#Christ our Surety only by the Covenant of Grace]. And

[fearless-eagle]

Works of John Bunyan: THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAW AND GRACE UNFOLDED. 531

by Thomas Sadler, oil on canvas, 1684 Fourth. If the surety stands bound, the debtor is at liberty, and if the law does issue out any process to take any, it will be the surety. [Though the debtor and the surety are liable to pay the debt by the law of man, Christ our Surety only by the Covenant of Grace]. And, O! how wonderfully accurate was this accomplished in that, when Christ our Surety…

[yhwhrulz]

Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional for December 12

Morning

“He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him.”

Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5:1 , Hebrews 5:2

An angelic priest for men would be out of place. Men need forbearance and sympathy, hence the priests of old were men of like passions with the people. This also is true of our Lord Jesus, who is most certainly and really a human being like the rest of mankind in all things except sin that stain never defiled his holy nature.

Hebrews 5:3

This refers to the typical high priest, but our Lord had no sin of his own; he bore our sin, but in him is no sin.

Hebrews 5:4-6

He was no unauthorised priest, self-appointed and unordained. What he does has the Father’s decree to back it. “It pleased the Father to bruise him,” and “it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” What solid ground we have for depending upon Jesus, the elect messenger of God, the ordained surety of the everlasting covenant!

Hebrews 5:7

The cup was not removed, but he was strengthened to drink it. If the Lord does not answer his people one way he does another. Jesus understands our feelings in prayer even when we cannot express them except by strong crying and tears. Experience has made him the ready interpreter of anguished hearts.

Hebrews 5:9

A perfected Saviour presents all believers with a perfect and everlasting salvation. He was always perfect in character, but his sorrowful life below gave him a complete qualification for the office of Saviour, which nothing else could have obtained. Who would not obey a Master who has undergone all kinds of sorrow that he may be able to sympathise with his servants? Who would not possess a salvation won for us by such condescending love.?

Hebrews 5:10

Here the apostle rises to a great height, and then suddenly pauses, remembering how unsuitable men’s minds often are for the reception of mysterious truth.

Hebrews 5:11

Of whom namely, Melchisedec

Hebrews 5:12

Too often we learn and unlearn. Our progress is slow, and we remain babes when we ought to be full grown men in Christ. We draw upon the church’s strength when we ought to be contributing to it.

Hebrews 5:13 , Hebrews 5:14

We should desire not only to be saved, and to know the elementary truths, but to be advanced scholars in Christ’s school, so as to handle the deeper doctrines, and teach them to others. Good Master, have patience with thy servants, and teach us still!

It is my sweetest comfort, Lord,

And will for ever be,

To muse upon the gracious truth

Of thy humanity.

Oh joy! there sitteth in our flesh,

Upon a throne of light,

One of a human mother born,

In perfect Godhead bright!

Evening

“Within the veil the forerunner is for us entered.”

Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:1 , Hebrews 6:2

Children are to learn their letters in order that they may go on to higher brandies of education, and believers are to know the elements of the faith, but are then to advance to the higher attainments, and endeavour to understand the deeper mysteries.

Hebrews 6:3-6

If once the real work of grace fails it cannot be commenced again, the case is hopeless for ever. Hence the absolute necessity for persevering to the end. To draw back totally would be fatal.

Hebrews 6:7 , Hebrews 6:8

When all that is possible is done for a piece of land, and yet it bears no harvest it must be given up. If, after all, the Holy Spirit’s work in a man should prove fruitless, he must be given over to destruction, nothing else remains. Will any truly regenerated man ever come into this condition? The apostle answers this question in the next two verses.

Hebrews 6:9-10

But this perseverance demands earnestness on our part, hence he adds

Hebrews 6:11 , Hebrews 6:12

Those promises we shall inherit most surely, for we shall by grace be enabled to remain faithful until death.

Hebrews 6:13-20

The most solemn warnings against apostasy, and the declaration that total apostasy would be fatal, are not inconsistent with the great truth of the safety of all true saints. Safe they are, for the covenant promise and oath guarantee their security, their hope is placed where it cannot fail, and in their name Jesus has gone to take possession of heaven. Has he gone as a forerunner of those who may after all perish on the road? God forbid. Where our Head is, there must the members be ere long.

Raise, raise, my soul, thy raptured sight

With sacred wonder and delight;

Jesus, thine own forerunner see

Enter’d beyond the veil for thee.

Loud let the howling tempest yell,

And foaming waves to mountains swell,

No shipwreck can my vessel fear,

Since hope hath fix’d her anchor here.

Copyright Statement This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".

[reformationcartoons]

“For the mountains shall depart,

and the hills be removed;

but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,

saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”

—Isaiah 54:10–

Brethren, we believe the Gospel, which is the sure Promise of God Almighty to save us by His free grace in Christ alone.

The Gospel is God’s unconditional Covenant of Grace to us.

It is unconditional, for the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, has met all the conditions necessary to justify us from our sins.

As our Surety in this Covenant of Grace, Jesus agreed to accomplish all of the requirements of the Covenant of Works (i.e., the Law) for us.

You see, Jesus legally took our place and did just that—He satisfied the Law in our stead.

Jesus had our guilt charged to His account, bore our transgressions, underwent the punishment and death we deserve by dying on the cross in our place, and made His grave with the wicked.

Having entirely satisfied the demands of the Law for us, our Redeemer and Mediator, rose from the dead the third day for our justification.

This perfect work of the Son of God is the only legal basis by which God our Father forgives all of our sins, accepts us as righteous in Christ, and freely pronounces us acquitted.

This perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ alone is imputed to us—reckoned to our accounts—and received by faith alone, a faith which is itself the free gift of God.

This means that our faith is passive in our justification, not active.

Saving faith is merely instrumental in justification—it only receives the righteousness of Christ alone—it does not achieve it.

This is why we say that it is only the object of faith that justifies—the righteousness of Christ alone freely credited to our accounts by God alone—never the act of our faith.

Listen carefully, we are not justified by anything in us—nor by anything done by us.

Our character and works cannot save us.

We are justified by a righteousness completely outside us—a righteousness that is not our own (i.e., a righteousness not done by us nor infused in us).

The righteousness that justifies us before God is an alien righteousness (i.e., a righteousness foreign to us).

This justifying righteousness covers us.

It covers all our debts and transgressions.

This justifying righteousness is the righteousness of our Surety Jesus Christ alone.

In performing this covenant righteousness, the Lamb without spot spilled His precious blood to reconcile us to the Father, to redeem us from sin and death, and to pay the ransom for us—entirely freeing us and delivering us from the condemnation of the Law!

This imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ comes to us freely by God’s unmerited kindness in His Covenant of Grace.

It brings such comfort and peace to us when we believe the Gospel that it is called here in Isaiah “The Covenant of My Peace.”

This gracious and justifying covenant cannot be removed, for God Almighty alone has established it.

So, it is a unilateral covenant. God alone made and keeps this covenant for us.

It is God’s free mercy to us in Christ alone—so it saves us and preserves us—and it cannot be removed!

God’s loving kindness will follow us all the days of our lives—the Lord promises that it will not depart from us.

Now let us rejoice in the Lord’s salvation, give thanks to and glorify His name, and help our fellow man—for this is God’s Promise:

“For the mountains shall depart,

and the hills be removed;

but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,

saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”

—Isaiah 54:10–

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening"

Devotions for May 20

MORNING

"The cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted." - Psalm 104:16

Lebanon's cedars are emblematic of the Christian, in that they owe their planting entirely to the Lord. This is quite true of every child of God. He is not man-planted, nor self-planted, but God-planted. The mysterious hand of the divine Spirit dropped the living seed into a heart which he had himself prepared for its reception. Every true heir of heaven owns the great Husbandman as his planter. Moreover, the cedars of Lebanon are not dependent upon man for their watering; they stand on the lofty rock, unmoistened by human irrigation; and yet our heavenly Father supplieth them. Thus it is with the Christian who has learned to live by faith. He is independent of man, even in temporal things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to him alone. The dew of heaven is his portion, and the God of heaven is his fountain. Again, the cedars of Lebanon are not protected by any mortal power. They owe nothing to man for their preservation from stormy wind and tempest. They are God's trees, kept and preserved by him, and by him alone. It is precisely the same with the Christian. He is not a hot-house plant, sheltered from temptation; he stands in the most exposed position; he has no shelter, no protection, except this, that the broad wings of the eternal God always cover the cedars which he himself has planted. Like cedars, believers are full of sap, having vitality enough to be ever green, even amid winter's snows. Lastly, the flourishing and majestic condition of the cedar is to the praise of God only. The Lord, even the Lord alone hath been everything unto the cedars, and, therefore David very sweetly puts it in one of the psalms, "Praise ye the Lord, fruitful trees and all cedars. " In the believer there is nothing that can magnify man; he is planted, nourished, and protected by the Lord's own hand, and to him let all the glory be ascribed.

