The Head Of All Principality And Power

by F. McCormick | Category: Headship And Lordship | Mar 1951

Colossians 1. 16 states that "In Him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers." He is their Creator, the Sovereign Lord of the Universe.

The inhabitants of heaven, beings of higher order than men, acknowledge Him as theIR King, and Lord of Glory (Psalm 24). "Isaiah ... saw His glory; and he spake of Him" (John 12. 41). Above another - "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6. 2).

"Thousands of thousands ministered unto Him (the Ancient of Days), and ten thousand times ten thousand stood befoire Him." "Behold, there came with the clouds of heaven One like unto the Son of Man ... even to the Ancient of days ... and there was given Him dominion and glory, and a kingdom ... His dominion is an everlasting kingdom, ... and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." So spake Daniel in the night visions concerning Him whom God hath appointed to be Heir of all things (Daniel 7.). The path to that glory was by way of the cross. Wonder of wonders, He who occupied the throne, in the fulness of time became a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. In His deep humiliation He triumphed at the cross.

"By weakness and defeat,

He won the meed and crown,

Trod all our foes beneath His feet

By being trodden down."

"Wherefore also God highly exalted Him, and gave unto Him the Name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth and things under the earth." (Philippians 2. 9, 10).

In resurrection triumph He ascended to God's right hand. "Who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" (1 Peter 3. 22). That glory which He had with the Father before the world was is now His. Innumerable hosts of angels, the citizens of heaven, are subject to a triumphant, victorious Man who bears the marks of His passion upon the throne, "The Head of all principality and power," possessed of all authority in heaven and earth.

"The LORD hath established His throne in the heavens;

And His kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the LORD, ye angels of His;

Ye mighty in strength that fulfil His word,

Hearkening unto the voice of His word.

Bless the LORD, all ye His hosts;

Ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure" (Psalm 103. 19-21)

He who voluntarily for a little while became a little lower than the angels has now "Become by so much better than the angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels has He said at any time,

"Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee" (Hebrews 1.4, 5).

"Of the Son He saith,

Thy throne, 0 God is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1. 8)

"Of which of the angels hath He said at any time, sit thou on My right hand till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1. 13, 14)

The words of Hebrews 1. should be pondered carefully as they set forth His exaltation and superiority over angels.

He is the captain of our Salvation, the author and perfecter of faith. He is our heavenly Leader and example, bringing many sons unto glory, and is the Source of all our strength and supply for the journey. We, who shall yet inherit salvation are ministered to by Him through angels (see Matthew 18. 10 Acts 12. 15, etc)

Much comfort may be derived from a consideration of this subject throughout the Scriptures Our foes are many and mighty our only defence is in Himself, who, as Head of all principality and power is able to send forth His angels "mighty in strength" for our deliverance and succour (Psalm 34. 7; Daniel 6. 22).

"Swiftly they fly at His command,

To guard His own of every land,

To keep the heirs of glory."

"Who maketh His angels winds and His ministers a flame or fire"." They render instantaneous and unquestioning obedience to His behests, they "fulfil His word, and do His pleasure, and well may we ponder afresh the words: -

"Thy will be done as in heaven, so on earth" (Matthew 6. 10). Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

We would still pray for that glorious appearing of or great God and Saviour Jesus Christ in those memorable words: "Thy kingdom come." "For not unto angels did He subject the world to come, whereof we speak." The inhabited world to come will be subject to see the Son of Man, God's will will be done on earth, His kingdom will come. "And when He again bringeth in the First-born into the world He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him" (Hebrews 1. 6). The glorified Son of Man is to be served and worshipped in that day by the angels.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man" (John 1. 51).

The rule of heaven will be seen on earth then.

Finally, we remind our readers of that wonderful scene in heaven which John saw in vision:

"And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne ... and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and the riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every created thing which is in heaven ... heard I saying, Unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.

And the four living creatures said, AMEN" (Revelation 5.).

"Be ours to mingle with the throng

In that eternal, loud Amen."

F. McCormick | Mar 1951
Headship And Lordship