JEHOVAH created the earth for man and man for the earth. (Isa. 45:12,18) "Worthy art thou, 0 Lord, and our God, to receive the glory, and the honour, and the power: because thou didst create all things, and by reason of thy will they were and were created." — Rev. 4:11, Rotherham.
Man's true happiness results only when he is at peace and in full harmony with his Creator. By reconciling man to himself God will make his creature happy for evermore. To Jehovah God is due all the honor and glory.
God created man in his own image. That image was lost because man chose to obey Satan rather than God. The Almighty could have destroyed Satan at once, and in due time redeemed man and restored him, or he could have made another race. God's wisdom dictated a different course. His name was involved because man was his creature and had turned aside from the pathway of righteousness. God would teach not only this creature but all of his intelligent creation that Jehovah is the only true God and that life and happiness can come only to those who are in harmony with him. He would permit Satan to go on to the very limit of wickedness, permit all men to have a full and complete lesson in the disastrous effects of
sin, exhibit to man his great loving-kindness and thereby commend his love to man, and, after man has learned the needed lessons, bring him back into full harmony with himself.
Thus God has demonstrated that with him justice, wisdom, love and power always operate harmoniously. In all this great work he does not act arbitrarily, but he accomplishes his purposes through his covenants with his creatures. He invites them into his covenant, then reveals to them his loving-kindness, his majesty, his wisdom and power. His patience, his long-suffering and his mercy are always manifest, and that, too, in full harmony with justice. With illustrations and pictures he teaches those who are diligent in seeking him, that they might know the way to life.
Relation of Covenants
Jehovah commanded Moses to make holy garments to be used by the high priest in connection with the services of the tabernacle. Those garments picture the relation of God's covenants employed for the reconciliation of man to himself. The ephod and part of the glorious garments are described by the prophet thus: "And they shall make the ephod, — of gold, blue and purple, crimson and fine-twined linen, the work of a skilful weaver. Two joining shoulder-pieces thereof that it may be joined together. And the curious band for fastening it that is upon it, like the work thereof of the same shall it be, — of gold, blue and purple and crimson, and fine-twined linen. And thou shalt take two onyx stones, — and engrave upon them the names of the sons of Israel; six of their names on the one
stone, — and the names of the six that remain on the second stone according to their births. — Exod. 28: 6-10, Rotherham.
On stated occasions the high priest wore the glorious garments, and upon his forehead he wore a plate of pure gold bearing the engraven words, HOLINESS TO JEHOVAH. The two portions of the ephod were fastened together by shoulder straps and rested upon the shoulders of the high priest. He also wore a breastplate of judgment made of the same material as the ephod, bearing twelve precious stones set in gold. "And thou shalt make a breastpiece for giving sentence, the work of a skilful weaver, like the work of the ephod shalt thou make it, — of gold, blue, and purple and crimson, and fine-twined linen shalt thou make it. Four-square shall it be double, — a span the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof. And thou shalt set therein a setting of stones, four rows of stones, — one row a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald, the first row; and the second row a carbuncle, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row an opal, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a Tarshish stone, a sardonyx, and a jasper, enclosed with gold shall they be when they are set. And the stones shall be after the names of the sons of Israel — twelve after their names, as the engravings of a seal ring, — every one after his name shall they be, for the twelve tribes." — Exod. 28:15-21, Rotherham.
Three great covenants are directly involved in the reconciliation of man. All these covenants are laid upon the shoulder of the beloved Son of God, who is "Priest of the Most High". These beautiful things picture more glorious things to be revealed in the fu-
ture. The law covenant served as a teacher, and is therefore indirectly connected with the reconciliation of man. The picture made seems to say: The forepart of the ephod symbolized the Abrahamic covenant; the breastplate containing the twelve precious stones bearing the names of the twelve tribes symbolized the covenant by sacrifice, since these are made perfect through the sacrifice; the back part of the ephod, hanging upon the shoulder of the high priest and fastened to the forepart, fitly symbolized the new covenant. Jesus, Priest of the Most High God, is therefore the pivot upon which these covenants swing.
