Two Places at Once

Recently I was hiking on top of a mountain and there was a boundary marker delineating the border between two provinces. If I stood with one foot on either side of the boundary I could be ‘in two places at once.’ Cute. Yet, there is a deeper and more important aspect, scripturally we were originally designed to live in two places at once, the natural earthly realm and the heavenly spiritual realm. I believe Adam and could see in both realms, hence Eve could see and interact with serpent, a spiritual being and throne guardian, not a talking snake. I think one of the things that made them aware of their fallen state was the shift in what they were able to see and interact with. Whether that is accurate or not, doesn’t change what we were designed for.

            We were created to live in two places at once, the natural and spiritual realms, after all, at the consummation of the age the New Jerusalem, the Lamb’s bride, the Holy city, comes from heaven to earth and the two realms are joined. In the meantime, if we have a better understanding of how we are called to function now we can live out of an awareness of both realms.

            Paul made some comments about being in two places at once in both Ephesians and Colossians.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4–6 (NKJV)

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Ephesians 2:4–6 (NKJV) Colossians 3:2–3 (NKJV)

Jesus also had a perspective on this concept.

13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3:13 (NKJV)

Jesus more than any of us knew what it was to live in two places at once, to be in home in both the natural and spiritual realms. While I don’t expect any of us to fully live this out to the degree that Jesus did, He did set an example for us to follow. We follow His example by paying attention to what Paul wrote.

            The obvious practical issue is delineating the how. I know in my own life often during the day my thoughts are drawn heavenward. That is, I am drawn to prayer, worship and reflection, sometimes in the midst of a group of people. It also means that heaven has a perspective on my days and decisions and I need to factor in heavens perspective in my decision making. Lastly, I can simply abide in His presence at any time and all times by turning my mind and heart toward Jesus. This is our call, to believe we are seated with Him and thus set our affections upon Him.  

NOTE This post will lead into the next one, Authority and Abiding

Seek First

            I last wrote about the kingdom of God, the gospel of the kingdom, which is broader than the gospel of salvation, and the need to understand the church is not the kingdom, it is subsumed under the kingdom of God. In response a friend, Mark, shared his definition of the kingdom of God (he and his wife have been faithfully pastoring for decades), “The liberating invasion, the present manifestation and the future consummation of the rule and reign of God in Jesus Christ.” I like Mark’s definition and as we go a little deeper let’s, look at a verse that I am sure is familiar.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Of note, Jesus didn’t tell us to seek the church, He told us to seek the kingdom of God. Now guess what, the Greek word translated seek means just that, to seek or search for something. Taking Mark’s definition, we should be looking for His kingdom to break into our lives and the lives of others. I don’t think we can make it happen, just as I don’t believe we can create revival. I believe revival is like a natural birth. It isn’t the labour (our effort) that brings on the baby, it is the baby beginning to move down the birth canal that brings on the labour.

Having said that, while I have never been in a revival movement. I have had times of personal revival when I responded to His leading in my life. I have had experiences and seen significant spiritual manifestations in small groups, church conferences and services, which leaves me wanting more! Yet while I know that I can’t create the breaking in of His kingdom I am also aware that I can position my heart to be ready by seeking and expecting it. After all that is the message of the wise and foolish virgins, the need to be prepared, to be ready. Solomon put it this way.

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 (NKJV)

To that end, let us seek and search for the breaking in of His kingdom in our lives and communities and be found faithful by living with prepared hearts.

Through Kingdom Eyes

In my doctoral work I defined worldview as, “The lens through which we view and interpret reality.” I still hold it as a practical and useful definition, so with that in mind here is a question for us to ponder; do we see and interpret reality through the lens of the church or the kingdom? Do you know they are not the same thing? Is this something you have considered?

Jesus expressed the significance of the new birth in relation to the kingdom in the following way.

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NKJV)

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 (NKJV)

For Jesus the new birth was about entrance to and participation in the kingdom. Paul wrote.

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

This means that at our conversion we were birthed into Jesus’ kingdom. We stopped living in darkness and came into light. Once that happened His expectation is that we continue to live in and out of His kingdom (think Romans 12:1-2 or Ephesians 4:17-25 for example). This is where how we view reality becomes important. The church is in the kingdom and an expression of the kingdom. The church is not the kingdom. The kingdom is something much more significant. 

