Comprehensive Life
My aim in this article is to move completely out of the transitional period, which was approximately the time span from the cross to AD 70. No doubt, many in the fulfilled prophecy community recognize these “bookends” of transition, however there is a lack of consistency when moving OUT of transition.
Let’s let the following passage from Luke resonate in our minds throughout this article:
Luke 18:27 [Jesus] said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in HUMAN terms.) 6 May it never be For otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But if through my LIE (I can do it on my own**) the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?
**or, I can do the impossible
COMPREHENSIVE DEATH–IN ADAM–“For as in Adam all die” 1 Cor 15:22
Genesis 2:17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.
Both Jews and Greeks are ALL under sin (Ro 3:9) for there is NO distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (3:23). Now to the one who works (works of the Law), his WAGE is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. (4:4) For the WAGES of sin is DEATH (6:39).
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through ONE man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to ALL men, because all sinned.13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 NEVERTHELESS death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
We see that if humanity was out of the “garden” (the presence of God) it was because God drove Adam out (Gen 3:23-24). Who would reverse this? And I mean completely reverse it? A reversal is complete, not partial. Paul is using all-inclusive language when referring to the whole man, Adam. This, as I understand it, was common in ancient Hebrew thought. We can clearly see Adam as a corporate (united/combined into ONE) body. An individual could not flee from it, as we’re dealing with a mode of existence–a covenant-determined world over which Adam, the federal head, governs. So inclusive, one might even call it a “heavens and an earth.”
The curse of Death spread like a thick cloud/veil over all humanity, but specifically “the dead” refer to fleshy, natural Israel, whose form (1 Cor 7:31) would perish as they wore an old garment in need of change (Heb 1:11:12). Israel was called out by God NOT to display their own righteousness, but to demonstrate the righteousness of God. Soon, from the perspective of pre-transition, God would call out from Israel (the dead) the true sons and daughters of God (the “Israel of God” Gal 6:16) who constituted Israel as Israel really was–and that was the church–alive, and called out from among the dead–made ONE in ONE with the promised seed (One seed; Christ), in advance of the rest of the dead. Death was still reigning in the transition of the ages/worlds. They were a taste of the future fullness and the hope of Israel.
The Law revealed human limitation and deflated any human possibility to measure up to a perfect law and find “life” through it. The harder one tried to find “life,” the more apparent it was that evil was present. The law exposed human weakness, sin, and subsequently the realization of death–a condition which spread to all (Ro 7:13) whether one realized it or not. With a lethal dose of pride/self-righteousness, Israel followed a perverted version of the promise, interpreting “through Isaac your children will be named” in terms of fleshy, natural descendantcy through which the promise would be granted. They sought to establish their own righteousness and did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (Ro 10:3). The Law, however, revealed their hypocrisy (Ro 2) whether they knew it or not. The things that are impossible with people are possible with God, and thank God for that. The word of God has not failed. People fail; God does not fail.
Was freedom from life under the Law as easy as running away from it? Was it possible for one to run away from sin, or even conceivable to hide from it? Could one run away from death? Then where would he go? Would he live as the Gentiles as a “no people of God?” Would he live as an alien, hostile in mind, engaging in evil deeds (Col 1:21), among a people who do not know God, and are slaves to those which are no Gods? (Gal 4:8 ) Would he live among a people separate from their only hope; that is Christ, Israels’ Messiah (Eph 2:12). The Gospel also highlights that the corrupt mode of life under the Law system put the Jews on a “no people of God status,” as they sought to establish their own righteousness by the works of the law. There was nowhere to run. Nowhere.
IN TRANSITION
Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to ONE, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
The 40 year transitional period, when the NT was written, was a UNIQUE period in redemptive history because there existed two covenant-defined worlds set side-by-side. Allegorically speaking, this unique period of transformation represented the children of Hagar living side-by-side the children of Sarah. In Galatians chapter 4, we learn that these two women, Sarah and Hagar, represent two covenant-defined worlds. Hagar is Mount Sinai and corresponds to the Jerusalem that was standing at the time (pre-“end of the age”). Sarah is Mount Zion, the Jerusalem above. Hagar’s children (Ishmael) are in slavery and represent a type of Israel, the first-born. In contrast, Sarah’s children (Isaac) are free and represent a type of Israel, the church. Can this divided house stand? “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Mt 12:25). We know the city that was laid waste was (old) Jerusalem, and the city that remained was the new Jerusalem.
