they are learning for the first time the immensity of God's love, and wisdom, and power--the exceeding beauty of holiness, in contrast with sin, and the lesson of the necessity of entire obedience and complete submission to the will of the one great Master and Father of all, as was beautifully exemplified in his dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
C.--What we have seen relative to evil in man--how and why it came--when and how it will be eradicated, its usefulness, yea, necessity, as a protection against future sin, etc., seems not only satisfactory, but a grand solution of a question which has long perplexed me and many others of God's children.
Continued with next post.