EVENING

"And I will remember my covenant." - Genesis 9:15

Mark the form of the promise. God does not say, "And when ye shall look upon the bow, and ye shall remember my covenant, then I will not destroy the earth," but it is gloriously put, not upon our memory, which is fickle and frail, but upon God's memory, which is infinite and immutable. "The bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant." Oh! it is not my remembering God, it is God's remembering me which is the ground of my safety; it is not my laying hold of his covenant, but his covenant's laying hold on me. Glory be to God! the whole of the bulwarks of salvation are secured by divine power, and even the minor towers, which we may imagine might have been left to man, are guarded by almighty strength. Even the remembrance of the covenant is not left to our memories, for we might forget, but our Lord cannot forget the saints whom he has graven on the palms of his hands. It is with us as with Israel in Egypt; the blood was upon the lintel and the two side-posts, but the Lord did not say, "When you see the blood I will pass over you," but "When I see the blood I will pass over you." My looking to Jesus brings me joy and peace, but it is God's looking to Jesus which secures my salvation and that of all his elect, since it is impossible for our God to look at Christ, our bleeding Surety, and then to be angry with us for sins already punished in him. No, it is not left with us even to be saved by remembering the covenant. There is no linsey-wolsey here-not a single thread of the creature mars the fabric. It is not of man, neither by man, but of the Lord alone. We should remember the covenant, and we shall do it, through divine grace; but the hinge of our safety does not hang there-it is God's remembering us, not our remembering him; and hence the covenant is an everlasting covenant.

[pooma-bible]

Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Topic: Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 07) : The Restoration of Israel and Its Surety!

Rhema Word: Romans 11:26-27 (NKJV) “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”

Let’s pray. Our Gracious Loving Father, thank You for giving us an opportunity to meditate Your Word today along with Your children who have been called to live a holy life, Father. I commit everyone who are all meditating this message into Your mighty hand Father. Bless them and give them the oneness of Spirit and make their heart as a good land to receive each and every Word which is living and active Father. Thank You Holy Spirit for helping us to understand the in-depth treasure of Your Word and helping us to live a life as per Your Word Lord. We give all the Glory and Honour to You only Father. We pray in the mighty Name of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

In Romans 9–11, Paul returns to the immediate problem the letter is meant to address—the conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Paul discusses God’s history with Israel, with special attention to God’s mercy (Rom. 9:14–18). He explains how God’s salvation comes also to the Gentiles. Jews experienced God’s salvation first, beginning with Abraham (Rom. 9:4–7). But many have fallen away, and at present it seems as if the Gentiles are more faithful (Rom. 9:30–33). But the Gentiles should not become judgmental, for their salvation is interwoven with the Jews (Rom. 11:11–16). God has preserved a “remnant” of his people (Rom. 9:27, 11:5) whose faithfulness—by the grace of God—leads to the reconciliation of the world.

Note this critical point as well: The change from Romans Chapter 8 is abrupt and striking. Chapters 9-11 have to do with the place of the Jews in world history. The church faces this bewildering problem because the Jews were God’s chosen people with a unique and special place in God’s chosen people with a unique and special place in God’s purposes. However, when God sent His Son into the world, the Jews rejected Him. How can this tragic and terrible paradox be explained? Why would God’s people choose to reject and crucify God’s very own Son? This is the problem that Paul begins to deal with in these chapters.

Two things need to be noted throughout this section. First, the Jews were the special chosen people of God. Paul never questioned this. The Jews had a very special place in God’s plan for the salvation of man down through human history. Second, the real chosen people, the real Israel, always lay in a righteous remnant, not in the whole nation.

The teaching of the whole passage outlined in Romans 9:1- 11:36 deals with Israel and the gospel of righteousness. We have been trying to understand this whole passage in the following Seven Parts since last six weeks:

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 01): The Privileges of Israel and their Tragic Failure, The True Israel – Children of God!

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 02): The Rejection of Israel: God’s Right to show Mercy & Justice as He Wills!

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 03) : The Tragic Mistake of Israel: Missing God’s Righteousness!

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 04) : The Gospel (Righteousness by Faith) is Not for Israel Alone – It is Universal!

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 05) : The Callous on Israel’s Heart is Not Total – There is a Remnant & There is to be a Restoration!

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 06) : The Callous on Israel’s Heart is a Warning to Other Nations!

Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 07) : The Restoration of Israel and Its Surety!

We have meditated the Part 01 to Part 06 in last six weeks. Let us try to understand the Seventh Part with the help of Holy Spirit today, Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 07): The Restoration of Israel and Its Surety!

This passage in Romans 11:25-36 discusses about the “Restoration of Israel and its surety”. Yes, Israel’s history is a surety. God loves man with an infinite love, and God’s love is unchangeable. Therefore, any person can be restored to God if the person will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Christ to save him. This is clearly seen in the history of Israel. Israel’s restoration is a surety, and as such, Israel stands as a prime example of the unchangeable love of God toward man.

Let us try to understand the following today, with the help of Holy Spirit:

(1) Surety 01: God’s Great Revelation about the Jews:

(2) Surety 02: The Promise of Scripture – God’s Deliverer, Jesus Christ, shall turn Israel:

(3) Surety 03: God’s Pleasure with Israel’s Forefathers:

(4) Surety 04: The Believer’s Mercy & Witness to the Jews:

(5) Surety 05: God’s Holiness & Mercy:

(6) Surety 06: God’s Glorious Plan for the World:

(1) Surety 01: God’s Great Revelation about the Jews:

The Bible says in Romans 11:25-26 “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”

The first surety is God’s great revelation about Israel. The revelation comes from Paul. Note three significant facts:

Fact 01: The revelation had been an unknown mystery until Paul. The word “mystery” (musterion) in the Bible is not used as most men use the word, as something mysterious or difficult to understand. A Biblical mystery means that (a) something that was unknown is now revealed; (b) something that was hidden is now made known; and (c) something that was a secret is now told.

The future of Israel is now revealed and made known to men. Note exactly why God revealed the future of Israel: that we not be ignorant of Israel’s future, and that we not be wise in our own conceits or imaginations. This last reason can mean two things:

(a) Gentiles become guilty of looking down upon the Jews because the Jews are so different from the rest of us. They have rejected Jesus Christ and are opposed to Christianity to such a degree that they remain almost exclusively among themselves. Gentiles face the danger of becoming puffed up, of thinking that they are more acceptable to God because they look with favour upon Jesus Christ and are more open in professing Him. There is the danger of being prideful and arrogant, of lording over the Jews.

(b) A Gentile, especially a Gentile believer, can begin to think that his idea of Israel’s destiny is the correct idea and that he and the followers of his position are the persons who have a full understanding of the truth. All other understandings are incorrect. There is the danger of becoming “conceited”.

Fact 02: Israel’s blindness is only partial, only, “in part”. There were Jewish believers who followed Christ in His day and there have been Jewish believers who have followed Christ down through the centuries. The blindness and hardness of Israel to the gospel is not total; it is only partial. Granted, just as Scripture says, so many Jews have rejected and still do reject Christ that it is as though all Israel as a nation has stumbled and fallen over Him (v.8-9). However, there have been and always will be some Jews who believe. Israel’s blindness is only partial.

Fact 03: Israel’s blindness is only temporary. Two statements clearly show this:

(i) Israel’s blindness is only “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in”. Note a significant point. It does not matter how a person interprets this clause, when the full number of the Gentiles is completed, Israel’s blindness will be removed according to Scripture. Just what “the full number of the Gentiles” means is open to different interpretations, but it does not change what is to happen to Israel. It only affects when the blindness is to be removed from Israel. Israel’s blindness is to continue only until the full number of the Gentiles comes. Now what does this event mean? The full number of the Gentiles can mean :

(a) a certain number of Gentile converts are to be saved, to fill up the “cut off branches of Israel” (v.17-21);

(b) the end of the Gentile age, a time when the emphasis of salvation will no longer be upon the Gentiles, but upon the Jews;

(c) the end of the Gentile age, a time when God will rapture the church (all believers) and cause a revival among the Jews who will then become the primary witnesses for Him.

The point is worth repeating. No mater what the phrase “the full number of the Gentiles” means, it does not change the event of Israel’s revival. The blindness of Israel will be removed.

(ii) ‘All Israel will be saved”. The fact could be stated no clearer:

(a) Israel’s blindness is only temporary.

(b) The restoration of Israel is a surety.

(c) Israel shall experience a revival.

(d) Israel shall turn to God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lesson: There is hope for every person. Note two critical facts:

(a) A person’s blindness to the Lord Jesus Christ is only partial. As long as a person is alive, he can still turn to Christ.

(b) A person’s blindness is temporary only if the person turns to the Lord Jesus Christ. Unless a person believes and commits his life to Christ, his blindness becomes permanent, and he is lost forever.

That is why our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

Apostle Paul says in Colossians 1:13-14 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” He further says in 2 Timothy 1:10 “But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Apostle John says in 1 John 1:5-7 “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

(2) Surety 02: The Promise of Scripture – God’s Deliverer, Jesus Christ, shall turn Israel:

The Bible says in Romans 11:26-27 “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”

The second surety is the promise of Scripture. God’s great Deliverer, Jesus Christ Himself, shall turn Israel. Scripture gives a glimpse into the future of Israel’s restoration in this verse, but note that it is only a glimpse. Just how Israel will be restored is not discussed in this passage. Only two major things are given:

(i) Some great manifestation of Christ the Deliverer will cause Israel to turn to the gospel.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 23:39 “For I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 “But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains un-lifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”

The Bible says in Acts 3:19-21 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

God spoke through Prophet Hosea in Hosea 3:4-5 “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.”

