March 31st - Behold, the Lamb of God

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

In the Law given to Israel a perfect “lamb” was required to be sacrificed once a year to atone for the sins of Israel. This annual sacrifice provided a temporary shelter for the sins of Israel, however, it could not “take away sins”committed in the following year.

NOT ANYMORE!

God Himself offered the final sacrifice on behalf of Israel and all other nations. And the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, the LAMB of God, has taken away the sins of the world - all of them - for all time!

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) 

“…we have been SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins FOR ALL TIME, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected FOR ALL TIME those who are sanctified." (Hebrews 10)

What a glorious demonstration of His love and grace.

“God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes...being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation, through Him....that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the approach present (gift) of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Romans 5:6-10; Ephesians 2:7-9)

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)

March 30th - The Faith that Saves

Speaking to Israel God said:

“‘For I will take you out of the nations; I WILL gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I WILL sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I WILL cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I WILL give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...I WILL save you from all your uncleanness...THEN you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices..." (Ezekiel 36:24-31)

Note that it is AFTER God changes their hearts and puts His Spirit within them that they will "loathe yourselves for your sins". In other words, true repentance occurs AFTER God saves, not AFTER repentance. 

...I want you to know that I am NOT doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!.. I the LORD have spoken, and I WILL DO IT." (Ezekiel 36:32)

Religious Jews think they are saved by following the Law of Moses, and repenting and offering acceptable sacrifices for disobedience. I was brought up in a church teaching essentially the same thing. That I would be saved only if I repented of my sin, accepted Jesus, and was baptized. 

I have since learned from Scripture that my salvation will not come because of repenting of sin or my personal faith in Christ Jesus, it will come freely to me as the result of the GRACE of God, and the faith of Christ Jesus. Redemption is a gift to humanity that flows from the death, entombment, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

"...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, for there is no difference, for all did sin, and are come short of the glory of God, being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24)

Such knowledge has liberated me from religious bondage. I now realize that I am righteous in Jesus Christ whose faith saved me!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

"If you continue in MY WORD, you are truly My followers. THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

March 29th - Good News to Make You Free

"Therefore as by the sin of one (Adam) judgment came upon all humanity to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all humanity unto justification of life." (Romans 5:18)

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

Just as Adam's sin brought condemnation and death to humanity, Christ Jesus brought the free gift of righteousness and eternal life to us all. Not just a few Christians....ALL humanity.

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Paul delivered the final words of Jesus to humanity - it is called the gospel of grace. Believing it is the ONLY way to free yourself from the religious bondage of institutional religion. 

Here once again is what Paul preached to humanity.

"God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10)

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

“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)

“God our Savior…will have ALL humanity to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)

"...there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity.” (1 Tim. 4:10)

I highly recommend getting set free and to...

"...teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)

March 28th - Help for our Weakness

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that it may be with you for the age; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see it or know it, but you know it because it abides with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

Jesus asked the Father to give the Spirit of truth to those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. It would abide in them, and on Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection, the gift of this Spirit of truth came and settled on those early Jewish believers…

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

By the power of this Spirit they spoke in the various languages telling everyone about the Messiah Jesus including His death, resurrection, ascension, and promised to return. It is my view that the power to speak in other "tongues" (languages) was withdrawn when the Jewish Nation once again rejected Jesus at the close of period of time recorded in the book of Acts.

“After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews…and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening…and when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word: "Thee holy spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying…YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE …therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations…” (Acts 28:17-28)

The Spirt of God now indwells believers, helping us to pray correctly. Christ Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God and nothing can separate us from the love of God.

“…the spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the spirit…intercedes for the saints according to THE WILL OF GOD….Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? …neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:26-38)

This power of the "spirit of truth" helps in our time of weakness - and the "faith of Christ" Jesus is the basis for the salvation and justification of humanity

"...having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the faith of Christ." (Galatians 2:16-17)

There is now little faith on earth, but stop beating yourself up because you have so little. Trust in "Jesus Christ's faith", the faith He had that His death, entombment, and resurrection would guarantee the salvation of all!

March 27th - The Mystery Revealed

The Apostle Paul tells us that the “gospel” (good news) given to him by the resurrected Jesus was the “mystery of Christ”. That mystery was that all nations will "rejoice and be glad in His salvation".

“When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the nations are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:4-6)

Paul refers to this mystery as “my gospel" which had been “kept secret” in the past.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…” (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul, the Apostle to the nations, elaborates on what he calls “my gospel” in his New Testament letters. John, one of the twelve Apostles to Israel, and the writer of Revelation, recognized that Jesus had not only atoned for the sins of Israel, but also for everyone else...

