The great pyramid passages and chambers

385 Thus, in the Great Pyramid, Jesus’ sojourn from Bethlehem down into Egypt, is represented by the downward course of the Descending Passage which symbolizes “this present evil world” ; while his subsequent journey from Egypt back into Canaan is represented by the upward course of the Ascending Passages to the King’s Chamber which symbolizes heaven. ‘He that descended, is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fulfil [complete] all things ’—Eph. 4 : 9, 10.

386 The Antitypical “ casing-stones,” the members of Christ's “ Body,” chosen out of the world, and, therefore, not of it, have also, like their ‘‘ Head,” been sent into this sinful world to be perfected—John 15: 19; 17: 15-18. While in the “lowest parts,” they have been protected from evil, for ‘ the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous” (Psa. 34: 15); and, quite unknown to the world, the Lord has secretly been shaping, polishing, and making them ready for their positions in the Great Antitypical Pyramid, taking care to form on each the proper “angle” in continuation with that of their ‘‘Head-stone,”’ Jesus Christ—Eph. 2: 20-22. The prophet Isaiah (51: 1), in prophetic vision, contemplating the former lowly condition of the members of Christ’s body, and their now highly exalted positions as “ casing-stones ’ in God's Great Spiritual Pyramid,

exclaims : Hearken to me, ye that pursue righteousness,

that seek the Lord: Look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the Pit whence ye were dug up!”

387 When these jewel-like stones received their final polish, they were stored one by one out of sight in the memory of the Great Master Architect (their names are written in heaven) until the time of the setting up of the “Temple.” When brought forth in due time, they noiselessly fell into and perfectly fitted their allotted places, for they are God's workmanship, and his work is perfect. Before the foundation of the world, the Great “ Architect’ had predestined in his “Plan” that these “stones” should be conformed to the image of his dear Son, and had chosen them in him—Mal. 3 : 16,17; 1 Kings 6:7; 1 Pet.2:5; Eph. 2:10; Deut. 32:4; Eph. 1:4; Rom. 8: 29.

388 David, prophetically, in the name of Jesus, exclaims: “TI will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My body was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect ; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuation were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them’’—Psa. 139 : 14-16, margin.

389 If the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and the Temple of Solomon were set up under the direction of, and according to the patterns provided by the Almighty (See

Concerning this matter, Captain Mackeague wrote : ‘‘ When I saw the figures shaping themselves so as to bring out the result sought, I was more than astonished, and could hardly finish the problem for joy that the Lord had at last revealed the true significance of this angle, as an addition to all he has so kindly shown us since we have come into the truth.”

These results were communicated to C. T. Russell, author of Seripfure Studies. The following appreciation was received in reply: “You application of the angle of the passages in the Great Pyramid, is a new thought, and as it points out so exactly the city of Bethlehem, we regard it with favour, and are inclined to accept it as a proper application and further verification of the testimony of the Pyramid. —Yours in the love and service of our Redeemer and King,—C. 7. Russell."

200