God again spoke through Prophet Zechariah in Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

(ii) The great Deliverer, Jesus Christ, will do two things for Israel:

(a) Jesus Christ will turn away godlessness from Israel (Isiah 27:9);

(b) Jesus Christ will fulfill God’s covenant with Israel: He will take away their sins (Isiah 59:21; 27:9).

Peter said in Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Bible says in Acts 5:31 “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

God spoke through Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; 55:7 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

(3) Surety 03: God’s Pleasure with Israel’s Forefathers:

The Bible says in Romans 11:28-29 “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

The third surety is God’s pleasure with Israel’s Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).

(i)The statement “they [the Jews] are enemies on your account” sounds as though God predestined Israel’s rejection. However, God does not cause sin (James 1:13-14); God does not cause people to reject His Son and His will. What the statement means is this: the word “enemy” (echthroi) has both an active and passive meaning. It means either hostile or hated by, and it means either hating or being hated. It is possible that in this particular passage it is to be read both ways. The Jews were hostile to God; they had refused the offer of God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ, and they had refused to be the missionary force for God’s Son. Therefore, they had aroused God’s displeasure. They hated God; consequently, God was displeased with them.

Note that God did what He had to do. He turned to the Gentiles. Israel had refused to be the missionary force for God’s Son, so God had to turn to the Gentiles. Among the Gentiles, God found a receptive people. The Gentiles accepted the offer of God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ, and they have become the missionary force for Christ to the world. It is critical to remember something, however, this does not mean that every Gentile is saved. Most are not, but a fair number of them have accepted and still do accept Jesus Christ. We must remember this: in this passage God is speaking nationally, not individually.

(a) A few Jews do accept Christ as the Messiah, but the number is small. The number is so small that God can say that Israel as a nation has rejected Christ.

(b) A far greater number of Gentiles accept Christ as their Saviour. However, as is clearly evidenced by the unholy lives of most Gentiles, the majority reject Christ; but the number who do accept Him is fairly large. It is large enough for God to say that the Gentiles as a community do accept His offer of salvation in Christ.

Lesson: The point is that God is speaking nationally and not individually. And we must remember this, for it is absolutely essential for everyone to make a personal decision to receive Christ and to follow Him by living a pure life.

That is why apostle Paul says in Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

(ii) The statement “they [the Jews] are loved on account of the patriarchs” shows that God still loves Israel. As a people they are still very precious to Him. How can this be when they have been so hostile to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and against the missionary force of God’s Son? There are two reasons why God still loves Israel.

(a) The forefathers or patriarchs of Israel were a godly people, a people of unusual faith in God. There were people such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Ruth, Elijah – the list could go on and on. As Scripture says in Hebrews 11:32-38 “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mocking and scourging, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

Such godly men and women knew God – knew Him personally and intimately – and God would never forget a people who loved Him so greatly. Keep this in mind as well: godly people are a praying people, a people who pray for their families and neighbours, for their nation and world. And God hears and answers the prayers of His people. God would never turn His back upon Israel for this reason alone.

(b) There is a second reason why God still loves Israel: God Himself is unchangeable in His gifts and calling. God called and promised some very special gifts to the patriarchs, the forefathers of Israel, and God is unchangeable; therefore (i) every purpose for which God called Israel shall be fulfilled in the lives of many Jews; (ii) every gift God promised Israel shall be given to many Jews.

This point is striking. God does not change His mind. He is constant, immutable, unchangeable. He shall perfectly fulfill His calling and gifts to Israel.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 33:11 “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.”

The Psalmist David praises in Psalm 145:13 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”

The Bible says in Hebrews 1:12 “Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.”

Apostle James says in James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

The Bible says in Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

(4) Surety 04: The Believer’s Mercy & Witness to the Jews:

The Bible says in Romans 9:30-31 “For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.”

The fourth surety is the believer’s mercy and witness in the Jews. These two verses are speaking historically. Very simply, history shall be repeated.

(a) In times past – before Christ ever came – the Gentiles did not know and obey God, but the Jews did.

(b) Eventually, the Jews rejected God which is ultimately seen in their killing God’s beloved Son Jesus Christ. They too, failed to believe (obey God).

(c) Therefore, God turned to the Gentiles.

Now note: if we came to know God through the unbelief of the Jews, how much more shall the Jews be shown mercy through the mercy of the Gentiles! To word the matter another way: (a) if mercy resulted from unbelief, how much more shall mercy result from mercy? (b) if mercy to the Gentiles came through the unbelief of the Jews, how much more shall mercy to the Jews came through the mercy of the Gentiles?

The point seems to be this: we truly know the mercy of God through Jesus Christ our Lord; therefore, we want the world to experience the same mercy and forgiveness of sins. In particular, we feel indebted to the Jews, the people through whom God gave us His Word, His Son, and His promises. Therefore, Scripture predicts that the evangelistic efforts to reach the Jews will someday bear fruit. The Jews will be reached by the mercy of God; they shall believe and obey Jesus Christ as Lord. The Jews shall be restored into the favour of God.

Lesson: Every believer who knows the mercy of God should share the mercy of God. God hates exclusiveness, prejudice, partiality. The world desperately needs the gospel, the Jew as well as the Gentile, and God demands that His mercy be shared with the world.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 20:21 “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

Apostle John says in 1 John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

(5) Surety 05: God’s Holiness & Mercy:

The Bible says in Romans 11:32 “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”

The fifth surety is God’s holiness and mercy. The word “bound” (sunekleisen) means to shut up in a pace, to close up, to lock up. This is an unusual idea: God has taken men, both Jews and Gentiles, and shut them up to disobedience (apeitheian). This is the judicial judgement of God. It is the picture of God using sin and events for good, God takes sin and works it out for the good of the world. Man has chosen sin, choosing to go his own way in life, so God allows man to do his own thing. God locks man up in his own world of selfishness, showing man to roam around in his world of sin. Why? So that man’s true nature of sinfulness will be clearly seen, and thereby cause the honest and thinking man to seek God. God wishes and will have mercy upon all, both Jew and Gentile; but before men can come to God, they must confess two things:

(a) that they are sinful and dying creatures in desperate need of God;

(b) that God exists and that He will have mercy upon the person who diligently seeks Him.

Now note: all men, both Jew and Gentile, are shut up in their world of sin. Why? That God may have mercy upon both. The holiness and love of God assures that the Jews will be saved and restored to the mercy of God. All that is needed is for the Jews to begin seeking God. God will have mercy upon any who genuinely seek Him.

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

The Psalmist David says in Psalm 103:17-18 “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”

God spoke through Prophet Joel in Joel 2:13 “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

Prophet Micah while praying and praising God says in Micah 7:18 “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

(6) Surety 06: God’s Glorious Plan for the World:

The Bible says in Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

The sixth surety is God’s glorious plan for the world. Note four points:

(i) God’s glorious plan for the world involves two great acts of God.

(a) His infinite wisdom and knowledge: knowing how to do everything perfectly; knowing how to create and arrange, order and govern everything so that all things work out perfectly. Note how God’s wisdom and knowledge are said to be deep and rich: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”. God’s wisdom and knowledge are so deep and rich:

that angels desire to look into them (1 Peter 1:13);

that they are infinite (Ephesians 3:18);

that they are too wonderful for man (Psalm 139:6 “ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” This one verse alone shows just how great God’s mercy is towards us);

that they include thoughts more numerous than the grains of sand in the world (Psalm 139:17-18).

(b) His infinite judgements and ways: His judgement in planning and deciding everything, and His ways to executing His purposes and decisions. Note that His judgement and ways are said to be unsearchable and past finding out.

Secret things belongs to God (Deut. 29:29).

God is glorified by His infinite judgements and ways (Proverbs 25:2).

The great things of God are unsearchable and without number (Job 5:9; 9:10).

Man cannot discover God by searching (Job 11:7).

There is no searching of God’s understanding (Isaiah 40:28).

(ii) No man can grasp God’s plan. No man can know the mind of the Lord; no man can be a counsellor to God. Note two significant points:

(a) No man can grasp God’s plan. Scripture makes this abundantly clear.

The Bible says in Job 11:7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?”

King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

That is why apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:16 “Who (Jesus Christ) alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and might forever. Amen.”

(b) Believers do, however, have the mind of Christ. This does not mean that believers understand God and His ways perfectly, but it does mean that God reveals Himself and the truth to believers – enough of Himself and His ways to save them from sin, death, judgement and hell.

Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:12,16 “ Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” “For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 7:16-17 “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” He said in John 8:31-32 “ “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” He further said in John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

(iii) No man can earn God’s gift. Note two facts about this verse.

