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Lifting the Veil on the Futur
Before the entrance of sin, Adam enjoyed open communion with
his Maker; but since man separated himself from God by transgres-
sion, the human race has been cut off from this high privilege. By
the plan of redemption, however, a way has been opened whereby
the inhabitants of the earth may still have connection with heaven.
God has communicated with men by His Spirit, and divine light has
been imparted to the world by revelations to His chosen servants.
“Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
2
Peter 1:21
.
During the first 2500 years of human history, there was no written
revelation. Those who had been taught of God communicated their
knowledge to others, and it was handed down from father to son,
through successive generations. The preparation of the written word
began in the time of Moses. Inspired revelations were then embodied
in an Inspired Book. This work continued during the long period of
1600 years—from Moses, the historian of creation and the law, to
John, the recorder of the most sublime truths of the gospel.
The Bible points to God as its author; yet it was written by
human hands; and in the varied style of its different books it presents
the characteristics of the several writers. The truths revealed are
all “given by inspiration of God” (
2 Timothy 3:16
); yet they are
expressed in the words of men. The Infinite One by His Holy Spirit
has shed light into the minds and hearts of His servants. He has
given dreams and visions, symbols
[8]
and figures; and those to whom the truth was thus revealed have
themselves embodied the thought in human language.
Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank
and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books
of the Bible present a wide contrast in style, as well as a diversity in
the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different forms of expression are
employed by different writers; often the same truth is more strikingly
*
Author’s Introduction
v