Indications of THE BOOK 01 JOB Edward B. Latch ilBHP ■HUH 9 man ■ ■ IB ■ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. typqu. Co|iijri# l?o.,- UNITED STATES OF AMKHK A I INDICATIONS OF THE .BOOK OF JOB: ALSO, A PRELIMINARY TO THE INDICATIONS. BY EDWARD B. LATCH, AUTHOR OF "A REVIEW OF THE HOLY BIBLE." PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA. 1889. ,U3 Copyright, 1SS9, by Edward L\ Latch. i — , — Ss — ■- — i PREFACE. This volume takes up the general views as given in the work entitled a A Review of the Holy Bible," and carries with it the system of interpretation therein set forth. A brief historic line has been prefixed as a prelimi- nary upon which the " Indications" may rest as a base, and from which the interpretative system may radiate. The Sacred Records clearly call for the existence of man — a chosen instrumentality in God's great Purpose by Election — far beyond the conventional six thou- sand years from the so-called Adam and progenitor of the human family. If man did exist back of this Adam, and if the Scriptures are given by inspiration, then the Scriptures will surely harmonize in this particular also by giving man his proper place in the history of the world. The Ages of Man once established, and the instru- mentality of man (see Deut. vii. 6-14) once estab- lished, then the wonders of God in his great Purpose will become manifest to hosts that shall be "as the 3 4 PREFACE. sand which is upon the sea shore" for number; hence the indications are that every point that is set or that shall be set upon a sure foundatiou by the hand of true science will confirm Scriptural truth, and bear fruit that will endure forever in the Kingdom of Righteousness. The text used is the Holy Bible as issued by the American Bible Society, New York, 1860. (Brevier, 12mo.) CONTENTS. PAGE Preface 3 Preliminary to the Indications of the Book of Job . .17 CHAPTER I. (1) Who is Job ? (3) Job as the Adam and progenitor of the Third Eace of Men. (4) Job's children as allegory. (6) Who are the sons of God ? Satan. (9-12) The Law- enters into Job's Edenic home. (13-22) Satan's aggres- sion upon the Third Eace. Job still retains his integrity. 41 CHAPTEE II. (1-6) Job as a free agent under the Law confronted with Satan. (7, 8) Job's fall indicated by his afflictions. (9, 10) Job's hope and faith. (11) Job's three friends . . 49 CHAPTEE III. (1-10) Job laments his fall. (11-17) The subjugation of evil not all of man's mission. (18, 19) The valley of rest. (20-23) Man's mission as a priesthood indicated. (24-26) The priesthood of man further indicated . . . .55 CHAPTEE IV. (1-6) Eliphaz assays to answer Job. Job's righteousness by works. (7) Evil has no hold upon the perfectly upright and righteous. (8-11) Job as a transgressor. (12-21) Man cannot equal the justness and purity of God. With Eliphaz descent into the valley of the shadow of death is annihilation 61 CHAPTEE V. (1, 2) Eliphaz seeks to confirm his view that the shadow of death is annihilation. (3-5) The philosophy of Eliphaz evidently includes the transgressor irrespective of host. (8-16) Eliphaz acknowledges the supremacy of God. The 5 (3 CONTENTS. PAGE elevation of the creature during natural life. (17, 18) From the stand-point of Eliphaz the chastening of the creature by the Almighty induces the elevation of the creature during natural life. (19-27) The philosophy of Eli- phaz consigns the creature to oblivion after the natural life shall have expired. Eliphaz accords Job a full natural life. 64 CHAPTEK VI. (1-3) Job's grief and calamity as weighed in the balance is against the philosophy of Eliphaz. (4,5) Job's condition indicates his transgressive state. (11) Job reverts to the futility of his free agency that, as a subjugator, his life should be prolonged. (12, 13) Job contrasts his strength with the strength of the Adversary. (14) Job complains of the reasoning of his friend. (24) Job seeks to know wherein he erred. (25) The forcibility of right words. (26, 27) Job confronts Eliphaz as hopelessly condemning the creature under bondage to sin 68 CHAPTER VII. (1-3) Time as appointed to man. Man's mission. (7-10) Job states "he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more." Wherein does Job's reasoning differ in re- sult from that of Eliphaz? (11-16) What is the life of the creature under tribulation that he should live for- ever? (17-19) The predestination and calling of man. (20, 21) Job admits that he is a transgressor . . .79 CHAPTER VIII. (1-3) Bildad advances his philosophy. Bildad's philosophy averse to that of Job. (8-10) Bildad calls Job's attention to conditions pertaining to the First and Second Ages of Man. (11-19) Bildad endorses the philosophy of Eliphaz. (20-22) Bildad accords life to a perfect man . . .87 CHAPTER IX. (1,2) Job admits that God will not cast away a perfect man, but he also asks, " How should man be just with God?" CONTENTS. 7 PAGE (3) Man cannot be just with God. (4) Man under the Law cannot contend against God and prosper. (16-18) The Almighty permits tribulation under the Law. (20, 21) Why should Job despise his life were he perfect? (24) The earth as given into the hand of the wicked. (25, 26) Summary of Job's righteousness under the Law. (30, 31) Future righteousness cannot take away transgression. (32, 33) Job acknowledges the supremacy of the Almighty, and, hence, the immutability of the Law also . . .93 CHAPTER X. (1-3) Job seeks to know why the Almighty contends with him. (7) Job's transgression unknown to him ; that is, Job has sinned through ignorance. (8-13) Job's faith in existence beyond the natural life. (14-17) The confusion of Job, in that if he sin he will not be acquitted, and if he be righteous then he will not hold up his head. (18, 19) Job laments anew his bringing forth into the world. (20- 22) The valley of the shadow of death . . . .101 CHAPTER XL (1-4) Zophar defines Job's doctrine as being a multitude of words, a statement of false issues. Job's doctrine includes redemption and an existence after the natural life shall have vanished. Zophar's philosophy condemns the doc- trine of future life. (7-9) Wherein does Job derive his doctrine of the redemption ? (10-12) Zophar fails to see beyond the Law. (13-20) Zophar admits life through a fulfilment of Law, even to the creature that has transgressed. 