750. Until the words of God shall be consummated, signifies until all the things which have been foretold concerning them shall be fulfilled. By "being consummated" is signified to be fulfilled; and by "the words of God" are signified the things which are foretold in the Word; and because it is said "to be consummated" it signifies until they all are fulfilled. This is said of the Protestants, and of "their giving the kingdom to the beast"; that is, that they will acknowledge the Word, and found the church upon it, as just above (n. 749). But they do indeed acknowledge the Word, and say that the church is founded upon it; and still they found the doctrine of their church upon a single saying of Paul, that "man is justified by faith alone without the works of the law" (Rom. 3:28), altogether falsely understood (n. 417). Because it is here said, "until the words of God are consummated," it shall also be told what is signified by the Lord's last words to the disciples, which are these:
Go ye and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all the days, even until the consummation of the age. Amen (Matt. 28:19-20). "Until the consummation of the age" is until the end of the church (n. 658); and then, if they do not go to the Lord Himself, and live according to His commandments, they are left by the Lord; and being left by the Lord they become like pagans, who have no religion; and then the Lord is with those only, who will be of His New Church. These things are signified by "until the words of God are consummated," and by "even until the consummation of the age."
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