THE PLAN OF GOD IN CREATION
By J. O. C.
Sin Does Not Overthrow the Original Design—A Great Promise to the Hero of Faith—He Is Heir of the Whole World
IN the wondrous draft of creation, it was agreed that man should not only be formed after the likeness of his Creator, but he was also to have sovereign authority over the earth and all its living issue. Gen. 1:26. But when one considers that the creation of the world and its equipment was not only accomplished by the Lord Christ, but was especially designed for His direction and control (Col. 1:16), he readily concludes that man's original tenure of earth's dominion was simply the trusteeship of a divine holding, to be administered by him only so long as he maintained the mind likeness of his Creator and Benefactor. Gen. 2:17. So when the man's mind was given to the service of Christ's enemy, he was at once removed from his Paradise garden, to become an alien from Christ, and an outcast from his intended inheritance. By compassing the brain thralldom of the divinely constituted trustee of earth's dominion, the wily captor was enabled to lead the world's thought against the rightful owner of all created things, and so to bring the world under his own full control. 2 Peter 2:19. INSTRUCTED TO MEET THE CRISIS
So far, indeed, did this matter carry, that within a few generations every imagination of the world thought was continuously evil. Gen. 6:5. Had this extreme condition been permitted to extend indefinitely, no representative of Christ's earthly ownership would have been in evidence, for even then but a single family of earth's offspring was seen to be righteous before God. Gen. 7:1. Noah, the head of this household, gladly received divine instruction in the awful crisis, for the salvation of his kindred. Thus he condemned the world's wickedness, and became "heir of righteousness by faith," which was really to be recognized as being in the image of God through entire belief in the divine word. Heb. 11:7. The same commission confided to Adam was thus entrusted to Noah. The Flood having swept the earth of its wickedness, Noah became, in Adam's stead, the great father of the human race. Gen. 9:1. The everlasting covenant, before confirmed to Adam, was there renewed to Noah. Verses 9-17. But in process of time, the trend of human thought was once more depraved; and though God could not violate the word of His covenant with Noah, not to destroy again the world, yet He did operate a plan by which to establish a permanent earthly father, not of the entire world, but of all God's faithful ones. Rom. 4:1, 11. The one chosen for this important place was separated from the world, and from his own family, to be settled in a country apart from the superstition of the nations, where might be developed a people devoted to the worship of the true God. It is perhaps well to consider here why Abraham was so highly exalted. It is readily gathered, from the last Scripture reference, that the patriarch was not to be simply father of circumcised Jews, but of all who believe, even though not circumcised. Abraham's circumcision was solely for a seal of the righteousness of his faith before he was circumcised. His was a complete "righteousness by faith," as much so as is possible for any of the present generation. It was this, and this only, that gave him the appointment of "father of the faithful." Then, too, Abraham's righteousness by faith comprehended salvation through a risen Christ, just as clearly as does the advanced Christian faith of to-day. More than this, the patriarch rejoiced in the possession of that faith so strongly that his case was thought worthy of special mention by the world's Saviour. Discoursing of His earthly sojourn to the proud Jews, He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day; and he saw it, and was glad." John 8:56. Passing to the record of Abraham's reception of the gospel by faith, one finds it coming to him in these words of God: "I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, . . . the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession." Gen. 17:7, 8. It will be advantageous, in this consideration, to remember that this covenant renewed to Abraham was one of everlasting continuance. It also included the gift of earthly territory, as did former arrangements with Adam and Noah. True, this promise mentions specifically the land of Canaan, the beloved country of the patriarch, and the only one included in his geographical knowledge; but an inspired comment on this promise makes it the gift of the whole world to the seed of Abraham. Rom. 4:13. This "everlasting" gift was, and is, to be bestowed by the terms of God's everlasting covenant, made sure by the oath of the Eternal. Heb. 6:13-18. THE PROMISE WAS IN CHRIST
But how did Abraham see Christ in all this? The apostle has made this plain by saying: "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16. Then follows the statement that this covenant was confirmed by God, in Christ. It was this fact that gave the promise everlasting verity. Why should not the gift of the world come to the faithful in Christ? The world is His by virtue of creative action, and was bestowed on the first man made in His own likeness. Its dominion having been lost through sin, it must follow that as He came to earth to redeem that which was lost (Luke 19:10), His salvation will not only restore the image of God in man, but return to him his first possession. J. O. C.