108 CHAPTER XII. (1-3) Job considers Zophar's reasoning as commonplace. (4) Job's condition apparently unheeded by the Al- mighty. (5) Tribulation no indication of the true worth of the sufferer. (6) Prosperity may cover the greater transgressor. (7-10) Tribulation permitted for a wise purpose. (12-25) Job defines attributes and powers per- taining to the Infinite Majesty, the Sublime Unity . . 113 8 CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTEE XIII. (1, 2) Job fully comprehends the philosophy of his three friends. (3-5) Job condemns the philosophy of his three friends. (13-16) Job reaffirms his faith in his Kedeemer, and positively asserts the soundness of his reasoning. (18) Job expresses his faith in his justification, and, hence, in his glorification. (19) Job feels impelled to declare his position. (23) Job's iniquities 117 CHAPTEE XIV. (1, 2) Man in the hand of the power of Evil. (3) The strength of man, the strength of the Adversary, the strength of God. (4) The improbability of the subjuga- tion of Evil by man. (5, 6) The bounds of time and the instrumentality of man. (7-12) Death and resurrection shadowed through the hope for a tree that is cut down. (13) Job longs for rest in the dark valley from the great trials that are upon him. (14, 15) If a man die shall he live again? (19-22) The Law of Generation and the Law of Iniquity 124 CHAPTEE XV. (1-3) Job's reasoning classified as vain knowledge by Eli- phaz the Temanite. The possible soundness of Job's de- ductions. (5, 6) From Eliphaz's stand-point Job's uttered hope of a future existence is iniquitous. Job looks beyond the Law or First Covenant, with its ministration of death, but Eliphaz does not. (7-10) Eliphaz implies that Job was not the first man that was born. Eliphaz brings to notice the First and Second races of men. (12, 13) By the Law the transgressor shall die, yet Job, although a ti-ansgressor, hopes to live. Eliphaz condemns this hope as contrary to the Law. (14-16) The general uncleanness of the creature indicated by Eliphaz. The reasoning of Eliphaz favors the annihilation of the creature, even though it combine both good and evil. (17-19) The phi- losophy of Eliphaz points to progress from some created atomic or molecular system of life unto which the earth was given as a field of progress. (20-28) Eliphaz pictures the fate of a wicked man. (29, 30) Eliphaz consigns the CONTENTS. 9 PAGE transgressor to utter annihilation. (31-33) Eliphaz thrusts his barren deductions into Job's bosom . . . .130 CHAPTER XVI. (1, 2) Job replies, " I have heard many such things : miser- able comforters are ye all." (3-5) Eliphaz's philosophy irretrievably condemns the transgressor, but Job's doc- trine should assuage the transgressor's grief. (6) Tribula- tion comes from a source beyond Job's control. The ina- bility of man as a subjugator of Evil. (7-10) The wrinkles and leanness of Job. (11-14) Job in the hand of Satan. Transgression does not, of necessity, make the creature a total depravity. (15-17) Job's tribulation due to unrecog- nized transgression. (18, 19) Job solicits investigation as to why his blood should be shed through transgression. (20-22) Job's belief in the immutability of God . . 141 CHAPTER XVII. (1) The graves of Job. (3) Who will agree with Job's philosophy ? (6-8) Job as the Adam and progenitor of the Third Race. The rigid imputation of sin. (10) Job cannot find one wise man among his friends, in that they provide no way for the abolishment of tribulation. True wisdom will find a means or way for casting down tribu- lation forever. (11-16) Job's failure as a subjugator. . 148 CHAPTER XVIII. (1, 2) Job's words are but empty logic from Bildad's stand- point. Why should the philosophy of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar be rejected by Job ? (4) Shall the Law be re- moved out of its place that the creature may live a re- newed life beyond the valley of darkness? (5-21) Bildad un- equivocally declares his belief in the absolute eternal death of the wicked. No separation of the good from the evil . 153 CHAPTER XIX. (1-4) Job condemns the arguments of Bildad. (5, 6) Job as a transgressor is overthrown by the Law that was estab- lished by the Almighty. This Law reaches to the very heart of the Evil Kingdom. (7) The wrongs of Job are 10 CONTENTS. PAGE due to the aggression of the Evil Kingdom, in that Job, through transgression, is under bondage to it. (8-10) Job's crowning glory was his mission as the subjugator of Evil. (12-20) The excessive tribulation of Job is due to the aggression of the Evil Kingdom that is superinduced through Job's fall into transgression. (21) Job seeks for pity from his friends. (22) Job's friends, however, perse- cute him and would chase him out of the world, so that neither root, branch, nor remembrance pertaining to him should evermore remain or be. (23-27) Job utters his im- mortal postulate, " For I know that my Redeemer liveth." Kegeneration accomplished through the Communion of the Lord's body 156 CHAPTER XX. (1-3) Zophar acknowledges his comprehension of Job's theory of redemption. (4-9) Zophar condemns Job to ab- solute eternal annihilation. (10) The places of the departed, from "Zophar's stand-point, to be filled with their children. (22-27) Zophar's philosophy gives no indication of redemp- tion for the transgressor after death. Zophar's philosophy annihilates the transgressor from the day of his death, whether such transgressor be a total depravity or whether he be a creature in which dwells both good and evil . . 163 CHAPTEE XXI. (1-3) Job will not agree with his friends that death seals the sum of existence pertaining to the creature. (4-6) Job troubled because of the apparent disregard of equity on the part of the ruling Power in the compensation for trans- gression. (7-16) The prosperous wicked man. (17) A man is not prosperous simply because he is wicked. (23- 26) All transgressors under the same ban by the Law. Judgment after the natural life of the creature shall have passed away. A Redeemer called for by the judgment of the creature. (27, 28) Where is the house of the Re- deemer? (29) The destructions of the creature are foun- dation-stones in the arguments of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, that the grave is the final resting-place of the creature. ^31-34) Who shall declare the way of the trans- CONTENTS. 