in pieces the oppressor." Also in ver. 8, "He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." Now laws and statutes of some kind seem essential to this world-wide administration. Psa. lxxxv. describes also the same age to come, because its description can find no counterpart in the past history of the world, for it presents a picture of Israel when they shall have returned to their land in complete restoration and Millennial glory. The whole Psalm gives a beautiful and sublime picture of national and social life during these coming years of pacific blessedness. And in ver. 13 the ruling king and his administration is referred to, "Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set us in the way of His steps." Psa. lxxxix. presents the king in his world-wide supremacy and rule, first casting down all opposing forces, which are inimical to his authority; and then the re-establishment of his pacific empire. Verses 27 -37 describe the character, rule, and discipline of this Prince in the age to come, and show how true it is that the principles of Jehovah's moral government are, and must be, the same through all the ages and dispensations of time : "Also I will make him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and My covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake My law, and walk not in My judgments, if they break My statutes, and keep not My command ments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips. Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah." "But judgment shall return unto righteousness : and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for Me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity ? Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with Thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" The devout and studious reader of Scripture will discover many other Psalms which are evidently Millennial, as well as portions of the prophetic Scriptures which can be relegated to no other period; and in which the laws and regal administrations are referred to, though not described in detail. Nor is it of much importance that we should be able to settle this question of the laws and statutes of the age to come. Because we are assured that the moral government of God is immutable, and must be the basis of all laws, whenever and wherever revealed to rational and responsible creatures. But it is possible that the same Scriptures which we have now for the guidance of our life may be used in the age to come (perhaps with some additions),1 as the Scriptures of the Old Testament, which, though revealed and suited to the age and dispensations which preceded this, have been retained for use and guidance "till He come," who will again "speak from heaven." At least, we see no argument against this, nor reason why it should not be so. Nor should it be forgotten that during this age to come Satan and his angels will be bound, and not suffered to exercise any evil influence over the people of that age; and this will minimize the moral evil of that time; though moral evil will not be extinct, for human nature will neither be perfect nor impeccable. But, in addition to the binding of Satan (Rev. xx. 1, 2), it is so often predicted in the prophetic Scriptures, which unquestionably refer to this same age, that God will write His laws in the hearts of Ilis Millennial people, that it would appear that legislation as now administered will hardly be necessary; for if "the will of God is not fully done on earth as it is done in heaven," yet all through this blessed dispensation 1 "Revelation has been silent during Israel's rejection. All the Scriptures were written by Israelites. Revelation will recommence (Psa. 1. 2, 3, 5) when Israel, restored to communion with her King, shall head humanity. Revelation will begin again, after its long silence, by the outpouring of the Spirit on Israel."-" Church and the World," pp. 109, 110. See "The Coming Prince," p. 177, by Rev. R. Anderson, LL.D. there will be such a marvellous willingness to "kiss the Son," and touch His sceptre, that "God will be great in Israel," and "His way will be known on earth, His saving health among all nations." "Thus saith the Lord," concerning His rule in that age to come, "I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Jer. xxxi. 33; Ezek. xi. 19, 20). "Our country is Immanuel's ground; We seek that promised soil; The songs of Zion cheer our hearts, Nor should we omit that remarkable and beautiful testimony in Psa. cx. 3, "Thy people shall be willing (Thy volunteers, Dr. Louth) in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." Both Bishop Horne and Dr. Louth spiritualize this Psalm, and apply it to Christ and His Church; but it is evident from the whole structure of the Psalm that it must be interpreted literally, as it refers, beyond question, we think, to the age to come, which will be the "kingdom of the Son," as distinguished from this, which is "the dispensation of the Spirit." This Psalm synchronizes with the second Psalm as to the time and circumstances of its fulfilment-the destruction of the personal Antichrist and his armies, and the inauguration of Jesus as "the Prince of the kings of the earth." A careful comparison of the two Psalms with Rev. i. 5 will show this, and solve many difficulties which must arise if any other method of interpretation be adopted. Thus, during the age of this pacific empire, there is a special benediction pronounced upon all who "kiss the Son," and cleave unto Jehovah with full purpose of heart: to such the infallible promise is, "Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." And in Isa. xi. 9, whose fulfilment synchronizes with this same time-viz., the inauguration of the Millennial age, we read: "In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek, and His rest shall be glorious." And with this corresponds, both as to time and circumstances, the whole of Isa. xii., which concludes with this sublime invocation: "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." "O haste, victorious Prince, That happy, glorious day, Shall own Thy gentle sway: O may it bless our longing eyes, All hail, triumphant Lord! Eternal be Thy reign! Behold the nations sue To wear Thy gentle chain: When earth and time are known no more Thy throne shall stand for ever sure. The cause of righteousness, And truth, and holy peace, Design'd our world to bless, Shall spread and never cease: Allegiance due, with rapture vow. |