December 15th - Prolepsis

Prolepsis is a figure of speech in which a future act or promise is represented as if presently existing or accomplished. It is used often in Scripture.

"For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died. And He died for the sake of all that those who are living should by no means still be living to themselves, but to the One dying and being roused for their sakes." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

"For you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

That Christ Jesus died for the sake of all is a historical fact, however, the phrase "consequently all died" is prolepsis, a figure of speech in which humanity is considered to have died when Jesus "died for the sake of all". The result is that our "life" after death is now "hid together with Christ in God".

"So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new! Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

That humanity will have "life" after death is a future event so certain that it is spoken of as if this world has passed by "become new" - again, proleptically speaking. Thistruth it gives us peace with God, and we want to share this "word of conciliation" with the world as the "ambassadors" of Christ. 

"For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be made alive...For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ's sake, "Be conciliated to God!" For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him." (1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)

God is at peace with humanity and wants people to be at peace with Him - not be terrified about what He might do to us after death. God is not angry with humanity for its sin because the blood of Christ His Son was shed "for our sakes".

"God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes." ..."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 heavins." (Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:20)

Humanity is saved, justified and reconciled to God proleptically speaking. Yet it will be manifested in the a future age.

"Not that I already obtained, or am already perfected. Yet I am pursuing, if I may be grasping also that for which I was grasped also by Christ Jesus. Brethren, not as yet am I reckoning myself to have grasped, yet one thing -- forgetting, indeed, those things which are behind, yet stretching out to those in front -- toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

I can speak of my salvation  and justification as if it has already occurred because the very Word of God says so. And that is good enough for me and I am at peace with God - not perfect, just at peace.

December 14th - The Word of His Grace

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

What does “word” mean? The Greek for “word” is “logo” and simply means that which is communicated to humanity. And what is that? 

His GRACE…the unmerited favor to "those who are sanctified".

And who are the "sanctified"?  The human beings who believe the truth God has communicated to us - "the word of His grace"…

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:17-18)

Christ Jesus came to save the world. He consecrated Himself for that purpose and will succeed.

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

“He has appeared once FOR ALL at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:22-26)

What are the details of “the word of Hs grace"? To me, it is as follows:

First  - Humanity will all be SAVED out of death because of His grace.

“For by grace you have been saved...” (Ephesians 2:8)

Second - Humanity will all be JUSTIFIED (declared righteous) because of His grace.

“…so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)

Third - Humanity will all be RECONCILED to God because of His grace.

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

So what part does FAITH have? The Greek word for faith means to BELIEVE. So biblical FAITH is simply believing what God says. Humans find JOY and PEACE in this present evil age by believing what God says - the “Word of His Grace". 

There will come a day when everyone will come forth from the grave and believe, as Jesus told us…

“…for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is JUST, because I do not seek My own will, but the WILL of Him who sent Me.” (John 5:28-30)

Those who hear and believe the “word of His Grace” before they die will be immediately changed at His return from mortal to immortal. 

Those who did not hear and believe the “word of His Grace” in this life will have to wait one thousand years to be raised to life. Yet, they will all hear and believe at that time. They will be condemned to die the second death. That second death will be abolished, and they too will be made alive and become immortals so that God is "All in all".

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:17)

"The last enemy that will be abolished is death...so that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:26-28)

"For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about 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." (1 Corinthians 15:53-57)

"...it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.…” (1 Timothy 4:8-10)

For those of us who believe the "word of His grace" now, we will reign with Christ during the next age, which is called the Millennium.  For all others - see you in about a thousand years.

"They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)" (Revelation 20:4-5)

December 13th - There is a Purpose for the Ages

“In accord with the purpose of the ages, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Ephesians 3:11)

“Purpose” means that God has a plan concerning the outcome of creation. The ages were made by and for Jesus the Son of God, and they are unfolding according to the plan of God. 

"God, having spoken long ago to our fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the ages." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The free will of humanity will not deter the purpose of God. God is the God of certainty and not of chance, and He made up His mind what He wanted to do and then created the ages to work out His plan.

At the close of the ages God will be "All in all" of His creation. He will be All in all of His creation.

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...When He has done this, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put everything under Him, so that God may be All in all."     (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

In our troubled world I am glad God has a plan to save the world, and that His plan cannot be altered by the free will of mankind. That gives me "peace" in a world whose free will decisions are regularly bad and often changed.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Again, the purpose of the ages is for God to become All in all His creation. He becomes so by saving everyone and transforming them into the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29)

"He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, and having set Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this age, but also in the one coming. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the complement of the One completing the All in all." (Ephesians 1:20-23)

December 12th - The Grace and Salvation of God are FREE Gifts to Humanity

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 1:4)

The GRACE we receive is FREE. We do not earn, accept, or reject it. It is a gift given us “by Jesus Christ”.

And we are SAVED after death by the grace of God, it is also FREE. And it is ours “through Jesus Christ”.

“…the FREE gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b)

I notice some translations leave out the word “free”. They have a problem with salvation being FREE. They add words like “offer” to their translations, but the Bible in the original language has no such "offer".  Salvation is a "free gift" to “all humanity” by the "grace of God"…

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity…” (Titus 2:11)

Notice the addition of the word "offers" in the NIV translation...

