"For _the mystery of iniquity doth already work_: only he who now letteth [hindereth] will let, until he be taken out of the way." 2 Thess. 2:7.
9. Before Christ should come, what did Paul say was to take place?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come _a falling away_ first, and _that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition_; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called G.o.d, or that is worshiped; so that he as G.o.d sitteth in the temple of G.o.d, showing himself that he is G.o.d." Verses 3, 4.
NOTE.-The huge system of error now fostered in the papal church is the result of the falling away here referred to. Says Wylie in his "History of Protestantism," Vol. III, page 25: "Rome manifestly was the schismatic; she it was that abandoned what was once the common faith of Christendom, leaving by that step to all who remained on the old ground the indisputably valid t.i.tle of the true church."
10. Together, what do believers in Christ form?
"Now _ye are the body of Christ_, and members in particular." 1 Cor.
12:27.
11. Being members of Christ"s body, of what else do we become members?
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and _every one members one of another_." Rom. 12:5.
12. As members of one another, what is the duty of each?
"That there should be no schism in the body; but that _the members should have the same care one for another_." 1 Cor. 12:25.
13. What should they endeavor to keep?
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; _endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace_." Eph. 4:1-3.
14. What unity of faith is finally to exist among G.o.d"s watchmen?
"Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for _they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion_." Isa. 52:8.
15. What solemn message, just before the Lord"s coming, will unite G.o.d"s people in bonds of faith and love?
"Fear G.o.d, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of G.o.d." Rev. 14:7-10. See Rev. 18:1-5.
16. How are those who receive this message described?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of G.o.d, and the faith of Jesus." Verse 12.
17. When the Lord comes, what will be the united cry of G.o.d"s people?
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our G.o.d; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25:9.
How blest the sacred tie that binds In sweet communion kindred minds!
How swift the heavenly course they run Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes, are one.
Meekness And Humility
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Jesus Scourged. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth." Isa. 53:7.
1. What promise is made to the meek?
"Blessed are the meek: for _they shall inherit the earth_." Matt. 5:5.
_Meek_: "Mild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated; forbearing; submissive; humble."-_Webster._
2. What did Christ say of His own character?
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for _I am meek and lowly of heart_: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29.
3. What is said of the character of Moses?
"Now _the man Moses was very meek_, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Num. 12:3.
4. Whom has G.o.d promised to guide in judgment?
"_The meek_ will He guide in judgment: and _the meek_ will He teach His way." Ps. 25:9.
5. Of what is meekness a fruit?
"But _the fruit of the Spirit is_ love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, _meekness_, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal. 5:22, 23.
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Christ In The Garden. "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done." Luke 22:42.
6. What does Christ say of those who exalt themselves?
"For whosoever exalteth himself _shall be abased_; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 14:11.
NOTE.-The spirit of self-exaltation is of Satan. See Isa.
14:12-14; Eze. 28:17. Christ humbled Himself, made Himself of no reputation, and became obedient even to the death on the cross.
See Phil. 2:5-8.
7. By what means did Jesus ill.u.s.trate true humility?