It has been suggested that the breastplate represented the law covenant, but that conclusion does not seem consistent with the facts. The law covenant produced nothing that is beautiful. The twelve precious stones more fitly represent the full number of the members of the body of Christ described as being selected in twelve divisions. (Rev. 7:4-8) Christ Jesus the great High Priest is the Head over these body members, and he is altogether lovely. To him is committed all judgment in heaven and in earth. His body members will be associated with him in the judgment. (John 5:22; Matt. 19:28) Together these compose the temple of God, the glorious official organization named Zion, through which God deals with the people.
Other Pictures
When Isaac was born, Abraham was approximately one hundred years old and Sarah was ninety years old. The Scriptures say they were "as good as dead". Therefore Isaac was a child of promise by faith. (Gal.
4:23) Abraham lived seventy-five years and Sarah thirty-seven years thereafter. After the death of Sarah, Abraham married Keturah. At that time Abraham was approximately 140 years old. By Keturah Abraham had six sons. (Gen. 25:1-4) If Abraham was "as good as dead" when Isaac was begotten, then the same thing must be said of him forty years later. Therefore the conclusion that except for God's power these six sons of Abraham by Keturah never would have lived. Seeing that Keturah represents the new covenant, it may well be said that those who will become the offspring of the new covenant were "as good as dead", but by the miraculous power of God through Christ they are made to live.
By Hagar Abraham had one son; and this one, together with six by Keturah, makes seven, which is a symbol of completeness. Abraham made some gifts to these seven sons and sent them away into the east country out from Canaan, and he made Isaac heir of all he had. (Gen. 25:1-6) Ishmael, the son of Hagar, represented the nation of Israel. (Gal. 4: 24) The six sons of Keturah would well represent the Gentile nations or all non-Jews. The seven sons, therefore, who received blessings from Abraham well represented all who shall receive blessings under the terms of the new covenant.
After making these provisions for his seven sons, Abraham died. That would seem to foreshadow that when the blessings under the new covenant are complete, that will mark the execution of the Abrahamic covenant and that covenant will pass into history. Then will be completely fulfilled God's unconditional promise: 'In thee and thy seed shall all families and
nations of the earth be blessed.' Abraham representing God, all the blessings proceed from him. Isaac the seed representing Christ, all the blessings will be by Christ, and the great work of reconciliation will be completed.
With the reconciliation complete, with Satan and all other enemies destroyed, with all in heaven and in earth gathered together under Christ, then will Christ the great High Priest himself be subject to Jehovah, that God may be all in all, and all shall be to his glory. — 1 Cor. 15:26-28; Eph. 1:10.
Glorious Footstool
The King's Highway is of course a symbol of the way God has graciously provided for man to return to him. The members of the body of Christ are reconciled to God at the moment of their justification. God justifies them by reason of their faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, which faith they manifest by a full consecration, and then their sins are covered. The peoples of earth will receive justification or reconciliation at the end of the thousand-year judgment day, which is symbolized by reaching the extreme end of The King's Highway. During that period of time God will be making earth a place of joy and beauty. Men will be instructed as to what work they shall do in connection with the actual improvements of the condition of the soil and otherwise bringing up the earth to a perfect condition. God will make the earth a happy home for man. " Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." (Isa. 66:1) "And I will make the place of my feet glorious."
(Isa. 60:13) These words of Jehovah are a complete guarantee that the earth is to be made a place of wondrous beauty, and it will reflect the glory of God its Maker.
Jehovah God made the earth, and made it for man. His name is involved in the creation of man. "The earth is Jehovah's, and the fulness thereof." He will cause his name to be exalted in all the earth. — Pss. 24:1; 46:10; 89:11.
