THE reconstruction of the human race, and the restoration of man to perfection, is a tremendous task. Only divine power could accomplish it. (This task will be accomplished in God's due time, and that time is now about to begin.
Reconstruction means to make over again; that is, to make anew. Restoration of man means the act of bringing man back to the original strength and beauty of perfect manhood. One of the primary purposes of the new heaven and new earth, which constitute the new world, is that man might be reconstructed and restored and righteousness for ever established amongst men. The sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ Jesus made available the great ransom price, whereby is removed the legal disability which prevents man from coming back to God. The overthrow of Satan's empire and the restraining of the enemy will remove the powers that were actively hindering man from making progress in righteousness.
Cannot man then, unaided, bring himself back into harmony with God? He cannot. It must be borne in mind that for more than six thousand years the human race has been traveling the broad road of unrighteousness that leads to degradation and destruction. After such a long period of sin and debauchery the race is wicked and depraved. Visit the slums of the
great cities and gain some idea of the vice, immorality, corruption and wickedness that is practised there. Observe the filth and muck and poverty-stricken conditions. Note those afflicted with loathsome disease, the weak of mind, the wretched, the lame, the halt and the blind, all herded together in a small ill-ventilated hovel, and no proper food or clothing. They have nothing elevating upon which to feed the mind. Many of them appear to have reached almost a state of total depravity. This is the result of the work of the Devil.
Visit then the insane asylums, and there see hundreds of thousands whose minds are turned entirely in the wrong direction, and who are blind to all reason and truth. This also is the enemy's work.
Go to the hospitals and there look with pitying eyes upon the lame and halt and blind and sick and afflicted. This, too, is the result of Satan's work.
Go into the prison houses and observe the marks of crime upon the faces of poor unfortunates who there drag out a weary existence. This is the work of the evil one.
Visit the financial centers and see the harsh, cruel countenance of the profiteer who hesitates not to make war and hurry millions of youths into the trenches, there to meet an untimely and cruel death. This too is the work of the Devil.
Make the rounds of the sweat shops, where poor widows, friendless girls and impotent men labor under the most adverse conditions, to eke out a mere existence. This is the Devil's work.
Consider also the brothels, where once beautiful girls have been turned into demons by reason of evil practices. This is a part of the Devil's work.
Look deep into the salt pits and other mines and there see poor, miserable creatures, toiling in the darkness for a pittance that others might roll in wealth or earthly gain. This is a part of the Devil's work.
Go into the crowded streets and subways, the boats, the restaurants, the dance halls and like places and observe the young boys and girls, old men and old women, slaves to nicotine and drugs, momentarily breeding vice and crime. These things are also works of the Devil.
The death and resurrection alone of Jesus Christ will not undo these evils. The overthrow of Satan's empire and the restraint of the enemy will not relieve them from their miserable conditions. There is something else that must be done. It will be done. It is written: "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) "He [God] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven 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." — Acts 3:19-31.
Six thousand years of misrule by Satan, the rebellious and wicked one, have wrought all the evils among humankind. Now God will demonstrate to all of his intelligent creatures that one thousand years rule by his beloved Son, Christ Jesus the righteous One, can and will undo all the evil that has been done, and will restore all the willing and obedient ones to the full glory and beauty of perfect manhood. This blessed and glorious work will make a name for Jehovah in the minds of all, that can
never be effaced. All who learn the lessons intended will never again depart from the path of righteousness.
With heaven and earth made up of perfect, glorious creatures, all under one Head, Christ Jesus, that will be an eternal monument, for ever testifying to the wisdom, power and loving kindness of our God. That the great Eternal One intends to use his Christ for the purpose of reconstructing and restoring the peoples of earth, finds abundant support in his Word: "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. ... I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." (Isaiah 42:1, 6, 7) "I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them." — Isaiah 49: 8-10.
