Extracts from the New Testament, touching the Personal History of
the Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine of the Atonement--Remarks on
the "Times of Refreshing"--Results accruing to the Redeemer through
His Death on the Cross, etc.
From the New Testament we will first introduce some texts with regard
to the birth of the Savior, followed by testimonies of the Lord Jesus
with regard to Himself, and afterwards give extracts from the
teachings and epistles of His disciples, etc.
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother
Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found
with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just
man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put
her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the
angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou
son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which
is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a
son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin
shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."--Matthew,
i, 18-23.
"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was
Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art
highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her
mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto
her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold,
thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call
his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his
kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How
shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and
said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing
which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And
behold thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old
age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren: for
with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the
handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word. And the
angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days, and went into
the hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda, and entered into the
house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that
when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
womb: and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spake out
with a loud voice and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed
is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of
my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy
salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of
those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul
doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold,
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is
mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his
mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation. He hath
shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their
seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with
good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his
servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our
fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed, forever."--Luke, i, 26-55.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing
was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to
be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and
lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being
great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth
her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him
in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there
were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were
sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away
from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now
go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us."--Luke, ii, 1-15.
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his
disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am? And
they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias: and
others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom
say ye that. I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto
him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. * * * Then
charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was
Jesus the Christ."--Matt., xvi, 13-17, 20.
Of this same conversation Mark records: "And Jesus went out, and his
disciples, into the towns of Cesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked
his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they
answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, one of
the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And
Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he
charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to
teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be
killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying
openly."--Mark, viii, 27-32.
Whilst Luke testifies, "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying,
his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, Whom say the
people that I am? They answering, said, John the Baptist; but some
say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen
again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering,
said, The Christ of God. And he straitly charged them, and commanded
them to tell no man that thing, saying, The Son of man must suffer
many things, and be rejected of the elders, and chief priests, and
scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."--Luke, ix, 18-22.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved."--John, iii, 16, 17.
"And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are
of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that
ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye
shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And
Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the
beginning. I have many things to say, and to judge of you: but he that
sent me, is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have
heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then
shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my
Father hath taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is
with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those
things that please him."--John, viii, 23-29.
"Then answered Jesus, and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father
do; for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son
likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things
that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these,
that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and
quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the
Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He
that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father which hath sent
him. * * * But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works
which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do,
bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father
himself which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither
heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his
word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: And they
are they which testify of me."--John, v, 19-23, 36-39.
"Jesus heard that they had cast him out: and when he had found him, he
said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and
said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said
unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with
thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus
said, For judgment I am come into this world; that they which see not
might see, and that they which see, might be made blind."--John, ix,
35-39.
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As
the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my
life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there
shall be one fold, and one shepherd. * * * My sheep hear my voice, and
I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my
hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is
able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are
one."--John, x, 14-16, 27-30.
"And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man
shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and
the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding
sorry."--Matt., xvii, 22, 23.
Of this same prophecy Mark relates: "And they departed thence, and
passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is
delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after
that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood
not that saying, and were afraid to ask him."--Mark, ix, 30-32.
And Luke states, "And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he
said unto his disciples, Let these sayings sink down into your ears:
for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they
understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they
perceived it not, and they feared to ask him of that saying."--Luke,
ix, 43-45.
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake
it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my
body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them,
saying; Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many, for the remission of sins."--Matt., xxvi,
26-28.
"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and
gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the
cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all
drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed for many." Mark, xiv, 22-24.
"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them,
saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance
of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you."--Luke, xxii, 19, 20.
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his
angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his
works."--Matt., xvi, 27.
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say
unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my
Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that
which was lost."--Matt., xviii, 10, 11.
"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain
where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him they worshipped
him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen."--Matt., xxviii, 16-20.
"Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon
Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of
eternal life. And we believe, and are sure that thou art that Christ,
the Son of the living God."--John, vi, 67-69.
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom
God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was
not possible that he should be holden of it."--Acts, ii, 23, 24.
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received
of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this,
which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens,
but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right
hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house
of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye
have crucified, both Lord and Christ.--Acts, ii, 32-36.
"And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did
also your rulers. But those things which God before had shewed by the
mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so
fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may
be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was
preached unto you; whom the heavens must receive, until the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all
his holy prophets, since the world began. For Moses truly said unto
the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of
your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things,
whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that
every soul which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from
among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel, and those
that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of
these days."--Acts, iii, 17-24.
Does it not seem from this that these men, having committed the
infamous act of crucifying Jesus, or consenting to His death, although
they may have done it ignorantly, could not at that time, even by
repentance and conversion, be placed in a state of salvation, but that
they would have to wait until Jesus Christ should come again before
their sins could be blotted out; when Jesus Christ should be sent, who
before was preached unto them and whom they had crucified? Is not this
the same condition that the antediluvians were in, when once the long
suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, when they were cast into
prison and remained there until the time when Jesus went and preached
to those spirits in prison? In their day they rejected the offers of
mercy through the atonement of Jesus Christ, as the Jews did in their
time; but afterwards they had the same Gospel preached to them by
Jesus, and those Jews who had participated in those deeds, or who had
consented thereto, to whom the Apostle then spake, even if they then
repented, would have to wait for forgiveness and salvation until Jesus
should come again. Furthermore, the Jews who will live in the times of
the restitution in the last days, after the testimony of the Gospel
shall have gone to the Gentiles through this same atonement, and the
introduction of the Gospel, will again have it preached to them on the
earth, and will, through Him, the Elias, or restorer, be gathered
again to their own land.
