The power of Christ, the crucified Saviour,
to give eternal life, should be presented to the people. We should
show them that the Old Testament is as verily the gospel in types
and shadows as the New Testament is in its unfolding power. The
New Testament does not present a new religion; the Old Testament
does not present a religion to be superseded by the New. The
New Testament is only the advancement and unfolding of the Old.
Abel was a believer in Christ, and was as verily saved by His
power as was Peter or Paul. Enoch was a representative of Christ
as surely as was the beloved disciple John. Enoch walked with
God, and he was not, for God took him. To him was committed the
message of the second coming of Christ. "And Enoch also,
the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment
upon all." Jude 14, 15. The message preached by Enoch and
his translation to heaven were a convincing argument to all who
lived in his time. These things were an argument that Methuselah
and Noah could use with power to show that the righteous could
be translated.
That God who walked with Enoch was our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was the light of the world
then just as He is now. Those who lived then were not without
teachers to instruct them in the path of life; for Noah and Enoch
were Christians. The gospel is given in precept in Leviticus.
Implicit obedience is required now, as then. How essential it
is that we understand the importance of this word!
The question is asked: What is the cause
of the dearth in the church? The answer is: We allow our minds
to be drawn away from the word.
If the word of God were eaten as the food for the soul, if it
were treated with respect and deference, there would be no necessity
for the many and repeated testimonies that are borne. The simple
declarations of Scripture would be received and acted upon.
Its living principles are as the leaves
of the tree of life for the healing of the nations.
The word of the living God is not merely
written, but spoken. The Bible is God's voice speaking to us,
just as surely as though we could hear it with our ears. If we
realized this, with what awe would we open God's word, and with
what earnestness would we search its precepts! The reading and
contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience
with the Infinite One.
When Satan presses his suggestions upon
our minds, we may, if we cherish a "Thus saith the Lord,"
be drawn into the secret pavilion of the Most High.
Many fail of imitating our holy Pattern
because they study so little the definite features of that character.
So many are full of busy plans, always active; and there is no
time or place for the precious Jesus to be a close, dear companion.
They do not refer every thought and action to Him, inquiring:
"Is this the way of the Lord?" If they did they would
walk with God, as did Enoch.