HOW TO CHANGE DIVINE GOVERNMENT
"The Day of
Jehovah cometh; for it is nigh at hand" Joel 2:1
In these words we have the
same fundamental idea, but stated with a variation in method. Having interpreted
the locust plague, by declaring that the Day of Jehovah was at hand, the
prophet now said: "The Day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand."
In that sentence the word "for" has the force of "because."
The truth emphasized now was not so much that of the ACTUALITY OF THE DIVINE
GOVERNMENT AS THAT OF ITS CONTINUITY. Joel declared that the Day of Jehovah was
not over. There were still OTHER experiences before them of the Divine
judgment. Under the figure of the locust plague, he described the imminent
invasion of a foe which would bring far more terrible desolation's to the
people. Therefore again he called the nation to REPENTANCE, and declared the
way by which they MIGHT CHANGE THE VERY CHARACTER OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT
into that of mercy, and healing, and restoration. Here again is a matter for our careful attention. The Day of
Jehovah is not only PRESENT; it is ALWAYS COMING. When some great activity of
God has ended, His government has not ceased.
He proceeds upon His way without intermission. If by one manifestation of His
power and majesty, men do not learn the lessons He would teach, then they have
not escaped from Him. By yet other means, more terrible than those already
experienced, He will make Himself known: This is the story of humanity; and so
it will continue until "the great and terrible Day of Jehovah come,"
the day of the final putting forth of His judgment of evil spoken of in Rev. 19:11-21 in order to the
establishment of His Kingdom upon earth according to the grace of His heart.
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