(a) No man can put God in debt to him. No man can give anything to God and claim that God owes him something in return. God owes man nothing. Man has rejected and rebelled against following God, choosing to go his own way. Man is committing high treason against God. Man does not deserve nor can he earn any favour from God. If man is to receive a favour from God, God has to freely give the favour.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

That is why apostle Paul says in Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” He again says in Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

Apostle Paul while writing to Ephesians says in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

While writing to Titus, Paul says in Titus 3:4-5 “But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

(b) Man’s depravity should silence his boasting. It does not, but it should. Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:19-20 “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

(iv) God alone is the source, the means, and the end of all things. Therefore, God is to be glorified forever and ever.

All things are from God: all things were created by and find their source in God.

All things are through God: all things come through His wisdom and knowledge. His judgements and ways.

All things are to God: all things exist for God, for His goodness and pleasure.

The Bible says in Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honour and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Psalmist David says in Psalm 22:23 “You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!”

Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 15:8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

Let us introspect ourselves.

Shall we thank our God for His love is unchangeable and infinite?

Shall we thank our God for restoring us when we call upon the name of His beloved Son Jesus Christ for saving us?

Shall we understand the fact that a person’s blindness to the Lord Jesus Christ is only partial and he or she can turn to Christ as long as that person is alive?

Shall we thank our God for giving us His Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who will cause Israel to turn to the gospel and fulfill God’s covenant with Israel by taking away their sins?

Shall we thank our God for His pleasure with our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which itself is the surety for Jews’ restoration with God?

Shall we share the mercy of God to the Jews and Gentiles as the world desperately needs the gospel?

Shall we thank our God for His Holiness and Mercy which itself is the surety for our restoration with Him?

Shall we thank our God for His glorious plan for the world, for His infinite wisdom and knowledge and for His infinite judgements and ways?

Shall we thank our God for making us to understand that God alone is the source, the means, and the end of all things so that He is to be glorified forever and ever?

Let us Pray: Our Heavenly Gracious Father, we thank You for helping us to understand about “Israel & The Gospel of Righteousness (Part 07): The Restoration of Israel and Its Surety” today, Father. We thank You for Your agape love which is unchangeable and infinite, for restoring us when we call upon the name of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ, Father. Father, please help us to understand the fact that our blindness to Your beloved Son Jesus Christ is only partial and we can turn to Christ as long as we are alive. We thank You Father for giving us Your Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who will cause Israel to turn to the gospel and will fulfill Your covenant with Israel by taking away their sins, for Your pleasure with our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which itself is the surety for our restoration with You Father. Father, please help us to share Your mercy to the Jews and Gentiles as the world desperately needs gospel. We thank You father for Your holiness and mercy which itself is the surety for our restoration with You, for Your glorious plan for the world, for Your infinite wisdom, knowledge, judgements and ways. Father, we thank You for making us to understand that You alone is the source, the means, and the end of all things so that You are to be glorified forever and ever. We thank You Father for accepting us when we approach You through Your beloved Son Jesus Christ besides being merciful on us and loving us so much and predestined us to receive Your promise of glory through Your beloved Son Jesu Christ, Father. We give all praise, glory and honour to Your Holy Name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you all.

[icephas]

Lesson 11 [New Covenant Sanctuary] - Thursday & Friday

Thursday, June 10

Heavenly Ministry

Study Hebrews 9:24, particularly in the context of which it is given, that of explaining Christ’s ministry in heaven for us after His sacrificial death on our behalf. Though much can be said, we want to focus on one point, the phrase at the end, which says that Christ now appears in the presence of God for us.

Think about what that means. We, sinful, fallen humanity; we, who would be consumed by the brightness of God’s glory if we faced it now; we, no matter how bad we have been or how blatantly we have violated God’s holy law, have Someone who appears in the presence of God for us. We have a Representative standing before the Father on our behalf. Think of how loving, forgiving, and accepting Christ was when here on earth. This same Person is now our Mediator in heaven?

This is the other part of the good news. Not only did Jesus pay the penalty for our sins, having taken them upon Himself at the Cross (1 Pet. 2:24), but now He stands in the presence of God, a Mediator between heaven and earth, between humanity and Divinity.

This makes perfect sense. Jesus, as both God and Man (a sinless perfect Man) is the only One who could bridge the gap between humanity and God, caused by sin. The crucial point to remember in all this (though there are many) is that there is now a Man, a Human Being, who can relate to all our trials, pains, and temptations (Heb. 4:14-15), representing us before the Father.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim. 2:5-6). What two roles does this text put Jesus in, and how were these roles prefigured in the earthly-sanctuary service?

The great news of the new covenant is that now, because of Jesus, repentant sinners have Someone representing them in heaven before the Father, Someone who earned for them what they could never earn for themselves, and that is perfect righteousness, the only righteousness that can stand in the presence of God. Jesus, with that perfect righteousness, wrought out in His life through suffering (Heb. 2:10), stands before God, claiming for us forgiveness from sin and power over sin, because without these we would have no hope, not now and certainly not in the judgment.

Pray and meditate over the idea of a human being, Someone who has experienced temptation to sin, standing before God in heaven. What does that mean to you personally? What kind of hope and encouragement does that bring?

Friday, June 11

Further Thought:

“The highest angel in heaven had not the power to pay the ransom for one lost soul. Cherubim and seraphim have only the glory with which they are endowed by the Creator as His creatures, and the reconciliation of man to God could be accomplished only through a mediator who was equal with God, possessed of attributes that would dignify, and declare him worthy to treat with the infinite God in man’s behalf, and also represent God to a fallen world. Man’s substitute and surety must have man’s nature, a connection with the human family whom he was to represent, and, as God’s ambassador, he must partake of the divine nature, have a connection with the Infinite, in order to manifest God to the world, and be a mediator between God and man.” — Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 257.

“Jesus continues: As you confess Me before men, so I will confess you before God and the holy angels. You are to be My witnesses upon earth, channels through which My grace can flow for the healing of the world. So I will be your representative in heaven. The Father beholds not your faulty character, but He sees you as clothed in My perfection. I am the medium through which Heaven’s blessings shall come to you. And everyone who confesses Me by sharing My sacrifice for the lost shall be confessed as a sharer in the glory and joy of the redeemed.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 357.

Discussion Questions:

Read Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:18, and Ephesians 3:12. What are they saying that helps us understand our access to the Father through Jesus?

Look at the second Ellen G. White quote listed above. Notice how she explains the role of mediator. When the Father looks at us, He does not see our faulty character but Christ’s perfection instead. Dwell on what that means and discuss with the class.

Looking at what we have studied this week, ask yourself how you would answer this question, “OK, so Christ is in the sanctuary in heaven. So what? What does that mean on a daily, practical level?”

Summary: The old covenant-sacrificial system was replaced by the new; instead of animals being sacrificed by sinful priests in an earthly sanctuary, we now have Jesus, our perfect Sacrifice. He represents us before the Father in the sanctuary in heaven, which forms the basis of the new covenant and its promises.

[reformedontheweb]

Wherefore we must grant two distinct covenants, rather than a twofold administration of the same covenant merely, to be intended… If reconciliation and salvation by Christ were to be obtained not only under the old covenant, but by virtue thereof, then it must be the same for substance with the new. But this is not so; for no reconciliation with God nor salvation could be obtained by virtue of the old covenant, or the administration of it, as our apostle disputes at large… [T]herefore I have showed in what sense the covenant of grace is called “the new covenant,” in this distinction and opposition… The greatest and utmost mercies that God ever intended to communicate unto the church, and to bless it withal, were enclosed in the new covenant. Nor doth the efficacy of the mediation of Christ extend itself beyond the verge and compass thereof; for he is only the mediator and surety of this covenant.

John Owen

[bldgrelationshipwgod]

RE: God's Covenant with David [2 Samuel 7:4–17]

The most practical truths any Christian can know are that God is all-powerful, all-wise, and all for you. Nothing will have a more important practical impact on the way you use your money, spend your leisure, pursue your vocation, rear children, deal with conflict, or handle anxiety.

Heartfelt confidence that the sovereign God is working everything together for your good out of sheer grace affects every area of your life.

The deep emotional assurance that, even though you are a sinner, God's attention is focused on you with omnipotent mercy is the day-to-day power:

to give you deep peace even though you can't go home for Christmas,

genuine joy even though you can't afford to buy her that special gift, &

loving warmth even though you don't hear from the friend you counted on.

When you rest in the fact that God's job description includes the responsibility of seeing that everything in your life turns out for your good, then your heart will not yield to covetousness or stealing or returning ridicule for ridicule; & you won't hold back from telling your colleagues this week what Christmas really means to you.

God's Covenants: His Self-Written Job Descriptions

The reason we study the covenants is because in them we see the biblical proof that God's job description does indeed include the responsibility to withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly, & to work for those who wait for Him, & to turn every strep throat & stripped clutch & stinging put-down for our eternal good.

That's what I would offer as the definition of God's covenants: when God makes a covenant He reveals His own job description & signs it.

In almost every case He comes to the covenant partner, lays His job description out & says, "This is how I will work for you with all My heart & with all My soul & with all My strength if you will love Me as I am, cleave to Me, & trust Me to keep My Word."

The reason I say this is the condition in almost every case is there is at least one covenant which has no condition at all, the one with Noah.

The job description God writes for Himself is never again to wipe out the world by a flood but to preserve the course of nature until the very end.

The reason we know this covenant has no condition attached to it is that God made it with the animals as well as man: "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me & you & every living creature that is with you" (Genesis 9:12).

