As we peruse the pages of the Old Testament we see the same recurring theme that we do in the pages of the New Testament. This theme is that GOD has determined to save a people for HIS NAME’s sake. HE has ordered (i.e.; predestinated, ordained) all things that come to pass in order to magnify HIS glory in the redemption of that people which HE has loved with an everlasting love. In order to manifest this truth, it pleased HIM to set apart the carnal nation of Israel as a chosen people in the Earth, for a season. It is quite common for men to believe and declare that this carnal nation, which encompasses the descendants of Jacob (i.e., Israel after the flesh, to the exclusion of all other peoples in the Earth), is still HIS “chosen people”.
Yet that “people” which are the LORD’s “true Israel”, are not chosen in Jacob but rather in CHRIST.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Eph 1:4-6) The time of their “choosing” preceded the choosing of the carnal nation of Israel, since Israel was chosen in time, whereas the people of GOD were chosen from before the foundation of the world.
So, it is safe to say that Israel (after the flesh) is but a type and foreshadow of that true Israel which is loved with an everlasting love. Herein is this true Israel manifested by their calling, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Rom 2:28-29) Peter (without a clear understanding) declared this very truth on the day of Pentecost when he said, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)
This is a “mystery” which was not revealed all at once in the minds of the disciples, even though we can now see its unfolding without equivocation. “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 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 3:4-6) “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:26-27) Paul, in writing to the Greeks in Thessalonica said, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Thess 2:13-14)
This proclamation by Isaiah, was first delivered to the Jews, but the ultimate demonstration of its lasting truth, is brought to pass as it is applied to that “true Israel” which is a nation not called out from among the nations of the Earth, but that which is defined as that Jerusalem which is from above. This is a city not made with hands. Flesh and blood cannot inherit this Kingdom nor its promises.
This is a city which hath a FOUNDATION whose BUILDER and MAKER is GOD. Whereas that covenant of Law which was given to Moses was conditional and depended upon the ability of the flesh to keep the law, this Covenant, which was given to CHRIST, rests upon HIS promise, and HE is the FULFILLER of any conditions that could be found therein. HE will be the GOD of HIS people and they shall be the people of the TRUE and LIVING GOD. HE has satisfied the claims of the Law, which demands the death of the sinner, by becoming sin for those whom HE has loved from the beginning. They were loved by HIM from the start, and HE will lose none which are given to HIM in this everlasting covenant. HE is their SAVIOR.
Any consideration that might be had concerning the work of Redemption, must of necessity be applied to an object. To redeem is to buy something. You cannot have redemption if you do not have an object which is bought. One does not go into a store with a blanket desire to buy everything and then wait for the merchandise which is on the shelf to put itself into the shopping cart. No indeed a shopper has a list of things to buy and does not leave the store without them, after paying for each item selected.
The utter foolishness of man is demonstrated every time men declare the “false gospel” (see Gal.1:8,9) which says that CHRIST redeemed all men, and now waits for them to make a decision as to whether or not they will be saved. This is to make CHRIST no savior at all and gives men the glory in deciding whether or not to “allow” HIM to save them. This foolishness is even magnified as men declare (necessarily) that some for whom CHRIST “paid” the price of their redemption, shall utterly perish. This is blasphemy and denies that HE is the SAVIOR of sinners, rather making HIM some pitiful beggar who has done all HE could, hoping some will be saved. Damnable lies.
JESUS CHRIST, the LAMB of GOD has shed HIS precious blood to save sinners, not to make an attempt to save them. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor 1:30-31) HE declares that HE will save HIS people. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isa 63:1) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pet 1:3-5)
Thus, we plainly declare that JESUS CHRIST has “A people” which were chosen in HIM and given to HIM in an eternal covenant of redemption. Peter speaks of them as he writes, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (i.e.; a purchased people set apart from the world) that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (1Pet 2:9) For it is CHRIST, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14)
In addition, we also plainly declare that JESUS CHRIST is indeed the SAVIOR of HIS people. HE came by water and blood. That is, HE was born in the flesh of a natural birth, which is “by water”, and HE laid down HIS LIFE by the shedding of HIS blood for those sinners which are HIS. “For the LIFE is in the blood.” ‘Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” It must then follow that this remission does occur when a PROPER BLOOD SACRIFICE is presented to the FATHER.
The LORD JESUS CHRIST has made such a presentation wherein HE has canceled the sin debt (i.e.; redeemed) of everyone for whom HE shed HIS precious blood. HE is therefore the SAVIOR of HIS people and none can or shall perish for whom HE performed this work of redemption. HE is a SAVIOR who saves, a REDEEMER who redeems, and a SHEPHERD who gathers HIS flock. HE calls HIS own sheep by name and they follow HIM. Do you hear HIS call? “Pass me not O gentle SAVIOR. Hear my humble cry, while on others THOU art calling, do not pass me by.” “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” (Heb 9:15)
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