Since there has been no universal conversion of men in even the most favored locality, it is evident that, thus far, there has been a separating and calling out of a few from the many; and the Divine purpose, as revealed in Scripture, which is to gather out a people from the Gentiles for His own name, has been verified.  The blessing of God has been upon world-wide evangelism:  rather than upon any fruitless attempts at world-wide conversion; for the individual or church that has become self-centered has, to that degree, sacrificed the power and blessing of the presence of Christ which was promised in Matt. 28:20:  “Go ye therefore, and disciple all nations”—­“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.”

Again, the formation of the Kingdom has not been discernible in the present age.  The Jews, to whom alone the promises of an earthly kingdom belong, have continued a separate people under the unseen hand of God, without a country, or a vestige of national life.  Certainly none of the predicted and necessary events accompanying the establishment of their kingdom have been experienced, nor is there any trace of its promised blessings.  The fact that some Jews are now organizing and looking toward their native land, argues nothing for this age, more than that its end is very near, and that the way for their coming Messiah and national glory is being prepared.  Just so, the conspicuous fact that all the marvelous present development of the resources of the earth has been limited to about the last eightieth of the present history of the age is evidence that the earth’s return to her former glory is already in preparation.

Belief in the revealed course of this age is, therefore, based upon history as well as the predictions of Scripture.

The present age is different from all others by reason of the admixture of opposing classes of people; there being two distinct divisions (not including the Jew as a nation) living and acting together, who are, nevertheless, removed from each other by a degree that is immeasurable.  This fact necessitates many careful distinctions and special injunctions which are peculiar to the age.

The fact that these two widely differing classes are present together, and are to continue so to the end of the age, is the teaching of the seven parables in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew.  Very much, therefore, depends upon the correct interpretation of these parables.  Their meaning has been somewhat hidden by the use of the word “world” where reference is made to this period of time; and the fact that the conditions described are true of this age only, has not been generally realized.

These seven parables are but a description of the unfolding and development of these mixed elements to be found in Christendom throughout this age.  The same program is again proclaimed by Christ, from the Glory, in the messages to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2 and 3).  Here are seven letters to organized existing churches; yet these messages also reveal an exact outline of the history of Christendom for this entire age; and there is perfect agreement in order and detail between the parables of Matthew 13 and the letters of Revelation 2 and 3.  The first two parables are interpreted by Christ Himself, and the interpretation of these sheds light on all that remains.