"He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death." NO great human system is operated without agencies. To every organization there must be first a recognized head. On the throne of every kingdom is a king. An empire has its emperor; a republic, a president. The chief ruler has his counselors, his messengers are a host.
The facilities which the ruler of a nation has at his command for the operation of the government and for keeping in close touch with all parts of his dominion, are as complete and perfect as possible; and upon the efficiency of these resources depends the safety and strength of the government. He is in touch with all portions of his dominion by means of the telegraph, telephone, and post services. In case of rebellion, armed legions—army and navy—promptly obey his call to battle, till every rebel is overpowered and subdued. While the rebellion is in progress, all who will lay down arms, cease fighting, and take the oath of allegiance—thereby coming into harmony with the government—are forgiven, and accorded the full rights of citizenship.
Who Stands at the Head
of the government of the universe? Let Inspiration answer. "There is no power but of God." "For the kingdom is the Lord's, and He is the Governor among the nations." He "hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all."
We can not for a moment entertain the thought that any ruler under heaven has a more complete system of government, or greater facilities at his disposal for the administration of his government, than He who is "the great King over all the earth," "the Governor among the nations." Shall we not rather conclude that the infinite Creator has facilities for keeping in touch with all parts of His dominion, and resources for the operation of His government, which far excel those of any ruler upon the earth, which is only, as it were, an atom in the vast universe? Earthly kings have been compelled to acknowledge
His Universal Kingship.
When Nebuchadnezzar had been deposed from his kingly throne for failure to recognize "the Most High" as "Governor among the nations," he freely bore witness to the universal dominion of the government of heaven, saying, "He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven."
"The Lord is our Law-giver, the Lord is our King, the Lord is our Judge." He has a Counselor, the Son of God, and also the Son of Man. He is called "Wonderful, Counselor," and "the counsel of peace is between Them both." From His treasure-house flow life and sustenance for every living creature. "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."
To the Son is committed the execution of judgment. His armies can traverse land and sea, and can navigate air and all space. His angelic ambassadors are despatched to all habitable portions of His boundless domain; His human agents to earth's remotest bounds.
He has the most complete and effectual methods of communication by which each of His subjects, in every place, has instantaneous connection with the throne.
Rebellion—Its Remedy.
Rebellion has entered His dominion, and all of His agencies are employed in putting it down, once for all, and meanwhile He is offering the most liberal terms of full and free pardon to all who will lay down their arms, accept terms of peace, and take the oath of allegiance.
To fight against God is as futile as an effort to dip all the water from the ocean; "for he who wars with God must fight a losing fight." The resources of His government are amply sufficient to "put down all rule and authority" that are contrary to righteousness and truth. The all-important question for each member of the human family to settle is, "Where will I stand, when rebellion and all incorrigible rebels are conquered?"
No plan of salvation can satisfy or meet the demands of the human family unless its author has all power, both in heaven and in earth; for if there is any power superior to that which is vested in the Head of the plan of redemption, and a more universal manifestation of that power, then it must finally triumph. But let us forever settle the truth in our own minds, that the power of the Head of the plan of salvation is in reality
the Only Power in the Universe;
for all life and all strength is simply loaned to all creatures by the Author of this plan. Even the life wherewith Satan, demons, and wicked men curse God is simply the vitality loaned them by the Creator; "for there is no power but of God." It is a fact well worthy of our consideration also, that while our God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, His rival can not create anything, nor supply life to a single being. He is only "Apollyon," the destroyer. He only fights, permitted, against the Government of heaven.
In order to illustrate the greatness of the power of the Head of the plan of salvation, He says, "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? . . . Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath7created these things, that bringeth out their host by number; He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth." He it is who can speak into empty space, and, as a result, spheres spring into existence; "for He spake, and it [the earth] was; He commanded, and it stood fast."
When the Lord desired to teach Job his dependence upon his Creator, He addressed to him this question, "Canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?" We are informed by astronomers that Arcturus is more than a million times as large as the sun of our solar system, with a volume of light equal to five hundred and fifty-eight thousand times that which is poured forth by the glowing orb that rules our day. This mighty sun, Arcturus, with its "sons" or system of worlds, rushing on through space at the rate of four hundred miles per second, is spoken of as "runaway," because he goes sweeping majestically on, disdaining the combined attractions of all other heavenly bodies, and apparently without guidance or control. The God of our salvation spoke Arcturus into existence and controls him more readily and easily than we preserve our balance in walking.
All His Power Is Pledged in Our Behalf.
Surely, then, we have great occasion for rejoicing. Satan would take keen delight in having us think the Lord is against us; for if he can thus cause us to become discouraged, he will have every advantage of us. But "if God be for us, who can be against us?" "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" He is love, and His infinite love—His very nature—would not permit him to destroy a single member of our race, without first providing a plan of salvation for all who would desire to avail themselves of its priceless benefits.
The nations, to Him, are only as "the drop of a bucket," and are counted as the small dust of the balance, which can be blown away with a puff of human breath; yet He says of individuals among nations, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word."
Still better than simply looking, it is further written, "Thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
To the wicked He sends this message: "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die?" They also are assured that God is "long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
The prophet of the Lord is also given this word, "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people;" but in the same message we are reminded that all flesh is as perishable as the grass, and as the flower of the field. Wherein, then, is the comfort? It is man's very helplessness and need of God that prompted the plan of redemption. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." No matter how great our weakness, the greater our helplessness, the stronger does our condition appeal to the heart of our heavenly Father, who is the Source of all strength. All His power is pledged for us in the plan of redemption, and herein is occasion for soul-inspiring song. The psalmist, grasping this thought, said, "I WILL SING OF THY POWER; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning; for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto Thee, O my Strength, will I sing."
He is addressing you, dear reader, if you will but believe, when He says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
"O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." "Praise ye the Lord."