The Double Amen

In the entire range of the Sacred Writings there is nothing more impressive than the introductory portion of the Gospel according to John.

Here, the great Mystery of Godliness is unfolded to our wondering eyes -The Word, who was in the beginning with God, and who was God, became flesh, and tabernacled among us.

This sublime presentation of the Person of our Lord, is distinctive to the fourth of the four books which severally and unitedly set forth the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This distinctive feature reflects itself over the entire contents of the fourth book and imparts its character to all the works and words of the Lord recorded therein.

Among His words is a significant phrase which immediately impels attention--it arrests one without an effort, as it were (hence, it has become most familiar to readers of the New Testament) "Verily, verily, I say unto you,"

is the emphasis of Divine pronouncement (and thus, in the understanding of the writer, corresponds to the "Thus saith the LORD," of the Old Testament).

In strict and beautiful harmony with the distinctive character of John's Gospel, we find therein the double Amen of the Lord (never recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke) for, as most Christians know, the "Verily, verily," of our English translation, is literally, "Amen, amen" ; and as the devout and reverent reader follows this in the sacred record, he can almost hear the beautiful and arresting cadence of the double Amen as from the lips of the Lord; yet the beautiful cadence is but the outward expression of the intrinsic majesty residing in the words of the Divine Speaker. The emphasis of infallible certainty shines forth in His "Amen, amen, I say unto you"; and herein also is to be found the positive assurance for which the awakened human heart craves.

On a certain occasion when officers who had been sent to arrest the Lord returned empty-handed, the rulers angrily demanded, "Why did ye not bring Him?" Immediately the reply burst from their lips, "Never man so spake!" (chapter 7. 46). It was a true testimony, but it very, very feebly conveys to us that mysterious something inherent in His words, which baffles definition. No human testimony can do justice to the ineffable character of His utterances whose "Name is called The Word of God," and "The Amen."

We bless Thee, 0 Thou great Amen!

Jehovah's pledge we hear again

Confirming all His Word;

No promises are doubtful then,

For all are yea, and all amen,

In Jesus Christ our Lord.

Secur'd in this, the saints on high,

And saints below, unceasing cry

Amen! Amen! Amen

To Thee, 0 Lord, all praise be given,

The loud response of earth and heaven;

All hail, Thou great Amen!

This subject is a boundless ocean, of which we have but touched the brink, yet should it serve to incite interest in the pages which immediately follow, our object will have been accomplished. In the pages referred to will be found the "Verily, verily," sayings of our Lord tabulated in a certain manner submitted by our correspondent, Mr. George Millar. The idea is his own, and is explained in his paper which follows the tabulated pages. In the letter accompanying the contribution the writer says that the study of the "Verily, verily," passages "Has been a veritable feast to my own soul." May others find it a feast in like manner, for His Name's sake. Amen.

unknown | Mar 1933
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