THIS EARTH TO BE REDEEMED AND RESTORED
By J. O. C.
Christ the Pledge of the Eternal Inheritance — The “Tower of the Flock” Wins Back the Lost Dominion — No Blind, nor Lame, nor Sick, in that Happy Home of Eternity THE “Holy Spirit of promise” is said to be the “earnest,” or pledge, of our eternal inheritance, until the redemption of the “purchased possession.” Eph. 1:13, 14. This being true, the only surety, for the time being, of a future inheritance is reliance on the Holy Spirit of promise. This promise, however, is guaranteed by both the word and the oath of God to Abraham, when he and his seed were decreed to be heirs of the world. Heb. 6:13-18; Rom. 4:13. The identity of Abraham's seed, on whom the appointment centered, was clearly established by the apostle, when he said that God did not speak of that seed as though it referred to a multitude, but it rather was confined to a single being, and that one to be revealed in Christ. Gal. 3:16. Through Christ alone, therefore, must come the fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, whose wonderfully strong faith in the arrangement constituted him father of all who believe. Rom. 4:11. Then to establish Christ as the legitimate and royal Seed of the compact between God and Abraham, is to confirm Him as the dispenser of every heavenly bounty. THE HEIRS OF THE GREAT INHERITANCE
In that capacity, He must assume the place of “everlasting Father” and “Prince of peace.” Isa. 9:6. By Him must every candidate for eternal honors be born again (John 3:3), and thus through this miraculous Seed of promise, be accounted as a child of Abraham, the father of the faithful. At least this is the deduction of the inspired Word, which affirms that if one is Christ's, he is by that relationship Abraham's seed, and an heir according to the promise. Gal. 3:29. But suppose for a moment that during His earthly sojourn the Lord Jesus could not have traced His human lineage in a direct line to Abraham, according to the Hebrew law of derivation. In that case the Jews would not have been so culpable for their attitude toward one calling himself the “Son of man”—an expression apparently understood by the Jews as applying to the promised Seed of Abraham. Such a possible crisis was, however, well provided against, so that when Matthew introduced to the world the birth of the Lord Christ, he prefaced that presentation with His complete genealogy as a direct descendant of Abraham through forty-two generations. See Matthew 1. THE INHERITED THRONE AND PROMISES
Not only was Christ's descent traced back to that patriarch through whom was secured to believers in Christ the world's estate as an eternal inheritance, but that promise of God was made also to lodge in every one to whom it had been specifically renewed—Isaac (Gen. 26:3, 4), Jacob (Gen. 28:13, 14), and David (Ps. 89:3, 4, 27), then on down through the kings of Judah, thus establishing the manger Babe King, by right of earthly royal birth, of the country of Abraham, in which He was born. So His favorite name, “Son of man,” was carried by the royal Heir throughout His earthly pilgrimage. At the announcement of Christ's fleshly conception, the tidings messenger declared to Mary that God would give to her mysterious27Son the throne of His father David, so that He might reign over the family of Jacob forever. Luke 1:31-33. Thus by Heaven's decree, the throne of David was identified as the “heritage of Jacob,” so long claimed by the literal seed of Abraham. This announcement of the angel was therefore simply a notice of the fulfilment of an old-time prophecy, which seemingly had lain dormant in the minds of those composing the Jewish commonwealth. Its provision, however, reaches even back of the word given to Mary concerning her prospective God-child. It speaks thus: “Thou, O Tower of the flock [Thou higher than earthly kings. Ps. 89:27], the Stronghold of the daughter [Hebrew, heir, descendant] of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8. THE RETURN OF THE LOST DOMINION
The “first dominion” here promised to the daughter, or heir, of Zion, was that given to Adam, as recorded in Gen. 1:28, but which was lost to his heirs through disobedience to God's word. Gen. 3:22-24. Yet lest God's eternal purpose in Christ be forever thwarted, the Lord Jesus came from heaven to earth as the second Adam, to restore the lost fortune of the first man, and thus uphold the everlasting covenant made before the world's beginning. 1 Cor. 15:45-47. It was during this hallowed interval that the positive words were uttered, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5. It is good to look at this promise as one that will free the receiver from every result of the curse earlier visited upon the world because of sin. Gen. 3:17-19. We are told in corroboration of this conclusion that when “the day of the Lord” arrives, the earth and its wicked works will be destroyed. “Nevertheless,” said the apostle who made the statement, “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:10-13. THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
This cherished promise was given through a gospel prophet in these words: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. This “new” earth, we are assured, as well as its inhabitants, will be permanent, never to be removed. Thus the prophet again speaks: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.” Isa. 66:22. This, then, is eternal life upon an ever-continuing earth. But the interesting question is, Will that existence be free from present ills? — Most assuredly, for we are told by the same authority that “then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.” Isa. 35:5, 6. This, the prophet goes on to say, is the place where the “redeemed shall walk.” More than this, all these will come to their Zion with songs and everlasting ecstasy on their heads. All these will then partake of heavenly transport of happiness, amid which sorrow and sighing will disappear. Best of all, we shall know each other there. 1 Cor. 13:12. This is the ultimate triumph of all saints. Praise the Lord!