11 PAGE gressor to his face ? Job accuses his friends with distort- ing the truth ......... 169 CHAPTEE XXII. (1-4) The creature not called as a source of profit or of pleas- ure to the Almighty. The creature called that it might enter into His pleasure. (5-11) Eliphaz accuses Job of great iniquity, based, in all probability, upon the abun- dance of Job's afflictions. (15-18) Eliphaz calls Job's attention to the First or Euphratic race of men that fell under the rule of the Adversary. (19) The righteous, from Eliphaz's stand-point, are escaping remnants. (21, 22) Eliphaz indicates that his reasoning is based upon the Law. (23-30) Eighteousness by works . . . .178 CHAPTEE XXIII. (1-5) Job groaning under the burden of the Law seeks unto the Almighty for relief. (6) Job does not accredit the Almighty with being the source of his troubles. (7) Job's judge is the Law. The righteous, doubtless, is Job's Ee- deemer. (8-10) Job as a free agent under the Law. Job's righteous works a proof of faith. (11, 12) Job's trans- gression unknown to him. Job's postulate that his Ee- deemer lived marks him as being a transgressor. (13, 14) Purpose on the part of the Almighty and mission on the part of Job 183 CHAPTEE XXIV. (1) The Four Ages of Man. The limits of time. (19, 20) The fate of evil-doers. Absolute death the. last link in the chain of labors that separates the good from the evil. (21 -25) Who will make Job a liar ? 188 CHAPTEE XXV. (1-6) Bildad's philosophy does not grasp any system where- by man can be justified with God, or whereby he can be made clean in the sight of God. Bildad's questions fail to answer Job's rigid construction of the Law, his faith in redemption, and his hope of a life after he shall have passed 12 CONTENTS. PAGE into the valley of the shadow of death, and even after ab- solute death 193 CHAPTEK XXVI. (1, 2) Wherein does the philosophy of Bildad help the creat- ure that is taken captive at the will of the Adversary? (3) The foolish, the demented, the blind as transgressors. Bildad's philosophy condemns them also. (5, 6) Every grave contains a known occupant. (7-14) Job calls atten- tion to ways of the Almighty, but how small a portion of them? 194 CHAPTEK XXVII. (1-6) Job positively refuses to justify his friends in their reasoning that there is no redemption for the creature, no life hereafter. (8-10) "What is the hope of the hypocrite? (11-17) Job defines the portion of the wicked man. The portion of the wicked man well known to the friends of Job. Job's deductions very different and widely separated from those of his friends. (18-23) The wicked man that is destroyed is the evil element that pervades man. The separation of the good from the evil 198 CHAPTER XXVIII. (1-3) The separation of the good from the evil indicated by Job. (7, 8) The hidden mystery shadowed. (12-22) Where can wisdom be found? (23-28) God understand- eth the way of wisdom and he knoweth the place thereof. 207 CHAPTER XXIX. (1-7) Job calls attention to the days when, as the Adam and progenitor of the Third Race, he dwelt in Eden free from sin and transgression. (8) The overlap of the Second and Third races shadowed. (9, 10) The respect in which Job was held before he transgressed. (11-13) Job's righteous- ness by works under the special protection of the Almighty. (14) The Law now enters in to Job as a governing princi- ple whereby Job becomes a free agent under the Law. Satan a free agent under the Law. (15-25) Job's right- CONTENTS. 13 PAGE eous works under the Law as a free agent. The fall of Job. The transgression of Job 211 CHAPTEE XXX. (1, 2) Job the sport and prey of the Evil Kingdom. Old age perished from Job. (3-14) Job persecuted by the later generations of the Second race, and by his own family. (15-19) The great Hiddekelic Famine indicated. (25-31) Job expresses his righteous actions. "When he looked for good evil came 215 CHAPTEE XXXI. (1, 2) Eighteousness by works under the Law as a free agent. (3) Destruction to the wicked through the Law. (4) God takes cognizance of all steps, good and bad. (5, 6) Job requests an even balance, a just weight, under the Law. (7-15) The remarkable integrity of Job. Job admits transgression. (16-18) Job as the Adam and progenitor of a race of men. (24-28) Job brings himself into condem- nation, in that his mouth hath kissed his hand. (32-34) Who is the Adam spoken of by Job? (35-37) Job ex- presses a desire that the Almighty would answer him, and that his adversary had written a book. (38-40) Why should Job have been so particular in setting forth his own righteousness under the Law ? 220 CHAPTEE XXXII. (1-3) Job's three friends cease to answer him. Elihu's wrath is kindled against Job. Elihu's wrath also against his three friends. Why Elihu's wrath was thus kindled. (4, 5) Who is Elihu ? Elihu as Satan transformed as an aDgel of light. (6-9) Elihu begins to answer Job and his three friends. Elihu briefly defines man. (10-13) Elihu admits that Job's friends failed to answer Job's words. (16-22) Elihu as the Adversary of Job ; Job having ex- pressed a desire that his adversary had written a book . 