1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

plans to man at once, nor yet to leavehim in total ignorance; hence truthsrelative to the future are generally expressedin types and symbols and darksayings.Secondly, we should always observethe various classes to which the epistles,gospels, prophecies, &c., are speciallyaddressed; for although all the Scriptureswill in the future be profitable toall men, certain portions of them havespecial reference to special classes now.For instance, the law given only to Israelto bring them to, or to prepare them toaccept Christ, will in the future be to allmen, to bring them to perfection. Soalso the instructions now given speciallyR715 : page 6to the gospel church, pointing out theirstormy pathway of suffering, will in thefuture, show the world how well theChrist is prepared to sympathize andsuccor all those then striving to overcomeevil, and grow up to perfection.If we carefully note the opening addressof each of the epistles, of the Actsof the Apostles, and the Revelation, wewill notice that, with one exception (theepistle of James), each is addressed tothe saints, the sanctified in Christ Jesus,either as a class, or, as in a few cases, toindividual saints, the contents being applicableto the entire church. It willalso be noticed that the teaching ofJesus, as recorded in the four Gospels,was not an effort to persuade men to behis disciples, but rather to confirm thefaith of those who had already becomehis disciples. He opened his mouth inparables and dark sayings to the multitude,and explained them privately tohis disciples. So we find the O.T.abounding in types, symbols, and manypeculiar items of history, which to theworld, at the present time, have little or