Who Governs the World? by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1908

Who Governs the World?

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

THIS question has long been one of controversy, both in heaven and upon earth. One text of Scripture affords us a very decisive answer. It reads: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.” Isa. 9:6.

There has arisen one who contests this statement. He claims the rule of this earth. When these two met, face to face, Satan disputed the right of this Son given unto us, this Child born unto us, to rule, or in any way intrude into the government of the world. He assumed the entire control of earth’s affairs. Addressing Christ, he said: “If thou wilt fall down and worship me,” “all these things will I give thee.” But the Prince of peace neither bowed down nor admitted that this usurper had complete control of affairs.

It is true that Satan has been permitted to occupy Adam’s place as prince of this world for a time,—from the beginning up until such time as the Son was given to us,—and has not been entirely banished even since Christ became our representative in heaven itself. But he could not hold authority above that which Adam himself had. And Adam in the beginning was placed

under the authority and government of the Son of God. Hence, the most ever gained by Lucifer in our world did not place him above the Son of God.

But that which is of special comfort to the child of God is the assurance that the real government (we do not refer to outward forms of government, but to the real shaping of destinies among nations) still rests upon the shoulder of Christ. Wicked angels, under the control of the fallen prince of angels, may lead on wicked men (and misguided good men, for that matter) to legislate upon questions pertaining to conscience, out of their sphere, who may even enact oppressive measures that shall result in bringing hardship and suffering upon God’s true, loving children; but there are certain bounds no government is permitted to pass. All these conditions among nations are under the control and direction of him upon whose shoulder the supreme government rests. Christ has his angels stationed in all these legislative halls. And they bring their restraining influence, too, upon men in these high positions. This we should never forget.

As one goes into one of these assemblies, such as the Senate of the United States, and listens to the measures being discussed, the tremendous responsibility of such governing bodies gradually creeps over the mind. Then when we think not only of the welfare of the people of one nation of earth, but of all, and the real government of them all, rests upon the shoulder of Christ, we can grasp a little of the meaning of the scripture first quoted, and the real weight of responsibility resting upon the heart of the Son of man.

The believing child of God turns with thankfulness to him for his goodness in not leaving in the hands of Satan, or entrusting with feeble, short-sighted, self-serving man, the entire responsibility of directing the movements among the nations of earth. He has chosen One who is wise, faithful, and true, and put upon his shoulder the supreme guidance of earth’s affairs, knowing that no mistakes will be made in directing events in such a manner as to serve the best eternal interests of his followers.

This thought is also made plain in a statement from the pen of the beloved disciple John, when, upon the isolated isle of Patmos, he was visited by Jesus personally, and instructed as to what to write to the church. In the announcement at the opening of the Revelation, speaking of the authorship of this book, we read: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.” Rev. 1:5. Not that Jesus takes the temporal headship of kingdoms, or authorizes another to do so, as claimed by the papal see; but in the interests of his followers he is a prince among the kings of the earth, supremely directing movements among the nations. He is the Prince now, but the day hastens when the kingdom shall be given him, and then will he come as “King of kings, and Lord of lords,” to take his loyal and faithful subjects home with him to glory. Then will be fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel: “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

Let us not lose sight of this truth. It may seem to us at times that Christ is not at the helm. But he is. And he will permit nothing to take place in the affairs of earth that will not in the end work out for good to every true believer. It may not come just as we would at first choose; but we shall see, as in God’s dealing with Job of old, that the purpose of the Lord in the end is very “pitiful,” and that his heart is full of “tender mercy.” How precious the thought that the government has been placed upon the shoulder of such an One!

Takoma Park, D. C.