For 2500 years “death reigned from Adam to Moses”(Rom.5:14).

During this period of history it was demonstrated that “death passed upon all men,” not because the Law of Moses had condemned them to death, but simply because they were the offspring of fallen Adam, and depraved by nature. Entirely apart from the Law, “sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas.1:15). Thus “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had NOT sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression.”

For 1500 years, under the law, “sin… reigned unto death”(Rom.5:20,21).

Sin had surely risen to its height during Paul’s early years. Christ had been crucified and even after His resurrection His enemies had stood by that awful deed. Israel had joined the Gentiles in declaring war on God and His anointed Son (Psa.2:1-3) and Saul of Tarsus was the leader of the revolt. It was no longer merely a matter of sin; it was now rebellion.

For 1900 years, “grace [has] reigned, through righteousness,unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom.5:21).

Thus we are now living under the reign of grace. As “DEATH REIGNED from Adam to Moses” (Rom.5:14); as SIN REIGNED “unto death” after “the Law entered” (Vers.20,21), so now grace abounds, THAT GRACE MIGHT REIGN “through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Vers.20,21).

For 1000 years the Lord Jesus Christ will reign upon this earth (Rev.20:1-6), as King over Israel and the nations.

The kingdom will then be delivered over to the Father (ICor.15:24-28).

For all eternity the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will reign in the person of Christ (Rom.11:36; Eph.1:10).

Note: From Adam to the present day God has always been “on the throne”, but rather than ruling directly, has overruled in the affairs of men.

To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

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