Jul 1988 - Editorial

We consider this month Old Testament Israel's most glorious period. Its success derived from David's trust in God. He was a man after God's heart and loved His house. Solomon was similarly prosperous while he followed in his father's footsteps. But latterly he was a failure, resulting in disaster for Israel: later recoveries were only partial and temporary.

Better things are in story however. The stirring messianic prophecy of Ethan the Ezrabite speaks of future glory in such terms as these:

Once have I sworn by My holiness:

I will not lie unto David;

His seed shall endure for ever,

And His throne as the sun before Me (Ps. 89:35,36).

Of the Babe that was to be born in Bethlehem, Gabriel told Mary, "The Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His father David ... and of His kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:32,33). In that future day the people will have the law of God written on their hearts, and all will know the Lord (Heb. 8:7-12).

Such true unity among believers is something universally desired but not in practice attained in our times. Our other principal article seeks to set out the scriptural way of unity, involving implicit obedience to "the whole counsel of God" as taught in the New Testament.

unknown | Jul 1988
Editorial