| 673 But says one, has it been changed for the worse? We answer in the affirmative.
But notwithstanding the fall of man, and the curse placed upon the human family, the plan of redemption was devised, and preached to Adam and Eve, which no doubt gladened [gladdened] their hearts. God promised that in his own due time he would send his Son who should be offered as a sacrifice for sin, and should not only redeem them from the fall; but should redeem the earth, or in other words restore it to its original state and standing, The patriarchs having this redemption in view moved forward in obedience to the commands of God; but it seems that as time progressed, wickedness increased. In those early ages, the holy men of God, could by faith rend the vail [veil] and beheld God, and converse with him face to face as a man converses with his friend. The heavenly messengers often ministered unto them. Surely, the prophets and apostles had no idea of a true religion without the administration of angels, and the gifts of the Spirit; but now things have assumed a different form, and appearance; men now profess to enjoy a religion without these gifts, and blessings. Oh, how degenerated! how wretched mankind have made themselves by their wickedness! Once they were the favorites of heaven! but now, they are bound up in priestcraft and superstition. Mankind have been degenerated ever since the creation. Christ represented the world as becoming more and more wicked until the great harvest of the earth. The apostle says, that evil men shall wax worse and worse. Having thus pointed out some of the changes that man, beast, and even the earth itself, have undergone, we will now take a prophetic view of their restoration.
The restoration of the earth is a thing that the prophets have mentioned with much firmness: for indeed, they well knew the advantage of such a work. Isaiah speaking of this work says: "The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose!" "Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons where each lay shall be grass, with reeds and rushes."-Isa. xxx. 1-7. Thus the barren deserts are to become fruitful, and springs of water, sprung up in the thirsty land. David speaking of the return of Israel, and the Millennium says: "The Lord shall give that which is good: and our land shall yield her increase." Joel says: "At this time their floors shall overflow with wheat, and the fats with wine and oil." "And ye shall reap and eat in plenty and be satisfied." It is evident from the foregoing that the curse will be taken off of the earth, that it may yield its fruit in abundance. And from the following we are led to believe, not only that the curse will be taken off, but that the continents, and islands, will be brought together, or restored to their original place; as they were when they were all in one place. It is said, that when the Lord appears the mountains will flow down at his presence, and the valeys [valleys] be exalted, crooked things be made straight, rough places a plain, and that the earth shall tremble exceedingly. John speaking of this work says: "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." "And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."-Rev. xvi. 18-20.-See also Rev. vi. 14. Thus the islands are to be moved out of their places; and as it is the time of restoration, they will in all probability return and join themselves to the main continent from whence they came. Isaiah speaking of the lands of Zion, and Jerusalem, that is, the Eastern, and Western continent, says: "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken: neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate; but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married."-Isa. Ixii, 4. Now according to the above, the islands and continents will be brought together, the mountains thrown down, and the great waters rolled back to the place where they were at the beginning; and in a word, the earth will be restored to its primeval state, be purified by fire, the curse taken off, and it made fit for the abode of saints.
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