The Scriptures show that the reconstruction and restoration work will embrace a period of one thousand years. Millennium means one thousand years; hence the reign of Messiah is called the Millennium. During that time the entire human race will be under the control of Christ, who will gradually lead the obedient ones back
into harmony with Almighty God. Furthermore, the Scriptures show that this blessed work will begin with the ousting of Satan the enemy from the earth and the establishment on earth of the kingdom of God. That marks the beginning of the judgment day for the individuals of the human family. — Acts 17: 31.
ORDER OF JUDGMENT
The Scriptures declare that the living shall be first judged and then the dead. It is written: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick [the living] and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." (2 Timothy 4:1) Upon earth there are now approximately 1,748,000,000 people. Since the judgment is to begin with the generation on earth at the time for judgment, it follows that millions of those now on earth will be the first ones to receive a trial and an opportunity for the blessings that will follow.
As those on the earth begin to receive the benefits of reconstruction and restoration they will think of their beloved dead and wish that they might be brought back to life. Having faith and hope, based upon their knowledge of the Word of God, they will begin to make preparation for the return of their beloved dead. Learning that they have the privilege of prayer they will pray to the Lord that their beloved ones may be restored to them, and the Lord has promised to hear and grant their prayer. "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer: and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." — Isaiah 65: 24.
The beautiful Scriptural teaching concerning the resurrection of the dead has been long hid from the
minds of the people, and this has been accomplished by Satan's using his earthly representatives, the clergy, to teach false doctrines. These false prophets, claiming authority to teach the Bible, have induced the people to believe that every man possesses an immortal soul, which cannot actually die; that what is called death is not really death; that the person supposed to die merely has a change and passes on into another clime. The truth is that every man is a soul, no man has a soul.
The Scriptures declare that God formed man of the dust of the earth, breathed into his nostrils the breath of lives, and man became a living soul; which means, man became a living, moving, breathing, sentient being. (Genesis 2:7) In the law of God it is written: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4) If the soul is immortal it could not die. To the same effect it is written: "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?" (Psalm 89: 48) When a man dies he is as dead as a dead dog. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Psalm 115:17) He remains in that state until the resurrection.
The same false teachers have induced the people to believe that some at death go to purgatory and there suffer until they are relieved at the instance of priests, who pray for them and receive a money consideration for such prayers. They also teach that the wicked die and go to hell, and that hell is a place of eternal torment. The Word of God teaches that hell is the tomb, the condition of death; and that all who die, both good and bad, go there. The purgatory doctrine is purely an invention. There is no such place or condition where
men are suffering and from which they could be relieved by prayers with or without a money consideration. Job prayed that he might go to hell, sheol. (Job 14: 13, 14) By that he meant that he might rest in the tomb, in the condition of death, until the resurrection. Jacob said: "My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to hell" — sheol. (Genesis 42:38) His gray hairs could not last long in eternal fire.
The Hebrew word sheol and the Greek word hades, both translated hell in our Bible, mean the same thing; both mean the condition of death from which there is hope of a resurrection. The Greek word gehenna means that condition of death from which there is no hope of a resurrection; and such is the final destiny of the wilfully wicked, including the Devil himself. The Devil has induced the people to believe that he, the Devil, has been in hell stoking the fire all these centuries, when in truth and in fact he has never yet been in hell. He will go there in due time and stay, and he will not stoke any fire while he is there. — Ezekiel 28:19.
Concerning Jesus it is written: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:10) The apostle, in Acts 2: 27, plainly applies this to Jesus. Jesus was resurrected the third day. This of itself is conclusive proof that hell is not a place of eternal torment. There is no doctrine that is more clearly taught in the Bible than that of the resurrection of the dead. But if the soul were immortal then there
could be no resurrection; and if any creatures were in eternal torment they could not be brought out.
The resurrection of Jesus is a guarantee that the dead shall be resurrected. The argument of the Apostle Paul is that Christ was raised from the dead, and that if he was not then there is no resurrection of the dead. In other words the resurrection of Christ is proof that the other dead shall be raised. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming," — 1 Cor. 15: 20-23.
