The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-06-14

COnultlOn OF the atluIfS Ol our WlTlu-
sin. retributive punishment. the re-
demption through Jesus. the call Of
the Church and their sufferings with
their Redeemer and the promises of
future blessing aud glory both for the
Church and for the world-arc sub
Interested. As the Apostle Peter says.
"Of which salvation the prophets have
enquired and searched diligently.
Searching what or what manner of
time the Spirit of Christ which was in
them did signify, when it testified be-
forehand the sulferings of Christ, and
the glory that should follow.
Which things the angels desire TO look
into" Il Peter. |, 1912. They won
derod when all the sufferings of Jesus
and the Church would be completed
and when the glory time would come
and recovery from sin and death con
ditions; when Gods purpose would
thus ripen and bear fruit in the recov-
cry of those who fell from his favor
In Adams disobedience but were re-
deemed by the precious blood.
The great lesson of what constitutes
disobedience, and how serious sin 1t
is, and what 1t would lead to If allowed
to take its course. was illustrated In
mans experiences: and all the hosts of
angels looked on with amazement. no
doubt. Gods Justice was fully dem
onstrated in the infiction of the death
penalty and the permission of its in
roads upon the mental, moral and
physical perfection of his creatures.
bringing many of the race down al-
most to brutality. Gods Love was
manifested In the gift of his Son. In
the arrangement of his plan by which
for the JOY set before him. Jesus might
become Adams Redecmer. and the
Bridegroom of the Elect Church and
ultimately the great King of Glory
who, during the Millennial Age. Is to
restore, revive and bless and test
Adam and all his race.
Christ and the Church Crucially Tested
We cannot wonder il all the holy an
gels looked on in ama2ement rs they
beheld the Only Begotten Son of God
leave the "glory which lie had before
the world was" and humble himself TO
take human naturc-to be born II man
that he might redeem Adam and his
race. II must have seemed wonderful
TO them not only that the Heavenly
Father would arrange such plan but
wonderful also that the glorious "Only
Begotten." First Born" should be the
tn tuhOnn Ihn npnnpuitinn N tupIlI hn
made to show his faith and love for
the Father. TO do his will to the eX-
tent of such sacrifice. not only of
glory, but, eventually, of life. They
had yet to see a further operation of
the divine law OF retribution operating
In Jesus for his blessing and honor
SO intent were they in looking nt the
humiliation Of the Only Begotten, and
then Mt his death, that apparently they
did not so carefully note the fact that
the Heavenly Father had set before
him great Joys, great blessings, great
eXaltation. when he should finish his
work.
Already the Only Begottcn was next
to the Father In glory and dignity,
honor and power; what more of divine
honor could be bestowed upon even
the First Born of every creature?
The Only Begotten himself appears
not to have thought particularly of
the promised glory: The Joy set be-
fore him. however. seems to have
been that he would do the Fathers
will and thus demonstrate his abso-
lutte loyalty even unto death. While.
no doubt. 1t was n Joy to the Lord
to be the Fathers Agent In the rescue
| OF Adam and his race from sin and
| death. nevertheless we believe that
his chief JOY IN connection with the
matter was that thus he might demon
strate to the Father his absolute love
by his submission and obedience.
Our Lords own words were, "Fnther.
glorify thou me with the glory which
| had with thee before the world
! the Fathers proposed eXaltation of
! him ms n reward but he did not men.
! tion this; he would merely ask of the
! Father that when he had accom-
| plishcd the Divine purpose he might
| have back the same honor and posi-
tion and divine favor which he had
laid aside when he humblcd himself
to become Adams redemption price,
the worlds Savior. Such modesty
and loyalty are difficult for us to
comprehend because of our fallen,
! imperfect conditions.
But the Apostle explains 10 us,
speaking under the power OF iHsplra-
tlon. that because of our Lords ohedi-
ence in leaving the glory and bccom-
ing man and dying for our sins,
therefore God hath highly exalted
him and given him n name above ev-
cry name, that AT the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things IN
heaven and thngs in earth" Phlllppl-
ans Ii. o. l0l, Elsewhere in the Scrip
lures we are assured that our Lord he
came partakcr of the Divine nature IN
| his resurrection; that thus he attained Il