Gold Nugget 153 - Not Bounded by Time or Space

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      The sun runs his daily course through the heavens, to return on the next morning to fulfill the same circuit.  The wind veers about from one quarter to another, and quits one direction only in a few hours, or a few days, or at most a few weeks, to resume it.  The rivers flow on in an unceasing current, and find their way into the sea, which … yields in evaporation its tribute to the clouds, whence the water-springs are in due time replenished.  Modern science has vastly enlarged our view of similar processes throughout all of the universe which is accessible to our observation. … There is in the world nothing immovable and unchangeable.  It is believed that not an atom is at rest. …

      Not only is there a want, an absence, of stability, of rest; there is no apparent advance and improvement.  Things move from their places only to return to them; their motion is rather in a circle than in a straight line. … And modern science does not in this matter effect a radical change in our beliefs.  Evolutionists teach us that rhythm is the ultimate law of the universe.  Evolution is followed by involution, or dissipation.  A planet or system evolves until it reaches its climax, and thenceforward its course is reversed, until it is resolved into the elements of which it was primevally composed.  In the presence of such speculation the intellect reels, dizzy and powerless. …

      If there be evidence of reason in the universe, if nature is the expression of mind, the vehicle by which the Creator-Spirit communicates with the created spirits he has fashioned in his own likeness, then there is at least the suggestion of what is deeper and more significant than the cycles of phenomena.  There is rest for the intelligence in such a conviction as that of the theist, who rises above the utterances to the Being who utters forth his mind and will in the world which he has made, and which he rules by laws that are the expression of his own reason. …

      The fuller revelation with which we have been favoured enlightens us with respect to the intentions of Eternal Wisdom and Love.  Our Saviour has founded upon earth a kingdom which cannot be moved.  And the figures which he himself has employed to set forth its progress are an assurance that it is not bounded by time or space; that it shall grow until its dimensions and beneficence exceed all human expectations, and satisfy the heart of the Divine Redeemer himself.  Each faithful Christian, however feeble and however lowly, may work in his Master’s cause with the assurance that his service shall be not only acceptable, but effective.  Better shall be the end than the beginning.  The seed shall give rise to a tree of whose fruit all nations shall taste, and beneath whose shadow humanity itself shall find both shelter and repose.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Ecclesiastes p. 17, Ecclesiastes 1:5-7, (J. R. Thomson)

 

Gold Nugget 153

Not Bounded by Time or Space

 

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