`The term "aegis", really a Latin word, means "a goat skin", and later

a shield ... This redeeming conception took on a primeval form in the

cherubim set up, together with the sword of flame, at the gate of the

lost Eden ... the idea of atonement, therefore is as old as the Bible,

nay as redemption itself ... This "day of Atonement" itself was called

"Yom Kippur", i.e. the "Day of Covering" ... Ours is at bottom an

evangelical universe, no other form was ever conceived for it in the

mind of God'.  (Under the Redeeming Aegis, by H.C. Mabie, D.D., LL.D.).

We can, therefore, set out the steps of the goal of the ages, thus:

B

The Ages begin.

Remade and blessed

(Gen. 1:2 to 2:4).

Subjected to curse.  Thorns and

thistles (Gen. 3).

For a little lower than angels

(Psa. 8).

The First Adam.  Living Soul.

The image of God.

Dominion over the earth.

The Serpent.  The Shining one.

Nachash (Gen. 3).

Ye shall not surely die.

Ye shall be as God.

The seed of the woman.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

B

The Consummation

Restored and blessed

of the ages.

(Hos. 2:18 -23).

Curse removed

(Rev. 22:3; Isa. 55:13).

Christ, made much better than

angels (Heb. 1:4).

Last Adam.  Quickening Spirit.

Lamb is the light, brightness

of glory.

Immortality conferred (1 Cor.

Every knee shall bow.

Creation's groan hushed

(Rom. 8:21; 16:20).

The family of Noah after the flood were told to `replenish' the earth,

which would have consisted a fulness, had this replenishing been accompanied

by grace and righteousness.  Alas, by the time we reach the eleventh chapter

of Genesis, the evil character of the world was made manifest, and Babel, and

the scattering of the people, brought another movement in the purpose of the

ages to a close.  Babel in Genesis 11, will yet find its corresponding member

when great Babylon comes up for judgment, but the gap formed by the rebellion

of Nimrod and the introduction of idolatry which is so closely associated