Hence this promise indicated that a
government would be established wherein man would be granted the
privilege of life everlasting.
[356]As we have heretofore observed, Jehovah made a covenant with the
nation of Israel, to the exclusion of all other nations. He gave them a
law to shield them from the influences and machinations of the adversary
and to lead them to Christ, their great Messiah. The Jews as a nation
did not keep this law, because they were imperfect; but some of their
rulers were especially wicked. The time came when God said concerning
Zedekiah, the last king of Israel: "And thou, profane wicked prince of
Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith
the Lord God: Remove the diadem, and take off the crown; this shall not
be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will
overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come
whose right it is; and I will give it him,"--Ezekiel 21:25-27.
[357]It follows that at some future time there would come a mighty one
who would establish a kingdom of righteousness, having full authority
and right thus to do.
[358]At the overthrow of Zedekiah God permitted the gentiles to
establish a universal dominion in the earth. The Lord through the
prophet Daniel pictured the development of four world empires or
kingdoms, which would exist for a certain period of time, and which
would continue until he should come whose right it is and then he, the
Righteous One, should take possession of earth's affairs and rule.
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