Again the apostle says: "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." (Acts 24:15) Then says Jesus concerning the dead: "Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done ill, unto the resurrection by judgment." (John 5:28,29 R. V.) The word here translated tomb or grave is from a word which means "memory of God", therefore this text is conclusive proof that God holds in his memory all those who have died, except those who have been wilfully wicked, such as Judas; and that in his due time, through Christ, he will bring them back out of death. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." — 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
The ransom sacrifice was given for all. (Hebrews 2:9) In God's due time all must see this great truth.
"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 Timothy 2:5, 6) Billions have gone into death without having any knowledge whatsoever of God's provisions for them to live. In his own due time he will see to it that all these are brought forth, awaken them out of death, that they might know his provisions made for them to have life.
When will the awakening of the dead begin? The Scriptures do not disclose the day, but indicate that it will not be a great while after the living have had an opportunity to be reconstructed. It is reasonable to conclude that the Lord will straighten out those who are on earth before bringing back more with whom to be dealt. The trial and judgment of those now living on the earth, looking to reconstruction and restoration, cannot begin until Satan's empire completely falls and the enemy is restrained, as described in the preceding chapter. The people will know then that the time has come for the work of reconstruction to begin. And how will they know it? The Scriptures answer that God will then give to the people the message of truth that they may know, as it is written: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language [message], that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." — Zephaniah 3:9.
The great ransom or redemptive price was provided for man in order that he might have restored to him what he had lost. But restoration cannot be accomplished until man has knowledge that it is offered to him. For this reason it is written: "This is good and acceptable before God, our Saviour, who desires all men
to be saved, and to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth." —1 Timothy 2:3, 4, Diaglott.
Why is knowledge the first essential? The greatest of all blessings which God has promised to man is life everlasting. All the other blessings are incident to life. God will not arbitrarily force this blessing upon any one. He will have it offered to man as a free gift. "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) This offer comes to man that he might have life. (Romans 5:18) A gift is a contract which requires two parties. There must be a giver and a receiver, and their minds must meet. The giver must be willing to give, and the receiver must have a knowledge thereof and be willing to accept. Hence it would be impossible for man to receive life as a gracious gift without first having a knowledge of the offer.
But when the people begin to receive some knowledge concerning life and the blessings incident thereto, how will they know that such is true and correct information? The truth will be made so clear and plain that no one can mistake it. Christ is the great teacher; and he will use his faithful representatives on earth, the ancient worthies, to teach the people. The way that leads to life will be made plain and clear.
THE RIGHT WAY
Through his holy prophet God tells of his provision to teach the people and lead them in the right way. "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." — Isaiah 35: 8.
"Highway" means a plain way by which to go to a place or goal. It means a smooth way to travel, with nothing to interfere or hinder. Of course this does not mean a literal road to travel; the word highway is used as a figure of speech, meaning that God has provided a plain way for the people to return to him, so plain that all may know about it, and that all who will may avail themselves of its benefits.
"A way" is specifically mentioned in this text, and it is designated as "the way of holiness". A "highway" is a plain way that leads to the goal, whereas "the way" means the fixed or appointed rules of action which every one will be required to strictly observe in order to pass over the highway to the end. It is called "The way of holiness", because it is right, pure and holy. If a man faithfully observes the rules he will be aided in making progress on the highway. If he refuses to obey the rules, and therefore refuses to walk according to "the way", he will not be permitted to go to the end of the highway. The goal of perfection and blessings is at the end of the highway, and the way to reach it is to do the right thing. No unclean person shall be permitted to go to the end thereof. All who enter upon the highway will be unclean at the time they enter, because imperfect. If these however observe the way of holiness, and walk according thereto, they will be cleaned up. As progress is made in the way of righteousness and holiness the one continuing to pass along the highway will continue to progress until he ultimately reaches the end thereof.
