We are sons of the King of kings and the Lord of lords

We are sons of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. For centuries this proclamation has fallen upon unhearing ears; and in consequence man has worked in chains, and with the brand of the slave upon him,— the mark of the master whom he served. “We are children of the Most High,” continues the refrain; yet man toils on with no reward save pain, weariness, scourgings.

One bowed under the yoke of bondage, but rebellious, hears something within say to him, “A better lot surely is mine;” and a “still small voice” whispers, “We are children of the Most High.” He hears as if spoken in trumpet tones. He rises, casts off his chains, and steps forth; no longer a bondslave, but a freeman, son of the Most High, free born! “He is not here, he is risen.”

It is said that the seed of him who has heard and obeyed this call to the sons of the Most High, shall be as the sands of the sea. Many more shall hear the heavenly word, “We are sons of the King of kings and the Lord of lords,” and rise from slavery to freedom, from sin to holiness. It is the song the morning stars sang together. It is the voice of the “heavens declaring His glory, and the firmament showing forth his handiwork.” It is the Christ that said: “Before Abraham was, I am.” Whenever and wherever this glorious message is heard and heeded, the “Christ is risen.”

A pastor declares: “Every child here is a child of the King.” A little flower-seller passes slowly from the open street door to the chancel rail, and with eager eyes and trembling voice asks: “Mister, am I too a child of the King?” Ah, the Christ is risen!

One burdened with the human belief of sin, an Ishmael, hears: “The son of God has never sinned, and we are all sons of God.” He feels the burden roll from bent shoulders, the weight of condemnation lift from his heart, and says: “Had I known that I was the son of the King, I would all this time have been honoring my Father, as became a prince; but I thought I was a slave born, and must ever bear the brand. I will arise, and go to my Father, the King.” Again, “He is not here, he is risen.”

Through a hospital window comes a ray of sunshine. A little leaflet lying in the light on the counterpane, says:” There is no Truth in sin, sickness or death, for they are not in God, and God is our Father. From Him we inherit— the divine heredity!— wholeness, health, strength, wisdom, courage, love.” Oh, glad tidings of great joy! Angels (true thoughts) bear the invalid up in their hands (power) and once more is heard: “He is not here, he is risen.”

An unloved wife, an unloved husband, tugging rebelliously against the chains riveted by vows uttered with lips rather than hearts, hear, “Whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder,” and they strenuously declare: “He surely did not join us.” Yes, He did, dear ones. He has joined His children together indissolubly and harmoniously. In that perfect union— that eternal union of Wisdom and Love, the concord that is harmony’s self — you have freedom, freedom. Listen no longer to the lie claiming that God has not joined you together. They hear; they rise in the new-born sense of harmony, freedom, love; see and greet each other as children of one Father, whose glory they unite to show forth forever; and again the angel-presence softly says: “He is not here, he is risen.”

Days and nights of vain regret and remorse, because of the hasty temper that wantonly and irreparably wounds the heart of a loved one, follow each other. It is so hopeless, so dark, we cry out, “What is repentance? Can it avail?” When the deepest depth is reached; when sense and sin have done their worst, there comes again the song the angels are ever singing: “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men.” Hear, O son and daughter of man; the Truth is come “that taketh away the sins of the world.” Repentance does avail. Hear and obey. The children of God, who is Light, “have fellowship one with another.” Sing! ye heavenly choirs; sing, “He is not here, he is risen.”

Listen! oh world of suffering, sin, pain and loss; the sons of God are revealed. Rise early in the morning, prepare spices; then go to the sepulchre in which you have laid fondest beliefs of hope, of life, of health, of peace, and before which a stone is rolled to keep them in,— and to keep out the teaching of the Messiah. Go early to the tomb, and you will find the stone rolled away; and the reality which your hope foreshadowed, “sitting at the head,” and saying, “He is not here, he is risen.”

“The Lord hath made the hearing ear, and the seeing eye.” It is the ear and eye of Light that is the Life of men; that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Then listen, O world with the ear that the Lord hath made — the hearing ear — to this Word of God, eternal in the heavens and on the earth: “We are the children of the King of kings, and Lord of lords; children of the Most High; sons of the living God, the one Father, omnipotent, omnipresent Principle,— Life, Truth, Love.” Then no longer will you sit by the grave of your good, forsaken and grief-stricken; for the angels of Light, of whiteness, of purity, smilingly say to you: “Look up. He is not here, he is risen.”