March 23rd - Trust the Blood of Jesus

After Jesus ascended back to the Father, Peter told the people of Israel that if they would repent of the sin of crucifying Jesus, and be baptized in tHis name, Jesus would return and restore their Kingdom on this earth as promised by the prophets. The whole house of Israel needed to be baptized to demonstrate repentance.

"Let all the house of Israel know certainly, then, that God makes Him Lord as well as Christ - this Jesus Whom you crucify...Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ...repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time...It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers." (Acts 2:36-39; 3:20-25)

Israel did not repent and blindness came upon Israel that remains to this day. However, one day Israel will repent and be  baptized, each of them in the name of Jesus their Messiah, and He will return.

"For I would not, brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Romans 11:25-26)

Repentance and water baptism is a requirement for the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, and it will last 1,000 years. However, eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God is a free gift from God to all people.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

The BLOOD of Jesus takes away the sin of the world.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

March 22nd - The Sovereignty of God vs the Free Will of Man

"For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36)

"...being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own Will." (Ephesians 1:11)

Has God predetermined the events that happen in the Universe?  Religion challenges this by giving humanity a "free will" and says God is subservient to the free will of humanity. Yet...

"Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors! Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I distinguish the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’" (Isaiah 46:8-10)

Some teach that the Sovereignty of God means that He dictated every detail of life when He created humanity, both thoughts and actions. However, God Himself says...

"They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it NEVER ENTERED MY HEART TO COMMAND SUCH A THING. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!" (Jeremiah 32:35)

God is Sovereign without having predetermined every thought and action of man. My view is that humans are free to choose how they live  but God has the power to work bad choices for good. And, God will eventually remove the consequences of the bad choices, together with the pain. He will make a New Creation where such things no longer exist.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with mankind, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Humans make up doctrines such as the doctrine of eternal conscious torment in hell, however, that doctrine never entered the mind or heart of God it seems to me. God's Will and purpose is to save humanity and reconcile His creation to Himself regardless of the evil of bad choices in this present wicked age.

“I applied by heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: It is an experience of EVIL Elohim has given to the sons of humanity TO HUMBLE THEM by it.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13; 3:10)

"He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world." (1 John 2:2)

March 21st - Woe to Hypocrites

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are going about the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever he may be becoming one, you are making him more than double a son of Gehenna than you are." (Matthew 23:15)

Does this apply to today?  

The Apostle Paul says those who follow Christ Jesus have a "ministry" given to them - a message of reconciliation.

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

God has reconciled humanity to Himself in Christ Jesus - ALL of us. We are to share that truth among the nations.

"For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

God will not leave one human being unsaved and unreconciled or the Bible is not true. The ages were created to create and transform humanity "to the image of His Son".  There is none righteous among humanity today, not one.  But when God is finished humanity will be righteous and ready to do good works in the oncoming eons.

"There is none righteous, not even one."  (Romans 3:10)

"...whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls also, and whom He calls, these He justifies also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also. What then, shall we declare to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:29-31)

God is to become All in ALL  - not just in a few.

"He Who undertakes a good work among you, will be performing it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in ALL." (1 Corinthians 15:28)

God has entrusted the final judgment of humanity to His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The Father is not judging anyone, but has given all judging to His Son." (John 5:22)

Jesus died by the hands of the most highly regarded religious men of Israel. Yet, while dying on the cross Jesus prayed...

"Father forgive them, they do not understand what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

SINNERS are FORGIVEN, and predestined to be "conformed to the image" of Jesus. His blood has atoned for all humans commit in the world. 

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

"The saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity." (Titus 2:11)

The heart of all humans will be examined by the Lord - all o us.

"...the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." (I Corinthians 4:4-5).

March 20th - Humanity Has Gone Astray

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Mercy and Grace are essentially the same characteristic of our God. Mercy is withholding from us what we deserve – to die and stay dead. Grace is getting what we do not deserve – immortal abundant life in a New Heaven and New Earth. Humanity has this "living hope" because Jesus “died for our sins” and “bore our sins”. 

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3)

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

As son of a man, Jesus died like the rest of us, because of Adam’s sin…

“As in Adam all die…it is appointed unto men once to die” (1 Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 9:27)

In so doing Jesus, the Son of God, identified Himself completely with humanity, even our death. Yet more importantly, He showed us that the same ALL who are "in Adam" will be made alive "in Christ". 

"All we like sheep have gone astray..." (Isaiah 53:6)

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…" (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"...we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us… we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him… while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life… just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people… many died by the trespass of the one man…just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act (of Jesus) resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous…where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:1-20)

Jesus said that He had come that we may have “abundant “ life. Not in the mortal body we now have, but in our future immortal body…

"I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief (death) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it ABUNDANTLY. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11)

Yes humanity has gone astray and death comes to our mortal bodies  - but Jesus will save every one of us, and give us immortal life.

"Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, n a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your trouble is not in vain."  (1 Corinthians 15:49-58)

March 19th - Beyond the Ages

The Bible says little about what happens in the time before or beyond the ages it deals with, just that...

