Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/224

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2i8 The Plan of the Ages.

plined up to the grand perfection from which father Adam fell. Thus "the ransomed of the Lord shah return [from destruction, by the grand highway of holiness] . . with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.*' (Isa. 35 : 10.) Our Lord referred to but two of these ways, because the third was not yet due to be opened up just as when announcing the good tidings he said,

    • This Scripture is fulfilled in your ears/ ' but omitted men-

tioning the "day of vengeance," because it was not then due. (Compare Luke 4:19 and Isa. 61 : 2.) .Now, however, as the narrow way draws to a close, the grand highway of righteousness begins to be seen more and more distinctly, in the light of the dawning day*

Thus we have found a " Broad Road/* on which at pres- ent the masses of mankind travel, deluded by the "prince of this world, * ' and led by perverted taste&. TV e have found that it was opened up and that our race was started in its head- long course upon it by "one man's disobedience. * ' We have found that the "Highway of Holiness" is to be opened up by our Lord, who gave himself a ransom for all and re- deemed all from the destruction to which the "Broad Road" leads, and that it will, in due time, be accessible and easy for all the redeemed ones whom he bought with his own precious blood. We have found, furthermore, that the present "Narrow Way," opened up by the merit of the same precious blood, is a special way leading to a special prize, and is made specially narrow and difficult as a to/ and discipline for those now being selected to be made partak- ers of the divine nature and joint-heirs with our Lord Jesus in the Kingdom of glory soon to be revealed for the bless- ing of all. Such as have this hope^ see this prize may count all other hopes as but loss and dross in com- parison. Phil. 3:8-15.

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