Page 137 - Jesus is coming - Class version

134 JESUS 18 COMING.
give no broader meaning to the word olKovp.evrj (oikoume-
nee) used by the Holy Spirit in Mat. 24:14 than in Rom.
10 :18, or than to the equally strong words used in Col. 1 :6
62
and 23. If we limit the one, we can, with equal propriety,
limit the other. Because we have so full an account of
Paul's work, we are apt to depreciate what was accom-
plished by the other Apostles and Disciples. Peter was in
Babylon (1 Pet. 5:13), and tradition gives us account of
the preaching of the gospel in Parthia, India, Ethiopia,
Scythia, Spain and Britain.
So then we may rest confidently on the plain statement
of Col. 1:23, as being such fulfillment of Mat. 24:14, that
the Church from that day to the present has not had,
neither can have, in this, any sign or prophesied event
standing between believers and the Lord's coming. If we
take it upon ourselves to judge that the witness is not com-
plete, or more presumingly, that it cannot be complete for
centuries to come, then are we foolishly assuming a pre-
rogative which belongs to God only.
Only God Knows.
Surely, only God can judge when the witness to all na-
tions is complete, and here lies the essence of this entire
If the Church is the agent which
question. is to pro-
claim the gospel until the witness is complete, no mortal
can judge but what the witness shall be completed this
moment. But we have no evidence that the Church is the
only agent, and it is quite probable that she is not, for
63
we read of another agent in Rev. 14 :6.
Therefore the witness may not be completed, until after
the Church is taken away, and this other heavenly mes-
senger proclaims the everlasting gospel to them that dwell
on the earth, even unto every nation and tribe and tongue
(62) Col. 1:6. Which Is come (63) Rev. 14:6. And I saw
unto you, as it is in all the another angel fly in the midst
world ; and bringeth forth fruit, of heaven, having the everlast-
as it doth also in you, since the Ing gospel to preach unto them
day ye heard of it, and knew the that dwell on the earth, and to
grace of God In truth. every nation, and kindred, and
23. See page 132. tongue, and people,