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In the Father’s Arms, March 30
I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
John 20:17
.
Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united
in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped
Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human
race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is
finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He
declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed
the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom thou
hast given me, be with me where I am” (
John 19:30
;
17:24
).
The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is van-
quished. Christ’s toiling, struggling ones on earth are “accepted in the beloved” (
Eph-
esians 1:6
). Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen worlds,
they are declared justified. Where He is, there His church shall be. “Mercy and truth
are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (
Psalm 85:10
).
The Father’s arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, “Let all the angels of
God worship him” (
Hebrews 1:6
).
With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the
supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him,
while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, “Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory,
and blessing” (
Revelation 5:12
).
Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems
to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven
rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and
power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever” (
verse 13
).
From that scene of heavenly joy, there comes back to us on earth the echo of
Christ’s own wonderful words, “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to
my God, and your God” (
John 20:17
). The family of heaven and the family of earth
are one. For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives. “Wherefore he is able also
to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to
make intercession for them” (
Hebrews 7:25
) (
The Desire of Ages, 832, 835
).
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