           I have written in the past about the perspective George Eldon Ladd popularized, the ‘already not yet’ nature of the kingdom. Jesus has already secured victory through the cross and His resurrection, yet it will not be fully realized until His return.

In the gospels Jesus taught much more about the kingdom than the church. He shared parables about the kingdom because it is the expression of His rule and reign in the earth. As the church expands the mustard seed that was the initial expression of the kingdom grows in the earth. Yet, one of the most significant aspects of the kingdom being represented in the earth is the making of disciples not the production of converts.

In this regard Jesus made some crucial statements.  

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV)

Jesus expects us to preach the kingdom and from His perspective the kingdom is evident when we see new converts taught to observe all that He commanded. Jesus wasn’t expressing some dominionist mandate where the church takes over the earth, that happens when He returns as the triumphant king. However, we are to reflect His kingdom values in how we live and our lives are to be a blessing to those around us.

           After all, we are either a kingdom influence in our culture, or we are coming under the influence of our culture. Given that the church is called to disciple both individuals and nations let’s be the former.

Earth Mirroring Heaven

            Recently I wrote about Yahweh as the Cloud Rider (http://wisdomfromtheword.ca/the-cloud-rider/ ) and how we also see Jesus also described in scripture as the cloud rider. Here we will look at what He rides on, okay, only briefly, what is important is the idea of earth mirroring heaven. David made a very interesting statement in 1 Chronicles.   

18 and refined gold by weight for the altar of incense, and for the construction of the chariot, that is, the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 1 Chronicles 28:18 (NKJV)

The context is David describing all the preparations he had made for Solomon so that he could build the temple. The interesting part is his explicit reference to the cherubim over the seat of the ark of the covenant as Yahweh’s chariot.

We see Yahweh on His chariot in 1 Kings. Notice that contrary to what is popularly expressed, Elijah was conveyed to heaven by a whirlwind. The chariot is Yahweh making an appearance on the scene.  

1 And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Kings 2:1 (NKJV)

11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 2 Kings 2:11–12 (NKJV)

We also see Yahweh’s chariot in Ezekiel, just without the horses. It is very similar to John’s vision of the throne in Revelation. Thus, we see the tabernacle mirroring heaven. In constructing the tabernacle and the associated objects, Yahweh said to Moses that he was to follow the heavenly pattern.

40 And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain. Exodus 25:40 (NKJV)

The same idea is reflected in Hebrews where the writer is contrasting Jesus’ eternal priesthood with the priests of Israel.

4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:4–5 (NKJV)

Lastly, we look at how Jesus’ function in creation.

3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)

Many modern translations have something like ‘His powerful word’ instead of the phrase ‘word of His power.’ Yet the latter is a more literal and accurate rendering from Greek. The idea is less about the power of His word and more about the continual release of it. Material creation exists because Jesus continually sustains it.

            Having presented these ideas, let’s tie them together. Hebrews 8:5 describes the relationship between heaven and earth as the things of earth being, ‘the copy and shadow of the heavenly things.’ The spirit realm is the real realm and the source of everything that we see. Earth, however dimly, is meant to reflect heavenly realities. Just as Eden was the place of His dwelling at the beginning of creation when we look at the end of Revelation (the last two chapters) we see Eden restored but far more gloriously. It is the culmination, the summing up of all things and the final fulfillment of what Jesus instructed us to pray, ‘On earth as it is in heaven.’ The two will become one, fully and finally united. Earth will no longer mirror heaven, it will be transformed and absorbed into heaven. Thus, let us pray with this understanding.

9 Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9–10 (NKJV)

Jesus Cares

The statement is easy to say but we need to know it as more than just an intellectual truth. If you have a church background, as a child you probably sang, ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.’ While this is true, we are also created for a genuine relationship with Jesus. In my own experience and in talking with others, theory doesn’t carry the same weight as practical experience. Faith is a starting point but it is meant to be an entry point into something further.  

            I think of it this way, I can intellectually know Jesus loves me but that is insufficient. I don’t want to just intellectually know that my wife loves me. I know that I have grandchildren, yet I also want to interact and have a relationship with them. In Ephesians 3 Paul highlights the importance of experience in our relationship with Jesus.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14–21 (NKJV)

            There is a lot that could be unpacked in this short passage but we will focus on two key words, one that leads to the other, comprehend and know. Bear in mind Paul is addressing a corporate experience that would obviously lead into an individual one as well. We begin with comprehend, if we think of reading comprehension, it isn’t enough to just read the words, we need to grasp the meaning of whatever we are reading if we are to comprehend it. Similarly, the Greek word which is translated as comprehend means to ‘lay hold of.’ The word translated as know means to ‘recognize’ or ‘perceive.’ Paul was telling the Ephesian believers that he wanted them to comprehend and know something that passes knowledge. That is, his prayer was for an experience of Jesus love, a knowing of the “width and length and depth and height’ of it.     

