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Put into language more readily acceptable, these pregnant words tell us that we are not
to look for a philosophy of God in the Scriptures, but that the whole revelation of the
Godhead is limited to that which is circumscribed by the purpose of the ages.
A.--I think I perceive your meaning, but can you give some more concrete example?
Jehovah, The Age Title.
B.--The title Jehovah will provide a good example. In Gen. 21: 33 we read (A.V.):--
"And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-Sheba, and called there on the name of the
Lord, the everlasting God."
The meaning is just the reverse of this. The words, "The Lord, the everlasting God"
are in the original, Jehovah El olam, "Jehovah, God of the age". In Exod. 3: 14 we
have the title "I Am", which is expanded as follows:--
"The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob . . . . . This is My name for the age, and this is My memorial unto all generations."
In Rev. 1: 4 we have a New Testament, unfolding of the title Jehovah, which
supplements the "I am" of Exod. 3: 14:--
"Him which is (I am), and which was, and which is to come."
This expanded title occurs in varied orders according to the requirements of the
context, but in Rev. 11: 17 we read (R.V. and critical texts):--
"O Lord God Almighty, which ART and WAST";
the future is omitted, the reason being:--
"because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and reignest" (not hast reigned or
will reign).
It is the glory of this great title that it does not last for ever, but that the Lord fulfils it.
The eternity of the invisible God is nowhere in view. We shall have taken a step towards
clearer understanding when we realize that the revelation of God is relative, and must
always be considered as touching the purpose of the ages.
God--relatively.
A.--As there seems nothing revealed concerning God, except as related to the purpose of
the ages, are we to expect a fuller revelation in the life to come?
B.--In John 17: 3 we read:--
"And this is aionian life, with the object that they may know Thee, the only true God,
and Him Whom Thou didst send, Jesus Christ."