corrupted by setting up a human power instead of the Divine, and by teaching for doctrines the creed and commandments of men. Now it is that the stone cut out without hands, will destroy the reign of the image, and become a mountain to fill the whole earth. The Lord Jesus is the Stone; for He is the Living Truth, the Rock of Ages! the tried Stone, who though rejected as the true God and eternal life by the builders, is yet the head of the corner. This truth, the supreme Divinity of the Lord Jesus, will break in pieces all human theories of religion, as the stone did the image. The last dispensation of truth is called the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down from God out of heaven. (Rev. xxi.) This has now commenced; for this is the day of the Lord's second coming in the spirit and power of His word to enlighten and bless the world.
As in the image there is a descent from the gold to the silver, from silver to brass, and from this to iron and clay; so in this last dispensation, beginning in the iron and clay, there will be a constant rising and ascent from mere natural truth, or the iron age, into goodness of heart, or the brass. From this there will be an ascent to spiritual truth, the silver; and from this to celestial love, or the gold. As this church will eternally progress in all that is good and true, therefore it is the kingdom that is to stand for ever, and become a mountain to fill the whole earth. May the Lord in his mercy establish this kingdom in our hearts.