The way will be so plain and clear that no one will have a just cause or excuse for not knowing it. Why shall there be no reason for any to err therein? Because, as the scripture answers: "No lion shall be there."
(Isaiah 35: 9) "Lion" is a figure of speech, here used to represent the Devil. (1 Peter 5:8) Neither Satan nor any other devil will be permitted to he on that highway, or to interfere with any one who goes upon it. No "ravenous beast shall go up thereon". That means that there will be no more devil organizations, composed of profiteers, politicians and pulpiteers, to prey upon the people or to mislead and oppress them. Nothing of that kind will be found there. "Ravenous beast" is used here to symbolize the Devil's organization. God will clean out all of these things before restoration begins, and thus give man a clear uninterrupted opportunity to prove whether or not he wants to be blessed.
In the first paragraph of this book this question is propounded: May we hope that the people will ever be delivered from this sad state and enter into the joys of peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and happiness? Now we shall find an answer to this question.
BLINDNESS REMOVED
At the present time these words of the prophet are fulfilled: "Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people." (Isaiah 60:2) The mass of mankind is in complete ignorance of God's provisions for the blessing of the people. Satan the enemy is chiefly responsible for this blindness. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4) Such is the blindness that caused the Jews to be cast away from God. Then this same prophet continues: "But the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen upon thee." (Isaiah 60:2) The apostle declares that their blindness shall be removed when the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; which means, when the last member of the kingdom has been selected from
the Gentiles and glorified with the Lord. "There shall come out of Sion [God's organization] the Deliverer [Messiah] and shall turn away ungodliness from [the descendants of] Jacob." (Romans 11:25, 26) At this time there is a vail of darkness over the eyes of the people, which prevents them from seeing God's loving kindness and provision for their help; but in the kingdom one of the first operations of the Lord will be to remove that vail of blindness, that the people may be able to understand. "And he will destroy in this kingdom the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations." — Isaiah 25: 7.
Jesus declared concerning the Word of God, the Bible: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." (John 17:17) The people must know the truth in order that they might be blessed, and then they must obey the truth before the blessings will be realized. But suppose they do not accept and do not obey the truth, then what will be the result?
THE DISOBEDIENT
The Lord will not force anyone to accept the truth; but he will compel all to obey the truth when they hear it, or else suffer the consequences. The only way back to God and happiness will be to travel over the highway according to the way of holiness. Those who refuse to hear the instruction of the Lord concerning this way shall suffer punishment, which punishment will consist of everlasting destruction.
Moses wrote concerning Jesus, his antitype, and how all the people would have to obey him during his reign. "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." (Acts 3:22,23) This punishment is declared to be everlasting destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) It is in harmony with the statement of the prophet: "The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy." (Psalm 145: 20) Then every man will die for his own iniquity, and no man shall suffer for another's iniquity. (Jeremiah 31:29,30) Then if a man has started to do right, and turns away from it and does wickedly, he shall die. (Ezekiel 18: 26) The Lord will give a fair and full opportunity to every one who shows a desire to do the right thing; but those who wilfully refuse to hear and obey the Lord shall be so completely removed that they will be no more a hindrance to themselves nor to any one else.
REQUIREMENTS
The laws of Jehovah are unchangeable. His fixed rules apply to all of his intelligent creatures. He lays down in his Word the general rules that shall govern those who enter upon the highway. "He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) This means that man will be required to do justly; that is to say, to do that which is right; and he will be taught that which is right, so that he cannot mistake which is the right way to pursue. It means that he must love mercy and practise it. If he sees his fellow creature struggling along the highway he must
have a sincere and honest desire to help him, and be kind and considerate with him. This law means also that he must walk humbly with God; that is to say, he must be willingly obedient to the laws of God. The new covenant hereinbefore mentioned will set out in detail the fundamental laws and the statutes governing mankind during the period of reconstruction. To walk humbly before the Lord means that each one will be required to acquaint himself with these laws and to obey them strictly.