228 CHAPTEE XXXIII. (1-3) Elihu's words to be measured by the character of Satan. (4, 5) Did the Spirit of God make Satan ? Satan 14 CONTENTS. PAGE claims to be a creature. (7-11) Job subject to both good and evil. (14-17) An aggres-ive power greater than man indicated. (19-22) Elihu points to the grave as a proba- ble finality to the transgressor. (23-26) Elihu advances the righteous works of a transgressor under the Law as a ransom from death. (27, 28) Elihu sets aside the Law through repentance. (29, 30) Elihu still further advo- cates self-righteousness and repentance as ransoming con- ditions. No Redeemer called for. The irrevocability of the Law demands fulfilment of the Law. (31-33) Elihu seeks to teach Job wisdom. Will the wisdom of Elihu exceed that of Job ? . .233 CHAPTEK XXXIY. (1-6) Job's right. What is good ? Why Job's wound is in- curable without transgression. (10-12) Elihu defines certain attributes of the Almighty, — " Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment." (13-15) Elihu points to no return of the spirit of man after death. (16, 17) Elihu advances the immutability of the Law that condemns the transgressor. Elihu's view does not unsettle Job's position that his Re- deemer lives. (18, 19) Elihu sets forth the improbability of any redeemer arising to redeem the transgressor. (20 -22) By Elihu's reasoning death is annihilation. Elihu denies the existence of a valley of the shadow of death, but Job holds to the valley of the shadow of death. (23) Compensation through repentance from Elihu's stand- point. (24-28) By Elihu's reasoning the unrepentant are cut off, and others will be set up in their stead. The phi- losophy of Elihu establishes the Evil Kingdom indefi- nitely. (29, 30) Elihu's plausibility. (31, 32) Elihu points to a series of rewards and punishments during the natural life of the creature. (33) Elihu asserts that the system of rewards and punishments comes from the Al- mighty and not from the Evil Kingdom : which is it ? (34) Elihu considers that Job spoke without knowledge, and that his words were without wisdom. (36, 37) Elihu as Satan demands that Job be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. Are Job's answers rebellion against God ? Are Job's answers a multiplicity of words ? 240 CONTENTS. 15 PAGE CHAPTEE XXX Y. (1-3) Elihu misconstrues Job's words. (4-7) The Sublime Unity. The Three Persons of the Trinity. (8) The Kingdom of Righteousness. The Redeemer. (9-11) The arm of the mighty is the Law. (12) The oppressed can find no relief from the Law in the Law. (13, 14) Elihu enjoins Job to trust in the Almighty that judgment come not upon him. (15, 16) The words of Elihu indicate that tribulation has come upon Job because Job heeds not the system of repentance as set forth by Elihu . . . 252 CHAPTER XXXYI. (1-4 The words of Elihu as the words of Satan. (5-12) Eli- hu's position calls for no Redeemer. Self-righteousness and repentance, from Elihu's stand-point, ransoms the transgressor. Job's philosophy the stronger of the two. (16, 17) Elihu argues that Job transgresses in that he goes beyond the Law. (18, 19) Elihu's words imply that, after death, nothing can deliver, not even all the forces of strength. From Elihu's stand-point death is absolute, eternal annihilation 257 CHAPTER XXXYI I. (1-20) Elihu calls Job's attention to the wondrous works of God. (21-24) Elihu continues his record of the attributes of the Most High. Still Elihu points to no Redeemer ; still he points to no system whereby the creature may be delivered from the frightful tribulative chain that binds him to the Evil Kingdom. Is this situation the result of far-reaching wisdom ? Wherein is essential Evil vitally touched by it ? Wherein is the earth and every living thing that moves upon the earth subjugated by it ? The deductions of Elihu are at variance with the plans of the Almighty, and fail to answer Job, or throw down his great postulate, " I know that my Redeemer liveth" . . 263 CHAPTER XXXVIII. (1, 2) The words of the Lord evidently condemn the sayings of Elihu. (3, 4) The Lord calls upon Job to answer him. !(} CONTENTS. PAGE The foundation of the earth. (5-7) The Chief Corner- stone. (8-11) The Evil Kingdom. (12, 13) The Day- spring. (1G) The Source of Evil. (17) Absolute death. The valley of the Shadow of Death. (18) The earth in- cludes all matter. (19-21) Neither the Source of Good nor the Source of Evil can be traced to the house thereof. (22, 23) The Judgmental Era. (24) The separation of the good from the evil. (25-27) The Plan of Redemption. (28-30) Job's attention is called to the Almighty as the Creator. (31, 32) The Almighty as Governor. (33-35) The Almighty as Master. The Almighty as unerring Judge. (39-41) The Almighty as Provider . . .268 CHAPTEE XXXIX. (1-4) The Almighty as the watchful Guardian. (5-8) The Almighty as the life-conferring Source. (9-12) The Al- mighty as the Subjugator 278 CHAPTER XL. (1, 2) How can man contend with the Almighty? Eternal life through free agency or righteousness by works under the Law. (3-5) Job's transgression meets him face to face. (6-8) Eternal life a free gift of the Almighty. (9-14) The strength of Job as a free agent under the Law com- pared with the strength of the Almighty. (15-24) The behemoth as shadow 282 CHAPTER XLI. (1-34) The leviathan as shadow . . . .• .285 CHAPTER XLII. (1-3) Job accords the infinite knowledge and perfection of the Almighty as Governor of all things, that he alone should order, subdue, provide, protect, and deliver, when- ever and wherever such may or might be called for. (4-6) Job now more fully comprehends the greatness of the one that shall be Subjugator and Ruler. Job repents in dust and ashes. (7-9) Job's three friends commanded to offer a burnt-offering for themselves. Elihu left out. (10-15) The replenishment of Job. The years of Job. . 289 PEELIMIKAET TO THE INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 3 02 M 0) 09 h _g "oS 0> P-i O O K o ^ < .2 w 2 ri is w 60 H .a M t-i K 9 M "O ft 5 0) w O w H § tH H 0) > 03 2 o 5 a < The Infinite Reach combines and includes within itself all eras, ages, periods, and times, from " everlasting to everlasting." The Antecreative Eras are reaches with only one common finite limit or border, in which but two Existences as Powers have being and place. These two Existences are, first, The Infinite Majesty, — to whom be glory in the highest forever, — and, second, Satan, King of Evil. The Infinite Majesty is the One G-od, the True Light, the Source of every good and perfect gift. He is without beginning of days or end of life, and is the Supreme Euler of, and in, and throughout, the Infinite Eeach. The One God is the Sublime Unity, the Holy Trinity, the Unity of the Power that con- 2 17 18 PRELIMINARY TO THE ceives, the Power that signifies assent, and the Power that fulfils. The Sublime Unity is the Creator and the King of Eighteousness. The Power that conceives is Thought. The Power that signifies assent is the Word. The Power that fulfils is Action. These three Powers are equal the one with the other; the fulness of the three rests with and dwells in each one as a Person; hence each i3 positive and perfect as a Power ; and they, as the Holy Trinity, combine into the Sublime Unity. The Sublime Utiity, being the One God, is perfect within himself, and needs nothing to complete his happiness ; for " known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." The Sublime Unity is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Satan is the King of Evil, the Power of Darkness, the Source of pain and tribulation. Satan is without beginning of days, yet not, of necessity, without end of life. Satan is King of Unrighteousness, and is a non-creator. Satan combines within himself a conceiving power, an assenting power, and a fulfilling INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 19 power; but, as a unity, he is imperfect; for, although combining these three powers within himself, yet, not being a creator, he is far be- low the Sublime Unity as a Power; hence these powers in* Satan are not positive and perfect, in that he, Satan, cannot carry out or bring to pass all his thoughts and words. The evil, however, that the Infinite Majesty permits, that only can Satan bring to pass. Satan is aggressive, and, although power- ful beyond all human conception (see 1 Kings xix. 11, 12), he is, without the creature, power- less for want of a field of aggression. Satan in this portion of the Infinite Beach, for want of an aggressive field, is unproved as an Evil Tree, although the Infinite Majesty fully comprehends him and the inherent attri- butes of which he is a unity. Satan being aggressive, yet being unproved as an Evil Tree, God's great Purpose by Elec- tion is framed. God's Purpose by Election clearly demands a kingdom filled with intelligences, in which all thought and action will be justified, and be without blemish, through the Word or Assent- ing Power of the One God, in which Word or Assenting Power "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." 20 PRELIMINARY TO THE At this point (see margin) let a tag or mark be placed upon the Infinite Reach as a tangible comprehensive beginning to the Creative Eras. The Kingdom of God now, at or about this point in the Infinite Reach, begins in the ordination of the Word of God as the King and the Messiah. (See Psalm ii. 6, 7.) A. The Messiah is the beginning of the creation of God, and the beginning of the Kingdom of God; hence the creation and preparation of a body for the Word of God, which Word has been ordained as Messiah and King. This body (see Col. i. 15-18 ; Rev. iii. 14) is the first-born of every creature, the very beginning of the creation of God, and is pure and unblemishable ; hence Satan can- not touch this body, for it is created pure, and it ever will be kept pure. This body (see Col. i. 18) has the pre-eminence in all things: wherefore it must be the tangible foundation, base, and building that consti- tutes the tangible Kingdom of God, as per- taining to the living creature (see Eph. ii. 18, 22), that shall endure forever; hence im- mortality pertains to this body. B. Creation of earth or of matter. This creation comprehends the material from which, later, a body was prepared for the living creature in the day that the living creature was created. This earthy body is INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 21 o *a 8 U 3 a 0) ar m o o 09 5 - ,c A a §5 o< 3 * "S c G | | » § h © o 7i blemisbable, and it forms no part of the pure body that was previously prepared for the Word ; they are separate and distinct, the one from the other. Mortality pertains to this earthy body; hence, through the earthy body, Satan has a field of operation before him in which to prove the quality of the fruit that inheres to his kingdom. C. The spirit of the living creature (host not being considered) is now brought forth and clothed with or born into its earthy body. This is the first generation of the living creature ; hence this body is the first or natural body of the living creature. (See the Infinite Reach at B.) Eternal life may fall to the creature in this body through the fulfilment of a perfectly upright and right- eous life. D. Satan now having a field of operation before him, makes aggression upon the living creature thus brought forth, and proves thereby that his kingdom bears bitter fruit. E. The power of Satan is so great that the living creature falls into transgression ; but, in this period or age, sin (soe Horn. v. 12, 13) is not imputed, for there is no law ; hence no penalty is attached to the offence. The adherents of the Evil Kingdom, therefore, through the non-imputation of sin, fearlessly develop their aggressive schemes, but they are undoubtedly proving the deadly quality of the attributes of which they are unities. 22 PRELIMINARY TO THE B.C. 31863 F. The Son begotten* At this point in the Infinite Reach time or determi- nate chronology begins. In and as the beginning of the crea- tion of God, however (see the Infinite Reach at A), a body was prepared for the Word of God,— the Word of God, before such creation, having been or- dained as Messiah and King, — that the "Word of God might do the will of God. The will of God is briefly given as fol- lows (Gen. i. 28) : " Be fruitful, and mul- tiply, and replenish the earth, and sub- due it : and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth ;" wherefore the Word of God, "in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," now, or about this point in the Infinite Reach, comes forward and invests the body that had been prepared for him in and as the very beginning of the creation of God ; that in, by, and with this body he may do the will of God by subjugating all hosts, by driving out evil in all its ramifications, and by replenishing the earth with those of his own choosing; hence with the ad- vent of the Word of God as the begotten Son (for when the Word of God invested the body that had been prepared for the Son or