EXPLANATION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
The will of God is expressed in the precepts of His holy law, and the
principles of this law are the principles of heaven. The angels of heaven
attain unto no higher knowledge than to know the will of God, and to do His
will is the highest service that can engage their powers.
But in heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan
rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came
to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of. In their
ministry the angels are not as servants, but as sons. There is perfect unity
between them and their Creator. Obedience is to them no drudgery. Love for
God makes their service a joy. So in every soul wherein Christ, the hope of
glory, dwells, His words are re-echoed, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God:
yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psalm 40:8.
The petition, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," is a prayer
that the reign of evil on this earth may be ended, that sin may be forever
destroyed, and the kingdom of righteousness be established. Then in earth as
in heaven will be fulfilled "all the good pleasure of His goodness." 2
Thessalonians 1:11.
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