Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1912 — THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BINLE STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BINLE STUDIES

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Mark ix, 14-29—Dec. 1. "And Jesus said unto Sim. If thou const boMere; all iking* are possible to him that bolicreth.' Hark id. ti. JTyrnEN Jesus and the three faI vored Apostles came down from the Mount of Transfiguration where they had been enjoying the vision of the coming glory, they found the other nine Apostles at the foot of the mountain surrounded by a multitude. They had made several Ineffective attempts to cast out a demon from a boy whose father had brought him for the purpose. Jesus came promptly to the re-

lief of the Apostles and Inquired the nature of their trouble. The father explained. And Jesus answered. O faithless generation: How long shall I be with, you and in-ar with you? Bring him to

Me." They brought him, and immediately the spirit caused him to fall to the ground, wallowing and foaming. Jesus questioned bow long he had been tbns. The father answered. “From a child," and that often the spirit attempted to cast the boy into the fire or into the water to destroy him. “But if thou enlist do anything, have compassion on ns and help us.” “To Him That Bclieveth.” Jesus replied, "If thou canst believe; all things are possible to him that believeth.” How great stress the Lord lays every where Upon the exercise of faith in the Divine Power! “Without faith It is impossible to please God.” Those who cannot exercise the faith ennuot have the blessing which others may have who do exercise faith. This does not imply that {>eople who cannot now exercise faith will never get any blessing. On the contrary, by and by. during Messiah’s Kingdom, the way of faitii and obedience will be made so plain, so simple, that all will be able to follow it and to gain a reward—but a lesser reward than that now extended to those who can and do exercise faith and obedience. The reuson for this is manifest God Is now seeking a special class of the specially faithful and obedient, to be heirs of God and Joint-heirs with Jesus In His glorious Messianic Kingdom, and whom by aud by He will use in bestowing His blessing world-wide; and H© desires that in this class shall be only such as can exercise absolute faith in Him. lu this and other miracles the Lord required faith as the condition of the healing. He thus manifested forth His coming glory. During the Kingdom reign there will be such manifestations of Divine Power, and such assistance given to those willing to exercise faith, that all may profit thereby and experience the healings of their flesh and the casting out of every power of Satan and sin. The poor father retffifzed from Jesus’ words that he must exercise faith else

his sou could not be recovered. With tears lie cried out, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief!” His faith got Its reward. Jesus commanded the evil spirit to come but of the boy aud enter no more into him. It may be won-

dered why the Master permitted the evil spirit to tear the boy and cause him pain, in leaving him. If He had power to cast him out. Fie also undoubtedly had power to control the manner of bis coming out. We can only surmise therefore that Jesus, on this and other occasions, allowed the evil spirit a measure of liberty in the method of leaving, and that this was for the very purpose of demonstrating how malicious and evil the spirit was which bad control; and thus the miracle was the more clearly seen, and the Lord more praised. "Many Said, ’Ha la Dead.*” The boy was left in an apparently dead condition, but Jesus took him by the band and raised him up. The lesson for os In this is that it is not only that the Adversary and his power be caat out from humanity, that the poor world needs, but they need Divine power for their uplift out of the mire of sin and death. According to the Scriptures, we are near the time when Satan will be bound, when all the influences of evil amongst humanity will be restrained. According to tbe Scriptures. also, this binding of Satan will be accomplished in a great "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” and humanity* will be left in an almost dead condition. Tbe pride, tbe hopes, the ambition of men will perish in that awful trouble time; but the Master will be present in Kingdom power to uplift them.

Messiah’s Kingdom will not only bind the Adversary and forbid him to re-enter humanity and interfere with their affairs, but will for a thousand years do an uplifting work amongst the fallen and degraded members of our race, lifting tbeni up. up. up. until they will fully attain the Divine standard represented in Father Adam — from which condition he originally fell through disobedience.- and return to which condition has been secured for all through the merit of Jesus* sacrifice at Calvary.

"My son is possessed of a dumb spirit.”

“Jesus took him by the hand. "