You can't require faith from a frog. All you can do is say, "Frog, here is what I plan to do for you."

But in every other covenant which God makes He presents His job description & tells His covenant partner that He only works for clients who trust Him & who do the sorts of things you do when you trust somebody to take care of you.

Today we look at God's covenant with David.

First, we will try to understand 2 Samuel 7:12–17.

Then, we will see how the covenant promise is fulfilled.

Finally, we will apply all this to our lives today.

God's Covenant with David

2 Samuel 7:12–17 does what a lot of prophetic passages do: it takes an extended telescope of events & collapses it down so that the near & distant events are viewed together.

For example, in these six verses God promises on the one hand that Solomon, David's son, will reign in David's place & will build a house for God. This is why verse 14 can say, "When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but I will not take My steadfast love from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you."

1.] An Everlasting Throne & Kingdom

   But the promise goes far beyond Solomon & his imperfection.

Verse 13 says, "He shall build a house for my name, & I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever."

2 Samuel 7:16 says, "And your house & your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before Me; your throne shall be established for ever." Three times the words "for ever" appear. No wonder this covenant was central to Israel's hope: when God promises to do something for ever, all of eternity is being shaped.

We know from verse 12 that God intends for David to die. Yet verse 16 says: "Your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me; your throne shall be established for ever."

This must mean that the kingdom of David would be established & secured by a descendant.

But Solomon is depicted as a sinner who has to be chastened.

The kingdom can never be secure in the hands of a sinner. Look at what God does in 1 Kings 11:11–13 after Solomon marries foreign women & worships their gods: "The Lord said to Solomon, 'Since this has been your mind & you have not kept My covenant & My statutes which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you & give it to your servant.

Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David My servant & for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.'

This shows that the promise to establish David's kingdom cannot happen as long as the descendants of David are rebellious & disobedient.

2.] The Hope for David's Righteous Son

   The condition of this covenant is repeated constantly in Kings & Chronicles.    For example, in 1 Kings 2:4 David tells Solomon that God said,       "If your sons take heed to their ways, to walk before Me in faithfulness with        all their heart & with all their soul, there shall not fail you a man on the        throne of Israel."

   This means as long as David's sons are disobedient the kingdom cannot    be made secure for ever.

   Then look at 1 Kings 8:25 where Solomon prays, "Now, Lord God of Israel,    keep with Thy servant David my father what Thou hast promised him, saying,    'There shall never fail you a man before Me to sit upon the throne of Israel    if only your sons take heed to their way to walk before Me as you have    walked before Me.'" (1 Kings 6:11,12; 9:4–9; 1 Chronicles 22:8-13; 28:1-10)

   Israel learned over the centuries following David &    Solomon that disobedience in her king always    brought the nation to ruin.

But the godly among them knew one thing for sure: God had promised that the throne of David would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:4).

   So they came to see that a son of David must be coming    who would fulfill the conditions of the covenant, sit    on David's throne, & rule forever.

   A succession of imperfect kings could never fulfill the promise.

If God were true to His word, if He stuck by His job description in 2 Samuel 7, He would have to raise up a righteous, obedient son of David to take the throne (Psalm 89:29–37).

3.] God's Own Intervention

   This is just what Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Ezekiel promised He would do.

   Ezekiel looks to the future salvation of God's people & speaks God's word    (in 37:23f.): "I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have    sinned, & will cleanse them & they shall be My people & I will be their God.

   My servant David shall be king over them; & they shall have one shepherd"    (see 34:23).

Jeremiah stresses the coming king will fulfill the condition of righteousness (in Jeremiah 23:5-6): "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, & He shall reign as king & deal wisely & shall execute justice & righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved & Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness'" (33:21, 25-26).

But it was Isaiah who saw the glory of the Son of David more clearly than anyone & virtually identified Him as God (in 9:6–7):

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, & his name will be called 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

Of the increase of his government & of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David & over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore."

So the surety of the covenant with David lies ultimately in the fact that God Himself will come as king & sit upon the throne.

When a covenant is conditional & yet is also certain, you can be sure God Himself will intervene to fulfill the conditions.                ____________________________________________

The Promises to David Fulfilled

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:31–33, he said, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb & bear a son & you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great & will be called the Son of the Most High; & the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, & He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, & of His kingdom there will be no end."

Therefore, beyond any shadow of a doubt the Bible teaches that the promise to David that his descendant would rule forever is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

As the Son of David (Romans 1:3) &

the Lord of David (Matthew 22:45; Psalm 110:1) Jesus now reigns as king in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:25) over the true house of Israel.

Do Gentiles Benefit from the Davidic Covenant?

But the question we must raise is: what does all that have to do with us Gentiles? Isn't the covenant with David only relevant for the nation of Israel? Isn't the fulfillment of that promise simply Christ's millennial reign over the redeemed nation of Israel?

The answer of the Old Testament and New Testament is a resounding NO! The reign of Jesus as Davidic king has a direct relevance for us Gentiles today.

1.] The Decision of the Jerusalem Council

   Consider Acts 15:14–18. You recall that at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15    the issue was whether Gentiles had to be circumcised in order to be saved.

   The apostles saw themselves as heirs of the OT promise to Israel:    the Messiah, Son of David, had come; He had died for Israel's sin & had    been raised from the dead; He ruled in heaven & was coming again to judge &    reign on earth. The big question was: could Gentiles benefit from all this    without becoming Jews through circumcision?

At the Jerusalem Council Peter told how the Gentiles received the Spirit just like the Jews had (15:8).

Paul & Barnabas told of their success among the Gentiles.

Then James dealt the final blow to Jewish exclusivism in 15:14–18 with a reference to the Davidic covenant & its relation to Gentiles: "Simeon [Peter] has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written [quoting Amos 9:11], 'After this I will return & I will build the dwelling of David which is fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, & I will set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, & all the Gentiles who are called by My Name.'"

2.] David's Worldwide Kingdom

   This means when God said to David in 2 Samuel 7:16, "Your house & your    kingdom shall be made sure before Me forever,"

   >> He had in view a house & a kingdom much greater than Israel.

   The reason the Davidic covenant is relevant for 20th century Gentiles is    because God's job description which He revealed to David included not just    the responsibility to establish a righteous ruler in Israel forever, but also    to put that ruler over the church & then over all the world.

   Isaiah said, "Of the increase of His government & peace there will be no end."

   It will be worldwide. And the angel says in Revelation 11:15,

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord & of His Christ, & He shall reign for ever & ever."

When God has completed all the responsibilities in His job description, the house of David will be planet earth. And the subjects of the king will not just be Jews but people from every tongue & tribe & nation (Revelation 7:9).

3.] The Church's Mission Today

The mission of the church today is to submit ourselves to the Son of David who right now rules invisibly from heaven until he puts every enemy under his feet.

And our mission is to announce the good news to people in every neighborhood & every nation that they can be happy subjects of Christ's kingdom forever if they transfer their allegiance from the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of Christ.

To put it another way, personal holiness means learning the attitudes & customs of a new kingdom—the kingdom of Christ.

And personal evangelism means telling people the rightful King of the world against Whom they have rebelled is willing to grant amnesty to all who return and live under His rule.

Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the eternal King of the world will come from heaven & establish a reign of joy & righteousness & peace over all His loyal subjects forever & ever.

And until He comes, the worldwide mission of the church is to extend complete, free, universal amnesty to people from every nation.

I close with an invitation for you to make God's covenant with David a covenant with you. It's not just my invitation. It's God's.

Turn to Isaiah 55:1–3. The point of this invitation is that the very sovereignty & wisdom & love of God which assured David of an eternal kingdom can also assure you of God's eternal kindness as a part of that kingdom.

Listen: "Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; & he who has no money, come, buy & eat! Come buy wine & milk without money & without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread & your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me & eat what is good, & delight yourselves in fatness.

Incline your ear & come to Me; hear that your soul may live; & I will make with you an everlasting covenant, My steadfast sure love for David."

The very mercy & faithfulness that guarantees David an eternal kingdom can guarantee you all the joy & righteousness & peace of that kingdom.

God is saying to you this morning:

if you will come to Me empty-handed & hungry, willing to receive what I give, then I will write for Myself in your presence a job description & bind Myself with an oath to treat you forever with the same mercy & faithfulness that I have demonstrated in My covenant with David.

And listen to the entreaty of the Lord Jesus Himself in the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:16f):

"I am the root & the offspring of David, the bright & morning star . . . let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price."

Come to the Son of David, come to the King of kings, & He will sign with His own blood your personal copy of the job description He has written for Himself—to be God to you. And He will give it to you as an eternal covenant, never to turn away from doing you good.

[yourgodmoments]

What Are All Those Jesus Followers Pumped Up About - part 2

Continuing from part 1, consider this:

As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand. Eccl. 5:15 NKJV

As it says, our entrance to and exit out of this world is similar physically. Yet, the follower of Christ has so much more spiritually:

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal. 5:22, 23. CSB

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; its comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens]… Jas. 1:17 AMP

…[look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead - Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him]. 1 Thess. 1:10 AMP

By faith we receive and possess every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3), as we are fashioned to be more Christ-like in every moment, in preparation for our eternal bliss (2 Cor. 3;18).

