THE WHOLE FAMILY by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 12, 1901

THE WHOLE FAMILY

By Uriah Smith

Last week we presented a few remarks about the “earnest of our inheritance,” an inheritance which we have by birthright, as members of the family of God. Paul, in the same epistle to the Ephesians, has something more to say with reference to this family relationship, which is full of instruction, and calculated to impart, if we will appropriate it by faith, a world of comfort and encouragement. In chapter 3:15 he says, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” This opens to our mind the fact that we have a wonderful connection with things in heaven. We are not two families, one on earth, and the other in heaven, but only one family, part of that family on earth, and the other part in heaven.

This gives no support, however, to the view that the part of the family referred to in heaven have all come from this earth, and are there in heaven as disembodied human spirits, whose bodies lie moldering in the dust of the earth. For there are beings enough in heaven to constitute an overbalancing branch of the family in heaven, without drawing from the denizens of this earth for the purpose. For we have reason to suppose that in the great primal irruption of evil into the universe, two thirds of the rank and file of the angelic orders remained loyal to God, besides other orders described as thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, which were created in their own spheres on planes of angelic dignity and power.

But lest this should seem like too complete a separation from humanity and our mortal state, we have the fact revealed that many who once dwelt on this earth in our nature and condition, have been taken up on high to join the dwellers in the heavenly world, not through the medium of an immortal, disembodied soul, but by the legitimate and Scriptural methods of translation from this mortal state, and by the resurrection from the dead. Thus Enoch and Elijah were translated, and Moses was raised from the dead. Besides these, many came out of their graves at the resurrection of Christ, and were doubtless numbered among that “multitude of captives” whom Christ led triumphantly to heaven when He ascended up on high. Matt. 27:52, 53; Eph. 4:8, margin. And the four and twenty elders, and the four living creatures (Rev. 5:8-10), which John saw, gathered from the earth out of every nation, tongue, kindred, and people, are among them. Surely this is enough to make an imposing part of a high and royal family. But Jesus Christ is there, our elder Brother; and we are all one family; we below, they above; we in the storms and tempests of life, they in the quiet harbor; we in the battle and march on the way to the kingdom, they in the quiet and surety of everlasting peace. But we are hastening on to the same blessed estate which they enjoy, to be ours, too, forever when we have once passed the portals of the kingdom.

Alford says that it is very difficult to convey in English the force of Eph. 3:15, because of a similarity of words used in the Greek. Thus the word for family is patria, which is derived from the word pater, which means father. “From Him,” he translates it, “the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”

Paul said that he was a citizen of no mean city (Acts 21:39); so we can say that we are members of no mean family—God, Christ, angels, and men. Some of the family below, to be sure, are moral dwarfs and spiritual cripples; but those that walk the golden streets are such as we would be glad to associate with forever.

The key-word, in the text under notice (Eph. 3:15), is the word “family.” The title of “citizen,” applied to men, implies unity of rights and privileges in a community. The organization of an army implies unity of object and purpose in the matter before them. But in the name used here, we have something implying a greater unity in relation and action; it is the word “family.” This suggests the same father and mother, and brings to view a common relationship; all have the same life, suggesting unity in nature. The love and regard growing out of this nature and relationship are mutual. The members of the same family have the same desires and interests, the same hopes and joys. As members of the heavenly family, we have the same future inheritance to be anticipated with the same fervor and satisfaction.

The link-word in the passage is “whole”—“the whole family in heaven and earth.” There is but one family, and the apostle speaks of it as but one. A portion of the family we find here on earth, sinning and repenting, despised, suffering, groaning, dying, because yet in this mortal state. In heaven we find another part of the family, but how different their condition! They serve in the plenitude of safety and joy. One portion in the darkness and gloom of earth, the other basking in the glories of heaven! But yet only one family: but all by and by to rejoice together in the kingdom of God.

The crowning word in the passage under notice is “named”—“from whom the whole family . . . is named,”—named with a name that means everything, and includes everything,—the name of the firstborn, the first-begotten of the Father, even Jesus Christ. Thus we are acknowledged to be sons as truly as was Jesus Christ; for we are called by His name. For this reason we are to honor Him, by glorifying His name, which we bear. And we are greatly honored by Him in being allowed to bear so august a name. This also suggests to us whom we are to imitate. We are to walk in His steps. “Looking unto Jesus,” says the apostle to the Hebrews, “the Author and Finisher of our faith.”

As members of one family, think of how much we have, or should have, in common: We have the same occupation,—winning souls for Christ,—the same delights and joys, communion of saints, the assurance of faith; and the same expectations of joys to come; the same love of God; the same assurance of justification and acceptance with the Father; the same right to the throne of grace, to which we are invited to come boldly that we may find grace to help in time of need.

As members of one family, we should be in touch with one another, to guard and defend one another’s interests, good name, and reputation, discarding all aims and ambitions that would have a tendency to cause dissension or disunion in the family circle. Let us seek to search out and recall the straying members, lift up and comfort the discouraged, remember the absent ones, and seek for the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace.

The apostle gives us some intimations why the Father is willing that His name should be named upon us. It is because He values us, and has an inheritance in us. This the apostle introduces in Eph. 1:18: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

The hope of His calling of which the apostle speaks, is not any hope which we exercise, not any hope inspired in our hearts on account of being called by Him; but it is the hope which He has in us, which leads Him to call us; it is the hope which a father has in his children. It is the hope that, in obedience to His call, we will walk in His ways, and grow in grace. He would not have us babes always; but would have us grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Again it is the Father’s hope that the child may be in the family a brother to the rest, and in the world a citizen of moral strength and integrity, and an efficient member of society. In a higher sense God indulges in a divine hope in our calling. We are adopted as sons, that we may take a son’s place and do a son’s work in the family. God’s hope in calling us to be sons is that we may be witnesses for Him, teaching the truth to others, and be good soldiers of the

cross. God hopes to have all His children with Him in His house at last, to be forever with Him. “Father,” says Christ, “I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.” John 17:24. The better we know God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the better we shall understand His hope in making us sons and daughters. When we come fully into this state of mind, it will lead us to try sincerely not to disappoint the hope God has in us.

The other expression referred to is, “The glory of His inheritance in the saints.” With some who have written on the epistle to the Ephesians, this expression is set down as one of the most remarkable in the book. It is not the inheritance they receive from God, it is not the inheritance that they have in Him, but the inheritance that He has in them. This is to God an inheritance of the highest kind; not an inheritance of insensible, inanimate things, but an inheritance of independent, moral, responsible beings; and beings are more than things. God’s inheritance in His saints is His own original possession. He has the first and the only claim to it. But He has a second, or double claim, to this inheritance, in that He has purchased it. From the human standpoint, the possession is not of much worth. But God estimates His own inheritance by His own standard. Martin, in his “Rain upon the Mown Grass,” says, “If God has a rich and glorious inheritance in His saints, then (1) He will claim it, (2) He will take care of it, (3) He will make use of it, (4) He will take pleasure in it, and (5) He will not forsake it.”

Such are some of the privileges conferred upon us by being included in that great family, the whole of which takes in all true saints on earth and all the celestial beings in heaven. Blessed and glorious family, of which God is the Head. Once adopted into that family, we are safe till we take ourselves out of the hands of our Saviour, by our own action. Till then, no man can pluck us out of His hands. This is the greatness of His power to usward, who believe according to the working of His mighty power. This is pledged to us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and this love and power the Lord would have us appreciate and understand.

U. S.