Part 1 (1/2)
Our Day.
by W. A. Spicer.
FOREWORD
These are eventful times. With history-making changes pa.s.sing rapidly before men's eyes, the questions press upon thoughtful minds in all lands, What do these things mean? What next in the program of world-shaping events?
Like a great searchlight s.h.i.+ning across the centuries, the sure Word of Prophecy focuses its bright beams upon Our Day. In this light we see clearly the trend of events, and may understand what comes next in the program of history fulfilling prophecy.
In the Volume of the Book the living G.o.d speaks to Our Day of events of the past that have a lesson for the present, and of things to come.
Divine prophecy fulfilled before men's eyes is G.o.d's challenge to unbelief. The Word of Holy Writ has been the guiding light through all the ages. It is the lamp to our feet today.
”Steadfast, serene, unmovable, the same, Year after year,...
Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame; s.h.i.+nes on that inextinguishable light.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE GOOD SHEPHERD
”The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14.]
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”PEACE BE TO THIS HOUSE”
”If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20.]
THE BOOK THAT SPEAKS TO OUR DAY
Man may write a true book, but only G.o.d, the source of life, can write a living book. ”The word of G.o.d ... liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23. The Bible is the living word of G.o.d. We look at the volume; we hold it in our hands. It is like other books in form and printer's art.
But the voice of G.o.d speaks from these pages, and the word spoken is alive. It is able to do in the heart that receives it what can be done only by divine power.
The Book That Talks
Far in the heart of Africa a missionary read to the people in their own language from the translated Word of G.o.d. ”See!” they cried; ”see! the book talks! The white man has a book that talks!” With that simplicity of speech so common to children of nature, they had exactly described it. This is a book that talks. What the wise man says of its counsels through parents to children, is true of all the book: ”When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.” Prov. 6:22.
Here is companions.h.i.+p, faithful and true, a blessed guide and guardian and friend.
”Holy Bible! book divine!
Precious treasure, thou art mine!”
G.o.d Its Author
The sixty-six books of Holy Scripture were written by many penmen, over a s.p.a.ce of fifteen centuries; yet it is one book, and one voice speaks through all its pages. Spurgeon once said of his experience with this book:
”When I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, saying, 'I am the book of G.o.d; man, read me. I am G.o.d's writing; open my leaf, for I was penned by G.o.d; read it, for He is my author.'”
This book declares of itself: ”All scripture is given by inspiration of G.o.d.” 2 Tim. 3:16. ”The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of G.o.d spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21. As the rugged verse of the old hymn puts it: