Discourse II
(Introduce by brief recapitulation of Discourse 1. for nev, hearers, as well as
for the refreshment of those who heard it.)
Now notice these semi-circles. (Point to them.) They represent nges. In what
we have been saying with reference to the Dispensations we have not consid-
ered what God is doing, but merely what He has permitted Satai and the an-
gels and mankind in general to do of their own pleasure But now we will talk
of what God has been doing during the same periods, though the world knew
it not and does not yet know His purpose. During all this time God has not
recognized the world of mankind, nor dealt with them, but merely with a little
handful of His own people.
Cod lets the world and the Devil alone, unless they attempt to thwart or cross
His purposes. Then He says, “Hitherto shalt thou come, hut no further.” (Job
38:11) But while the world and the Devil have been busy, WHAT has God
been doing? Has He been like a man of whom our Lord spoke, who began to
build a house, but had failed to count the cost, and whose neigltbors conse-
quently derided him, saying, “This man began to build, and was not able to
finish”? (Luke 14:30) It would be very peculiar indeed if the Lord did not fol-
low out the wisdom which He suggests to men. We find, however; that Cod
did pursue the course of wisdom, and that not only will He be able to finish
His work as He purposed it, but known unto the Lord are all His works from
the beginning of the world. And He declares, “My Word shall nor return unto
Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereunto I sent it.”-Isaiah 55:11 Now let us inquire, What was God’s
purpose?
Has He been trying to convert the world? If so, He has not succeeded. The
First Dispensation was evil and only evil continually. The Second Dispensa-
tion surely has not witnessed the conversion of the world, and by inspiration it
is called “the present evil world.” Shall we say then, that God has been trying
to convert the world and has not succeeded? No, for had He made the effort,
had that been His Plan, He would have succeeded. “The Lord of hosts hath
sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have
purposed, so shall it stand.” …” I am God, and there is none else: I am God, and
there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient
times the things that are not yet done, saying. My counsel shall stand, and I
will do all My pleasme. Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring if to pass: