DOMINION IN THE EARTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 5

DOMINION IN THE EARTH.

At the Church of Christ, West Street, Pastor Campbell spoke on the dominion given to Adam (Gen. i. 2li), and its significance all down the ages. Adam exercised his lordship by naming the animals, said the preacher. A somewhat similar dominion was bestowed upon Noah after the Flood, but upon the rebellion of Nimrod (the mighty hunter) at Babel, God's purpose developed in the setting aside of the nations, and choosing eut Israel. On their incorrigible defection (ii. Cliron. xxxvi.), dominion over the earth was formally conferred upon the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, not only over the human race but over the lower creation also (Dan. ii. 38). This dominion had not been taken away from the Gentiles yet. It was a great step downward when men deified and worshipped animals, over which the}' were divinely appointed as lords. Further, the ruling nations (Babylon, Persia and Greece) were represented as three wild animals, as in God's sight: but the fourth kingdom, I yet to dominate the world, was spoken ' of as a great wild beast, dreadful and terrible. Towards this kingdom the world was now moving fast. Apart from the Word of God there was no light as to what the world was coming to; but He had foretold the glorious return of the true King of Kings, to set up His everlasting dominion from sea to sea. While on earth the first time He had exercised His dominion as "Son of Man" over the wild beasts in the wilderness; the unbroken colt, and the fishes of the sea: and when He reigned, the wolf, the lamb, the leopard, the kid, the calf, the lion and the bear should live together in peace (Isa. ii. 6). No human ability could bring in such a time, and while all whose happy lot fell in that reign in their natural life should enjoy its blessings, they also who trusted in Christ now as Saviour and Lord—to them it is promised that in resurrection (if dead), or transformation (if alive at His return), they should receive everlasting life, and enter into that glorious 'age; and more, they should live for ever, right into the new heavens and new earth, which God had promised should vet be introduced.