IN POINT OF FAITH THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.
By H. F. Phelps
DOES God have a different plan for saving the different worlds? Or do they all come into the one great and "eternal purpose"? Much interest attaches to this question. And yet it could be answered by another, Is God a respecter of persons? The answer to this, and it is also an answer to the first, is, "Who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work" (1 Peter 1:17), and, there is no "respect of persons, nor taking of gifts" (2 Chron. 19:7), concerning Him with whom we have to do. He loves all His creatures alike. But this question is worthy of more than a passing notice, and, while we study further, let us remember the exhortation, "Consider what I say." 2 Tim. 2:7. Remember, also, that "the invisible things of Him . . . are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made." Rom. 1:20. And so it is that we may understand the purposes of God concerning the eternal worlds above by looking at "the things that are made." And, by the study of the things that are not seen, through the things that are seen, we come at last to see eternal things. As saith the Spirit, "While we look not at the things which are seen [for we are all the time looking at eternal things through things around us], but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18. Thus we continue to look at eternal things, things that are not seen, through things that are made, until our faith grasps eternal things, and our faith becomes "the substance," the "evidence," of that which we can not see with the natural eyes. And yet, by faith, the believer is more sure of that which he sees by faith than of that which comes through the senses of the flesh. So it actually becomes a fact that the man of faith does look "at the things which are not seen," and these, even "the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made." Rom. 1:20. With this encouragement and assurance, let us notice the first question. It was said of the Saviour of men that in one place the unbelief of the people was so great that "He did not many mighty works there," that "He marveled at their unbelief." His admonition is, "Have faith in God." Mark 11:22. But is it fallen men alone who must "have faith in God"? Is it not a fact that man fell because of unbelief, because he did not "have faith in God"? Is it not, then, true that unfallen worlds have not fallen because of the fact that they "have faith in God"? It is written, "Now the just shall live by faith." Heb. 10:38. Again it is written, "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23. And yet again, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him." Heb. 11:6. The intelligences of the eternal worlds do please God; therefore they have faith. They have not sinned; therefore we conclude again that they "have faith in God." And so they "live by faith," even as we are exhorted to "live by faith." Therefore, we see there is no difference in the matter of the plan, only that we have sinned and they have not. All must live by faith. All must "have faith in God." It was said of Abraham that he "believed God, and it [his belief] was imputed unto him for righteousness," or right-doing. As it was righteousness, or right-doing, in Abraham, who had sinned, to believe in God, it is evident that it is righteousness, or right-doing, in the intelligences of other worlds to believe in God. And as they have never disbelieved, but have always had faith, their belief in God has always been accounted as righteousness to them. So it is evident that in point of faith there is no difference. All must "have faith in God." All who please God must have faith, and live by faith. All of which seems to bring us into a closer touch with other worlds. Indeed, we are members of the one great family of God through Jesus Christ, "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Eph. 3:15. In the end of the prolonged controversy in this world,—the controversy between truth and error, between Christ and antichrist,—all the members of this one family in heaven and in earth will have been brought into harmony, and reconciled to the government of God, "through the blood of His cross." Then will be fulfilled the words of the seer of Patmos, "And every creature [living being] which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Rev. 5:13. O, to have part in that song of universal praise! It will more than compensate for all the sufferings of this life. By the grace of God I mean to be there. Will you meet and join with me in that song, and spend the endless ages of eternity with saints and with the angels?
H. F. PHELPS.