Three great periods of separation are, we think, clearly revealed in God’s Word: 1) “The separation of the chaff from the wheat,” Matt. 3:10,12; 2) “the tares from the wheat,” Matt. 13:37,43; 3) and “the sheep from the goats,” Matt. 25:31. The third great separation like the previous two cover a period of time yet future.

The main lesson for the Christian is to understand where we are chronologically. Matthew tells us what to the expect during the parousia of our Lord. We see the fig tree (Israel) blossom, that is show signs of life, and are told that this generation who witnesses that event will not perish before all is accomplished. We are hoping the blossoming is 1948, but it could be 1967, in any event we are at “the end”. Time is short. We need to wake up, trim our lamps, and go out to meet our Lord!

There came a limit to His merciful dealing with natural Israel. When that point had been reached a separation took place between those who were Israelites (the wheat) and the remainder (the chaff).

UNDER the symbol of white raiment the Lord throughout His Word represents the righteousness of those whom He accepts as His people. Their righteousness in the future state will be a personal righteousness or holiness; and the guarantee of this is the promise that all who are accounted worthy, as “overcomers” of the world to be joint-heirs with Christ in the heavenly Kingdom, will in the resurrection be granted new, perfect, spiritual bodies, free from sin and impurity of every kind, and fully in harmony with their new wills or characters developed during the trial-time of this present life.

“One built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar.” Ezekiel was speaking of a figurative “wall.” In other words, the false prophets whitewashed the truth, backing each other up in sectarian ways. Jesus likened the scribes and Pharisees to “whited sepulchres” in Matthew 23:27.

A broad summary of the Book of Haggai is that because the remnant endured such hardships in returning to Israel from Babylon, God looked favorably on them, even though they were involved in temporal things. The Lord told them they were not prospering because of their delay in rebuilding the Temple.

In the previous newsletter we discussed and identified the “beast” that rose out of the sea and was given suppressive power for forty-two months (1260 days). This newsletter is a continuation of the same chapter. We will seek to identify the “Two-horned Beast,” the “Image of the Beast,” the “Mark of the Beast,” and the “Number of a Man.”

Ostensibly the Bride seems to be speaking, but since the Church is already glorified and the Song of Solomon has been sequential for the last few chapters, the Great Company would be speaking here for several reasons. One reason is that a new chapter is properly indicated in Song 8:1 with a change of cadence. Another reason is that the glorified Church beyond the veil would not utter the words in verse 4. Chapter 8 is a sequel to the story in the Song of Solomon, in which the Bride class is now complete and attention is being focused on the Great Company class. At this point in time, the Great Company will have renewed zeal that will be just as fervent and at just as high a level as that of the true Church—but belatedly. They will get the equal portion of the Spirit and the oil and be enthusiastic. They would have made their calling and election sure if they had awakened to this fact in sufficient time.

Without God’s protection and providence, we are nothing. We may think we have youth on our side, but the times will be so hard and seem like it will go on forever, we will not have the stamina to get through these times if the Lord didn’t take care of us. God will “renew their strength” because they will be on their last leg so to speak.

Verse 8 provides a little insight into the character of Micah. Not only did he dutifully repeat what the Lord had told him to say about the sins of the people and the coming trouble, but he said, “What I am telling you is the gospel truth! You may not believe it now, but the time will come when you will have to believe it. I am speaking by the power of the Lord’s spirit!” Not satisfied to just declare the message, Micah wanted to get somebody to listen to him. He pleaded with the people that he was telling the truth. Micah’s personality becomes apparent in this earnest pleading. He was not speaking as a robot but actually felt his message and the power of its truth. He was declaring “unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” He told the whole nation to their face—and with great courage too!