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observed the rules, even as the believer who attends to the Scriptures will hear a voice
saying "This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isa. 30: 21).
Not only may we learn from the analogy of the "black-out" to appreciate the true
purpose of wise limitations of the Scriptures, but also from the censorship of news which
the presence of the enemy imposed. No man in this country was prevented from listening
to the wireless news that came from the four quarters of the earth, but he did not expect
his government, in the name of liberty, to proclaim for all the world to hear, the
disposition of its troops, the position and strength of its navy, and the hundred and one
items of news then forbidden which, in days of peace, would have been common
knowledge.
Similarly, the Scriptures contain indications of the wise censorship of their Author.
Did the Apostles enquire whether the kingdom would be restored again to Israel at the
time of the Lord's last days upon earth? They were reminded, "It is not for you to know
the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power" (Acts 1: 7). Are we
inclined to compute the date of the second coming of Christ? We are met by the
censorship of the truth, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of
heaven, but My Father only" (Matt. 24: 36).
Instead, therefore, of likening the inspired Scriptures to the sun in the noonday
heavens, we shall be wise if we remember the figure of the lamp to our feet in the present
dispensational night. Instead of maintaining that the Scriptures contain full light upon
any and every conceivable theme, we draw attention to the fact that those selfsame
Scriptures inform us that there are some features of importance which the Father has kept
even from the angels of heaven: "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face
to face" (I Cor. 13: 12).
This is the testimony of the Word itself. To-day, owing to the presence of spiritual
foes, we must be blessedly content to leave many a problem unsolved, and wait patiently
the full-orbed illumination of "that day". That the Scriptures have not been written to
satisfy all our curiosity and to answer all our questions, is no implication of their
imperfection. Most assuredly they are perfectly adapted to their special work of
providing enough information for the guidance and direction of the believer during life's
journey, without at the same time giving away information that would be of help to our
spiritual foe. To know even as we are known, we must await the day of peace.