While we occupy this world, we have the surety of that everlasting serenity, because we have clothed ourselves in the justification of Jesus, our anchor, our rock; and now stand impervious to the wiles of the accuser, as long as we keep clinging to Him. We are spoken for, praise God.

And there’s more to be pumped up about! At the foundation of all the good things God gives and does for those who love Him and embrace His Son, is His grace:

For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God… Eph. 2:8 AMP

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Ps. 84:11 NASB

Jehovah God gives us His grace through His Son:

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness… Jn. 1:14 & 16. CSB

…even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace - His undeserved favor and mercy - you have been saved from God’s judgment). Eph. 2:5 AMP

By the blood of Jesus, we were given access to HIs Father’s throne of grace for whenever our need arises:

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:16 ESV

Finally, the followers of Jesus are pumped up about Jesus Himself!

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the light of men. Jn. 1:1 - 4. AMP

Christ shares the powers of God (Heb. 1:3), and He holds the universe together and is an exact likeness of God and is Jehovah’s redemptive Agent. (Col. 1:15 - 20.) He was first a Spirit being, who, at His resurrection, became a God-man.

God brought forth the Light (Jesus) for the deliverance of His children, from the sins that were drawing them towards death:

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Jn. 1:29 NASB

“I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” Jn. 10:9 - 11. AMP

Jesus laid HIs life down for us. What’s our part? To have faith and reflect His love:

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He sent.” Jn. 6:29 NKJV

“…love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples…” Jn. 13:34, 45. NKJV

Jesus too, is the Guarantor of our portion of God’s covenant promises:

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Jn. 14:13 NKJV

He is also our burden-bearer:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and the burden I give you is light.” Mt. 11:28 - 30. NLT

Ultimately, Jesus does the will of God, which is to bring His wayward children back to Him forever:

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Jn. 6:40 NKJV

And to do all that, Jesus is coming back!

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Mt. 24:30 NKJV

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near…when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” Lk. 21:28 & 31. NKJV

It’s time for you to be pumped up as well. All you have to do, is follow Jesus…

Goodnight and God bless.

[wisdomfish]

ANYONE MAY HAVE HIS SOUL SAVED.

How can these things be? How can your soul be saved?

i] The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, has borne away the sin of the world. His death was no martyr’s death like Stephen’s or Latimer’s. The Lord Jesus was sent into the world in order to save our souls. All their guilt and defilement was transferred to him as he hung upon the cross. The curse they deserve was taken by him. The demands of God’s holy law upon them threatening them with death were all satisfied by Christ. Our Lord hung on Golgotha as the Almighty Substitute, as the Representative, as the Surety for the sons of men! All our enormous debt to God was cleared once and for all by Jesus alone there! The way to heaven was opened up. A fountain was provided where sin and uncleanness is washed away. Reconciliation with a holy God was accomplished. Peace with God was obtained at Calvary for all who trust in Jesus Christ. The doors of the prison house of sin are opened. The fingers of Satan that grasp our souls are all unhooked and we are delivered – who cry to Jesus.

All this was done for sinners like you, whose souls are lost. The hands and feet were pierced, the mockery did not cease, the precious blood flowed so freely for sinners just like you. Not for the sinner outside this building, nor for the sinner next to you, but for you. I am saying to you today that I have a Saviour for you, that your souls may be saved. Here is Christ Jesus who can deliver you and become your Lord and teacher and shepherd, the great Saviour of your soul.

ii] Jesus Christ who died lives and is with us now.

I cannot save your soul. No theological professor can do so. Not a single person in this congregation can help. No saint in this world or the world to come, no group of saints, no men dressed up in religious costumes, no pope laying hands on you and sprinkling you with water, and repeating all sorts of formulae can save your soul. No angel can do this. Only the living Christ himself.

You are thinking that I want you to have a religious experience, feel better and cry a few tears perhaps, and then all of us will gather around you and say, “Well done!” No! I don’t want to give you heightened feelings about Christianity and announce to you, “You’ve been converted.” You are rightly suspicious of all that. You are thinking of your family and friends and the future and how you can possibly live a different life facing temptations and meeting opposition. You are saying to yourself, “It’s hopeless. I’ll fall away in a few months. It will be just an emotional spasm. I’ll never keep going.”

If it were just you then you’d be absolutely right. You could no more keep on as a Christian than a lamb could survive in a den of lions. But it is not going to be just you. It never is just you. The Saviour who died to take away the corruption of your soul lives to keep you day by day. He is with us now. He never leaves us. We go nowhere without him. If we flew to the uttermost parts of the earth he would be there waiting for us. He is there as our sovereign Protector. He is there to keep us from falling. He is alongside us in temptation. Sometimes he will take the opportunity away from us. Sometimes he will make the sin itself repugnant to us. Sometimes he will give us new energy in the battle. Sometimes he will let us fall to humble us and then he will gives us the grace of repentance and a new determination to do better in the battle.

Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day never to die again. He cares for us very much. He never stops praying for us. He is full of sympathy and longsuffering, though we provoke him. This living Saviour will help you day by day, and every passing moment. I am not saying to you, “Make a decision about Jesus today.” I am saying this, that it will profit you nothing if you go on and do very well in the eyes of all your friends and neighbours but lose your soul. All you need to do is nothing whatsoever and you will be eternally lost. I am saying that the one person who can help you is here now in the power of an endless life, and he can save and keep your soul and present you faultless before God in the great day.

iii] Your soul may be saved because of the offers of the gospel of Jesus Christ which are now being made to you. Look unto me and be saved, he says, Come unto me and I will give you rest. He that believes in me shall not perish but have everlasting life. He that believes in me is not condemned. He that comes to me I will in no way cast him out. If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink. He that does these things, says Christ, shall receive the end of his faith, even the salvation of his soul.

Surely then your soul may be saved. Your soul, not the souls of others here but yours! If you are hearing me aright then you are understanding that anyone whose soul is lost cannot blame the gospel, that its offers were too narrow, and its terms too confining, and its requirements too demanding. “Come to Jesus Christ and welcome” – a child can understand that. No educational qualifications are needed for that. The Saviour is talking of a stirring within your very soul of longing for the healing and transforming power of the living Jesus to save us. There is a pardon for the greatest sinner here. There is healing for the sickest soul. There is salvation in his blessed name and in none other. Hear the beseechings of J.C.Ryle:

“If you love life, I beseech you to lay hold on Christ at once, that your soul may be saved. Why not do it today? Why not this day join yourself to the Lord Jesus in an everlasting covenant which cannot be broken? Why not resolve, before tomorrow’s sun dawns, to turn from the service of sin, and turn to Christ? Why not go to Christ this very day, and cast your soul on him, with all its sins and all its unbelief, with all its doubts and all its fears ? Are you poor? Seek treasure in heaven and be rich. Are you old? Hasten, hasten to be ready for your end, and prepare to meet your God. Are you young? Begin well, and seek in Christ a never-failing friend, who will never forsake you. Are you in trouble, careful about this life? Seek him who alone can help you and bear your burdens: seek him who will never disappoint you. When others turn their backs upon you, then will Jesus Christ the Lord take you up. Are you a sinner, a great sinner, a sinner of the worst description? It shall all be remembered no more if you only come to Christ: his blood shall cleanse all sin away. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow.

“Go then, and cry to the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of the value of your soul, and think of the one way of salvation. Call on the Lord in earnest prayer. Do as the penitent thief did: pour out your heart before him cry, ‘Lord remember me, even me.’ Tell him you come to him, because you have heard that he ‘receives sinners,’ and because you are a sinner and want to be saved. Tell him the whole story of your past life. Tell him, if you will, that you have been an unbeliever, a profligate, a Sabbath-breaker, a godless, reckless, ill-tempered man. He will not despise you. He will not cast you out. He will not turn his back upon you. He never breaks the bruised reed, or quenches the smoking flax. No man ever came to him and was cast out. Oh, come to Christ, and your soul shall live!” (J.C.Ryle, “Old Paths,” op cit, pp. 60&61).

~ Geoff Thomas

[resolved]

Finally, the law is necessary in many ways to Christians. (1) With respect to the covenant of grace (under which believers live), which contains not only the promise of grace and salvation on God’s part, but also carries with it the stipulation of obedience on man’s part, so that just as God promises to be our God in love and protection, we in turn are his people by worshiping and obeying him (Jer. 31:33; 2 Cor. 6:16, 17). (2) With respect to God the Father, who receives us into his family and holds towards us the relation (schesin) of Father and Lord, to honor and worship whom we are indispensably bound (Mal. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16). (3) With respect to Christ, who, as he sustains a twofold person towards us (or surety and priest, to satisfy for us by fulfilling the law; and of head and king, to work and fulfill the law in us by his Spirit), so he demands a twofold virtue from believers to be united and conformed to him (faith, which embraces the promise of grace and the  merit of the surety; and love, which imitates the holiness of the head by obeying his commands). Hence his death is not only the price of our redemption (lytron), by which he made a most full satisfaction for us, but also “the model for our imitation” (which is set before us) “that we should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). (4) With respect to the Holy Spirit, who consecrates us for temples to himself in which he may dwell (1 Cor. 3, 4); who has the name and office of Consoler and Sanctifier, that as by the office of Paraclete he consoles us against the curse of the law, so as the Spirit of sanctification, he confirms and sanctions the necessity of the obedience to the law.