Now many people have difficulty in knowing always what is right, but then there will be no such difficulty whatsoever. Everyone who wants to do right and who tries to do right will be aided in doing the right thing.
BLESSINGS FOR THE OBEDIENT
When the great Creator placed man in Eden he gave him life and the right thereto, which right was to continue eternally, upon the condition that man would be completely obedient to the law of God. All the blessings of the creature depended upon having life. The blessings aside from life are, peace, prosperity, health, liberty and happiness. Because man disobeyed the law of God the great Creator took away from him life and the right thereto, and the blessings incident to life. In the exercise of his loving kindness God will now open the way for full restoration, that man may gain all these blessings; provided man meets the divine requirements. Reconstruction then will mean the bringing of the human race up from sin and degradation, and leading the race over the highway. Restoration will mean that at the end of the highway there will be given back to man the blessings that he original-
ly enjoyed; to wit, life in its fulness, with all the blessings incident thereto. Such is what God has promised. "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." — Acts 3: 20: 21.
All the holy prophets of God foretold the coming day of restoration. The ancient worthies who won God's approval had great faith concerning that day, and for this reason they willingly endured anything that they might have the blessings of God and see their fellow creatures enjoy such blessings in God's due time.
PEACE
When the people begin to learn of the highway and the way of holiness that leads to life they will say to each other: "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain [symbolic of Messiah's kingdom] of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob [the visible phase of God's kingdom]; and he [the Lord] will teach us of his ways [the way of holiness, the right way], and we will walk in his paths:" and learn his law. (Isa. 2: 3) The Prince of Peace is one of the titles of the great Messiah. He shall rule in peace and establish peace for ever. (Isa. 9: 6, 7) When his judgments are in the earth the inhabitants will learn righteousness. (Isa. 26:9) They will learn peace and have no more war. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:4) Then every one shall dwell in peace, and nobody shall
make them afraid. (Micah 4: 4) They shall have peace for evermore.
PROSPERITY
Poverty has been one of the curses resulting from sin. The land and the houses have been held by the few who possess sharper wits than others. The weaker ones have builded houses while the stronger and unscrupulous have owned them. The weaker have been crowded into inadequate and even filthy quarters, and have been pinched by cold and hunger because they could not provide things needful for themselves and their loved ones. It will not be so under the Messianic reign. The land belongs to the Lord. (Leviticus 25: 23) He will see to it that it is properly apportioned amongst the people, so that all may have some place to live. Then every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree, and every man shall build his own house and live in it. — Micah 4:4; Isaiah 65: 21, 22.
One part of the curse upon man was that he should earn his bread in the sweat of his brow. From Eden until now man has had to fight amongst the thorns and thistles and weeds and many other hindrances, while trying to produce food for himself and for his family. The Lord in his own good way will teach man how to eliminate the weeds, briars and thistles, that his crops may grow and yield an abundance; and that without laborious effort.
"Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:13) "I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and
the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together." (Isaiah 41:19) "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Cannel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God." (Isaiah 35:1,2) "Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us." — Psalm 67: 6.
Then the hovels of poverty, vice, and ignorance will quickly disappear, and plenty will be the portion of the people; and they shall rejoice. "And in this kingdom shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined." (Isaiah 25: 6) Pestilence and blight shall be removed, and the land that once lay desolate shall become a place of joy and a delight. "Thus saith the Lord God, In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities, I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, and desolate, and ruined cities, are become fenced, and are inhabited." — Ezekiel 26: 33-35.
HEALTH
Why are the asylums full of the insane and the hospitals overrun with the sick and the infirm? Because of disease of mind and body, the result of sin.
The loving heart of Jesus was moved with compassion when the sick and the afflicted came to him and he healed many of them. (Matthew 9: 35, 36) Jesus was born under the law (Galatians 4:4) and fulfilled the law. (Matthew 5:17) The things of the law foreshadowed better things to come. (Hebrews 10:1) Therefore the healing of the sick, the opening of the eyes of the blind and the giving of strength to the infirm but foreshadowed the greater work that Jesus Christ will do during his Millennial reign.