Galatians 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh (what was humanly possible) persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit (by God’s power), so it is NOW also.
It was during this UNIQUE time of transition that BOTH sons lived in the SAME HOUSE. Naturally, the first-born Ishmael, was next to receive the inheritance, but something had to be done to demonstrate (by God’s will, power, and purpose) that the “Israel of God” receives the inheritance by faith in Christ, while natural Israel, “according to the flesh,” would not find/receive it by means of the Law. If you receive it by faith, you grasp it by believing. They did not believe because they didn’t repent, therefore it was their method of reception that was rejected. (Do you think that they just might have ultimately been baptized with fire... Mt.3:11)
This is why Paul was able to say, “For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they children because they are Abraham’s (natural) seed, but ‘Through Isaac (spiritual seed; Christ) your seed will be named.’” (Ro 9:7) The promise never failed because it was NOT grounded in the natural seed of Abraham–that was not the “way.”
Paul then begins to lay out a snapshot redemptive plan of how God will save “ALL ISRAEL.” (11:26) Right about now is where many will jump back to Romans 9:7, and use that verse as proof that “All Israel” is not inclusive of both the natural and spiritual seed. Here is where many get hung up, and drift out of CONTEXT.
VERY IMPORTANT: Just as we moved INTO transition (Cross) we must move OUT OF transition (Parousia) if we are to fully understand fulfilled grace. We are moving toward that point.
So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires (Ro 9:18 ).
We know who was hardened, but we also know that this hardening was LIMITED. Why? As Paul later concludes, “A PARTIAL hardening has happened to (fleshy) Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Ro 11:25).
Romans 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
Let’s ask ourselves some questions. Was it the church that was prepared for destruction? Was it the church that was hardened? Did they stumble over Jesus? Were they vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? No, no, no, no, and no! So let’s keep in mind who we’re talking about. Let’s understand the context of these chapters in Romans.
This is interesting because God was demonstrating His power outwardly by stripping OT Israel of everything that constituted them as “in the flesh” as defined by the OC world, or mode of existence. Remember earlier we touched lightly, mentioning that the form of their world was being stripped away? Their old garments would be stripped away. If they were found naked at Christ’s coming, what did that mean...Think about WHAT was rejected. The city and temple and all in which fleshy Israel took pride in was literally burned to the ground. On the flip-side, a greater truth was revealed in Christ–the tabernacle of God is among His creation (Rev 21:3). Fleshy Israel was an ingredient, a player in working out this transformation. Think about that. A change in form. They were moving OUT of transition. The OC world in Adam was being shaken to pieces and everything that defined the children as children of Hagar was rendered useless.
We have briefly covered why Israel in the flesh just didn’t get it. They stumbled over the stumbling stone (Their own Messiah). Paul says, “They did not stumble as to fall, did they? May it never be. But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.” (11:11) They are part of the plan. They were partially hardened and stumbling, yet they would not fall. If they did not stumble there was no salvation for the Gentiles!
At this time the children of Hagar were still living beside the children of Sarah. In other words, the “dead” were standing beside the “living.” In the same way, the firstfruit REMNANT was living in a world of death in anticipation of the Harvest, where the dead would be resurrected. There was still at this point some validity in the old system, even though it was passing away (Heb 8:13). It is AT the point of passing where that old system would be rendered invalid. The church was SAVING remnant, a promise of a future harvest.
Paul, in Romans 9:25-29, is linking the Gentiles to Hosea’s prophecy. Israel became a “no people of God,” just as the Gentiles were once considered a “no people of God.” Paul was revealing how the “no people of God” would become “the people of God,” without distinction. He was revealing a parallel to the remnant Hosea mentions to the one (both Jew and Gentile) in Paul’s time. Paul had the opportunity to go to the nations, to the scattered sheep of Israel (scattered Jews, and Gentiles) and demonstrate God’s will to gather all people to himself–to reconcile His creation. This was an outward demonstration of a greater truth revealed in Christ–the reconciliation of the world–inclusive of all humanity.