VI. (5) With respect to grace (now conferred upon us here), which demands that obedience (Tit. 2:14) as the fruit of that seed; gratitude for benefits received (Pss. 116:12; 130:4; Lk. 1:74) and the mark at which it aims, as is evident in election (Eph. 1:4), in redemption, (Tit. 2:14), in calling (1 Pet. 1:15; 2:9), in justification (Ps. 85:9; Gal. 2:20; Ps. 130:4), in regeneration (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:14). (6)With respect to the glory which we expect, to which the obedience due to the law stands related as a means to the end, without which we cannot attain unto it(Jn. 3:5; Mt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14); the way to the goal (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 3:14); the seed to the harvest (Gal. 6:7, 8) and the firstfruits (Rom. 8:23) — Yea, as the principle part of happiness. Hence arises the necessity of good works to glory; not of merit, but of means. No one can be glorified in heaven who has not been sanctified on earth by the pursuit of holiness and obedience to the law.

VII. …. In the first covenant, man was bound to do this [keep the law] in order that he might live (deserve life); but in this he is bound to do the same (not that he may live, but because he lives) to the possession of the life acquired by Christ and the testimony of a grateful mind.

Francis Turretin

[araitsume]

Patriarchs and Prophets pp. 363-373: Chapter (32) The Law and the Covenants

Adam and Eve, at their creation, had a knowledge of the law of God; they were acquainted with its claims upon them; its precepts were written upon their hearts. When man fell by transgression the law was not changed, but a remedial system was established to bring him back to obedience. The promise of a Saviour was given, and sacrificial offerings pointing forward to the death of Christ as the great sin offering were established. But had the law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death, and no need of a Saviour; consequently there would have been no need of sacrifices.

Adam taught his descendants the law of God, and it was handed down from father to son through successive generations. But notwithstanding the gracious provision for man's redemption, there were few who accepted it and rendered obedience. By transgression the world became so vile that it was necessary to cleanse it by the Flood from its corruption. The law was preserved by Noah and his family, and Noah taught his descendants the Ten Commandments. As men again departed from God, the Lord chose Abraham, of whom He declared, “Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”Genesis 26:5. To him was given the rite of circumcision, which was a sign that those who received it were devoted to the service of God—a pledge that they would remain separate from idolatry, and would obey the law of God. The failure of Abraham's descendants to keep this pledge, as shown in their disposition to form alliances with the heathen and adopt their practices, was the cause of their sojourn and bondage in Egypt. But in their intercourse with idolaters, and their forced submission to the Egyptians, the divine precepts became still further corrupted with the vile and cruel teachings of heathenism. Therefore when the Lord brought them forth from Egypt, He came down upon Sinai, enshrouded in glory and surrounded by His angels, and in awful majesty spoke His law in the hearing of all the people.

He did not even then trust His precepts to the memory of a people who were prone to forget His requirements, but wrote them upon tables of stone. He would remove from Israel all possibility of mingling heathen traditions with His holy precepts, or of confounding His requirements with human ordinances or customs. But He did not stop with giving them the precepts of the Decalogue. The people had shown themselves so easily led astray that He would leave no door of temptation unguarded. Moses was commanded to write, as God should bid him, judgments and laws giving minute instruction as to what was required. These directions relating to the duty of the people to God, to one another, and to the stranger were only the principles of the Ten Commandments amplified and given in a specific manner, that none need err. They were designed to guard the sacredness of the ten precepts engraved on the tables of stone.

If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt; they would have kept God's law in mind, and there would have been no necessity for it to be proclaimed from Sinai or engraved upon the tables of stone. And had the people practiced the principles of the Ten Commandments, there would have been no need of the additional directions given to Moses.

The sacrificial system, committed to Adam, was also perverted by his descendants. Superstition, idolatry, cruelty, and licentiousness corrupted the simple and significant service that God had appointed. Through long intercourse with idolaters the people of Israel had mingled many heathen customs with their worship; therefore the Lord gave them at Sinai definite instruction concerning the sacrificial service. After the completion of the tabernacle He communicated with Moses from the cloud of glory above the mercy seat, and gave him full directions concerning the system of offerings and the forms of worship to be maintained in the sanctuary. The ceremonial law was thus given to Moses, and by him written in a book. But the law of Ten Commandments spoken from Sinai had been written by God Himself on the tables of stone, and was sacredly preserved in the ark.

There are many who try to blend these two systems, using the texts that speak of the ceremonial law to prove that the moral law has been abolished; but this is a perversion of the Scriptures. The distinction between the two systems is broad and clear. The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ “took ... out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” Colossians 2:14. But concerning the law of Ten Commandments the psalmist declares, “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89. And Christ Himself says, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law.... Verily I say unto you”—making the assertion as emphatic as possible—“Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17, 18. Here He teaches, not merely what the claims of God's law had been, and were then, but that these claims should hold as long as the heavens and the earth remain. The law of God is as immutable as His throne. It will maintain its claims upon mankind in all ages.

Concerning the law proclaimed from Sinai, Nehemiah says, “Thou camest down also upon Mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments.” Nehemiah 9:13. And Paul, “the apostle to the Gentiles,” declares, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. This can be no other than the Decalogue; for it is the law that says, “Thou shalt not covet.” Verse 7.

While the Saviour's death brought to an end the law of types and shadows, it did not in the least detract from the obligation of the moral law. On the contrary, the very fact that it was necessary for Christ to die in order to atone for the transgression of that law, proves it to be immutable.

Those who claim that Christ came to abrogate the law of God and to do away with the Old Testament, speak of the Jewish age as one of darkness, and represent the religion of the Hebrews as consisting of mere forms and ceremonies. But this is an error. All through the pages of sacred history, where the dealings of God with His chosen people are recorded, there are burning traces of the great I AM. Never has He given to the sons of men more open manifestations of His power and glory than when He alone was acknowledged as Israel's ruler, and gave the law to His people. Here was a scepter swayed by no human hand; and the stately goings forth of Israel's invisible King were unspeakably grand and awful.

In all these revelations of the divine presence the glory of God was manifested through Christ. Not alone at the Saviour's advent, but through all the ages after the Fall and the promise of redemption, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ was the foundation and center of the sacrificial system in both the patriarchal and the Jewish age. Since the sin of our first parents there has been no direct communication between God and man. The Father has given the world into the hands of Christ, that through His mediatorial work He may redeem man and vindicate the authority and holiness of the law of God. All the communion between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ. It was the Son of God that gave to our first parents the promise of redemption. It was He who revealed Himself to the patriarchs. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses understood the gospel. They looked for salvation through man's Substitute and Surety. These holy men of old held communion with the Saviour who was to come to our world in human flesh; and some of them talked with Christ and heavenly angels face to face.

Christ was not only the leader of the Hebrews in the wilderness—the Angel in whom was the name of Jehovah, and who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, went before the host—but it was He who gave the law to Israel. [See Appendix, Note 7.] Amid the awful glory of Sinai, Christ declared in the hearing of all the people the ten precepts of His Father's law. It was He who gave to Moses the law engraved upon the tables of stone.

It was Christ that spoke to His people through the prophets. The apostle Peter, writing to the Christian church, says that the prophets “prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11. It is the voice of Christ that speaks to us through the Old Testament. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10.

In His teachings while personally among men Jesus directed the minds of the people to the Old Testament. He said to the Jews, “Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of Me.” John 5:39, R.V. At this time the books of the Old Testament were the only part of the Bible in existence. Again the Son of God declared, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And He added, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:29, 31.

The ceremonial law was given by Christ. Even after it was no longer to be observed, Paul presented it before the Jews in its true position and value, showing its place in the plan of redemption and its relation to the work of Christ; and the great apostle pronounces this law glorious, worthy of its divine Originator. The solemn service of the sanctuary typified the grand truths that were to be revealed through successive generations. The cloud of incense ascending with the prayers of Israel represents His righteousness that alone can make the sinner's prayer acceptable to God; the bleeding victim on the altar of sacrifice testified of a Redeemer to come; and from the holy of holies the visible token of the divine Presence shone forth. Thus through age after age of darkness and apostasy faith was kept alive in the hearts of men until the time came for the advent of the promised Messiah.

Jesus was the light of His people—the Light of the world—before He came to earth in the form of humanity. The first gleam of light that pierced the gloom in which sin had wrapped the world, came from Christ. And from Him has come every ray of heaven's brightness that has fallen upon the inhabitants of the earth. In the plan of redemption Christ is the Alpha and the Omega—the First and the Last.

Since the Saviour shed His blood for the remission of sins, and ascended to heaven “to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24), light has been streaming from the cross of Calvary and from the holy places of the sanctuary above. But the clearer light granted us should not cause us to despise that which in earlier times was received through the types pointing to the coming Saviour. The gospel of Christ sheds light upon the Jewish economy and gives significance to the ceremonial law. As new truths are revealed, and that which has been known from the beginning is brought into clearer light, the character and purposes of God are made manifest in His dealings with His chosen people. Every additional ray of light that we receive gives us a clearer understanding of the plan of redemption, which is the working out of the divine will in the salvation of man. We see new beauty and force in the inspired word, and we study its pages with a deeper and more absorbing interest.

