the kingdoms of the world shall be converted to Christ. In that day, The Jews shall universally return to God through Christ [When the ten tribes revolted from the house of David under Jeroboam, they established idolatry in opposition to the worship of the true God, and set up kings of their own in opposition to those who sat on the throne of David. But in about two hundred and fifty years they were carried captive to Assyria; and from that time to the present hour they have had no king of their own; and have been deprived of all opportunities of worshipping God either according to the Mosaic ritual, or according to their own idolatrous superstitions 2. However they are not wholly and finally abandoned of their God: for, when his Spirit shall be poured out upon all flesh, they shall take the lead in turning unto God, and shall voluntarily appoint the Lord Jesus Christ as their head. This blessed truth is abundantly confirmed in scriptured: and the accomplishment of it will display in a most stupendous manner the unsearchable riches of God's wisdom and goodness.] In turning to God they shall be peculiarly influenced by the divine goodness [The sanctions of the Jewish law were principally of a penal nature, and calculated to beget a servile spirit. Even Moses himself at the giving of the law exceedingly trembled and quaked. But, as formerly they feared the Lord and his judgments, so in the latter day they will "fear the Lord and his goodness" they will marvel at his kindness in choosing their nation in the days of old; and at his patience in bearing with them during their long departure from him; and, above all, at his mercy and faithfulness in bringing them back into his church, and manifesting to them again the tokens of his love. With these considerations they will be overwhelmed; and, constrained by his love, will become patterns of all righteousness.] While we contemplate this stupendous event, let us improve it by considering II. Some instructive lessons which it affords us We may learn from it a Ver. 4. The "Teraphim" seem to have been they resorted for the purposes of divination. Ha Hos. i. 11. e Rom. xi. 33. d Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24. and 1. Wherein images to which Zech. viii. 23. xxxvii. 21, 22, 24. Isai. ii. 2. 1. Wherein true conversion consists [There are two leading points comprising the whole of conversion, and absolutely inseparable from it; these are, a returning unto God through Christ, and a serving of God from a principle of love. We have seen, that the conversion of the Jews will be eminently distinguished in both these respects: and a work of grace is universally characterized by the same marks. Let us then enquire, have we returned to God in Christ, and to God through Christ, relying wholly on the mediation and intercession of that once crucified, but now exalted Saviour? Are we also willing to put ourselves under his government, as we are to experience his salvation; not accounting any of his commandments grievous, but yielding to them that cheerful obedience, which is the genuine offspring of faith and love? It is for this end that God's perfections are manifested, his promises revealed, his blessings given *. And if the glory of the Lord have ever risen upon us, our hearts will cherish this holy fear, and experience this devout enlargement 1.] 2. That none are in so desperate a state but that they may yet be converted to God' [Certainly the state of the Jews is, to all appearance, as desperate as that of any human being; so obstinately do they adhere to their own delusions. But they shall, like the returning tide, "flow up to the mountain of the Lord's house," as soon as ever the attractive influences of divine grace shall operate upon them". Let none then despair of others, as though they were too far gone from God; or of themselves, as though they were too blind, and too obdurate. The way of mercy is open unto all; nor are any gone beyond the hope of redemption, but those who are summoned into the invisible world. We say not indeed that a person's day of grace cannot be passed, while yet he remains in this world: but no man can be sure that he himself, or that any other individual, is thus given up by God; and therefore every one has encouragement to return to God through Christ. There is forgiveness with God that he may be feared. And Christ will be the head of all those who commit themselves to his government. Let us then" fear the Lord and his goodness;" let every instance of it, whether temporal or spiritual, be an incentive to us to love and serve him: and let us seek, each of us in our day, to become monuments of that grace, which will hereafter be so gloriously displayed in the conversion of the whole world.] h Exod. xxxiv. 6, 8. and Ps. XXX. 4. i 2 Cor. vii. 1. m Isai. ii. 2. Mic. iv. 1. CCXIX. THE MILLENNIUM. Isai. xi. 9. