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This journal stands firmly
for the defense of the only true foundation of the
Christian’s hope now being so generally
repudiated,—Redemption through the precious blood of
"the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom (a
corresponding price, a substitute) for all." (1
Peter 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:6) Building upon this sure
foundation of gold, silver and precious stones,
(1Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Peter 1:5-11) of the Word of
God, its further mission is to—"Make all see
what is the fellowship of the mystery which...has been
hid in God...to the intent that now might be made known
by the Church the manifold wisdom of
God"—"which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men as it is now
revealed."—Ephesians 3:5,9,10
It stands free from all
parties, sects and creeds of men, while it seeks more and
more to bring its every utterance into fullest subjection
to the will of God in Christ, as expressed in the Holy
Scriptures. It is thus free to declare boldly whatsoever
the Lord hath spoken—according to the divine wisdom
granted us, to understand. Its attitude is not
dogmatical, but confident; for we know whereof we affirm,
treading with implicit faith upon the sure promises of
God. It is held as a trust, to be used only in his
service; hence our decisions relative to what may and
what may not appear in its columns must be according to
our judgment of his good pleasure, the teaching of his
Word, for the upbuilding of his people in grace and
knowledge. And we not only invite but urge our readers to
prove all its utterances by the infallible Word to which
reference is constantly made, to facilitate such testing.
Purpose:
- To "show forth
the praises of Him who hath called is out of
darkness into his marvelous light."—1
Peter 2:4
- To reach others of
the household of faith.—Hebrews 11:1,6;
Galatians 6:10
- To witness the love
and plan of God to all who have a hearing
ear.—Isaiah 61:1-3
Sponsors:
- Bible Students
(non-denominational) who live in the Fort Worth,
Texas area sponsor "The Divine Plan
Program."
- The program is
co-sponsored by Bible Students throughout the
United States and Canada.
- Those directly
engaged in the work receive no salaries or
allowances.—1 Thessalonians 2:9
Contributions:
- The cost of
broadcasting "The Divine Plan Program"
is paid with voluntary contributions from those
who recognize the program as one that is
proclaiming the truth—not
self-interests.—Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians
3:9; Philippians 4:17
- Contributions are tax
deductible.
Membership:
- There is no earthly
membership.
- Repentant sinners who
have consecrated to righteous living, and
accepted Christ as their Redeemer, and made a
covenant with God by sacrifice, are our brethren
in Christ.—Psalm 50:5; Matthew 12:50
- Those of the
household of faith who have not made a covenant
with God by sacrifice are encouraged to meet with
the consecrated and to learn as much as possible
regarding God’s beautiful plan.—2
Timothy 2:15,16
Doctrines:
- There is one Almighty
God, the Father of whom are all things.—1
Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 83:18; 90:1,2; Exodus
3:14; 6:3; John 14:28
- There is one Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom are all things.—1
Corinthians 8:6; John 3:16; Colossians 1:15-18
- The Holy Spirit is
the divine will, influence, or power of the
Almighty Creator.—Psalm 33:6-9; 1
Corinthians 2:9,10; Joel 2:28, 29; Luke 11:13
- Because of
disobedience, Adam was condemned to
death—not eternal torment.—Genesis
2:16,17; Ezekiel 18:4,20; Romans 6:23; 5:17
- The seed of Abraham
is the Christ, Head and body members, who
sacrifice their earthly hopes in exchange for the
heavenly hope of becoming heirs of God. This
spiritual seed is developed under the grace or
Sarah feature of the Abrahamic
covenant.—Genesis 22:15-18; Galatians
3:16,29; 4:28-31; Romans 12:1; Psalm 50:5
- The Law Covenant
(pictured by Hagar), whose mediator between God
and Israel was Moses, was added until the
promised seed should come.—Exodus 19:3-8;
Galatians 3:19,24; 4:25
- The New Covenant
(pictured by Keturah), whose mediator between God
and man is the Christ, will be sealed with the
precious blood of the dear Redeemer after all of
his merit has passed through the fully
consecrated of the Gospel Age. The New Covenant
will be inaugurated with those with faith in
Israel, but in the course of time all others will
have a full opportunity to become the earthly
seed of Abraham.—Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews
8:7-12; Genesis 25:1; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 9:22-26
- The man Christ Jesus
gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in
due time.—1 Timothy 2:5,6; Hebrews 2:9
- The fully consecrated
of the Gospel Age will have a share in the sin
offering.—Hebrews 13:12,13; Leviticus
16:11-16; Colossians 1:24
- Repentant sinners
during the Gospel Age who consecrate to righteous
living and accept the dear Redeemer are
tentatively justified. When one makes a covenant
with God by sacrifice his justification is
vitalized, and he is at peace with
God.—Romans 3:24; 4:25; 5:1,9
- The door to the high
calling is still open.—Hebrews 3:1; 1
Corinthians 1:26-29; Philippians 3:13,14; Romans
11:25; Revelation 7:1-3
- "The times of
restitution of all things" began at the time
our Lord returned in the fall of 1874 and will
continue for the thousand years of Christ’s
second presence. Individual restitution will
start at the time the earthly phase of the
kingdom is established.—Acts 3:19-21; Daniel
12:12; Revelation 22:17
- The dead in Christ
were resurrected in 1878. Since that time, those
who finish their earthly course faithfully are
immediately resurrected.—1 Corinthians
15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17;
Revelation14:13; Isaiah 52:7
- Shortly after the
spiritual phase of the kingdom is fully set up,
the heavenly Father, by or through the elect
Christ, will terminate the trouble, and then the
earthly phase of the kingdom will begin at the
time the ancient worthies are resurrected to
become princes in all the earth.—Zechariah
14:3; Matthew 24:22; Hebrews 11:35-40; Psalm
45:16
- The soul (being) who
refuses to accept and obey the better Mediator
will be destroyed or devoured (not tormented).
Fire is a forceful symbol of destruction—not
preservation.—Acts 3:23; Ezekiel 18:4;
Revelation 20:9
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