The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-01-10

bolically in the Book OF Tlevelation.
In that vision the Throne of the Eter-
nal One is graphically portrayed as the
seat OF Divine power and authority
for the Universe. with angels as minis
tcting spirits. Then IL described
scroll. in the right hand of jehovah
in Divine power and keeping. That
scroll, written inside and outside. was
sealed with seven SEALS" represent
ing the complete secrecy OF the Divine
purposes related In that scroll. From
before the foundation Of the world 1t
had been In the hand Tin the power
Of the great Eternal. He had given
hints respecting 1t and had caused 1t
to be symbollzed In the Law and to
some extent to be described by the
Prophets. But still 1t was Hidden
Mystery, because the prophets under
stood not the things which they wrote;
nor could any understand them until
the Fathers "due time," which lie had
purnosed In himself.
Not only was the Divine Program
thus sealed and safely secreted. but 1t
was the Divine determination that II
should be given only to the one who
would demonstrate his worthiness to
be Jehovah's honored Agent for the
carrying out of those purposes--pre-
destinated before the world was. The
honor of being the Agent, the Repre-
sentative Of Jehovah. to carry out the
Divine purposes, should be disclosed
in advance only to the one who would
demonstrate his worthiness to be the
great Messiah, the great Deliverer,
the great Prophet. Priest, Judge. King
of Israel
High as the Redeemer stood in the
Divine counsels and fellowship before
he came into the world to be mans
Redeemer, 1t was not then granted
even to him to know all the mysteries
of the Divine Program. But by vir-
tue of his high station, his perfection,
his obedience, the privilege was given
to him first to become mans Redeem
er, at the cost Of personal humiliation
and death. and then. If faithful in this
redemptive work. 1t should be his to
| be glorified. exalted to the divine ma
ture, and to execute the Divine Pro-
| gram to Its completion. First. he
must manifest his devotion and loyal
| ty to the Father, ere he could be trust
ed even with the knowledge of the
Divine Program.
| "Worthy is the Lamb"
| All this is declared In the account
| Revelations ". The proclamation
was made, Who is worthy to receive
the scroll and to break Its seals and
to execute the wonderful purposes of
God? None was found worthy! Final
ly, one demonstrated his worthiness-
he left the courts Of glory, he hum
bled himself, he was made flesh."
More than this. being found in fashion
as a man, he consecrated his all to the
doing of the Fathers will, even unto
death, the death of the cross. Where
fore, says the Apostle, God also high
ly exalted him. and gave him stand
ing, rank, title above all others
philippians II, 7, 81. He commission
ed him to execute all the Divine pur-
| pObCo anu W 1llu uC utnNCQ ONSl lhS
scroll with the privilege Of opening its
seals and comprehending to the full Its
message.
In the symbolic picture John saw o
freshly slain lamb at the same time
that the angelic messenger declared
that the Lion Of the tribe of Judah
had prevailed. Jesus proved himself
worthy and therefore the privilege OF
understanding the things Of the Divine
Plan, and the privilege Of executing
them rightfully belonged to him. The
Lamb slain represented the work OF
Jesus from the day he was thirty
years Of age and made his consecra
ton. There he became dead to sell
and to the world. When he success
fully finished this great contract, he
cried on Calvary, at Is finished"
This glorious victor was then ac
knowledge by God and by the holy an
gels to be the worthy One to whom the
Father would entrust the execution OF
every feature of the Divine Program
to receive glory and honor, dominion
and might" He has not yet completed
his great work there and then entrust
ed to him. The Father glori1ed hin
and set him at his own right hand
the place Of Divine favor-when he fin
ished his demonstration of loyalty ever
unto death. AS yet he has only begur
his great work. The blessing of thu
Church as "the Bride. the Lambs
Wife," is the first step in the glorious
Program, and 1t Is not yet completed
Following it will come the blessing O.
the world, all the families of thu
earth. not only the living but the dead
His declaration to those now called t
be his Bride Is. ''To him that over
cometh will grant to sit with me II
my throne even as overcame and an
set down with my Father in hi
throne" (Revelation Ill, Ply.
ITO US there Is one God" says tn,
Apostle. All wisdom and power ar,
his. Recent electrical inventions assis
us greatly in apprehending his great