"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)

Paul explains in his letters that the “mystery” revealed to him and kept secret in the past is the good news that by the grace of God Christ Jesus will return "bringing salvation" to ALL people and that God will "reconcile to Himself ALL THINGS, whether things on earth or things in heaven".

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people…God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them...and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross…"  (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20)

Paul told everyone that...

"Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:21-22)

Paul tells the whole Roman empire that...

"…the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God…in this expectation we are saved; but expectation that is seen is no expectation at all. Who expects what he can already see? We expect what we do not yet see, and we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:19-25) 

Again - ALL creation will someday "be set free"! That is our expectation (hope)!

In this life we only HEAR about our salvation and our reconciliation with God. We show our trust in what we have heard by believing. Believing is having FAITH in what we do not presently see.  

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

But there will come a time when ALL humans will SEE and enter the Kingdom of God where they will dwell with God in the New Heaven and New Earth.

"That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)

"Jesus responded and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, 5)

And when will we be born again of the Spirit?  Paul tells us about this mystery...

"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven...And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man (Adam), so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man (Jesus)." (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

"Behold, I am telling you a mystery...we will all be changed, in 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 will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:50-53)

It just does not get any better than that! It is a shame that most people remain unaware of the plan of God for humanity unfolded in the Bible - the salvation of ALL  and the reconciliation of all to God the Father.

March 26th - Talking Peals of Thunder

"When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them." (Revelation 10:4)

What did these "seven peals of thunder" say to John?  

Lightning is associated with the second coming of Jesus to earth. We always see lightning before we hear the thunder. The amount of time from seeing the lightning to hearing the thunder lets us know how far the storm is away from us (about 1 mile per second).

“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:27)

In Revelation chapters 8 and 9 six angels had SHOWN John details of what will happen during the final year before the return of Jesus - the wrath of God poured out on the kingdom of  the Antichrist.  Then in Chapter 10 he HEARD the "seven peals of thunder" - they told him what would happen when the “the mystery of God is finished”.

“…in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished as He preached to His servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:7)

So, what is this “mystery of God” that was “preached” to “His servants and prophets”, and would be “finished” by the end of Chapter 22? 

It was the salvation of all humanity and their entrance into the Kingdom of God - the New Heaven and New Earth.

“And it will be said in THAT DAY, Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9)

In Chapter 10 John HEARD about what he wrote down in Chapters 21 and 22. And I think this is also what the Apostle Paul saw and heard in his trip to "Paradise", then located in the third heaven,  but was not allowed to write down the details.

"I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—such a man, having been caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—that he was caught up into Paradise, and he HEARD inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak." (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

Paul refers to this as “my gospel", which had been “kept secret” in the past.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…” (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, elaborates on what he calls “my gospel” in his New Testament letters. John, one of the twelve Apostles to Israel, and the writer of Revelation, himself recognized that Jesus atoned for the sins of Israel, and everyone else...

"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)

Paul explains in his letters that the “mystery” revealed to him which had been “kept secret”,is the good news of the grace of God "bringing salvation" to all people, an age when God will "reconcile to Himself ALL THINGS, whether things on earth or things in heaven" in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people…God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them...and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross…"  (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20)

"Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:21-22)

"…the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God…in this hope we are saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:19-25) 

The words of the "peals of thunder" that followed the "lightning" - is the really good news we HEAR about now, but can only SEE by faith. And what is "faith".

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Again - "Creation itself will be set free from its bondage and decay" and "in this we hope"  - Yes I do!

March 25th - Alexander the Coppersmith

"Alexander the coppersmith displayed to me much evil: the Lord will be paying him in accord with his acts --whom you also guard against, for very much has he withstood words of ours. At my first defense no one came along with me, but all forsook me. May it not be reckoned against them! Yet the Lord stood beside me, and He invigorates me, that through me the heralding may be fully discharged, and all the nations should hear; and I am rescued out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will be rescuing me from every wicked work and will be saving me for His celestial kingdom: to Whom be glory for the eons of the eons. Amen!" (2 Timothy 4:14-18)

Paul was on trial before the Roman Emperor, Caesar. Alexander the Coppersmith was most likely a witness for the prosecutor, and his testimony brought "evil" accusations against Paul at the trial. Alexander was being used as a witness to impeach the character of Paul and was lying about him.

