I thank God this afternoon for the
privilege of speaking for a short time upon the subject of which we have
just been singing - "What a mighty God we serve." The thought
that is laid upon my heart as I stand before you, is the manifested fact
from a scriptural standpoint that God rules in earth and sky. Now, there
is a people in the world today who because of their exceeding wickedness
seem to imagine that they are wholly independent of God. But, dear
hearers, I want to assure you that such imaginations are vain, they are
established upon false principles and therefore have no foundation in the
Word of God. The wicked man has not escaped that all-seeing Eye, neither
has he gotten so far away that the had of the Great King does not rule
over him. In deed, he is as truly and surely under the hand and eye of God
Almighty as is the true Christian. You may be surprised, and I trust
seized with fear, when I tell you that even though you are a wicked man,
yet you are still under the ruling power of God Almighty to such an extent
that even your thoughts are not fashioned in your own mind without his
consent, though they be contrary to his will even as they are contrary to
your own good.
Now you may understand me more plainly as I read from the
Scriptures. I do not mean to establish the idea of predestination, that
is, that some are born to be saved and others to be lost. But I would
establish this fact, that God predestinated a way whereby all could be
saved and wills that none should be lost.
GOD AS A KING
We will now consider God's position as a King. Turn
with me while I read some portion of the 47th Psalm:
"Oh, clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God
with the voice of triumph: for the Lord most high is terrible; he is a
great King over all the earth. ... Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing
praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth.
... God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his
holiness."
Here we learn that God is King of the whole earth. He
reigneth over the heathen, and since this is true, tell me, my dear
brethren, who does rule over the vile and wicked sinners of America? Are
they beneath the heathen? Are they without a God? Have they no power or
guide but themselves to pilot them through life? Ah! yes, they have a God
who is a great King and he rules in earth and sky - they have not hid
themselves from his presence; he knoweth the way that they take. God rules
in the very lives and hearts of wicked men so that you can know for
yourselves that no man can live independently of God, for he is a great
King. As it is written, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandeth my
thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art
acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but,
lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and
before, and laid thine hand upon me. ... Whither shall I go from thy
Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into
heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of
the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold
me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the
day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." Psa.
139:1-12.
So plainly and so emphatically do these scriptures assure
us that no man can flee from the presence of God, for if he should take
the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
there the Lord would behold him. If he should ascend up into heaven,
behold, God is there. if he should make his bed in hell, even there shall
the penetrating gaze of the Almighty behold him. So my dear sinner friend,
whither shall flee from the presence of the Lord? Indeed, if you repent
not, in the last great day you shall call for the rocks and mountains to
fall upon you and hide you from the presence of his glory; but even all
this shall be in vain: for he is a great king who rules earth and sky.
This language may sound strange to some of you now, but the apostle Paul
declares that "at the appearance of Jesus Christ he shall show who is
the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords."
1 Tim. 6:14. Moreover it is written that there is not any creature that is
not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open unto the eyes
of Him with whom we have to do. Heb. 4:13.
Because of the mercy of God in sparing wicked men, and
withholding from them his judgment against their evil they have become
hard-hearted through the deceitfulness of their sin, until some would even
dare say there is no God. Were this so, what do you suppose might happen
to us and to this old world in a moment's time? The God who holds the sea
in its bounds holds also the planets of his own creation in their order,
so that according to his word we have the rising of the sun for a light by
day, and the moon for a light by night. God still sits upon his throne,
and rules in earth and sky. All creation, and nature itself, is subject
unto the law of his will. ALL, I say, is subject unto his will save poor
sinful mortal man; and though he forsake the law of the will of his Lord
yet he is not without a law and a rule to reign over him.
FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY
As we look back over the annals of time, and call to
remembrance the words of the prophets that a Savior would appear who would
save his people from their sins, and then see how definitely it came to
pass, we are made to imagine that god is still ruling in the midst of his
people. It was said that this man Jesus would be cut off from the land of
the living, and it truly came to pass. It was written that on the third
day he would rise again, and this you yourselves already believe. The dark
ages, in which millions of true saints of God were martyred for the
gospel's sake, have come and gone, and that according to their appointed
time as it was spoken by the prophets. The cloudy and dark day appeared in
its time, and then broke forth the true light of the gospel in the evening
of time according to the word of the Lord. Now, where is he who imagines
that God is not the ruler of the whole universe? Indeed, my brethren,
"He rules in earth and sky." He is still the same Lord and King
as he was when great King Nebuchadnezzar was subdued by him and learned
for the first time that he was indeed a great King who ruled not only in
heaven but also in the kingdoms of men. And now I say, does it not look as
though he were indeed a great King, ruling over all the universe, when we
see the minds of men subdued by his great power in order to so accurately
fulfill all that he has spoken by the mouths of the prophets? Ah! all
creation is still in the hand of God, and if you will not submit
yourselves unreservedly unto his will for his glory and your own good,
then bear in mind that whatsoever you sow that shall you also reap.