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11 NIV)

I like the NIV because of the way it reads, but the Greek manuscripts do not include the word "offers".

I know most of you will not take time to look it up in the Greek so here it is for the verses above in Romans…

“…τὸ δὲ χάρισμα (free gift) τοῦ θεοῦ ζωὴ αἰώνιος ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν."(Romans 6:23 Greek)

The NIV leaves out “free gift”, and adds “offers” to the text. Their translators knew most people would not look it up. The offer is THEIR offer, not GOD's. 

Again, God says that Salvation is a “free gift” to “all humanity” by the “grace of God given to you by Christ Jesus."

Rejoice in that as we approach the celebration of the birth of "the Savior of the world"...

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

"We have heard for ourselves and know that this one is indeed the Savior of the world" (John 4:42)

"The Father has sent the Son to be (not offer to be) the Savior of the world..." (1 John 4:14)

December 11th - The Gifts From God

The Bible tells us of some specific things that God GIVES…

“…the grace of God given to you by Christ Jesus…” (1 Corinthians 1:4)

“For by grace you have been saved…it is a gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“My peace I give to you…” (John 14:27)

“…and I give them eternal life…" (John 10:28:)

"...the free gift of God is Eternal Life…” (Romans 6:23b)

“…and He will give you another helper…” (John 14:16)

“…may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of Him…” (Ephesians 1:17)

“…it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom…” (Luke 12:32)

Everything good and perfect thing we have received or will receive is a GIFT from God. It is NOT a reward for good behavior. He does not owe us anything for being good occasionally.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17)

God gives out of a Father’s LOVE, which of course is His very nature for…

“…God is love” (1 John 4:8)

The love of God the  Father requires disciplining His children on occasion. This discipline IS the result of our frequent bad behavior. However, it is always remedial and balanced and is good for us…

"Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17)

December 10th - Gehenna or Hell

Jesus said…

“And if thy hand causes your downfall, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to HELL - the unquenchable fire, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:43-44).

Did Jesus really say that?  Not exactly. What Jesus actually said, properly translated, was…

“And if your hand causes your downfall, cut it off. It is better to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to GEHENNA – the unquenchable fire, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

I have highlighted the one word that differs, but it exposes the error of religions.

"GEHENNA" was a literal place, the valley of the sons of Hinnom. It is located outside the walls of Jerusalem, and at the time Jesus made the above comment, it was a place used to take their trash. It had a continual fire that burned the trash and dead carcasses, including criminals. 

"HELL" is the underworld of Greek mythology. Teaching that Jesus used it as an illustration of eternal torment is embracing pagan Greek mysticism.  So,  what was Jesus teaching in Mark 9 above when He used the word "Gehenna"? 

Pretty simple to me. It is better to live righteously in this life without ones hands than to use them for criminal activity and be caught, convicted and sentenced to death – resulting in their dead carcass being cast into Gehenna to rot, be eaten by worms, and burned with the trash. That fire continued until its job was done.

Christ Jesus died as a "ransom for all", so even those criminals whose bodies were cast into Gehenna are included. As a result they will be saved out of death, and reconciled to God who is gracious, merciful and good. He has compassion on all He has made. As King David said…

“The Lord is good to everyone: and His compassion rests on all He has made.” (Psalm 145:9).

Paul considered himself to be the worst sinner for having consented to the murder and imprisonment of many believers before he was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. He tells us what will happen to himself, the foremost sinner, and all others - they will die for their sin, and then be saved from perishing in death!

"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 3:23)

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I…this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our savior God, Who wills that all humanity be saved…For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, a man, Christ Jesus, who is giving Himself a correspondent ransom for all.” (1 Timothy 1:15-2:1-7)

Hitler's final solution was to exterminate all Jews. Institutional Christianity's final solution is to endlessly torture everyone who does not join that religion. The same is true of the religion of Islam. However, as I read the Bible, God's final solution is death for sin, thereafter to save every sinner out of death as the result of the shed blood of His Son on the cross of Calvary. The shedding of His blood being a demonstration of His love, grace, and mercy toward sinners. His resurrection being a demonstration of His salvation out of death for all. Like Jesus, all flesh and blood bodies are destined to be transformed into the image of God's resurrected Son when death is abolished.

"For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:28)

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

"Now we all, with uncovered , mirroring the Lord's glory, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from th Lord, the spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

December 9th - The Sign of the Times

Is there a specific “sign” of the return of Jesus?. The religious Jews of His day demanded a sign to prove He was the Messiah, and Jesus responded as follows…

“Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:39-40)

That sign was fulfilled when Jesus lay dead “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” before He was raised to life just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea creature three days and three nights before he was spit out. 

We are now asked to “watch” in faith for the sign of His return because we do not know the day He will come.

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the 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. And He will send His angels with a great trumpet call, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds,  from one end of sky to the other…Therefore keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes.  And know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into. Because of this, you also be ready, for the Son of Man comes in that hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:30-31; 40-42)

For now we should return to the Lord when we stray from time to time waiting for the sign of His appearance.

“Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds...let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.…” (Hosea 6:1-3)