|
Prophecy"and we have the more established prophetic Word, in which you do well to take heed, as to a lamp shining in a murky place, until day dawns and the Light-bearing One rises in your hearts;" (2 Pet. 1:19).
"Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev. 19:10).
__________________________
Book Reviews:
The Great Prophecies, by G. H. Pember.
George Hawkins Pember was one (among two or three) that dominated the study of prophecy in the Victorian age. A writer foremost in scholarship, expository insight, and literary clarity, he made use of these abilities for the purpose of interpreting Scripture by the light of other Scripture. As a contemporary of Robert Govett, G. H. Lang, and D. M. Panton, he shared many of the same hermeneutic principles which placed them into a 'set' by themselves. They were vastly ahead of their time, and produced teachings which, while perplexing to many, to others, where considered bread from heaven - hidden manna - for hungry souls; which could only come through inspiration and intimate fellowship with the Spirit of God.
The best known work of Mr. Pember is Earth's Earliest Ages (Kregel Pub. Co., Grand Rapids MI) which has been in continuous circulation since its original publication date of 1876. The timeless nature of the insights that were first put to paper so long ago by this servant of God have proved their worth by remaining in print or one hundred and twenty-five years, surviving four publishers.
The first volume of his prophetic series is, The Great Prophecies Concerning the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Church of God. This edition was later expanded into three additional volumes, each of which yields a comprehensive study of these three principle bodies, or groups of people, God has shown mercy to in His dealing with these past thousands of years. By title they are (Vol. 2), Great Prophecies of the Centuries Concerning Israel and the Gentiles, (Vol. 3), The Church, The Churches, and The Mysteries, and (Vol. 4), The Great Prophecies of the Centuries Concerning the Church.
This four volume set will acquaint one with those portions of God's word such as: The prophecy of Balaam, the promises to Abraham, the visions of Nebuchadnezzar, the seventy weeks of Daniel, the parables of the Gospels, and the address to the seven churches in Revelation.
The saints of our day owe a debt of gratitude to those who went before us, such as Darby, Pember, Govett, and others of the nineteenth century. These ventured into the word of God as few had done, uncovering nuggets of truth which had heretofore been overlooked and lay buried deep within. Prior to their insights and views being announced, there was much in the way of confusion on issues surrounding the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Church of God. Many times, there was little if any distinction made with regard to prophecy concerning each. Through the dedication and zealousness of men such as Pember, we have the pleasure of basking in the brilliance of Scripture as few have.
Let there be no doubt! This series is for the Christian who is serious about understanding prophecy. Unfortunately, as Pember states, most ". . . modern Christians are . . . . content . . . with the good news that Christ died for sinners, adding, perhaps, a few good moral precepts which are common to the Bible and the best human philosophies, and go no further. They do not strive to make themselves acquainted with the real meaning of all that God has revealed, nor pray to be imbued with its spirit; but are satisfied with a little Scripture copiously adulterated with human opinions." (Vol. 2, pvii).
__________________________
The New Jerusalem
“And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, having been prepared as a bride, having been adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God with men! And He will tabernacle with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God” (Rev. 21:2, 3).
The New Jerusalem is the dwelling place of all God’s redeemed. But it is also the tabernacle of the triune God. This will be the habitation of God, with man, throughout eternity. But as it is made up of the redeemed, it is also the bride of Christ - the embodiment of the triune God in His people - His beloved spouse for all eternity.
This is the holy city of God - a living reality of the holy of holies. Exact, with one dimension in height, length, and breadth. The perfect corporate expression of all the matchless attributes of God, which shall forever to be displayed throughout the whole of the creation.
The Lamb is the lamp of this city, and He shall sit on His throne in the midst of the city. The administration, or governing, of all proceeds from this throne, as well as a river, full, and ever flowing, of the water of life, which nourishes the entire city.
This is the culmination of the union of God with man. It is filled with the glory of God, and expresses His bountiful goodness, for ever and ever. It is the full supply of God to the redeemed, with no restriction to that flow. Thus, there are twelve different kinds of fruits produced in abundance, not just once or twice a year, but every month throughout the year.
What a city!
Excerpts taken from the Collected Works of Watchman Nee, Vol. 1.
|