"In a great house [God's great universe] there are
not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and
some to honor and some to dishonor: If a man, therefore, purge himself
from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the
Master's use, and prepared unto every good work." 2 Tim. 2:21. Since
it is the privilege of man to be submissive in the hand of God as clay in
the hand of the potter, he may lay himself pliable unto all the will of
God that he may be formed by the hand of the great King into a vessel of
honor. But if he will not yield submissively he shall be fashioned into a
vessel of dishonor.
Consider the deplorable condition of the heathen, and how
it all came upon them. Let us now read, that we may more clearly
understand why such darkness and misery has befallen them. Turn with me to
Romans 1, beginning at the 19th verse:
"Because that which may be known of God is manifest
in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of
the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him
not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened. ...
"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness
through the lusts of their own hearts. ...
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things
which are not convenient; "Being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
"Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
"Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without
natural affection, implacable, unmerciful."
Just think of such a great catalog of evil, and how it has
all come about - just because they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge. Doubtless had they harkened unto him they would have been
fashioned into vessels of great honor. But they chose their own way, and
then God gave them over to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own
hearts, because of their purposed disobedience, regardless of what they
knew to be the law and will of the Lord.
Oh, how men ought to fear God! This is the whole duty of
man; fear God and keep his commandments. When I behold a poor sinner at
the close of life just about to reap his eternal reward my heart is filled
with great sorrow, and I would to God that I could get this lesson before
you in such a way that it might never be forgotten.
THE WICKED FULFILL GOD'S WORD
To prove from the scriptures some of the strong, and
perhaps strange, assertions I have made, especially such as the fact that
God rules the mind of the wicked, even as he does that of the humble and
contrite in spirit: Do you know that the lives of wicked men have often
increased my confidence and faith in the Word of God? I mean this: I have
seen them in their wickedness and hatefulness fulfilling portions of the
Scriptures which often I had read. So now I have reached what to me
appears as a strong point in my discourse, and surely it is the climax or
crowning thought of my whole lesson; the fact that both the good people,
and also the wicked ones, are constantly busy fulfilling the Word of God.
Those who are saved are inspired by the Spirit of the Lord
to fulfill such portions as will bring to themselves at the last day a
rich reward for all they have done. They are being fashioned into vessels
of honor in the great house of God. But sad indeed is it to say, that
those who will not submit themselves to the will of God are just as busy
as the saints of God, fulfilling such portions as will bring upon
themselves a just recompense of reward for their evil deeds in the last
great day, being self-willed and stubborn, they could only be fashioned
into vessels of dishonor. So I say, they who are spiritual can clearly
behold the fulfilling of all the Word of God; everyone according to the
condition of his heart fulfilling such portions as will bring upon himself
that which the righteous Judge shall count just, according to their works.
Now to prove these sayings let us turn to John 15:24. In
reading this we learn that after Jesus spoke to the people, they hated
him. Doubtless this hatred was in their hearts before they manifested it.
But for what reason did they hate him? Of a truth they had no cause to
hate him, and Jesus was addressing them for their own welfare, but they
rejected his counsel, and God seeing they would not obey that which was
good, could only use them to fulfill that which was evil. So he allowed
that hatred to remain in their hearts. Just think, He allowed it - the God
of heaven allowed it - and that for a purpose. But now you may wonder for
what purpose he did allow it. Well, perhaps for more than one. In the
first place, man is a free moral agent. They would not give up their
hatred, so God just let it remain, that in them might be fulfilled the
portion of the Scriptures which saith, "They hated me without a
cause." Just think, what a sad thing these poor people have done -
fulfilled the Word of God against themselves unto their own condemnation,
moved by hatred; yet we can not imagine they were conscious of what they
were doing.