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. THE generality of mankind ascribe a far greater degree of moral influence to civilization, than the state of the heathen world in its most refined ages will justify. We are willing however to admit, that some good effects are to be traced to this cause. But to renew and sanctify the heart is far beyond its power: this is the province of religion, even of that religion which is revealed to us in the gospel. The prophet has been describing in most beautiful language the change that shall one day be wrought on the face of the earth; and he traces it to the propagation of the gospel, and the extension of divine knowledge, as its true and only source; "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb," &c. for "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” In these words he shews us I. Wherein true religion consists It cannot be more justly or comprehensively described than in these words," the knowledge of the Lord " [Many indeed even of those who call themselves Christians suppose that religion is altogether comprehended in doing to others as we would be done unto. But, though it must be acknowledged that this is an important branch, yet is it far from being the whole, since it relates only to the duties of the second table, and leaves out all the duties which we owe to God. We must rather say, that the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus is the sum and substance of religion; because in this is contained that vital energy, which puts forth itself in all the fruits of righteousness. It is in this light that the scriptures continually represent it. The prophet Isaiah says, By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many. Jeremiah cautions us against glorying in any thing, but in the understanding and knowing of God" as displaying justice and mercy in the person of Christ. Our Lord himself affirms that," to know God, and Jesus Christ as sent by him, is life eternal c." And St. Paul, in his nervous mode of expression, 66 counts a Isai. liii. 11. Jer, ix. 23, 24. John xvii. 1. a " "counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord ."] But by the knowledge of the Lord" we must of necessity understand a practical and experimental knowledge of him. [Were a speculative knowledge sufficient, Balaam and even the devils themselves might vindicate their claim to religion; since he could boast, that he "knew the knowledge of the Almighty," and indeed prophesied of Christ in very exalted terms; and they could say to Christ, "We know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God f." But the only knowledge that can be considered as constituting religion, is that which the apostle so emphatically described and so earnestly desired; "I count all things but dung, that I may win Christ, and know him in the power of his resurrection, in the fellowship of his sufferings, and in a conformity to his death 8." St. John, with a simplicity peculiar to himself, confirms this truth, saying, " Hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments: he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him ."] Painful as the general want of this religion is at present, we shall be comforted in considering II. In what manner it shall hereafter prevail The comparison, which the prophet makes between the diffusion of true religion and the waters of the unfathomable and boundless ocean, leads us naturally to observe, that the knowledge of the Lord in that day will be 1. Universal in its extent [Improbable as this event may appear, there is scarcely any other so frequently and so plainly foretold in the prophetic writings as this. David, in a Psalm where he not only speaks of Christ, but even personates him, says, "All the ends of the earth shall remember themselves and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him; for the kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the governor among the nations:" and, in another Psalm, which is altogether on this subject, he says, "Christ shall have dominion from sea to sea; all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him.' him." To cite what Isaiah speaks to this effect, would be to repeat whole chapters'. Jeremiah, confirming at the same time the truth we have before insisted on, that true religion consists in the knowledge of the Lord, says, "In that day they shall no more teach every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest of them, saith the Lord"." Daniel assures us, that "the kingdom which God himself will then erect, shall break in pieces all adverse powers, and fill the whole earth"." Zechariah tells us, that "Holiness to the Lord shall be written upon the very bells of the horses; that the most common things in every place shall be consecrated, as it were, to God in their daily use; and that there shall then be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts." The apostles also, and our Lord himself, add their testimony; St. Paul affirms, not only that "the fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in," but that "the Jews shall be again ingrafted on their own olive-tree P" and our Lord says, that all, Jews and Gentiles," shall be one fold under one shepherd:" and St. John, passing over the intermediate space of time, represents the angels in heaven as already rejoicing in the accomplishment of this event, and saying, "The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever *."] 2. Deep in its degree [The knowledge which the Jews enjoyed was very contracted ours, since the completion of the canon of scripture, is considerably enlarged; insomuch that the least of true Christians is, in respect of knowledge, greater than even John the Baptist, who was himself the greatest of all the prophets. But in that day the light will shine far brighter; and the knowledge of all true converts will be, in comparison of ours, as the ocean's depth to a shallow stream. This also is declared with very abundant evidence in the prophetic writings. "The vail that is spread over all nations, is then to be taken away." Nor are any, whose eyes are opened, to have an indistinct view of the truth: the prophet Isaiah says, "The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken; the heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly "." In another place the prophet supposes * Ps. lxxii. 8, 11, 17. " Jer. xxxi. 34. P Rom. xi. 24, 25. Matt. xi, 11. 1 See 49th and 6oth chapters. n Dan. ii. 44. 9 John x. 16. t Isai. XXV. 7. men Zech. xiv. 20, 21. I Rev. xi. 15. u Isai. xxxii. 3, 4. |