Conventional wisdom tells us that “truth” is found in the middle of two extremes. We are told by the mild-mannered prophets and politicians (really one and the same) of our day, (sometimes called “preachers”) that we should avoid the extremes of doctrine. They tell us that truth is a mixture and homogenization of various views on matters such as unconditional election and man’s “free will”, GOD’s absolute sovereignty and man’s accountability, the preservation of the saints and the perseverance of the same, etc., etc.
While we are fairly certain that there is no group or organization of people (who claim to be the followers of CHRIST) who actually have a monopoly or corner on the wide expanse of doctrinal truth; we are equally as certain that the truth of GOD is most extreme and suffers no modifications or mitigation and can only be found in examining the extremes.
John, in writing the closing book of the Bible, said; “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev 22:18-19)
In my estimation that is a most extreme statement, and one which is extremely true. Who can alter that which has gone forth from the lips of HIM who is the ETERNAL WORD? We are not sent into the world to try and “soften” extreme truth (there is no other kind) but rather to declare it, even though carnal men balk at it and weak kneed “preachers” seek to soft pedal it so as to make it more palatable to the masses, especially those who are paying their salary.
There exists in the minds of many the concept that GOD is depending on men to somehow explain the word of GOD in such a manner that will persuade men to embrace it and follow it. This is quite plausible to carnal reason and when one views GOD as a prisoner to the “free will” of men, then it becomes downright necessary. GOD has never minced words about either HIS preeminence or HIS absolute control over all things that come to pass in this world or any other. HE said, “That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isa 45:5-7) “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:10-11)
No explanation of what HE said is necessary, yet I have heard men spend hours explaining how one must not “go too far” with preaching such things or that this really doesn’t mean what it plainly says. Lest any man mistake who the GOD of heaven and earth is, HE told Moses, HIS name, “I AM THAT I AM!” (Exo 3:14) How can one go “too far” in describing the absolute sovereignty of GOD? Nebuchadnezzar had no doubts “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan 4:34-35)
While we find great blessing in a contemplation of the LORD’s dominion and predestination of all things that come to pass, the epitome of our rejoicing comes when we are reminded that this ONE, before whom the heavens and the earth shall flee away, is our SAVIOR. HE is the ONE who has both ordained the salvation of a people which HE hid in HIMSELF before the foundation of the world, and has carried out their complete redemption keeping them forever. Their salvation from beginning to end is completely dependent on HIS determined purpose which can in no wise fail to occur.
“This Man” “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1Tim 2:5)
“Continueth ever”. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa 9:6-7)
“Hath an unchangeable priesthood”.“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:19-20)
“Wherefore HE is able”.“He is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Phil 3:21) “He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2Tim 1:12) “He is able to succor them that are tempted.” (Heb 2:18)
“To save them” “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1Thes 5:9) “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” (Rev 12:10)
“To the uttermost”“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psa 2:8) “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1) “But God, -------Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:4-7)
“Them that come unto GOD by HIM”.“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
“Ever liveth to make intercession for them”. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb 9:12) “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Rom 5:10)
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