GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XVIssue 10
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

THE THREEFOLD CORD

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Throughout the scriptures we see the number three appear many times. Solomon, a man of great earthly wisdom, uses an illustration here of the strength of a cord or rope which is made up of three individual woven strands. Such a rope is much stronger than the same number of fibers which are all laid side by side in a bundle. The weaving together of three individual cords enhances the strength of the rope as each one compliments the other.

One of the primary uses of the number three in the scriptures is in the manner in which GOD has been pleased to reveal HIMSELF to men. HE is clear in telling us that HE is ONE GOD when HE gave the law to Moses. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deut 6:4) Yet HE is equally clear in revealing HIMSELF in a Triune GODHEAD. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Mat 28:19) All authority rests in HIM.

Much speculation and division has been introduced among the saints over the years as controversy has raged over the exact manner in which GOD has revealed HIMSELF as ONE individual and sovereign GOD, and yet spoken of HIMSELF in a plural sense. (see Gen 1:26) As much as men like to bluster and seek to convince us that they have a perfect understanding of this matter, the reality is that this seeming conundrum is but a manifestation of the mystery which surrounds HIM who dwells in the LIGHT to which no man can approach.

Find a man who claims to be an expert in the study and doctrine of the “TRINITY” and who can answer all questions about it, and you will find a man who has too high of an opinion of his knowledge. Job discovered the limitations of what he thought he knew about this ONE who formed the light and created the darkness, who, only, looks upon the heart. (see Job 42:5,6)

This is the ultimate THREEFOLD CORD which cannot be discovered by mortals much less broken or dissected by anything which is created. “Keep silence all created things, and wait your MAKER’s nod, my soul stands trembling as she sings the honors of her GOD. Life, death and hell, and worlds unknown, hang on HIS firm decree, HE sits on no precarious throne, nor borrows leave to be.” (#4 Gadsby’s Hymns by Isaac Watts)

What we do see clearly and unequivocally, set forth in the scriptures, is that JESUS CHRIST is the REVELATION of GOD to man. No man can come to the FATHER but by HIM, and the SPIRIT will always testify of none other but HIM. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18) If a man is to be acquainted with the Almighty GOD, the GREAT I AM, he must be acquainted with JESUS CHRIST, the CREATOR of all things, the FIRST and the LAST. No other means of approach to GOD can be found.

The gospel of JESUS CHRIST is itself a three fold cord. There are in fact three, three fold cords which testify to the glory of the BLESSED GOD and the redemption which HE has both purposed and carried out according to the good pleasure of HIS will. In these three, three fold cords HE has revealed the glory of HIS grace and the bestowal of mercy to those whom HE calls.

(I) “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: (A){God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit,} (B) {seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,} (C) {believed on in the world, received up into glory.}” (1Tim 3:16)

(A) The grandest of mysteries is made manifest as the Eternal GOD who is pure SPIRIT did take upon HIMSELF flesh and blood. In this mortal body HE was “justified in the SPIRIT”, i.e.; the SPIRIT did bear witness through signs and wonders and ultimately by HIS resurrection from the dead that HE is indeed GOD. The SPIRIT did testify that HE was without sin and thereby able to offer a suitable sacrifice to expiate the sins of everyone for which HE stood as a MEDIATOR.

(B) The LORD was pleased to manifest HIS redemptive work in the plain sight of those witnesses (i.e.; angels) being the apostles which HE called and commissioned to declare the gospel. This work was made known unto the Jew (first) but also to the Gentiles, as many as the LORD our GOD shall call. This was indeed a great mystery which had been hidden, heretofore. “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”(Eph 3:5-6)

(C) The LORD has given faith to those whom HE has ordained unto eternal life and called by HIS SPIRIT. “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48) Those whom the LORD calls; believe, not in order to become the sons of GOD, but to manifest the fact that they are the sons of GOD. These same “believers” are those who were enabled to see HIM ascend back to the glory which is HIS by right. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)

(II) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the (A) church of God, which he hath (B) purchased with (C) his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

(A) It is impossible to rightly preach the gospel, if you do not identify the object of the LORD’s affection and the one whom HE purposed to redeem. Thus Paul speaks of the “church of GOD”. This is not an indiscriminate number but just like the Aaronic high priest went in to the Holy Place with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel upon his breast, so too did our GREAT HIGH PRIEST enter there with the names of HIS elect which make up HIS bride; the church of GOD.

(B) It is impossible to rightly preach the gospel if you do not identify what the LORD accomplished in HIS redemptive work. HE cancelled the sin debt of those whom HE loves as HE, “obtained (i.e.; purchased) eternal redemption for us.” (Heb 9:12)

(C) It is impossible to rightly preach the gospel if you do not specify what HE effected this purchase with. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1Pet 1:18-19)

(III) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us (A)wisdom, and (B)righteousness, and sanctification, and (C)redemption.” (1Cor 1:30)

(A) The wisdom of this world is foolishness with GOD. Yet HE has made us wiser (in CHRIST) than all of our teachers. HE is the WISDOM of GOD.

(B) To be found righteous before GOD is to be “sanctified”, and vice versa. It is impossible that a man could be “in CHRIST” and not be “sanctified”. For CHRIST has set apart HIS people from before the foundation of the world that they should be holy and without blame before HIM.

(C) HE is our REDEMPTION. We are redeemed (i.e.; bought back) from the curse of sin which has its power in the Law which HE has satisfied. We are redeemed from the conscience of sin’s condemnation. We are redeemed as we consider the prospect of HIS return to gather that which is HIS. Now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.

mam