p. 4 | The Head of Every Man by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 30, 1907

The Head of Every Man

By C. M. S.

CHRIST came to this earth to conquer where Adam failed; and not only that, but to make the conquest so complete that what had been lost through Adam’s fall could be regained through Christ’s triumph. Man had not only forfeited his own life, but had lost the possession which had been given to him. So there is more involved in Christ’s triumph over Satan than the demonstration of his own ability to live above sin. That is in it, but there is also in it the redemption of man from the bondage of sin and Satan, and the redemption of the earth from Satan’s domination. In other words, Christ triumphs over Satan, and makes a way possible for all who will to be free again in God, to share in his triumph. He “was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Heb. 2:14, 15. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:22.

In this Christ has demonstrated his right to be the head of the human family. He became human, partook of flesh and blood, in order that humanity might triumph in his victory. The human had failed, but humanity must triumph over its failure and over its traducer; so he became one of us. In this he brought humanity again in touch with divinity, for both were united in him. As the Son of God, he vindicated the love and justice and forbearance and wisdom of the Father; as the Son of man, he purchased by his own blood the inheritance which man had lost. All is complete in him. As He has won the right by conquest and by purchase to be “the head of every man.”

When God called a people out of the sin of this world to be his peculiar people, he purposed to establish his rule of love in that portion of the human family. He gave them his law that they might know his character and seek to be like him; and he established prophets among them, through whom he would speak to them his will, concerning them. He would be their ruler and their deliverer from all their enemies. But there came a time when sin came among them to such an extent that they clamored for a king that they might be like the nations around them. They got their king, and they became like the nations around them. The nations of this world were under the controlling influence of the enemy of God. Idolatry, with all the evils that go with it, was rampant in them all. Those nations had forgotten God. Israel had the wish of their hearts; and in that wish God tells his prophet, “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Sam. 8:7. So in becoming a nation like the nations around them, they became one of the nations of the world. Still God held to them for the sake of the honest ones who remained faithful to him among them. His prophets anointed their kings; but their kings wandered so far from God that at last he declared to Israel’s ruler: “And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord God: Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: . . . I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.” Eze. 21:25-27.

In this language the Lord declares that he will no longer have a ruler ruling in his name the people of his choice, until One should come who had the right to rule them. When that One comes, God will make him the ruler of his people. That One was the Babe of Bethlehem; Jesus, the Saviour; Emmanuel, God with us; Messiah, the anointed one. “Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel. . . . And he shall stand and rule [margin] in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.” Micah 5:2-4. He is the Branch that was to build the temple of the Lord. Zech. 6:12, 13. He is the “root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Rev. 22:16. He is “the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David” (Rev. 5:5), and the only one who has the power and authority to “open the book, and loose the seven seals.” He is the one who has suffered “in the flesh” in order that he might put an end to all suffering in the flesh. He has conquered him who conquered man. Satan overcame man and took his dominion from him. Christ has overcome Satan, and taken his usurped dominion from him. So in him alone rests the right to the rulership of this world, the right to be “the head of every man.” As he partook of the nature of man, he has brought the dominion back to man.

Christ has demonstrated his right to rule, and his coronation will soon occur. Then, when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven, and the earth has been purged of sin by fire, will it be true that “the kingdoms” of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for-ever and ever.” Rev. 11:15. He will rule not only in this earth, but in the hearts of his subjects as well. In fact, only those in whose hearts Christ reigns before he comes to receive his own will be permitted to be subjects of that kingdom whose scepter is a scepter of righteousness.

So out of this great maelstrom of wickedness and rebellion Christ is saving some who will acknowledge his ownership, his rulership, his headship, and these will be the jewels of his crown.

C. M. S.