18
Patriarchs and Prophets
and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:1, 2
. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with
the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only
being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. “His
name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
. His “goings forth
have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Micah 5:2
. And the Son
of God declares concerning Himself: “The Lord possessed Me in the
beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from
everlasting.... When He appointed the foundations of the earth: then I
was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight,
rejoicing always before Him.”
Proverbs 8:22-30
.
The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly
beings. “By Him were all things created, ... whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
by Him, and for Him.”
Colossians 1:16
. Angels are God’s ministers,
radiant with the light ever flowing from His presence and speeding on
rapid wing to execute His will. But the Son, the anointed of God, the
“express image of His person,” “the brightness of His glory,” “uphold-
ing all things by the word of His power,” holds supremacy over them
all.
Hebrews 1:3
. “A glorious high throne from the beginning,” was the
place of His sanctuary (
Jeremiah 17:12
); “a scepter of righteousness,”
the scepter of His kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8
. “Honor and majesty are
before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”
Psalm 96:6
.
Mercy and truth go before His face.
Psalm 89:14
.
The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the
happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord
with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His
creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation
of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to
all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary
service.
[35]
So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love,
there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the
joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They
delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And
while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and
unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.