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God
raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you
whole. This is the stone, which was set at naught of you builders,
which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in
any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved."--Acts, iv, 10-12.
"But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right
hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son
of man standing on the right hand of God."--Acts, vii, 55, 56.
"The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a
sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so
opened he not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken
away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from
the earth."--Acts, viii, 32, 33.
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of
God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."--Acts, xx, 28.
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! "--John, i, 29.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being
justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through
faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of
sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."--Rom., iii,
23-25.
"But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him
that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification."--Rom., iv, 24,
25.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by
his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we
were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much
more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only
so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we
have now received the atonement. Wherefore as by one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned."--Rom., v, 8-12.
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that he
was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after
that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the
greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last
of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I
am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an
apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."--1 Cor., xv, 3-9.
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the Beloved: in whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace."--Ephesians, i, 6, 7.
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light: who hath
delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into
the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible
God, the first-born of every creature. * * * And he is the head of the
body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;
that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the
Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace
through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto
himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in
heaven."--Col., i, 12-15, 18-20.
From the above passage we learn that our redemption is obtained
through the blood of Jesus; that He is in the image of God; again,
that He is "the firstborn of every creature;" also that He is "the
first-born from the dead;" and furthermore, that He stands preeminent
as the representative of God in the interests of humanity pertaining
to this world, or the world which is to come, and that He is the head
of the Church, the Grand Medium through which all blessings flow to
the human family.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all
principality and power."--Col., ii, 8-10.
"For 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., ii, 5, 6.
"For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father,
and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the
first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God
worship him."--Heb., i, 5, 6.
"Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he
put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under
him. But now we see not yet all things put under him: but we see
Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering
of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all
things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory,
to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
--Heb., ii, 8-10.
Here we have something said of the results accruing to the Redeemer
Himself, through His sufferings and death. He stands next to the
Father, "and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and
powers being made subject unto him." (1 Peter, iii, 22.) Or as He
elsewhere says of Himself, "All power is given unto me, in heaven and
in earth." And again, it is written that He "forever sat down on the
right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made
his footstool;" and "that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father." (Philippians, ii, 10, 11.)
"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth
not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his
own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he
offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have
infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh
the Son, who is consecrated forevermore."--Heb., vii, 26-28.
There is something peculiar pertaining to the expression here used,
"forevermore," which manifestly exhibits an eternal principle. We
find the same expression (as elsewhere alluded to) in the Pearl of
Great Price. To Adam it was said, "Thou shalt do all that thou doest,
in the name of the Son. And thou shalt repent, and call upon God, in
the name of the Son forevermore." The same principle continued both on
the Asiatic and on this continent; and was recognized by all men of
God holding the Melchisedec Priesthood, and will be recognized
throughout all time until the final consummation of all things, when
every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is the
Christ, to the glory of God, the Father.
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he
entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the
ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the
purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? * * * And
almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without
shedding of blood is no remission."--Heb., ix, 12-14, 22.
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily
ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can
never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice
for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God: from henceforth
expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering
he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified."--Heb., x, 10-14.
Or, as the thirteenth and fourteenth verses are rendered in the
inspired translation: "But this man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from
henceforth to reign until his enemies be made his footstool."
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. * * *
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things
as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition
from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before
the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for
you."--1 Peter, i, 2, 18-20.
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the
spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the
long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a
preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. The
like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is
gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and
authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him."--1 Peter, iii,
18-22.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say
that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do
not the truth;' but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin."--1 John, i, 5-7.
"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for
ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."--1 John, ii, 1,
2.
Or as it is written in the inspired translation, "But if any man sin
_and repent_, we have an advocate," etc.
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the
first-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own
blood."--Rev., i, 5.
"These things, saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the
beginning of the creation of God."--Rev., iii, 14.
"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts, and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and
golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they
sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open
the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on
the earth."--Rev., v, 8-10.
Thus it would seem that the redeemed of the Lord from all nations and
peoples are indebted to the Lord Jesus Christ, through His atonement,
for the position that they will occupy in the state of exaltation here
referred to; and if they are exalted to be kings and priests unto God,
it is through the ordinances which He has appointed for the
accomplishment of this object, as the wise will understand. As regards
the Book mentioned in the above passage, an explanation thereof will
be found in the Key to the Revelation of John.--Doc. and Cov., Sec.
lxxvii, page 277. (Latest edition.)
"And it was given unto him [the Dragon] to make war with the Saints,
and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and
tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship
him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world."--Rev., xiii, 7, 8.