"Eye hath not seen, neither has ear heard, neither has it entered the heart of man what God has planned for those that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

In the oncoming ages of the New Heaven and New Earth, all of us will love God. I think Jesus had that in mind when He said...

 “You shall be loving the Lord your God out of your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole strength, and with your whole comprehension."
(Luke 10:27)

And I think the Apostle Paul had this in mind when he says...

"O, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unscrutable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! For who knew the mind of the Lord?, or who became His adviser?, or who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid him? seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is ALL: to Him be the glory for the ages of the ages! Amen." (Romans 11:33-36) 

The Bible says that nothing can separate humanity from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

"I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties  nor the present, nor what is impending, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 8:28-39)

I sometimes wonder why a Sovereign God allowed His creation to become filled with evil. But I assume that evil serves the purpose of humbling proud and mortal humans...  

"I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:  It is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it." (Ecclesiastes 1:13)

I am humbled by the evil I experience, and thankful for the grace and mercy God shows me in the midst of it. I suppose that without evil and the suffering it brings, humanity could not fully appreciate the love, grace, or mercy of God. The eternal good that God has in store for humanity in the oncoming ages will dwarf the evil we see around us today.

"Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gives Himself for our sins, so that He might extricate us out of the present wicked age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for the ages of the ages. Amen!" (Galatians 1:3-5)

March 18th - God's Plan for the Ages Completed

"On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the ages. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs." (Hebrews 1:1-3)

As I have outlined in my daily posts beginning on March 1st, at the close of the ages made by Jesus, humanity will all have been saved, justified, sanctified, and glorified in new immortal spiritual bodies. God will then be All in all humanity. Humanity will be a new creation and prepared for life in the oncoming ages of the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the celestials…” (Ephesians 1:3)

“God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!) and rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, IN THE ONCOMING AGES, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Jesus, the creative original Son of God, and all the redeemed sons of God among humanity will have...

“…an administration of the complement of the eras, to head up all in the Christ -- both that in the heavens and that on the earth…completing the All in all.” (Ephesians 1:10-11, 23)

Humanity is in the process of being prepared to judge the angels. The result of that judging will be that all angels, including Satan, will also be reconciled to God.

"...are you not aware that the saints shall judge the universe?...Are you not aware that we shall be judging angels...?" (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)

"And He is the Head of the body, the church, Who is Sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first, for in Him the entire complement delights to dwell, and through Him TO RECONCILE ALL to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens." (Colossians 1:18-20)

"For I am reckoning that the sufferings of the current era do not deserve the glory about to be revealed for us. For the premonition of the creation is awaiting the unveiling of the sons of God. For to vanity was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him Who subjects it, in expectation that THE CREATION ITSELF, also, shall be freed from the slavery of corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:18-22)

"For God locks up ALL together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to ALL." (Romans 11:32)

When all angels have been reconciled to God the plan of God the Father will have been successfully completed and the reign of Jesus, the Son of God, will be returned to God the Father. All creation will have joyfully and voluntarily subjected themselves to our gracious, loving and merciful Father. 

“For He (Jesus the Son) must be reigning until He (God the Father) should be placing all His enemies under His feet...Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be ALL in ALL.)” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

March 17th - The New Heaven and New Earth

The final destiny of humanity will be in the New Heaven and New Earth where all will dwell with God the Father and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ in perfect love  - it is the eternal kingdom of God. 

“And I perceived a New Heaven and a New Earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away, and the sea is no more. And I perceived the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I hear a loud voice out of the throne saying, "Lo! the tabernacle of God is with humanity, and He will be tabernacling with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them. And He will be brushing away every tear from their eyes. And death will be no more, nor mourning, nor clamor, nor misery; they will be no more, for the former things passed away. And He Who is sitting on the throne said, "Lo! New am I making all!" And He is saying, "Write, for these sayings are faithful and true." And He said to me, "I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Origin and the Consummation. To him who is thirsting I shall be giving of the spring of the water of life gratuitously. He who is conquering shall be enjoying this allotment, and I shall be a God to him, and he shall be a son to Me." (Revelation 21:1-7)

All humans will then be immortals, like the angels.

"When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven." (Mark 12:25)

New Jerusalem will be the home base and capital city of the vast and as yet unexplored Kingdom of God. The nations will thrive on the New Earth and will bring glory to the New Jerusalem. Every human who has ever been born will have been inscribed in the Lamb's book of life. 

"And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is Yahweh Elohim, the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life." (Revelation 21:22-27)

“And he shows me a river of water of life, resplendent as crystal, issuing out of the throne of God and the Lambkin. In the center of its square, and on either side of the river, is the tree of life, producing twelve fruits, rendering its fruit in accord with each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the cure of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2)

The river of water, the fruit of the tree of life, and its leaves may be figurative for never ending life in the kingdom of God.  I envision all animals once again living with and among immortal humanity on the New Earth. If the water, fruit, and leaves are literal, they will sustain these animals.

Humanity will then be a unified body of immortal believers.  We will have been redeemed from death and made into the immortal image of God and Christ Jesus. We will finally be able to have dominion over all other life on the New Earth that will be very good! All will love God. Sin and evil will have ended forever!

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." (Isaiah 65:17)

"That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)