The kingdom of God's dear Son

Front matter

THE KINGDOM OF GOD'S DEAR SON

THE KINGDOM OF GOD'S DEAR SON

By WARREN AKIN CANDLER, D.D., LL.D.

Preface

The most "proper study of mankind" is "the kingdom of God's dear Son." In it and through it both Godhood and manhood are revealed.

It was the theme of the Master's preaching: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. ix. 35). "To whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts i. 3).

It is, or should be, the supreme object of the Christian's effort and most earnest prayer : "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" (Matt. vi. 33). "Thy kingdom come" (Matt. vi. 10).

Nevertheless it occupies small place in the thoughts of multitudes who profess and call themselves Christians, and many who give to it some measure of consideration do not "see it steadily nor see it whole."

Too many see no more of it than is suggested by the apostolic records of our Lord's life in the flesh, and they misapprehend it even in that stage of its development, because they fail to consider

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its previous history and ultimate goal. They do not perceive that "the kingdom of God's Son," as its nature requires and its name implies, must extend over all the ages and comprehend the divine government in all the stages of its existence.

In the lectures of which this volume is composed, it is considered as "the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world," the "increasing purpose" of which runs "through the ages," reaching its consumation "when the kingdoms of this world shall have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ" (Rev. xi. 15), "when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when He shall have put down all rule and authority and power" (1 Cor. xv. 24).

The lectures fall far below the aim and ideal of the lecturer. They are marred by many imperfections arising from both the inability of the writer to discuss adequately a subject so transcendent and the multitude of distracting toils and cares which divided his attention while engaged in their preparation.

But such as they are, they are sent forth with the hope that they may not be considered wholly unworthy of the lectureship founded by that devout and noble man, the lamented Dr. William F. Quillian, and with the prayer that they may in some small degree promote the glory of the Eternal Father, "who hath delivered us from the

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power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col. i. 13).

"Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen" (Eph. iii. 21).

Warren A. Candler.

Atlanta, Ga., June 1, 1921.

The Heavenly Forces by Which the Heavenly Kingdom Is Promoted 147