The Dying Thief's Request.
By J. O. Corliss
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Luke 23: 42. From the above request of the thief, it is evident that he had well-defined views of the nature of Christ’s kingdom, and of the events to transpire in connection with its establishment. Just how this instruction was received may be a matter of conjecture; but there were at least two ways by which he might have gained his information, either of which could not fail to give satisfaction to the candid inquirer after truth. 1. The Old Testament, with which the Jews were all familiar, abounds in prophecies setting forth the Messiah and his work. From this source, then, he could have learned the ideas embodied in his request, that Christ was heir to a kingdom in which he would sometime reign as king. 2. For three years and a half Christ himself had been teaching the thronging multitudes the things pertaining to his earthly mission and final reign. Among those who had from time to time listened to the words of Christ, this man might have found a place, and thus the truth might have been learned from the Saviour’s own lips. And although, owing to unfavorable influences, it may have lain dormant for a time, yet now in this hour of extreme anguish, it revived in his heart, and grasping his only hope of salvation, he cried, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” It would seem from this request, that the thief had never for a moment entertained the thought that he would go directly with the Saviour to his kingdom. The words “remember me” imply that he expected to part company with Christ, and desired to be remembered by him as one absent. Then, again, the expression “comest into thy kingdom” plainly shows that not only was the idea foreign to his mind that Christ was then going into his kingdom, but that he anticipated a future coming of Christ before that event would be consummated. That there are two kingdoms spoken of in the Bible, each represented by a throne, we think there is no doubt. One is referred to in Heb. 4: 16. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” The fact that men can now supplicate the throne, and obtain grace, is evidence that the throne is occupied by a king. It is also evident that all who avail themselves of this grace have proclaimed themselves willing to yield to the authority of the king, and be governed by his laws; hence have become his subjects, and a component part of that kingdom represented by the throne of grace. The kingdom of grace is spoken of in the Bible a number of times as the “kingdom of God,” from the fact that grace is itself a gift of God (Eph. 2: 8), and that through it man may develop a character which will fit him to become a subject of the immortal kingdom. This arrangement of grace, which has run parallel with man’s necessities, is also called the gospel, and was so understood by the apostles; hence when Jesus commanded them to proclaim the kingdom of God, they went out and preached the gospel. See Luke 9: 2, 6. In this plan to restore men by grace, Jesus acts the part of an advocate or mediator. Heb. 8: 6; 1 John 2: 1. While exercising this office he does not occupy his own throne, but the throne of his Father, as we learn from his own testimony. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3: 21. How long he will remain there is plainly stated by the psalmist David: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Compare Ps. 110: 1 and Heb. 10: 12, 13. As long, then, as there is a repenting rebel against the government which Christ died to maintain, so long will the Saviour sit and rule conjointly with the Father on the throne of grace, and through his priestly intercessions offer to God the counsel of peace for all who come to him. Zech. 6: 13. But the time comes when a change takes place. The last one who will accept the gospel call having yielded, and the last plea for guilty man having been made, the end comes, Christ delivers up the kingdom of grace to God, and eternal justice bears sway. 1 Cor. 15: 24–28. At this time he also receives from the Father the kingdom to which he is heir, comprising the former subjects of grace of every age and clime, over whom he is to reign forever and ever. Dan. 7: 18, 14. The change effected and the kingdom transferred, nothing then remains but for him to descend to earth, and restore to life his devoted followers of the past, make them subjects of his immortal kingdom, and crown them with eternal glory. Then, although seated on his own throne of glory (Matt. 25: 31), attended by all the holy angels, Christ will remember that penitent thief, and give him a place in paradise. At that time, too, all who have humbly followed the word of God, and faithfully carried out his will,—no matter how much reproach they have suffered for Christ’s sake, or how obscure their death, without even a stone to mark their resting-place,—will be remembered by the Lord of glory, and be given a place in his everlasting kingdom. J. O. Corliss.