However, the Lord was with Paul, so he used this opportunity to share the good news of the salvation of all humanity. He most likely told Caesar what he preached to all people of every nation which was...

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Men like Alexander come and go, but the Lord always stands with us when we proclaim the truth of the salvation of ALL humanity. Humanity is destined to believe the gospel and enter and see the Kingdom of God, the "celestial kingdom" where the Lord will receive glory throughout the "eons of the eons".

Few preach this truth today but when they do, the Lord stands with them! Thank you Lord.

March 24th - Fear or Love

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

Humanity is admonished to fear the Lord but God does not GIVE us a "spirit of fear".

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear...” (II Timothy 1:7).

We are encouraged to fear the Lord because fear is the BEGINNING of wisdom. It starts us on our journey to find that sin has been atoned for as the result of God's love and faithfulness.

"Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.” (Proverbs 16:6)

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love." (1 John 4:16)

The Bible assures us that God "keeps no record of wrongs", and that His love "never fails".

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Love is the GRACE of God in action! In His grace, God gives us a "spirit of power, and of love, and a sound mind".

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7).

"This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world..." (I John 4:14).

When we gain the wisdom that God's love is what motivates Him to save humanity, that love drives out fear.  Love and fear are not intended to occupy the same ground. 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:13-19)

It is a glorious thing to realize His anger lasts "only a moment" - while His love lasts a lifetime, and beyond.

"For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Proverbs 30:5)

March 23rd - Trust the Blood of Jesus

After the ascension of Jesus back to the Father, Peter told the people of Israel that if they would repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, He would return and restore the Kingdom to them on this earth as promised by the prophets. The whole house of Israel needed to be baptized to demonstrate their 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. Jesus will return one day and then all Israel will repent and be saved.

"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 Israel to rule and reign with Jesus in their coming kingdom on earth that will last 1,000 years. However, eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God is a free gift from God.

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

It is the BLOOD of Jesus, not water from the Jordan river, that 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 every detail that happens in the Universe?  If this is true as to every detail, it seems to me it would be rightly termed "fatalism", a doctrine that stresses the subjection of all events to destiny. Religion challenges this "fatalism" by giving humanity an absolute "free will". Thus they make their Sovereign God subservient to the "free will" of humanity, making humanity's will more powerful than God - essentially making humans gods.  However,  the Scripture says there is only one God.

"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 requires that He dictated every detail of life when He created humanity, both thoughts and actions, and yet insist this is not "fatalism". They say in the Absolute sense of things God has predetermined every detail, but the Relative sense God sometimes lowers Himself to the level of humanity (a figure of speech they call condescension) and only appears not to know about or CAUSE certain things. An example of this is how they interpret the followings verses in Scripture.

"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 clearly says that He never commanded such a thing nor did it ever enter His heart. So, I personally do not accept that God being Sovereign requires that He predetermine every thought and action of man. My view is that humanity has free will as "limited" by God. Humans are free to choose to do what they do but God has the power to work the unexpected bad choices for good in this life, and in the next. And, God will eventually remove the consequences of those 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 man, 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 are free to make up doctrines such as the doctrine of eternal conscious torment, however, that doctrine never entered the mind or heart of God.  God's Will and Purpose is to save humanity and reconcile His creation to Himself in spite of all the bad choices of humanity that has caused so much evil in this present wicked age. Those bad choices will humble humanity at the feet of Jesus who died to atone for them all.

“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…I see the experience that Elohim gives 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 sets out the "ministry" that believers have been given.

"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)

It is God's plan to save and reconcile humanity - ALL of us.  That final outcome will be the achievement of God alone.

"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 as an unfinished evil sinner. The ages were created to conform humanity "to the image of His Son". There is none righteous among humanity today, no not one.  But when God is finish, 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 will become All in ALL humanity - not just 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 sin in he world. However, the "motives of men's hearts" will be examined by the Lord.

"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 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).

Each human being is destined to receive "praise" from God when humanity has been transformed into His image at the close of ages He made for that purpose.

"By many portions and many modes, of old, God, speaking to the fathers in the prophets, in the last of these days speaks to us in a Son, Whom He appoints enjoyer of the allotment of all, through Whom He also makes the eons." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

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

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 after we die. 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...As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…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.” (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28; Romans 5:1-20)

Jesus said that He had come that we may have “abundant “ life. Not in our mortal body, 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 - but Jesus will find and save every one of us.

