PROCLAIM LIBERTY by C. S. Longacre

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 15, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Volume 41, Number 49

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PROCLAIM LIBERTY

By C. S. Longacre

THROUGHOUT THE LAND

This Soul-Encouraging Proclamation Is from Above — The Decree Will Finally Be Universally Enjoyed

By C. S. LONGACRE

Editor of “Liberty Magazine”

God is the Author of liberty. His enemies introduced bondage and oppression into the universe. Christ came into this world to set all men free, and to proclaim liberty to the captives.

It was His original plan that all His creatures should remain free from the taint of sin and the pangs of bondage. He created every being a free agent, and perfect in form and attributes; but having the power to choose good or evil, some, in the course of time, frustrated God’s purpose concerning their welfare.

After sin and bondage were introduced into this world, a voice from heaven was the first to speak hope and a promise of deliverance. When the inhabitants of this earth were oppressing one another everywhere, the Lord stood up for them, and sent the following message to Moses in Mount Sinai: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Lev. 25:10.

WAITED LONG TO REALIZE IT

The world waited in chains of cruel oppression to earthly sovereigns for 3,268 years after this wonderful proclamation was made from heaven, before there was a legislative body that had the moral courage and Christian charity to affirm this same truth of universal freedom, and make it a possibility in civil government.

Individual liberty in civil government is of divine origin. God was the sole Ruler of all His creatures in the beginning. By virtue of being the Creator of all, He was entitled to sovereignty over all. There was a time when God had no rival rulers. He was the supreme and only Ruler of the universe. His only-begotten Son, by virtue of His position as Son, as well as agent of the redemption of the portion of His Father’s creation that sinned, is to become a joint Ruler of the universe.

“THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD”

God made this world a principality, and gave Adam dominion over all of it in the beginning. But Adam, by sinning, delivered it over to Satan, and thus Satan became “the prince of this world.” John 14:30. All the inhabitants of this world became the captives of Satan at his will. 2 Tim. 2:26. “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?” asked the prophet. The Lord answered His servant: “Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Isa. 49:24, 25.

From this we may learn, upon the authority of God’s word, that God rules in the affairs of this world, and “worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” Eph. 1:11. Some day we shall all know “that the heavens do rule,” and that the will of God will “be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” God’s original purpose will be fulfilled, and all who have been subjected in hope “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Rom. 8:21.

GOD IS AT THE HELM

While this world is drifting, like a vessel among dangerous rocks, through “the rapids,” yet God is at the helm. No human agencies or devices can save this world of sin from utter wreck and ruin ultimately, but God can and will turn repentant man’s hopeless condition and failure into a glorious triumph. We are not left in darkness as to the outcome of the conflict between truth and error, between right and wrong, between liberty and bondage, between Christ and Satan; for God will triumph over every foe. All who accept Christ will triumph with God and His truth. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.