(Continued from page 240, Aug. 1925.)

(Col. 1:19.)

Verse 19 states a great truth concerning our blessed Lord. In the preceding verses He has been before us in His glories as God manifest in flesh. Now, in the place thus taken in manhood, it is affirmed that "in Him all the fulness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell." Whatever God is, Christ is. His relation to creation and all its ranks of being, though being in "a bondman's form," is seen by taking His place in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7,8). This marvelous fact makes it evident that as to full knowledge "no one knows the Son but the Father." No created intelligence can comprehend His fulness; it is the fulness of the Godhead-"In Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

In specific relation to this great fact concerning Christ we are now told of a wonderful plan of reconciliation (vers. 20-22). Christ's first place in all things (ver. 18) is a necessary consequence of the fact that the fulness of the Godhead was pleased to dwell in Him, and that Fulness had also a special purpose in view, even that by Him (as the instrumental Power used by the fulness of the Godhead) to effect the reconciliation of all things unto Himself. The accomplishment of this great work reaches its final stage when the last enemy, death, is annulled, and then, all things having been brought into subjection, "the Son also Himself shall be placed in subjection to Him who put all things in subjection to Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:23-28). The foundation for this has been laid in the Cross, as it is here said, " Having made peace by the blood of His cross." In it the question of all that had disturbed the harmony of the universe-heavenly and earthly-was taken up and dealt with according to God's holy nature and righteous government, effecting propitiation, so that the fulness of the Godhead may act by Christ to restore all things to perfect harmony, to subjection under Christ in whom it is God's purpose "to head up all things" (Eph. 1:9,10). Through the exercise of power by Christ, into whose hand all things and all power in heaven and earth have been committed (Matt. 11:27; 28:18), God will bring every knee to bow to the name of Jesus, "of heavenly and earthly and infernal beings, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to God the Father's glory" (Phil. 2:10,11). Even infernal beings will then bow, though it be as banished to the place of eternal doom. In that place, as an eternal witness to the awful character and consequences of rebellion to God, they will be brought to own the justice of the decree, and the power which will place them there-separated from God, in the outer darkness, they will bow to Jesus and confess Him Lord. This, however, is not spoken of as reconciliation, though it may be called, in relation to such beings, an adjustment according to God's glory, of their place, condition and attitude for eternity. Note that reconciliation, however, is connected with things heavenly and earthly. It is not spoken of in relation to things or beings infernal. Reconciliation is not simply an adjustment of things, but it carries with it the thought of deliverance from a condition in which are elements contrary to God. It involves the removal of what destroyed harmony, whether as to the things or beings mentioned. For this the Cross was the necessary foundation. By it peace was made, God's holy judgment against sin being fully endured in the death of His Son who tasted "death for everything" (Heb. 2:9).

In that work of judgment God sees the removal of all not in harmony with His holy nature, so that He can restore to harmonious relation with Himself all things soiled by sin, even the heavens not being clean in His sight, for Satan and his fallen hosts are in them. Thus the reconciliation of all things here spoken of is only finally accomplished, as to actual results, when by power based on the work of the Cross, every agency of evil is banished to its place of judgment, as Satan and his company will be in due season.

Things, then, in heaven and earth will be reconciled; but there is no intimation that at any time a ministry of reconciliation is offered or made good to infernal beings. They must and will be brought to subjection through judgment; and as ever-abiding in it, no longer permitted to be rebellious and lawless, they will recognize the eternal truth and justice of God as shown in their very doom, which will, as all things must, serve His glory.

Verses 21 and 22 take up the truth of reconciliation as now applied to those who have received the Lord Jesus. In this connection there are four things to consider:(a) the message of reconciliation; (b) the means of reconciliation; (c) the meaning of reconciliation; (d) the end in view. But we must reserve the consideration of these things for another time. John Bloore