But did their evil stop here? No. As long as they had
hatred in their hearts their evil continued, and God saw to it that they
kept on fulfilling some portion of his Word. We read that the result of
this hatred was that Jesus was arrested, and Pilate, willing to release
him, spake again to them, but they in their blindness, cried out,
"Crucify him, crucify him," not knowing that they were
fulfilling the words of their own prophets who had said, "He shall be
cut off from among the living." Doubtless they just spoke out their
minds, as they supposed, according to what seemed to be their better
judgment, not knowing that One who was mightier than they was allowing
their action. Pilate then said unto them, "Take ye him and judge him
according to your law." But they cried out again, saying, "It is
not lawful for us to put any man to death." See how in their hatred
they desired the Son of God to be put to death. But the question arises,
Why say they this? This saying by them was permitted that the saying of
Jesus might be fulfilled which he spake signifying what death he should
die. (Read John 18:32.) But like all sinners, these poor men were not
conscious of what they were doing; for Jesus himself said in his prayer
for them, "Father, they know not what they do." So I want to say
to you, poor lost souls, take heed lest you know not what you are doing.
I want to show you still more plainly from the Scriptures
how completely these wicked men who rejected the Word of God were used in
fulfilling the same. We read that after Jesus was crucified, some wicked
soldiers came along and, seeing his garments, they wondered what they
might do with them; then they decided to divide them among themselves; but
when they came to his coat, they found it was without seam, woven from the
top throughout. Now comes the question, what shall they do with it? Shall
they tear it up, or shall one of them claim it as his own? Do you suppose
God has anything to do with the counsel of such wicked men? - doubtless a
band of thieves taking that which does not belong to them? Yes, God was
present. He was in their midst, and in a moment's time He fashioned one of
their minds to cry out and say, 'Let us not rend it, but cast lots whose
it shall be,' and immediately they all consented. But, dear hearers, be it
understood that all this came to pass that the Scripture might be
fulfilled which saith, "They parted my raiment among them, and for my
vesture they did cast lots." See how wonderfully accurate, though
they were wicked at heart, they have fulfilled these scriptures; nor did
they cease here.
As the bodies of those who were crucified with Jesus hung
on the cross, the Jews remembered that it was not good that they should
remain there over the Sabbath, that being an high day, so they besought
Pilate that their legs should be broken, and that they should be taken
down. The soldiers came to the place where they were, and break the legs
of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him; but when they
came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already, they break not his legs.
How strange this might seem to some. They were sent to break the legs of
them all; why now do they not do as they were commanded? However, as they
stand there looking, one of them takes a notion in his mind, as he
supposed, to pierce the side of Jesus with a spear. So with his cruel hand
he performs the wicked act. His heart is full of hatred. He may be one of
the rabble that cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him," but now
he is being used in fulfilling the Word of the Lord which he himself
vehemently rejected. Now in all they break not his legs, but they pierced
his side; and this all came to pass that the Scriptures should be
fulfilled, which testified that "a bone of him should not be
broken." Again another Scripture saith, "They shall look on Him
whom they pierced."
Now, dear brethren, after hearing these truths, are you
not made to wonder at how God is ruling this universe of his? Does not
fear take hold of your souls as you see how he is fashioning every life to
fulfill his Word, according to the attitude of heart which it holds toward
his will? When I behold by the light of God's Word his majesty and power,
I am made to fear and to wonder if some who have listened to my voice this
afternoon, might by their own choice, by necessity, be fashioned to
fulfill such portions of Scripture as will result in their own
condemnation in the last great day.
TAKE HEED
Take heed that none of you hate the Lord, and that
without a cause. It is a serious matter to turn away from that which you
know to be right unto that which you deliberately know to be wrong. It is
a dreadful condition, and if you could see and know the result of such an
act, there might not be one soul here today that would turn against the
God of heaven, who so much loves us all.
Now, in conclusion, turn with me to 2 Timothy 3d chapter.
I am going to read here about certain things which the Scriptures
determine will come to pass in the last days. I sincerely hope that none
of you who are present this afternoon may be used in fulfilling such
portions of prophecy. I am persuaded that God wants you to know these
things, for the apostle begins the chapter with these words: "This
know also, that in the last days ... men shall be lovers of their own
selves." Dear saints, would you like to fulfill such as this? You say
no. Well, neither need you do so.
It is also written here that men would be covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, without natural affections, false accusers,
lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Moreover the Lord himself has
told us that because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold. Now I want to impress upon your minds that these words, "shall
wax cold," are words of prophecy; and by whom shall they be
fulfilled? Shall it be the lot of any who have listened unto my voice this
afternoon? My soul is made to say, "God forbid." Nevertheless,
it shall come to pass, yet not by the desire of God, but by men's own free
will.
May God enable you to never forget these words of truth.
Let us bear in mind that all men are busy fulfilling the Word of God,
either unto their own eternal welfare, or else unto their own eternal
damnation; the Lord is a great King over all the earth.