Show MOUNTAINS SWEPT INTO THE DEEP SEA divine power to be exercised at inauguration 0 of kingdom many of the psalms messianic Mei anio figurative descriptions of the work of the millennium passing of sin and selfishness fish ness A new order of peace and righteousness the heavenly overlord master of cho the situation glorious outcome for all mankind I 1 sept 20 r astor Pastor russell discoursed today on the symbolic language of the psalms ills his text was therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the midst ot of the sea gea psalm lator those who have seen toe the beautiful film christ walking balki ng on the sea in the drama of creation will readily appreciate the pastors line of thought the psalm from which this text test Is taken la is messianic that Is it applies to the time of the inauguration of messiahs kingdom said the pastor castor pro phet leally and symbolically it relates to the trouble incident to the passing of sin and selfishness and the inauguration of righteousness and peace under christs kingdom whether the events predicted come to pass in our day or not they were surely written for our instruction the day of trouble pictured the psalm opens with the blessed Is a n help in trouble those in covenant relationship with god through christ may feel serene in every situation not merely in the final filial trouble when satan shall be bound when sin and sorrow shall be brought to an end will god be a refuge for nis his saints but at all times and under till all circumstances therefore will we not tear fear r fear ear la Is the great torment of our race it Is IN the lash which the adversary uses to drive away from god those who need nis his sympathy and love god would have us love ulm as our rather father As love more love perfect love comes into our hearts it correspondingly casts cabb out u t thu the tear fear which the adversary or would inculcate and which has burned into mens minds and consciences the doety doctrines ines of demons mentioned by st pool paul gods people might well be in trepidation it if the psalmist referred to literal mountains and tens bens but the language Is figurative under tinder the lords guidance ills his people will fal not be in darkness that the day of the lord shall overtake them as aa a thief although as a snare will it come upon the whole world biblical explained in scripture the term earth represents the social structure the mountains symbolize kingdoms and the sea the restless turbulent dissatisfied masses that lash against the social structure and continually seek to swallow it up the removal of earth symbolizes the disturbance of 0 the social order the mountains carried into the sea represent the overwhelming wh elming of great kingdoms by anarchistic uprisings the pastor explained that we are not to understand that the bible counsels revolution or anarchy on the contrary gods people are instructed not to use carnal weapons but to suffer injury for or god the great overlord over lord is master ot of the situation and at soy any time can overthrow all opponents the psalmist goes on to describe the tumult of that day of overwhelming trouble when gods goas kingdom will be established of the sea that will swallow mountains he says the waters thereof roar find and be troubled the mountains shake with the swelling thereof probably such socialistic and anarchistic roa rings have many times caused kingdoms and kings to tremble but some gome day the final catastrophe will occur who can tell how near that day may be many bible students hold that according to prophecy such a climax will vill be reached in 1015 rather than harass mens minds with fear the speaker would point them to the glorious silver lini lining nir of millennial I joy behind tills this cloud of trouble lie he would encourage gods consecrated people to faithfulness and zeal christs gospel Is not a message of damnation fear and torture but good tidings of great joy unto all people the deliverance of the church in verses 4 and 5 the psalmist pictures the church as the city of god and tho the truth as a river the proclamation aaion Is made god shall help her early in the morning of the millennium when her salvation as the bride of 0 christ shall be accomplished beginning with verse 0 0 is a synopsis of the time of trouble its consummation and the inauguration of universal peace angry voices will arise from all classes but god will answer the clamor of greed in both rich and poor for their correction As a result the social structure will disintegrate but god will be with ills his people the psalm closes with a picture of the worldwide world wide devastation resulting from human selfishness and blindness this trouble however will convince nil all that earth needs a strong government that will enforce righteousness the Ifer kingdom |