March 19th - Beyond the Eight 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 after this present world has been saved and reconciled to God, ALL creation will love Him.  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) 

Nothing can separate the world 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 our Sovereign God allowed His creation to become filled with evil and unbelief, resulting in the confusion and evil consequences we see all around us. But then I remember 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 grace and mercy God shows humanity even though it continues to be mostly evil. Yet without evil, and the suffering it brings, humanity could not fully appreciate our loving, gracious and merciful God. The eternal good that God has in store for humanity in the oncoming ages will dwarf the suffering we experience now.

The Love, Grace, and Mercy of God is greater than our sin.

"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 New Heaven and New Earth during the ages that follow.

“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)

By the term “celestials” is meant the trillions of galaxies, stars and planets in our Universe, and the celestial beings with spiritual bodies who live on or among them - the angels.

Redeemed humanity, having been made into image of God and His Son 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 is in the New Heaven and New Earth where it will dwell eternally in the 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 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 then be written 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 life will flow out from under the throne of God and wind throughout the New Earth. Along its banks will grow the tree of life which was in the garden paradise that Adam and Eve alone had access to until their original sin. The tree will produce twelve fruits, a different fruit for each month. I envision animals once again living with and among immortal humanity on the New Earth. The water and the fruit will nourish them, and the leaves of the tree will cure any illnesses they may have. 

Humanity will then be a unified body of immortal believers. They will have been redeemed from death and made into the image of God and Christ Jesus. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

March 16th - The Great White Throne

All humans must appear before the Great White Throne to give account to God for their mortal lives lived on this present Earth, and be judged by Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. 

"And I perceived a great white throne, and Him Who is sitting upon it, from Whose face earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them. And I perceived the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. And scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged by that which is written in the scrolls in accord with their acts. And the sea gives up the dead in it, and death and the unseen give up the dead in them. And they were condemned, each in accord with their acts. And death and the unseen were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death-the lake of fire. And if anyone was not found written in the scroll of life, he was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:11-15)

After the judging is finished every human will have become believers in Jesus and will have come a realization of the truth of God's plan for humanity. Every human will then know they are saved, justified, and reconciled to God the Father by the faith of Christ Jesus and His shed blood for the sins of the world.

"...having perceived that a man is NOT being justified by works of law, except alone through the FAITH OF CHRIST JESUS, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the FAITH OF CHRIST and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified." (Galatians 2:14-16)

"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!)" (Ephesians 2:4-6)

Again, every human, is destined to individually account for the things done during their mortal lives. Good works will be rewarded and the bad remembered no more.

“For other foundation can no one lay beside that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone is building on this foundation gold and silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, each one's work will become apparent, for the day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire. And the fire, it will be testing each one's work -- what kind it is. If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it, he will get wages. If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

“Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him, for all of us must be manifested in front of the dais of Christ, that each one may receive the things done through the body, in reference to the things that he did, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

The word “dais” means a raised platform and it is where Christ Jesus will stand as judge at the Great White Throne. I suppose that at first it will be a time of fear for those who had heard and rejected Jesus during their mortal lives. They will stand before Him knowing that their eternal destiny is now in the hand of the One who they had rejected.

"And do not fear those who are killing the body yet are not able to kill the soul. Yet be fearing Him, rather, Who is able to destroy the soul as well as the body in Gehenna.” (Matthew 10:28)

During the process most humans will hear the gospel of their salvation for the first time, the good news of what Jesus did for them on the cross. And they will realize that God the Father has given the final judgment for their sin to Jesus who will then render His verdict. And as each human turns their eyes upon Jesus, I envision Jesus saying to the Father...

"Father, my judgment is to pronounce them "not guilty",  for all of them were redeemed and justified in My blood just as we planned before we created the world!"

“Now Christ…through His own blood, entered once FOR ALL into the holy places, finding eonian redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)

“…being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from wrath, through Him. For if, being enemies, we were conciliated to God through the death of His Son, much rather, being conciliated, we shall be saved in His life.” (Romans 5:9-10)

All humans will then in glorious harmony rejoice and bow before Jesus, their Lord and Savior.

"Who, being inherently in the form of God, deems it not pillaging to be equal with God,
nevertheless empties Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of humanity and being found in fashion as a human, He humbles Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee shall be bowing, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean, and every tongue shall be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father." (Philippians 2:11-12)

Those who had rejected God and His Son in their mortal lives will experience the second death by means of the lake of fire returning their resurrected mortal bodies to dust. However, they will know that they will be raised from that second death into their immortal bodies. Death will then have been destroyed forever.

"For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:26)

The reign of Christ will end, and God the Father will be All in all.

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 28)