Word, the indication follows that * Advent of the Messiah as the Living Bread. INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 23 the Son was begotten at the period or time of such investment) the war against Satan is inaugurated ; and with the ad- vent of the Word of God as the begotten Son determinate chronology begins. (See margin.) The indication also follows that when the Word of G-od invested the body that had been created for it (see the In- finite Eeach at A), that such investment endowed it with life, and hence this body became and was, after the investment, the Living Bread which (see St. John vi. 50, 51) shall be eaten that eternal life may, through the eating thereof, pertain to the creature. G. The Word of God is the Messiah, the Messiah is the King, and the King is the Son of God, who now dwells in the body that was prepared for him in the beginning that he might do the will of G-od ; therefore, can Satan bring any tar- nish upon the unblemished body of the Son because of the non- imputation of sin ? Never'; for this body is unblemishable through the power of the Infinite God that created it perfect and without spot; hence the non-imputation of sin possesses no strength as a temptation to the Son of God that he should transgress through the prevailing condition of leniency. The indication is also manifest that the purity of the Kingdom of Bighteousness de- pends upon the perfect unblemishability 24 PRELIMINARY TO THE d o X! s a> « p w co « En Q> a> o o o tL a of w 3 o Q 99 CO _o < O d w > O X 'x B.C. 0> 21414 09 33 O ■o 2 sr w "5 s o CJ GO < o - w 4) _o « ~ .a p. 3 tH e3 5 5 Jj Pn £ a fc M 03 "S W 4) ~ W h o o E d H O i i EH 0) -a o EH M. Creation of the Second or Bed Race of Men. This Eace of men is created independent of and distinct from the First Eace, and is called forth as a sub- jugatory Element; wherefore the ruling of the Law is over it also ; but, like its predecessor (for the First Eace fell into transgression), it was too weak to resist the wiles of Satan, king of Evil. N. The First Race of Men having failed in its mission as a subjugatory Element, is swept away from the face of the earth through the agency of earth- quake and volcanic eruption. O. The Law of Iniquity calls for the transmission of the iniquity of the fathers upon the children (see Ex. xxxiv. 5-7) unto the third and to the fourth genera- tion ; hence, in order that this Law may fulfil, an escaping remnant will always be provided that the destruction of the human family be not total. P. The Escaping Remnant is made mani- fest in and by the overlap of the First and Second races of men (see the Infinite Eeach at M-N), during which, by inter- marriage, the iniquity, blood, and charac- teristics of the First Eace are visited upon the Second. 23 PRELIMINARY TO THE B.C. 13465 GO CD o o3 M -d u s H "d d o 03 CD o B.C. 12098 < >3 w 0) .2 tf A CD P< w r* CD H 53 M 2 £ 03 a 0) d g M a o W w 0) -a p w o DO c3 M O '3 o 3 H CD CD H cj 8 u B.C. 3897 ^3 CQ CD.S A* A "55 o5 S o §** Tl-d cd d > c3 o Q. Creation of the Third or Black Race of Men. This Eace is created and brought forth independent of, and distinct from, either of the two preceding races. More- over the indication is clear that the inter- marriage of the White and Eed races would not produce a Black race. This Eace, in turn, was called and given a mission comprehending the sub- jugation of Evil, but it failed to cast down the mighty Power of Evil ; and, hence, failed as a subjugatory Element. E. Destruction of the Second or Red Race by drought and famine. This de- struction, however, was not total ; for by intermarriage during the overlap of the Second and Third races a remnant was made to escape, whereby the iniquity, blood, and characteristics of the Second were visited upon the Third, and (see the Song of Sol. i. 5, 6) not only those of the Second, but, by the operation of the Law of Iniquity, those of the First Eace also. S. Creation of the Fourth or Pale Race of Men. This Eace was created inde- pendent of, and distinct from, the three that preceded it. Inasmuch, however, as a mixed multitude may be produced through the intermarriage of the White, Eed, and Black races, the predominating color of which would be pale, so the INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 29 11 2 S3 — a ej & ^ lis pale color of the Fourth Eace of men serves as a veil to screen the indepen- dent creation of the first three races. After the creation of the Fourth Eace of Men the Most High rested from his labors, and He will not take them up again until His great Purpose by Elec- tion shall have become established ; which Purpose, as already indicated, is the justi- fication of all thought and action, through the Word or Assenting Power of the In- finite Majesty, in a kingdom of which He is the absolute unblemished Monarch. The Fourth Eace also falls into trans- gression, and fails in its mission as the subjugator of Evil; wherefore the prom- ise is given in the garden of Eden that a subjugator shall arise in the House of Man. T. The Second and Third Persons of the Trinity, now that the whole four races of men have failed in their re- spective missions as subjugators, evi- dently must carry out the plans of the Most High for the subjugation of Evil, and for the redemption of the creature that is under bondage to Satan, and, also, to establish God's great Purpose by Election ; hence no new creature will be created or brought forth that the futile efforts of such new creature for the establishment of righteousness through free agency, or righteousness by works under the Law, may be still further ex- 30 PRELIMINARY TO THE B.C. 2241 tended ; the indication being clear that, while the creature is on trial, the Second and Third Persons of the Trinity will not, or do not, take up the subjugatory labors ; and that they will not now, or do not, take them up until after the complete failure of the creature world shall have been fully demonstrated, whether such creature pertain to the heaven or to the earth. In the plans of the Most High man (see Ex. xix. 3-6) is pointed to as a pos- sible kingdom of priests and a holy na- tion, which indication is