The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-02
THE DOMINION OF CHRIST.
BY REV. F. L, BUCKNER.

BY REV. F. L. BUCKNER.
The universal dominion of Christ
was one of the favorite themes of
Paul. He taught that this dominion
extended over the living and the dead.
For to this end Christ died and lived
again, that he might be Lord of both
the dead and the living" There is
no reason to doubt that this language
is inclusive of all creatures who dwell
upon the earth, and those who have
taken their departure to the spirit
world. The mission of truth does
not end with the grave, but the spirit
of Christ inspires human develop
ment after death. Take these words:
Wherefore also God highly exalted
him and gave unto him the name
which is above every name; that in
the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven and things
on earth and things under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, the glory
of God the Father" If we entertain
a doubt about the universal dominion
taught in the first quoted words, we
can not in the last. Former versions
contained the language "at the name
of Jesus" as if his name were going
to inspire fear and shame in unfor-
tuDate men and women who had died
impenitent when brought to judg-
ment. Many times have we heard
ministers ask "will you confess him
now to your glory and happiness, or
will you wait ana confess him to
your shame?" The ''new version"
gives us the correct meaning of the
original. SIN his name" means in
his spirit. We are commanded to
pray in the name of Christ, and to
baptize in the name of the Father
Son and Holy Spirit. If all in heaven,
on earth and under the earth are to
bow the knee and confess their sins
in the name of Christ; does not the
fact imply complete salvation? 1t
is statement most consistent with
the words Of the Saviour "And l, if
l be lifted up from the earth will
draw all men unto me" or with Paul's
declaration that God wills that all
men be saved and brought into
knowledge of the truth. Never have
believers in eternal misery been able
TO interpret these words consistently
with their creeds. We wonder if
they have been wholly satisfied with
their efforts? For reading our Bibles
with perfect fairness, and taking
words to mean just what they do
mean, no more, no less, we have been
called heretics for a hundred years,
and we can afford to be.
This same dominion of Christ is
spoken of in the 18th chapter of
First Cor. We there see that it is of
progressive nature. The Lord came
to subdue all things to himself. For
this purpose he lived, died and insti-
tuted his church. 1t is Gods will
that all intelligent beings shall be
perfected and brought into the image
of Christ. When all things shall be
subdued, then Christ's dominion shall
be at an end and he shall deliver all
rule and all authority up to God
who shall be "all in ALL" If you
doubt that this is taught by Paul read
his letters and you will be convinced
that this constituted the greater part
of his theology. With the hints here
given you can not avoid seeing the
beautiful system of which God is the
author, and Christ the centre.
Whenever a soul mounts into the
perfection of spiritual and moral life,
Christ's dominion over it ends. He
is my teacher and guide while my
life is imperfect and sinful, but when
l reach the destiny which God de-
signed for me, l pass from under the
dominion of Christ as teacher, and
enter upon life of blessedness such
as Christ himself leads. His domin-
ion, however, shall endure until his
work is completed, all men saved
from sin, all things subdued. Then
shall he lay down the sign of his
authority and there shall be no sin,
sorrow, no tears, but all the universe
shall be as heaven snd all shall ng
the praises Of God.
MACoMB. Ill.