new leaf, or took up another feature of His Plan. To illustrate this, we may
suppose that we are looking through a book containing the architect’s draw-
ings for a tine building. On one page we see the plans for the basement, on the
next the plans for the first floor, on the next Tor the second floor, etc. It would
be very foolish for us to say on looking through the book, “Oh, the architect
has changed his plans! Here he has concluded to build a basement; and then he
changed his mind and concluded to build a house; and then he was not satis-
fied with this plan and drew another one here on the next page.” In the same
way we may say that God had His plans drawn before any part of His work
was begun, though men, not appreciating what they have seen in the Plan-
Book, the Bible, have been in ignorance of the progress of His work, and even
of the fact that He has been working at all.
At the First Coming of Christ, therefore, we may say that a now leaf was
turned in the Plan of God, a new order of dealing was begun. For awhile Christ
confined His ministry to the Jewish people, and for a particular purpose, which
we shall see later on. And here again came in the special favor to Israel which
had been manifested throughout the Jewish Age. Not only did the Lord confine
His ministry to them, saying, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the
House of Israel” (Matt. 15:24), but He would not permit His disciples to go
outside of that nation. He said, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into
any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.’ (Matt. 10:5.) This special favor con-
tinued to lsrael until a few days before the Lord’s crucifixion, when He wept
over their city, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets,
and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered
thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,
and ye would not. Behold! your House is
left unto you desolate “-Matt. 23:37,
38; Luke 19:41; 13:34,35
Surely the House of Israel was left desolate, in harmony with the Master’s
words! While the gathering out of the spirit-begotten Israelites progressed,
trouble came gradually upon the remainder, until, as fire, it consumed them
nationally, in A. D. 70. Ever since the poor Jews have been in great trouble.
Now, as the time for their complete restoration draws nigh, we find favor to
the Gentiles waning. Many of the Jews are prospering. Some are hearkening to
the message of the Prophets and looking interestedly toward the realization of
their Zionist hopes.
Persecutions in Russia and elsewhere in recent years have caused them lo look
toward Zion, and many Jews, having faith in God’s promises respecting them,
have gone to the Holy Land to remain. Following our Lord’s death and resur-
rection a NEW WORK began. When He died, He did not die for lsrael only,
but, thank God, also for the whole world. Jesus Christ was manifested “that
He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man.” web. 2:9) And
from Pentecost the special work of the Gospel Age dates; for the Lord’s last
words to His disciples were, “Go ye, therefore and teach ALL nalions.” (Matt.