            Paul wrote this to those who were already walking with Jesus yet he longed for them to have a deeper encounter. It is similar to his prayer in chapter 1 of Ephesians, praying that we would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the Father. Now personally, I have had encounters with Jesus, I believe mainly because I have sought Him and I have prayed Paul’s prayers after him. In wanting to know Jesus, I have met Him in worship, I have felt His presence during sermons, and I am often conscious of His presence when hiking in the mountains. I find myself drawn to prayer and worship while hiking. Yet I have also encountered Him in brokenness because He meets us where we are. I can remember a very discouraging time in my life over 30 years ago. I was home alone and knelt down to pray and pour out my heart. Then I briefly felt an arm around my shoulder as I knelt at the couch. His touch comforted and brought peace to my wounded heart.

Thus, I believe that both theology and experience validate, ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.’ Yet I want you as well to know that Jesus cares. In light of that I encourage you to reflect back on the times you have seen His hand move in your life, the times you have been aware of His presence, and by extension His care and love for you. Knowing Jesus I am confident that you have these memories to draw upon to strengthen your walk with Him. Why not do that now?

What Happens Next?

Here is a question that was asked in a Christian and Atheist debate group that I am involved in administering, “If a rebellion took place in heaven, it means sin or bad things can happen in heaven. This is in contradiction to a God who is perfect and can only have good around him. Does this mean that sinners can go to heaven or that people can sin in heaven?”

In reflecting on this I think the scriptural answer is something important to all of us as believers and right after I decided to write on the matter it came up in an apologetics group that I participate in. There are important elements in the questions. A simple answer to one question is that no, sinners cannot go to heaven. The other part gets at whether sin and free will are compatible when we step from time into eternity. I have heard this part of the question asked a number of times.

We start by addressing sin, if we look at what Paul taught in Romans 6-8 we see the struggle of the believer with sin and we also see the solution, walking with and being led by the Spirit. Earlier in his ministry Paul put forth this same solution in his first letter, Galatians (see chapter 5). This is the case because even though we become a new creation at conversion, there is still a propensity toward sin in our physical bodies. Now to more detail.  

We begin with what took place at conversion.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

We received a new nature at conversion. Our spirit was reborn. Yet when we read Paul’s letters it is evident that believers still struggle with sin. Paul’s heart cry is found in Galatians.

19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19 (NKJV)

Paul wanted to see believers reflecting Jesus’ character, their new nature. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian believers was that their spirit, soul and body would be preserved blameless at Jesus return.

To understand, when we dig a little deeper, we see the solution to our problem. At conversion we receive Jesus’ nature in our spirit. It is sanctified. As we continue in our walk our soul (mind, will and emotions), should progressively express Jesus’ nature, as Paul prayed in Galatians 4:19. I don’t think any of us will achieve perfection in this life, but we can increasingly look more and more like Jesus. Then finally at Jesus return we will be caught up into the air with Him in glorified new bodies, or be resurrected with glorious new bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, 1 Corinthians 15:39-49). At our resurrection or translation, we receive a glorified incorruptible body. There will only be one thing missing, a propensity to sin!

19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. Romans 7:19–20 (NKJV)

Now we can answer the questions, “Does this mean that sinners can go to heaven or that people can sin in heaven?” No, sinners cannot go, only saints, and while theoretically we could sin, with sin removed we will have no desire to do so!

Eyes to See

Let’s talk about and reflect on perspective in terms of what we see and how we see. Jesus exhorted us many times to see and hear. The choice to hear is consistent refrain in His messages to the seven churches in Revelation. One of the main passages is below and Jesus quotes Isaiah in His highlighting of the issue.

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: Matthew 13:10–18 (NKJV)

In this passage Jesus tells his disciples that they can see and hear and on a later occasion rebukes them for failing to do so.

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:18 (NKJV)

This should provoke humility in us and a recognition that just because we can see it doesn’t mean we do see! However, it also means we have the capacity to see and can develop it and if we miss the mark recover it.

Given the impact our perceptions have on our faith, it seems important to ‘look’ at how we can make changes. Here are a couple of examples of the need to ‘see’ accurately, salvation and spiritual gifts. I am sure you have heard someone share the example of how unfair it is for a murder, rapist (fill in the blank) or some other person considered terrible, to be able to repent and embrace Jesus and get into heaven while a ‘good person’ they know or know of, misses heaven and encounters hell because they never embraced Jesus.  

In looking at this an illustration that came to mind is the idea of an old door with the brass casing and a hole in the centre for the key. One could push the key against the door jamb, the top of the door, or the bottom of the door and the key would not work. You could also push against the metal plate just next to the keyhole and encounter the same outcome. You would only be able to open the door if you actually put the key in the lock and turned it. In the same manner salvation is through Jesus, you can try other methods but only Jesus unlocks and opens the door to salvation. Therefore, we need eyes to see the source of salvation.

Now we look at spiritual gifts. There are two basic camps, those who claim that spiritual gifts, as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 ceased when scripture was complete, or when the last of the twelve original apostles died or something similar. Then there are continuationists. Those who hold that these gifts are still in operation today. I am in the latter camp. I am aware that theological arguments can be made for either position, though frankly I think key points made in scripture need to be ignored and misrepresented to hold to a cessationist view. I am a continuationist for two primary reasons, well maybe three. Scripture exhorts us to seek these gifts, I have seen them in experience for decades in my life and the lives of others, and lastly, because I think we need them to accomplish what Jesus has called us to do. Given that millions of Christians around the world function in spiritual gifts I ask of cessationists what Jesus said in Mark 8:18, “Having eyes, do you not see?”

Now is there a point somewhere here? Yes, Jesus has given each of us eyes to see and I am confident that we all miss things. I know I have learned a great deal over time and adjusted my theology more than a few times. Which requires a willingness to look at things in a new way, to reconsider my position. Jesus always has more for us if we are willing to look and ask Him to open our eyes to see.

No One Knows

In speaking to His disciples in Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus focuses on signs of the end of the age then makes a seemingly confusing statement.

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

On the surface this implies constant vigilance because the time is unknown, which can lead to anxiety. However, elsewhere Jesus instructs us to not be anxious or worry about anything but to rest our hearts in trust in Him (Matt. 6:25-34). So, let’s take a closer look at what Jesus is getting at in Matthew 25:13.

The idea of watching is that of being alert and paying attention, being aware of the times and seasons. Now, I confess, I do not believe that Jesus can or will return at any moment. My reasoning is twofold. First, Jesus gave us signs to watch for, which means we need to pay attention to the signs and we will know the season of His return. Second, Jesus was clear in more than one scripture that He is returning to Jerusalem (Zech. 14:4, Acts 1:9-12) and that when He returns every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7). His return will be a very public and visible event. Scripture also tells us that Jesus is not returning until the leadership in Israel welcomes Him back. The verses below took place after Jesus had already been welcomed by the crowds shouting this phrase, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ in His triumphal entry (Matt. 21:9). We celebrate this on Palm Sunday. Yet after this had already taken place Jesus said the following.     

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:37–39 (NKJV)

 When Israel as a people group and nation recognize Him as Messiah Jesus will return.

Now back to the ‘day and hour.’ While the phrase may not be clear to us, it was very easily understood by Jesus disciples as it came directly from the Feast of Trumpets. “No one knows the day or hour” was a Hebrew idiom referring to the timing of the feast. The feast started when two witnesses saw the first sliver of the new moon and reported their observance to the Sanhedrin, who confirmed the start of the feast and shouts were raised and trumpets sounded!

What is important is that this was the beginning of the new year and the fall harvest. I like many believe we will see a great harvest of souls at the end of the age, meaning we will know we are in the season even though we don’t know the exact day or hour. We should always need to be watching and aware, but from a place of trust and expectation, not worry. Think of the parable of the ten virgins. Watching for the arrival of the bridegroom was an exciting event, not an anxious one. Our watching should intensify in this season as we anticipate His return as the writer of Hebrews exhorts us.  

28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV)

Thus, as we wait, let us wait in expectation, looking for the signs of harvest and listening for shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets.

NOTE – I may do these posts less frequently for a season. I have a book that I have had ‘sitting on the shelf’ the past two years that I need to finish writing. I think from the Lord’s perspective it is ‘past due’ and I need to finish writing it. I covet your prayers for wisdom and discernment as I write. I began my weekly blog in January of 2014 and to date there are about 800 pages of searchable teaching material sitting on it.  

His Inheritance

Ephesians contains an interesting phrase that is part of Ephesians 1:18, “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” In the preceding verse Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers, and by extension us, that the eyes of our hearts/understanding would be enlightened by the Spirit to under the import of this phrase. Given that, let’s dig in and see what this inheritance is all about.

There are two aspects here, who gains the inheritance and what the actual inheritance is. In examining the passage closely, we first discover that the ‘His inheritance’ refers to the Father. Paul’s prayer is about the ‘Father of glory.’ It is the Father who receives the inheritance. Now we look at what He is receiving? Understanding that requires backing up quite a bit, backing up to before creation. The following two verses come from what is known at Jesus high priestly prayer just before Gethsemane, His trial and crucifixion.

5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5 (NKJV)

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 (NKJV)

We see two things here, Jesus possessed glory with the Father prior to creation and they lived in a loving relationship prior to creation.

Now we move to make sense of how this connects to the Father’s inheritance. We know Jesus and the Father lived in a relationship of love and intimacy. Scripture tells us what will happen to us that enables us to enter into that intimate relationship, it even tells us how it will take place.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:28–30 (NKJV)

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

 Think back on Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and His reference to glory. Paul says we will be glorified! That is our ultimate destiny. John describes it much more succinctly, “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

The Father’s inheritance at the end is us, believers, fully transformed creatures that can live in deep fellowship with Him as Jesus has since before the foundation of the world, a whole new family with whom He can intimately interact. The Father inherits us! You are part of this! It is our calling! 

Born Under the Law

I suspect that at some point you have likely read the passage below.

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4–5 (NKJV)

What I don’t know is whether you have considered the theological implications or weighed whether the ‘born under the law’ phrase was significant. It is. We will explore the significance but first we will take a bit of a journey through scripture by examining the background, which is rooted in a cosmic conflict.  

We see the roots of this cosmic conflict in three key passages Genesis 3:1-24, 6:1-4, 11:1-9 and Deuteronomy 32:8-9. The cosmic conflict outlined here carries on throughout church history, is addressed by Paul in Ephesians and Colossians, and enables us to make sense of Yahweh calling Abraham out of Ur to initiate a redemptive restorative process that will ultimately lead to a new heaven and a new earth. The Genesis passages outline three failures, the sin in Eden that led to expulsion, the fallen sons of God taking on flesh and mingling with human wives in Genesis to corrupt humanity and the rebellion at Babel with humanity seeking to build a ziggurat to heaven to connect the natural and spiritual realms. Deuteronomy 32 shows that Yahweh disinherited the other nations and chose Israel for Himself as a vessel for the restoration of the earth.

This is clearer in two linked passages of scripture. Yahweh had disinherited the nations and chose Abraham to renew His process of restoring the earth and the original mandate given to Adam and Eve to make all of the earth like Eden, Look at the verses below.

18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18 (NKJV)

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)

First Yahweh promised Abraham that through him all of the nations of the earth would be blessed. Then Jesus addressed the how, the gospel, the good news of the kingdom, would be preached to all nations, all ethnos (ethnicities) or people groups. All will have the opportunity to be part of Yahweh’s program to restore the earth.

This came about because Yahweh invited Abraham into a relationship and Abraham said yes. We then had Isaac as the child of promise who became the father of Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons who became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. After the nation went into slavery in Egypt a deliverer was raised up by Yahweh, Moses. At Yahweh’s direction Moses led the nation of Israel out of Egypt and into the wilderness. You likely know about the Mosaic Law given by Yahweh through Moses in the wilderness. What you may not know is that the terms in the 10 Commandments were a marriage covenant between Yahweh and Israel. A number of times in the Old Testament Israel is referred to as married to Yahweh.

We now go back to Yahweh’s promise to Abraham; to bless all nations through his seed, the seed was Jesus. Paul makes this clear in Galatians.

16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. Galatians 3:16 (NKJV)

This gets us to the reason Jesus was ‘born under the law.’ He was the chosen seed through the chosen line of Abraham that would first bless Abraham’s seed then all nations through His crucifixion and resurrection. He needed to fulfill the law to fulfill His mission and purchase your salvation and mine. I don’t know about you but I am deeply grateful that Jesus was ‘born under the law’ and secured my salvation!