confirmed by the choosing of the tribe of Levi in the stead of the first-born, that are males, among all the tribes of Israel. As a priesthood and a holy nation man be comes a peculiar people unto the Lord, and a choice instrumentality in the won- ders pertaining to the regeneration of the creature. L T . Destruction of the Third Race of Men by the Deluge of Noah. Thus the Third Eace was swept away ; but by the inter- marriage of the Third and Fourth races during the overlap or contemporary ex- istence thereof, the iniquity, blood, and characteristics of the First, Second, and Third races were visited upon the Fourth race or generation in full harmony with the Law that governs the transmission of iniquity to the fourth generation. INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 31 •d © "3 g o o> X2 £ O .2 0) _g 08 CD M O £ 0) a o a cd' ^3 CJO o CO < 2 §0 u £ 03 o bp o CO 13 'E ■d o 3 c -a 'C '3 o a> 3 — .Q 03 Ph "3 CD A EH a> a cd o 3 -a 0) ■0 0> r-i = o S CD O t-c 2 O CD Eh ■g fl # o 2 £ £ 1 cd *■> o 8 B.C. s? 1827 > "S o CD '3 ® a o S S £ The escaping remnant of the Third race (see Isa. xxi. 16, 17), and that of the overlapping portion of the Fourth (see Gen. vii. 7-13), was very small, con- sisting of but eight persons in all, — viz., Noah and his wife, his three sons and their three wives. Upon these eight persons, therefore, the iniquity, blood, and characteristics of four independent consecutive races of men rested; and hence, from them are redeveloped the mixed multitude that peoples the Fourth or Pisonic Age. The indication is now clear that, be- cause of the complete failure of man of Adam's*race, the Second and Third Per- sons of the Trinity must, in themselves, fulfil the plans of the Most High for the subjugation of Evil, and for the redemp- tion of the creature that is under bond- age to Satan, and, also, to establish God's Purpose by Election; hence the grand struggle for supremacy will be carried on between the Second and Third Per- sons of the Trinity on the one part, and Satan, King of Evil, on the other part. (See, also, Jer. xv. 11-21.) V. Advent of the Messiah as the Living Bread that came down from heaven, as the Eedeemer, and as the Subjugator. Melchizedek (see Gen. xiv. 18-20), priest of the most high God, brings forth bread and wine. This bread is the pure body, 32 PRELIMINARY TO THE •a S s5 O u o - £i 3 5 M o ■'- - o s -a 3 eo Q> I a> ^ .a w ■9 £ c 1 a> u o u o G o fc or is of the pure body, that was pre- pared for the Word in the beginning of the creation of G-od (see the Infinite Eeach at A), suitable for the labors in- volved in the subjugation of evil, and for the redemption of the fallen crea- ture. This bread, as already indicated, be- came the Living Bread in the day when the Word of God invested it (see the In- finite Eeach at F) ; and hence, the Word of God by thus investing the pure body that had been prepared for the Word, invested it with life, and thus the Word became and was begotten as the Son of God that he might" do the will of God. This Living Bread, therefore, is the Living Bread that, later (see St. John vi. 51 ; St. John viii. 54-58 ; Gen. xiv. 18-20), came down from heaven ; and, inasmuch as it was and is created unblemishable, the indication is clear that no evil or un- clean thing can become united to it, or even touch it. Melchizedek is, with little or no doubt, the Third Person of the Trinity, the Ful- filling Power of the Infinite Majesty; the Messiah is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Word or Assenting Power of the Infinite Majesty; hence the Prime Movers in the work for the subjugation of evil and for the redemption of the fallen creature are made manifest as presences. INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 33 ■d a> a 0) o o A A ■?■ . &o H a o "E < p W -a tf P H .a M .12 to °R HH 0) fe ca fc w cv O When Melchizedek, priest of the most high God, brought forth bread and wine he met Abram returning from the slaugh- ter of the kings. At this meeting (see Gen. xiv. 18-20) Melchizedek blessed Abram of the most high God, and called him possessor of heaven and earth. From the greatness of Melchizedek (see Heb. vii. 1-4) and from the magnitude of the blessing wherewith he blessed Abram, the indications are almost posi- tive that Abram ate of the bread brought forth by Melchizedek; and, also, that this bread was the Living Bread that came down from heaven, that it was the body of the begotten Son (see the Infinite Eeach at A), that it was the flesh of the Eedeemer which (see St. John vi. 51-58) must be eaten that life may ensue ; where- fore, when Abraham ate of this Living Bread his spirit was born into it or trans- ferred into it, that, through such trans- fer, he might obtain life. At the first, however, where man of Adam's race is concerned, the spirit of man was born into the earthy body (see the Infinite Eeach at I) that was pre- pared or formed out of the dust of the earth for it ; but now, by partaking of the Living Bread, the spirit of man is born into the Living Bread also ; and, hence, is regenerated or born into the body that was created and prepared for the Word or Son (see the Infinite Eeach 3* 34 PRELIMINARY TO THE —' ~ I - s .O 1 J- c M 13 u ~ 9 O * s a -. fl A o ■s a ^ 1 5 w a 'I s o s w s -0 (X> X »- 5 o H H "3 o s | a e 09 ■- - V = : y. at A) prior to the creation of matter or created condition otherwise. When Abram ate of the Living Bread, the Living Bread, from the time of the eating thereof, took upon itself the flesh of Abram, or of Abraham, as he after- wards was called, whereby the iniquity that rested upon Abraham also rested upon the Living Bread through the oper- ation of the great Law of Iniquity. The indication follows from these con- ditions that when the spirit of man is regenerated or born into the Living Bread, the Living Bread or second body with which the spirit of man is thus clothed really is (see 1 Cor. xv. 44-48 ; St. John vi. 51-58) the flesh of the Lord that came down from heaven, or, in other words, that it really is of the body that was prepared for the Word (see the Infinite Reach at A), in and as the very beginning of the creation of God. W. Advent