Our whole hope of success rests on the prophecies of the Word of God, declaring it to be His will.
We must first accurately examine what is the object we have in view, for if it be not in unison with the prophets it must be disappointed.
I. THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ON THIS SUBJECT. What does that give us reason to expect under the present dispensation? An elect Church, though in one sense it is called an universal Church, because it is gathered out of all nations on the earth.
II. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CHURCH AS STRENGTHENING THIS ARGUMENT. For long years the Gospel has been preached, and what is the result? But is it not written in the Scriptures that all flesh shall see the salvation of God, etc.? Do we not, then, rightly expect the conversion of all the people on the earth? Yes, it is written, and shall come to pass. But the means are also written, and the time. What are the means? What is the time? “All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye!” When? “When He lifteth up an ensign on the mountains, and when He bloweth a trumpet, hear ye!” I will read you an extract from a missionary sermon preached by Dr. Buchanan shortly before his death: “The ensign to be lifted up is the Jewish Church restored to Zion; and the Gospel trumpet is to be sounded by Jewish missionaries, for to them is reserved the evangelising of the heathen.” But before this will be the coming of the Son of God. (Hugh M’Neile, M. A.)
