Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

good.'mean?"ment?"also."of his might which he wrought in Christ, when heraised him from the dead,' is an adequate indicationof the surpassing greatness of the power which Godnow manifests towards us who believe in Him.54This is the secret of full salvation. We, who havebeen reconciled to God by Christ's death, are savedby the power of His risen, triumphant, endless life.55The Spirit, who raised Him from the dead, is givento dwell in us to sustain us here, and to glorify ourbodies hereafter.56 So we are meant to be vital participants in Christ's realized sovereignty, to sit withHim in the heavenly places, to reign in life throughJesus Christ.57David, who was inspired by the Spirit to predictsome of the characteristics of Christ's reign, indicated through the God-given word that the Christ,who was to be enthroned in heaven, would rule in themidst of His enemies.58 It is when foes and opposingforces are all present and active that He reigns. Thisparadoxical display of His sovereignty is realized inthe experience of His people here on earth :'For wewhich live are always delivered unto death for Jesus'sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifestedin our mortal flesh.'59 For His sake 'we are killed allthe day long,' yet 'in all these things,' the thingswhich otherwise would overwhelm us, 'we are morethan conquerors through him that loved us'60; wewin through on top. Though we are in the midst oftribulation and peril, we do not come under the swayof these things ; rather through Christ we reign overthem.Similarly, John speaks of being a 'partaker withyou in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich are in Jesus.'61 For it is in the very midst oftrouble, and of stedfastly enduring it, that we findourselves partakers also in Christ's kingship orsovereignty. Like Peter walking on the water to goto Jesus, it is in circumstances where, left to ourselves, we cannot but sink, that we find that Jesusreigns right here, and we make ours in experience apresent share in His dominion. So we reign withHim now in the midst of His enemies. As in thisworld we share the kind of sufferings that were Hislot, we share also in His present sovereignty overthem.62Finally, though as the Lamb upon His throne Hewill reign for ever with God in the heavenly Jerusalem, there is to be an end to the present earthlycourse of His kingdom. A day is coming when theKingwill appear as the Judge to separate the goodfrom the bad, the wheat from the tares, the sheepfrom the goats.63 To consummate His reign and perfect His kingdom He 'shall send forth his angels, andthey shall gather out of his kingdom all things thatcause stumbling, and them that do iniquity.'64 Also,He must thus 'reign, till he hath put all his enemiesunder his feet. The last enemy that shall be abolishedis death.'65 When the dead are raised incorruptible,and those still alive on the earth are changed, 'thenshall come to pass the saying thas is written, Deathis swallowed up in victory.'66 Then His special earthly'Then'reign as Jesus the Saviour will be complete.(i.e., when they that are Christ's are raised at Hiscoming) 'cometh the end, when he shall deliver upthe kingdom to God, even the . . .Father; that Godmay be all in all.'67 Then 'heaven and earth shallpass away,'68 and the Lord who makes all thingsnew, will create 'new heavens and a new earth,wherein dwelleth righteousness.'69 "Then shall therighteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom oftheir Father.'70 Then will great voices be heard inheaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ : andhe shall reign for ever and ever.'7135 Phil. 11. 9-11.36 See Acts 11. 36.37 See Rom. x. 9.38 1 Jn. v. 1.39 See Mk. xii. 35-37; Ps. ex 1.40 Heb. vii. 14.41 See 1 Pet. ii. 3-10.42 See Gal. iii. 29.43 Col. i. 13.44 See Acts ii. 21; Rom. x. 12, 13.45 See Lk. xxiv. 45-47; Acts v. 30, 31.46 See Rom. x. 14-16, 18; 2 Cor. v. 20.47 Rom. x. 16.48 See Rom. ix 30-33; 1 Pet. ii. 3-8.49 Jn. xviii. 36.50 Eph. i. 20-22.51 Is. xxviii. 16.52 See Eph. ii. 11-22.53 Eph. i. 20-22.54 See Eph. i. 19, 20.55 See Rom. v. 10.56 See Rom. viii. 2, 11.57 See Eph. ii. 6; Rom. v. 17.58 See Ps. ex. 1, 2.59 2 Cor. iv. 11.60 See Rom. viii. 35-37.61 Rev. i 9.62 See 2 Tim. ii. 12a.63 See Mt. xxv. 31-46.64 Mt. xiii. 41.65 1 Cor. xv. 25, 26.66 1 Cor. xv. 51-54.67 1 Cor. xv. 21-28.68 Mk. xiii. 31: cf. 2 Pet. iii. 10.69 See 2 Pet. iii. 13; Rev. xxi. 1, 5.70 Mt. xiii. 43.71 Rev. xi. 15.The EndBOOK REVIEWSECUMENISM AND THE BIBLEby Dr. David Hedegard,Published by, and available from, the International Council of Christian Churches at $2.00 : U.S.A.Office : 218, Collingswood, N. J. ; International Office : Singel 286, Amsterdam C, The Netherlands.Dr. David Hedegard's book. ECUMENISM ANDTHE BIBLE, originally published in Swedish, hasbeen translated into English and published by theInternational Council of Christian Churches.The book presents a wealth of documentation ina simple and orderly form so that anyone can learnthe substance of the Ecumenical Movement itsnature and future.Dr. Hedegard says, "My purpose then is tostudy the ideas of the Ecumenical Movement in thelight of the Bible. A Christian should examine everything. 'Prove all things ; hold fast that which is(I Thess. 5:21)."The scope of the book is world-wide. Dr. Hede-September 29, 1954gard discusses conditions on the Continent, in theUnited States, and in the Far East. He asks, andprovides the answers for, such questions as, "Whatis Christianity?"; "What does the word 'church'and "What led to the Ecumenical MoveDr. Hedegard deals with the Bible, modernism, unity of the churches, and foreign missions. Healso discusses the theology and position of variousmodern ecumenical leaders.This book should commend itself to the Lord'speople everywhere for its very definite contributionto the cause of the Gospel throughout the world.WHAT THEN?Continued from front page"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and wherethieves do not break through nor steal:"For where your treasure is, there will yourheart be Matthew 6:19-21As told to Wade C. Smith, Associate Editor.Southern Presbyterian Journal.American Tract Society197