The opinion is held by many that God placed a separating wall between the Hebrews and the outside world; that His care and love, withdrawn to a great extent from the rest of mankind, were centered upon Israel. But God did not design that His people should build up a wall of partition between themselves and their fellow men. The heart of Infinite Love was reaching out toward all the inhabitants of the earth. Though they had rejected Him, He was constantly seeking to reveal Himself to them and make them partakers of His love and grace. His blessing was granted to the chosen people, that they might bless others.

God called Abraham, and prospered and honored him; and the patriarch's fidelity was a light to the people in all the countries of his sojourn. Abraham did not shut himself away from the people around him. He maintained friendly relations with the kings of the surrounding nations, by some of whom he was treated with great respect; and his integrity and unselfishness, his valor and benevolence, were representing the character of God. In Mesopotamia, in Canaan, in Egypt, and even to the inhabitants of Sodom, the God of heaven was revealed through His representative.

So to the people of Egypt and of all the nations connected with that powerful kingdom, God manifested Himself through Joseph. Why did the Lord choose to exalt Joseph so highly among the Egyptians? He might have provided some other way for the accomplishment of His purposes toward the children of Jacob; but He desired to make Joseph a light, and He placed him in the palace of the king, that the heavenly illumination might extend far and near. By his wisdom and justice, by the purity and benevolence of his daily life, by his devotion to the interests of the people—and that people a nation of idolaters—Joseph was a representative of Christ. In their benefactor, to whom all Egypt turned with gratitude and praise, that heathen people were to behold the love of their Creator and Redeemer. So in Moses also God placed a light beside the throne of the earth's greatest kingdom, that all who would, might learn of the true and living God. And all this light was given to the Egyptians before the hand of God was stretched out over them in judgments.

In the deliverance of Israel from Egypt a knowledge of the power of God spread far and wide. The warlike people of the stronghold of Jericho trembled. “As soon as we had heard these things,” said Rahab, “our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for Jehovah your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Joshua 2:11. Centuries after the exodus the priests of the Philistines reminded their people of the plagues of Egypt, and warned them against resisting the God of Israel.

God called Israel, and blessed and exalted them, not that by obedience to His law they alone might receive His favor and become the exclusive recipients of His blessings, but in order to reveal Himself through them to all the inhabitants of the earth. It was for the accomplishment of this very purpose that He commanded them to keep themselves distinct from the idolatrous nations around them.

Idolatry and all the sins that followed in its train were abhorrent to God, and He commanded His people not to mingle with other nations, to “do after their works“, and forget God. He forbade their marriage with idolaters, lest their hearts should be led away from Him. It was just as necessary then as it is now that God's people should be pure, “unspotted from the world.” They must keep themselves free from its spirit, because it is opposed to truth and righteousness. But God did not intend that His people, in self-righteous exclusiveness, should shut themselves away from the world, so that they could have no influence upon it.

Like their Master, the followers of Christ in every age were to be the light of the world. The Saviour said, “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house”—that is, in the world. And He adds, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. This is just what Enoch, and Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses did. It is just what God designed that His people Israel should do.

It was their own evil heart of unbelief, controlled by Satan, that led them to hide their light, instead of shedding it upon surrounding peoples; it was that same bigoted spirit that caused them either to follow the iniquitous practices of the heathen or to shut themselves away in proud exclusiveness, as if God's love and care were over them alone.

As the Bible presents two laws, one changeless and eternal, the other provisional and temporary, so there are two covenants. The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden, when after the Fall there was given a divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head. To all men this covenant offered pardon and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God's law. Thus the patriarchs received the hope of salvation.

This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 22:18. This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood it (see Galatians 3:8, 16), and he trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It was this faith that was accounted unto him for righteousness. The covenant with Abraham also maintained the authority of God's law. The Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said, “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1. The testimony of God concerning His faithful servant was, “Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Genesis 26:5. And the Lord declared to him, “I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.” Genesis 17:7.

Though this covenant was made with Adam and renewed to Abraham, it could not be ratified until the death of Christ. It had existed by the promise of God since the first intimation of redemption had been given; it had been accepted by faith; yet when ratified by Christ, it is called a new covenant. The law of God was the basis of this covenant, which was simply an arrangement for bringing men again into harmony with the divine will, placing them where they could obey God's law.

Another compact—called in Scripture the “old” covenant—was formed between God and Israel at Sinai, and was then ratified by the blood of a sacrifice. The Abrahamic covenant was ratified by the blood of Christ, and it is called the “second,” or “new,” covenant, because the blood by which it was sealed was shed after the blood of the first covenant. That the new covenant was valid in the days of Abraham is evident from the fact that it was then confirmed both by the promise and by the oath of God—the “two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie.” Hebrews 6:18.

But if the Abrahamic covenant contained the promise of redemption, why was another covenant formed at Sinai? In their bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of God and of the principles of the Abrahamic covenant. In delivering them from Egypt, God sought to reveal to them His power and His mercy, that they might be led to love and trust Him. He brought them down to the Red Sea—where, pursued by the Egyptians, escape seemed impossible—that they might realize their utter helplessness, their need of divine aid; and then He wrought deliverance for them. Thus they were filled with love and gratitude to God and with confidence in His power to help them. He had bound them to Himself as their deliverer from temporal bondage.

But there was a still greater truth to be impressed upon their minds. Living in the midst of idolatry and corruption, they had no true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinfulness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to render obedience to God's law, and their need of a Saviour. All this they must be taught.

God brought them to Sinai; He manifested His glory; He gave them His law, with the promise of great blessings on condition of obedience: “If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ... ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:5, 6. The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God's law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.” Exodus 24:7. They had witnessed the proclamation of the law in awful majesty, and had trembled with terror before the mount; and yet only a few weeks passed before they broke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. Now by faith and love they were bound to God as their deliverer from the bondage of sin. Now they were prepared to appreciate the blessings of the new covenant.

The terms of the “old covenant” were, Obey and live: “If a man do, he shall even live in them” (Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5); but “cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.” Deuteronomy 27:26. The “new covenant” was established upon “better promises”—the promise of forgiveness of sins and of the grace of God to renew the heart and bring it into harmony with the principles of God's law. “This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.... I will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:33, 34.

The same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone is written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. Instead of going about to establish our own righteousness we accept the righteousness of Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His obedience is accepted for us. Then the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth “the fruits of the Spirit.” Through the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience to the law of God written upon our hearts. Having the Spirit of Christ, we shall walk even as He walked. Through the prophet He declared of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. And when among men He said, “The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29.

The apostle Paul clearly presents the relation between faith and the law under the new covenant. He says: “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh”—it could not justify man, because in his sinful nature he could not keep the law—“God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 5:1; 3:31; 8:3, 4.

God's work is the same in all time, although there are different degrees of development and different manifestations of His power, to meet the wants of men in the different ages. Beginning with the first gospel promise, and coming down through the patriarchal and Jewish ages, and even to the present time, there has been a gradual unfolding of the purposes of God in the plan of redemption. The Saviour typified in the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law is the very same that is revealed in the gospel. The clouds that enveloped His divine form have rolled back; the mists and shades have disappeared; and Jesus, the world's Redeemer, stands revealed. He who proclaimed the law from Sinai, and delivered to Moses the precepts of the ritual law, is the same that spoke the Sermon on the Mount. The great principles of love to God, which He set forth as the foundation of the law and the prophets, are only a reiteration of what He had spoken through Moses to the Hebrew people: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:4, 5. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Leviticus 19:18. The teacher is the same in both dispensations. God's claims are the same. The principles of His government are the same. For all proceed from Him “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17.

[reformedontheweb]

"1. First, His (God's) Covenant is well ordered, in respect had to the Glory of all God's attributes.

3rdly, God's Divine Love. Mercy and goodness to lost man, to admiration is displayed hereby, God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, &c. John 3:16., rather than mankind should be utterly lost, he will enter into a covenant with his own Son, and substitute him our Mediator. Head and Surety to satisfy for our sins; and be made a curse for us: that so by his own Free-Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ, we might be reconciled, justified and eternally saved i. e. by his Merits and Righteousness imputed to us: there was nothing in man to oblige God to pity him, we were his enemies, when Christ died for us; and he offered and propounded this glorious contrivance of his Wisdom to his Beloved Son in the Covenant of our Peace, out of his infinite Love and Goodness, as seeing us fallen, and lying in our blood, it was as we were in that woeful condition he first loved us, and as the effects of that Love entered into a Covenant with the Son for us."

Benjamin Keach- 'The Everlasting Covenant: A sweet Cordual for a drooping Soul: or, The excellent nature of the Covenant of Grace opened: In a sermon preached Jan. the 29th, At the Funeral of Mr. Henry Forty, Late Pastor of a Church of Christ, at Abingdon, in the County of Berks' (London, Printed for H. Barnard at the Bible in the Poultrey, 1693).