For his name's sake God will make the earth for man according to his original purpose. For centuries man has been compelled to toil against the weeds, the thorns and the thistles that have choked out his crops. The enemy has caused man to curse God because thereof and to charge God with all his difficulties in connection with these hindrances. In due time God will reveal his goodness to man and will take away these hindrances, that the meek and obedient may inherit a pleasant place and feed upon the choicest fruits. His name will be magnified in the heart of man. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier 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." (Isa. 55:13) A man shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof. (Isa. 65: 21) " For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew." — Zech. 8:12.
Vast areas of the earth's surface are now arid deserts and produce nothing. In his due time God will make these desolate wastes to show forth his excellency and his glory. "The wilderness, and the solitary place, shall be glad for them; and the desert shall re-
joice, 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 Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God." — Isa. 35:1, 2.
Eden was once a place of beauty and glory. It contained every tree that was pleasant to the sight and good for food, and fruits and beautiful flowers, all provided for man's pleasure; and all these proclaimed the glory of the Creator. God took disobedient man away from the beauties of that garden. In his own due time the great Jehovah will make of the whole earth a beautiful place like unto the garden of Eden, that reconciled man may have a place of joy in which to dwell and which will reflect the glory of God. "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. Then the heathen, that are left round about you, shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it." — Ezek. 36: 34-36.
When the obedient ones of mankind have passed entirely over The King's Highway and stand upon the earth at the far end thereof, completely reconciled to God, then the knowledge of the glory of God will fill the whole earth as the waters cover the sea. (Hab. 2:14) Then all the earth shall be filled with his glory, and all the people shall see the majesty and glory of the great Jehovah. (Pss. 72:19; 97: 6) The earth will then be a place of joy. "Truth shall spring
out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase." — Ps. 85:11,12.
The peoples of earth, completely reconciled to God, will enjoy lasting peace; they will fear neither sickness nor death; they will enjoy perfect health and will know that all these blessings have come to them from Jehovah God. Feeling the warmth of his love and rejoicing therein, they will come and worship at his footstool. "Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy." "All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name," — Pss. 99: 5; 66: 4.
Now man, with all of the ingenuity he can command, can see a few million stars of God's universe; but he can not begin to see them all nor can he number them. As to Jehovah, "he telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names." (Ps. 147: 4) Man can see a few. God made them all and he tells the number of the stars and calls each one by name. All these heavenly bodies now declare the glory of God. Reconciled and restored, man will come to a greater appreciation of the magnitude of God's universe, of his unlimited power, and of his diversified wisdom, and of his boundless love. (Ps. 107: 43) Then he will love and praise Jehovah for evermore. — Ps. 36:5-9.
Long centuries ago Israel's chief singer sang to the praise of Jehovah's holy name. The words of his song, however, will more fitly express the heart sentiments of the peoples of earth when they are fully reconciled to God. Then perfect man, clothed in his right mind,
will stand upon the earth and behold the sun, the moon and the stars of heaven, all declaring the glory of God; he will lift up his eyes unto the lofty mountains and stretch his vision upon the great wide sea, and with complete devotion to the Creator of heaven and earth he will sing: "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies; that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou hast put all things under his feet: all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 0 Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" — Ps. 8.
To every Christian now on earth there is given a great privilege and upon him rests a mighty responsibility. The period of sacrifice is about done. The gathering of the saints has been accomplished. The time has come when the great Jehovah God grants unto the followers of Christ the privilege of being witnesses to the people concerning God, his glorious plan and name. Through his prophet he says to them: "And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, proclaim his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for
he hath done excellent things: this [make] known in all the earth." — Isa. 12: 4, 5, margin.
The peoples are in need of hearing the truth. God's time has come to give the truth to them. "Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah." (Ps. 33:12) Blessed is the man who has a part in proclaiming to the people God's message of reconciliation. "In his temple doth every one speak of his glory." — Ps. 29: 9.