The Prophet Job described the miserable and unhappy condition of the sick and afflicted human race. (Job 33:18-22) Then the prophet mentions the Messenger, who is the Messiah. The Messenger is the one who interprets God's Word and makes it plain, so that man may know the way and go over the highway in the way of holiness. When suffering humanity receives knowledge from the great Messenger, he (man) is represented as responding: "I have found my redeemer."
The prophet then continues: "If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness; then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth. He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him; and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness." — Job 33: 23-26.
The Lord will teach the people how to eat, how to exercise, how to sleep, how to think, and how to learn to obey righteousness; and will heal them and make
them well, as it is written: "Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth." (Jeremiah 33: 6) "And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick; the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." — Isaiah 33: 24.
LIFE
Life, as here used, means existence, and the right to exist and to enjoy all the blessings incident thereto. Jesus came to earth that the people might have life. (John 10:10) He said: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) Jesus Christ, by his death and resurrection, purchased for man the right to life. As the people progress on the highway, going in the way of holiness, the Lord will gradually reconstruct them; that is to say, he will bless them with peace, prosperity, health and strength. There are billions of people who are wicked, because of the wicked influence of Satan the enemy. This wicked work the Lord will undo, for all of those who are willing to have it undone. If these wicked ones turn away from their wickedness and go on up the highway, in the way of holiness and righteousness, they will gradually be reconstructed; and, continuing to the end thereof, will be granted the right to live for ever. "When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die," — Ezekiel 18:37,28.
It will be the obedient ones who will be given the right to eternal life and who will live, as Jesus stated: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." (John 8: 51) Then he that lives and believes on (which means to obey) the Lord shall live and not die. (John 11:26) The reign of Christ will destroy all of man's enemies, and "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him." — 1 Corinthians 15: 26,27.
The faithful shall live for ever and never die, receiving from the Lord the right to live. This blessing is now about to begin, hence it may be properly said that millions now living will never die; because the presumption is that millions, after knowing of the fact of God's love, will be willing to avail themselves of the opportunity for life.
DESTRUCTION OF THE DEVIL
During the entire time of the progress of the human race upon the great highway, Satan the enemy will be incarcerated in prison so that he cannot deceive any one. (Revelation 20:1-3) It is a fixed rule of God's plan that he will grant eternal life to no one without such an one proving his loyalty and faithfulness under the test. At the end of the highway, which is at the end of the thousand years, Satan is to be turned loose that he may try his hand once more at deceiving the people and turning them away from God. Evidently Jehovah proceeds upon the theory that any one who has received full knowledge of Satan's course and the great
wickedness and sorrow he has wrought in the earth, and who has then also learned of God's loving kindness; and who, after all this, deliberately turns away from the truth, does not deserve to live.
The Scriptures show that Satan, at the end of the Millennium, will be allowed to go forth to gather together all whom he can induce to follow him. All who then follow Satan shall be everlastingly destroyed, and the Devil himself shall then be destroyed. The Devil's system, and all of his works, will be for ever a stench in the nostrils of the righteous people who survive; hence it may be properly said that the Devil and his wickedness will be a torment for ever. — Revelation 20: 7-10.
Revelation is written in symbolic language. In plain phrase the apostle tells us that the Devil shall be for ever destroyed. (Hebrews 2:14) The term "second death" means complete destruction. Then, as the scripture shows, shall follow the destruction of death itself; and the destruction of hell, the tomb, the condition of death. (Revelation 20:14) Death will be destroyed by raising up all the obedient ones to life. When the Devil and all of his followers are completely destroyed there will be a clean, pure and holy universe.
