God's Promises Bridge the Gulf by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 28, 1912

God's Promises Bridge the Gulf

By C. M. S.

From the first chapter of Genesis to the last chapter of the Revelation extends a glorious bridge of promises whose buttresses are set in eternity, and whose suspension cables are anchored in the throne of God. What a wonderful bridge, spanning all time and uniting the two eternities! Over that bridge must walk the whole host of the redeemed; for none enter heaven from this earth save those whose footway has been upheld by the promises of God. The first of them declares that the Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15); and the last: “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are they that wash their robes [“do his commandments,” A. V.], that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:12-14.

This promise is emphasized in verse 20, which reads, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.” On these two promises rests the Christian’s hope—the first given when all had been lost, the second enunciated when all had been redeemed from the hand of the usurper, from the curse of sin, through the giving and the bruising of that promised Seed. The victory of Christ over death and the grave gave him the right to that title, “the alpha and the omega, the first and the last.” So it takes the whole Bible, written to a greater or less extent in the blood of God’s children, to expound the full import of this title which the risen Son of God ascribes to himself. Between the alpha of Genesis and the omega of Revelation, upon which rests the bridge of our hopes, lies the great surging sea of sin’s conflict against the powers of righteousness. Said he who gave the Revelation, “I am . . . the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Because he was able to fulfil that first promise, and did so, he is able to make the last, and to fulfil that also. So is the great bridge completed, like the temple of old, without sound of ax or hammer, or human invention or appliance of any kind.

That first promise, involving the whole work of redemption, was made necessary by the disobedience of man. How fitting, then, that the last, or omega promise, should have connected with it the requirement of complete renunciation of disobedience, complete submission to the law of God! That disobedience, which made necessary the alpha promise, was what shut man away from the tree of life. How fitting, then, that in connection with the omega promise we should find the promise of the restoration of the privilege of coming to and partaking of the fruit of the tree of life! It was forbidden to the sinful man lest he should live forever. It is restored to the righteous, or redeemed, man in order that he may live forever. God will not suffer the perpetuation of sin; but he has pledged himself to the perpetuation of righteousness. Man, by his disobedience, put on mortality; but when the work of redemption is complete, “this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality.” I Cor. 15:54.

That fulfils the omega promise; that sweeps out the reign of sin, with all its sorrowful adjuncts; that brings in righteousness over all the dominion of God, with all the blessings which are bound up in it. Toward that glorious consummation this age is hastening with winged feet. The marshaling call to the hosts of sin and to the artillery of iniquity is heard throughout all the world. They are gathering swiftly for the fearful and final fray. The storm is driving on; but just beyond are the placid waters of eternal peace. The promises of God are sure; they can never fail. The word of the Lord shall stand fast forever.

C. M. S.