THE KINGDOM OF GOD ESTABLISHED
His Rights as Creator—The Marvelous Vastness of His Dominion—Character of the King and Stability of the Kingdom
THE history of the world has been written as related to kingdoms. Therefore in its beginning, the Bible record speaks of the dominion given to Adam. This earthly dominion was but an atom of the kingdom of God, which embraces the universe. Adam's position as ruler of this earth was that of a subordinate sovereign, or prince. The stability of the earthly dominion would have been jeopardized by giving to Adam an independent sovereignty. God was ever the supreme King, and the stability of the dominion was assured by that fact. 1 Chron. 16:30, 31. "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all." Ps. 103:19. Adam could act with the fullest freedom relative to his vested right of dominion; but for any questionable act of his, he must answer before the supreme King under whose sovereign power he reigned. None of his acts could nullify the right of the supreme sovereignty of God over the earth. This leads to the inquiry, "By what act did God become the rightful King of the universe?" The answer is, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Gen. 1:1. A more sublime statement is not found in the Book of divine revelation. In these ten words is revealed the true origin of all kingdoms. It is impossible to establish a kingdom without territory and subjects. In originating the kingdom of God both were wanting. No other kingdom was ever confronted by such conditions in its development. In all other instances recorded, the territory and the subjects were at hand awaiting organization or conquest. In the development of the kingdom of God the record begins with the Godhead alone, prepared to enter upon the establishment of a kingdom, with all else wanting. From that condition God designed and developed a kingdom covering the entire universe. It is to this fact—"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is"—that God in His sovereign law appeals as the reason for His right to rule as king. Ex. 20:11. In this statement proclaimed by Himself in the law of His kingdom, we have the history of the origin of the elements and the formation of the kingdom of God. The kingship can not be questioned. He who by His wisdom could design a kingdom of such magnitude where no kingdom was or ever had been, He who could by His almighty power create every needful element for the formation of the kingdom on such a magnificent and boundless scale, was the only One who could operate the affairs of such a kingdom after it was established. Its territory was the myriad planetary systems of the universe; its subjects, all the created intelligences in heaven and earth; its law, the law of God; and its King, God. One unable to produce from nothing this vast universe, its subjects and its laws, would be incapable of reigning as king of such a kingdom. THE CONCEPTION OF THE CREATOR
That the marvelous universe, which stretches far beyond the reach of the most powerful telescope, was created according to a design that had been first conceived in the mind of the Creator, must be conceded by all candid thinkers. The telephone was conceived in the mind of the inventor before it was developed. Likewise the phonograph and wireless telegraphy. The artist places upon the canvas the image first pictured in his own mind. A sculptor was once asked, as he stood by a block of granite, what he was going to do with it. He replied, "There is a beautiful angel in it." There may be seen in the Cistercian Chapel in Rome the result of that sculptor's conception. THE SKEPTIC AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM MODEL
A skeptic was ridiculing the credulity of Christians who believe that the universe was designed and created by the power of God. A learned professor of astronomy prepared a most skilfully designed miniature reproduction of the solar system, which he exhibited to his skeptical friend. After a careful survey of its proportions and relations, the skeptic inquired who had so skilfully designed and developed this unique representation of the celestial system. In order to illustrate the fallacy of the skeptic's reasoning, the professor replied that there had been no designer or developer, it just developed itself. The skeptic retorted that he was not so childish as to believe any such inconsistency, and insisted upon the professor's treating him as a rational man. The professor quietly replied: "During your last visit, you asked me to believe an infinitely greater absurdity; namely, that the entire universe of planetary systems, circling in space in perfect order, was developed without a designer. Why refuse to accept your own theory when it is brought within the range of your comprehension in a miniature form?" All rational men must admit that design is evidence of a designer. In no other direction is there such evidence of wisdom displayed in design as in the work of creation. Mr. Mitchel, widely known as one of the fathers of modern astronomy, says: "If all this mighty system was organized by chance, how happens it that the angular motions of the perihelia of the planetary orbits are ever progressive, while the angular motions of the planets of the orbits are vibrating? Design, positive and conspicuous, is written all over the systems, in characters from which there is no escape." The psalmist David confirms this view. "Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Ps. 139:16. Every member of the psalmist's body was designed and written in God's book of designs before the Creator began His creative work. In the face of such evidence no greater folly could be displayed than for one to say in his heart, "There is no God." THE CHARACTER OF THE KING
In the kingdom of God the character of the King is the standard of the character of His subjects. It is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16. His holiness is the strength of His justice. "God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness." Ps. 47:8. "God is love." 1 John 4:16. But that love is not mere sentiment. It is manifested primarily in justice and judgment, which are the foundation of God's throne. Ps. 89:14, R.V. The whole strength of His kingdom is therefore pledged to support the upright subject, and90"none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" when He judges. Dan. 4:35. FINITE ILLUSTRATION OF HIS LOVE
The sinless pair in Eden were warned not to touch or eat the fruit of the tree that would bring a knowledge of evil, lest they die. Gen. 3:3. This was the warning of infinite love and justice. A finite illustration is seen in a mother warning her child to refrain from evil associations, lest ruin follow, or warning the innocent babe not to touch the hot stove, lest it be burned. There is nothing arbitrary in love and holiness. Holiness is always just. "Love seeketh not her own." In this relation to others God finds His highest pleasure, and the happiness of loyal subjects is insured. A proper conception of the kingdom of God manifests His glory, His power, makes known to the sons of men His mighty acts and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. It does more. It declares its stability. A kingdom built upon such a substantial and magnificent scale was designed to be everlasting. "They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations." Ps. 145:11-13. "Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting." Ps. 93:2. "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary." Jer. 17:12. Since "what God doeth, it shall be forever," we may rest assured that when He established His kingdom "in the beginning," it was His design to provide for His subjects a home that would be everlasting. DESIGNED FOR ALL ETERNITY
Man, made a little lower than the angels, was originally designed to live eternally. In his sinless state he was not subject to death, and having access to the tree of life in his Paradise home, an endless existence was possible. Seraphim and cherubim were created sinless and established in the kingdom with the possibility of an eternal inheritance. With the kingdom thus established, there was not a place in the universe where death had claimed a victim. Not a sigh spoke of broken promises. Not a heart throbbed under the burden of disappointed hopes. On this earth, man, in his perfection, was all that woman's heart could desire. In his companionship she could trace no shadow of insincerity, and she need not shrink from him in fear as from a tyrant. Woman, pure and true, was the joy of man, a fitting companion to share his labors and his pleasures. Such was the happy Eden home of our first parents, and such were the joys of the kingdom universal, when, by the work of creation, it was originally established. With what rapture of holy joy the King reviewed His completed work, when, with one glance of His omniscient eye, "God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good"! Gen. 1:31. Then "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 38:7.