THK FACT OF PREDICTION. 



G5 



earthly work of the Messiah. That break is the subject of a 

 distinct prophecy. In Psalm cx, the speaker (said in the title 

 to be David) describes a scene in heaven. Jehovah is seated 

 upon His throne. ]>efore Him stands One whom the Psalmist 

 names " My Lord." And this is what the Psalmist hears : 

 " Jehovah said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until 

 I make thine enemies tliy footstool." Plainly this Personage 

 so addressed has had a history. He presents Himself after 

 having done a work upon the earth which has aroused against 

 Him a hostility which has triumphed for the moment. Let it 

 be observed also, as bearing upon the question as to Who this 

 Personage is and what He has done, that heaven's highest 

 award is conferred upon Him. He is to sit upon heaven's 

 throne and at God's right hand. We have to mark also that 

 this rest is temporary — " until I make thine enemies thy 

 footstool." This interruption entirely corresponds with the 

 ordinary representation that there is to be a return of the 

 ascended Messiah, and that the predictions yet unfulfilled 

 describe the events whicli will mark the Keturn — the coming 

 " a second time." 



The rest of the Psalm seems to confirm that view of the 

 matter. It consists of a twofold address by the Psalmist. The 

 first (verses 2-4) seems to be spoken to Him whom he has' 

 named " My Lord " {Adonai, master). This invites a close 

 scrutiny. It seems to be a promise that the interests of — let us 

 say the Messiah, will not be neglected while He is seated at the 

 right hand of Jehovah. If this reading of the words is correct, 

 it is of immense importance ; for these verses will then present 

 themselves as a description of what is to happen between the 

 Ascension and the Eeturn. In other words, they will contain 

 a prophetic history of Christianity. 



(1) The earthly interests of the Messiah will not suffer by 

 His absence. His dominion will be extended by fresh con- 

 quests. " Jehovah sends the rod of thy strength," the sceptre 

 of thy power, " out of — from — Zion." Jerusalem will be the 

 centre from which the new faith will spread north, west, east, 

 and south — a fact in the early history of Christianity which is 

 historically established. 



(2) The new conquest will have limitations. " Eule thou in 

 the midst of thine enemies." There will be those by wliom the 

 new sovereignity will be contested and repudiated. The 

 dominion promised is one in tlie midst of long enduring 

 liostility. It seems to me that this is a striking forecast of that 

 condition wliich has called for unceasing vigilance and activity 



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