1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch to prayer.… I. THE ORACLES OF GOD ARE OF DIVINE ORIGIN AND ARE THEREFORE OF SUPREME AUTHORITY. The heathen oracles owed all their influence to the belief that prevailed that they were the answers of the god enshrined in his temple. II. THAT THESE ORACLES OF GOD ARE ACCESSIBLE TO US, AND MAY BE CONSULTED BY US, IN THE DIVERSITIES AND PERPLEXITIES OF OUR CONDITION. The heathen oracles were accessible too, but only under circumstances that forbid universal approach. III. THE ORACLES OF GOD CLEARLY ANNOUNCE THE DIVINE WILL, AND ARE THEREFORE TO BE BELIEVED AND OBEYED. The oracles of the heathen were mysterious but useless mutterings. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.WEB: But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. |
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