This, however, would not only overthrow our argument, it would make all similar

argument a waste of time, for, to achieve its end, it would overthrow the doctrine of

inspiration itself. For the sake of clearness, let us recapitulate:

There are three spheres of blessing set out in the Scriptures, each sphere being clearly

marked off from the other, yet repeating, within its own domain, similar features, such as

citizenship, pre-eminence, and adoption. These three spheres have been proved, by more

lines of teaching than one, to be,

In the subsequent articles we must concentrate our attention upon some of the

statements used in the Scriptures to define the peculiar sphere of the mystery, consider

some objections that have been raised, and give attention to one feature, pertaining to the

second sphere, to which allusion has not yet been made.

In the three previous articles we have placed before the reader Scriptural grounds for

believing that there are "three spheres of blessing". We must now examine each sphere

more closely. In the present article we shall be dealing principally with the important

contribution made by the earthly sphere to the true understanding of the words

epouranios ("heavenly"), and huperano ("far above"), but before we come to this, we

must draw attention to a feature that is common to each of these three spheres, namely,

that each one in its own way and degree sets forth the NEW CREATION. This fact has

been used, like many other doctrines, to oppose the truth on the basis of the mistaken idea

that only one company can be so intimately associated with that glorious future. When

Israel enter into their inheritance, they will occupy the promised land, with the

subservient nations occupying their respective territories in harmony with the Divine plan

foreshadowed in the law:

The nations will not only learn the law of the Lord from Jerusalem, but will see before

their eyes a marvelous foreshadowing of the New Creation, towards which both law and

gospel ultimately point.