LIBERTY
Jesus declared that those who follow the truth will in due time be free. (John 8:36) Liberty does not mean license to do evil. It means freedom from restraint to do good. The people have long been under restraint and bondage and sin, sickness, sorrow, crime, evil influence and death. With all of this destroyed the human race will be completely delivered and will enjoy life and happiness for evermore. "And God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful." — Revelation 21: 4, 5.
HAPPINESS
Disobedience to God's law and a departure from the path of righteousness was the cause of all unhappiness. It follows then that to walk in the way of righteousness and to return fully to the favor of God will result in complete happiness to man. The Lord Jesus has proven his complete loyalty to Jehovah, and he is happy for evermore. He declared that to know and to do God's will brings happiness. (John 13:17) God's purpose is to gather together under one head, Christ Jesus, all the obedient creatures of the universe, as it is written: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." (Ephesians 1:10) Then all the redeemed of the human race will come unto the Lord with songs of gladness upon their lips, and sorrow shall flee away. That will be a happy time! (Isaiah 35:10) All the people will then be happy because they will be in harmony with God. "Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." — Psalm 144:15.
Happiness is a condition of blessedness. The restored human race will then know that God is love and that he is their true and everlasting friend. Then the people will dwell together in contentment, in the house (organization) of God. Eternal happiness will
be their portion. They will be for ever praising the great Jehovah God. The prophet utters appropriate speech for the restored ones:
"How amiable are thy tabernacles, 0 Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, 0 Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee: in whose heart are the ways of them. . . . For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 0 Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." — Psalm 84:1-5, 11, 12.
THE PERFECT DAY
The prophet of God likens the kingdom on earth to two great mountains, the one on the north and the other on the south, with a great valley between, known as the valley of blessings, the valley of happiness. — Zechariah 14:4.
It is the spring of the thirtieth century. A thousand years have passed since the nation was born. A day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day. (2 Peter 3: 8) Come to the mountain that from there we may take a view of the valley of blessing. Observe that the sun shines in that valley from morning until evening. It is always bright in that valley. Look at the indescribable combinations of colors, both of flowers and trees. Everything has life. The
cherry trees are in bloom, likewise the orange and magnolia; the roses, the hyacinths, the carnations, the honeysuckles and many like beautiful flowers line the valley, sprinkling with smiles its green velvet carpet. The air is laden with sweet perfume, wafted by the soft south wind that sings through the trees. It is the mating time, and the little birds are vying with each other in singing songs of felicitation.
Hark! There comes the sound of tramping multitudes. From every point of the compass great streams of humanity pour into the valley. They are marching in perfect order, but there is a complete absence of the military air. They are bearing neither gun nor sword nor any other instrument of defense or offense. Now such things would be entirely out of place. They are relics of an almost forgotten past. See, there is but one cannon; and the blue birds are nesting in its mouth with no fear of ever being disturbed. Mark with what buoyancy of step the people walk. There are among them no lame, no halt, no blind, no deformed ones. No, there is not even an old man among them. Where are the old folks? These have been restored to the days of their youth, and their flesh has become as fresh as a babe's.
There are no poor there, no beggars among them, nor by the wayside. No, not now, because all have plenty. There are no sick nor afflicted there; no, because all enjoy health and strength. There are no vicious, nor cold, hard faces amongst them; no, not these, because they have all come over the highway and reached the end thereof and have been fully restored. See, their faces are all wreathed in smiles. On come host upon host. They are bearing numerous banners, and
upon each one are inscribed the words: "Holiness unto the Lord." (Zechariah 14:20) Both men and women are grace and beauty personified. Yes; they are now all of the royal house, because they are children of the King.
It is a perfect day, and everything of creation bears the mark of perfection. Wafted over the valley come the strong, clear, sweet notes of a silver trumpet. At its call the great multitude kneels in silent thanksgiving to God. Another sound of the silver trumpet and there are heard the perfect voices of multitudes, and now in complete harmony they are singing:
"DELIVERANCE IS COMPLETE; PRAISE GOD!"
The End