of the Messiah as the Son of Man, and as the Seed of Abraham. Abraham having eaten of the Living Bread, the Living Bread, as already in- dicated, became through the operation of physical laws part of his flesh ; where- fore, by the power of God, it, the Living Bread, was brought forth into the world a manifest physical presence as the flesh and seed of Abraham ; even as woman (see INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 35 B.C. 847 Gen. ii. 21-23) was brought forth into the world, by the same Power, from the flesh of Adam as a manifest physical presence. From these conditions indications fol- low that, at this time (see the Infinite Keach at W), the Living Bread became the seed of Abraham, and that the seed of Abraham (see G-al. iii. 16) is the Mes- siah as the Son of man (see, also, Gen. iii. 16) ; hence the Messiah made his ad- vent as the Son of man (see St. John viii. 56-58) in the day of Abraham. X. Advent of the Messiah as the Prophet. (See Deut. xviii. 15.) The Messiah as the Prophet is manifest as a physical presence in and as Elisha the son of Shaphat ; the proof being witnessed (see 2 Kings v. 10-14 ; St. Luke vii. 19-23 ; St. Luke vi. 44) by Elisha's works ; where- fore, from these conditions, indications are evident that the Living Bread de- scends into the valley of the shadow of death, and that it returns from thence (see Isa. vi. 13) and shall be eaten. By descent into the valley of the shadow of death the Messiah changes his tabernacle as the Seed of Abraham, the Seed of Isaac, the Seed of Jacob, and as the Seed of Jacob after him ; hence it follows that the Messiah (see 1 Chron. xvii. 4, 5) walked in many tabernacles ; one of which, as already indicated, is that manifest in Elisha the Prophet. 36 PRELIMINARY TO THE A.D. 1 -d & "5 o t- o .Q a* bo V < o u o B3 (-i a> w d o 3 4> d O S S a> 0) ,d a Eh o A o OS* OJ s be £ oj w bo .5 S-l o ■a o 'E a> < A.D. 34 w d 0) H M "S M R w W o ,d Eh 3 %* w O t> rt ■Q) M O d o fc Y. Advent of the Messiah as the Seed of Woman. Through the ministrations of the priesthood of Melchizedek (see St. Luke i. 26-35, in harmony with G-en. xiv. 18-20) the Virgin also ate of the Living Bread ; hence the Living Bread was, in due time, born of the Yirgin in fulfilment of the promise given in the garden of Eden, and also in fulfilment of the sign given Ahaz, king of Judah. The name of this son of the Yirgin was called Jesus, and Jesus (see St. Matt, xxvii. 17) is called Christ. Z. Crucifixion and absolute death of the Messiah as Jesus Christ. In this death the penalty that rested upon the re- deemed transgressor (see the Infinite Eeach at K) was absolutely paid in strict fulfilment of the Law. When the Messiah as Jesus Christ thus died he laid down his life in the pure, un- blemished body that had been prepared for him (see the Infinite Eeach at A) in and as the very beginning of the creation of God ; and into which the spirit of the creature, through the communion or eat- ing thereof, had been regenerated prior to this absolute death ; hence, through re- generation, the creature died an absolute death (see, also, 2 Cor. iv.10, 11) in the ab- solute death of Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Escaping Remnant (see Isa. i. 9 ; Ro- mans ix. 29), of and for the creature world. INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 37 d & s u o a> .a > H O tn Fj o CO IB o 3 s u 2 o "3 O H "3 aT c3 o> H 1 o o fc A'. Resurrection of the Messiah as Jesus Christ. When Messiah as Jesus Christ, the manifest Lord and Saviour, arose from the dead on the third day after his death, he arose as the Word of God, clothed with the pure, unblemished, and unblemishable body that was prepared for him in the beginning of the creation ; hence, inasmuch as the spirits of the re- deemed were regenerated, born into, or transferred from the earthy body that was formed for them in the day they were created and with which they were clothed (see the Infinite Eeach at I) in the day they were created into the pure, unblem- ishable body of the Messiah (see the In- finite Eeach at A), so they, the redeemed, will rise with Christ the Eedeemer when he returns from the absolute death that environs him after his crucifixion, clothed with this body ; and, hence, will partake of eternal, never-ending life through the redemption thus provided. With the death of Christ the judgment of the creature host commences ; and with the resurrection of Christ the Year of Jubilee for the creature host is ushered in. Now, although the Judgmental Era commences from the time of the absolute death of the Messiah as Jesus Christ, yet, inasmuch as transgression does not come to the full until the seventy weeks of the book of Daniel shall have expired, the in- 38 PRELIMINARY TO THE g W o . T3 5 Ml 0) "3 §•3 2 3s .a 1 A.D. o 2133 .2 a> E 3 "3 o u £ t_ 0) o ■P 3 H E M © > a> A.D. V 3803 P. o fc dication becomes manifest that the judg- ment of the Evil Host will not begin until after such fulness shall have been established. B'. Transgression comes to the full at or about this time in the Infinite Reach, ac- cording to the seventy weeks of the book of Daniel; hence the judgment of the Evil Host commences with or about the year a.d. 2133. The judgment of all hosts doubtless will have been rendered prior to the advent of the Messiah as King of the Thousand Years Era; although the en- tire destruction of Evil may not find ac- complishment until after this wondrous reign shall have expired. C. Advent of the Messiah as King of the Thousand Years Era. This wondrous reign will constitute proof of the subju- gation of the earth, as called for (G-en. i. 28) ; and it also reveals the Ruler as the Subjugator Jesus Christ, the Word of God, for whom, as Messiah and King, a body was prepared which is and was the very beginning of the creation of God, and into which body the creature world is regenerated or born. D\ The Era of Destruction. During this Era the fire from God out of heaven shall come down and shall test all things ; that which is good will endure, but that INDICATIONS OF THE BOOK OF JOB. 39 V d -» A a> o bo 3tf "5 «1 *M o fl » P s 11 I w SI a, j* .2 o "3 1 in s a> u