Hosea 13:14 Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting?
Sound familiar? And...
Hosea 14:4 I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them. 7 Those who live in his shadow will again raise grain, And they will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 ...From Me comes your fruit.
Baptized FOR the DEAD?
1 Corinthians 15:28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized FOR the dead (Israel)? If the dead (Israel) are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
The firstfruit saving remnant was baptized FOR the dead. It was a firstfruit offering FOR the harvest–Israel and ultimately the whole creation. The firstfruits were the beginning of the harvest. The firstfruits (living) were called out from among the dead which represented the beginning of the harvest which was a BENEFIT for Israel.
Romans 11:1 I say then, God has NOT rejected His people, has He? May it NEVER be. For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul is NOT talking about the Church.
Romans 11:2 God has NOT rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
Destruction came to Israel as they worshiped Baal, but Paul is LINKING this to the situation in his day where the remnant ALSO had saving significance.
Psalm 94:14 For the LORD will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
Look at the words of a forgiving and redeeming God:
Isaiah 44:21 Remember these things, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant, O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me. 22 I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. 23 Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; For the LORD has redeemed Jacob And in Israel He shows forth His glory.
There is MERCY on the other side of Judgment.
If their transgression (fleshy Israel) is riches for the world (reconciliation) and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much will their fulfillment be (Ro 11:11,12)–Israel DID receive life just as the Gentiles received life. For if their rejection (AS fleshy Israel) is the reconciliation of the world, what will their ACCEPTANCE be but life from the dead? (V.15) LIFE!
YES, they were “cast out” AS they stood in the OC, as fleshy Israel, which covenant-standing passed away. They were rejected as they were “according to the flesh,” which covenant-standing passed away. They were ultimately DELIVERED as we shall see. The covenant world they stood on, which form was passing, was in the process of transFORMing. Their transformation brought riches. Their failure was riches. They were fulfilling their role in the plan whether they knew it or not.
Romans 11:25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a PARTIAL hardening has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so ALL ISRAEL will be saved; just as it is written, (Out of transition; delivery from a world of death to another world of Life) The deliverer will come out of ZION (AD 70 consummation/restoration; out of transition) He will remove ungodliness from Jacob This is my covenant with them When I take away their sins (All Israel, and through Israel’s Messiah, the world)
11:28 From the standpoint of the gospel they (fleshy Israel) are ENEMIES for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are BELOVED for the sake of the fathers;
11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
11:30 For just as you (firstfruits–ingrafted Gentiles) once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy(invited to be partakers/ingrafted) because of their disobedience (Israel’s trust in the flesh),
11:31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you (Gentiles/with firstfruit Jews) they (All Israel–whole harvest) also may now be shown MERCY.
11:32 For God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL.
11:32 For God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL.
“All Israel” was saved in a sense that they were reconciled (covenantal, corporate life Jesus brought). Through Jesus, God reconciled the world. By God’s promise they played out their role as enemies, but ultimately they were beloved. They suffered loss, but were ultimately saved, yet as through fire (1Cor 3:15) Might we even say that they were delivered to Satan, so that they may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1Cor 5:5)? Here it can be said that God is the Savior of ALL men, especially of those who grasp it and believe. (1Tim 4:10)
THE OTHER SIDE OF TRANSITION–COMPREHENSIVE LIFE–INFINITE GRACE
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Romans 5:18 So then as through one transgression (ONE man) there resulted condemnation to ALL men, even so through one act of righteousness (ONE new man) there resulted justification of life to ALL men.
We have moved OUT of transition and INTO the New Covenant world where there is only ONE man, CHRIST, who is head over ALL things. Christ, the last Adam, completely reversed what was spread by the first Adam–DEATH. Sarah, the New Jerusalem, is here in this life.
Death was swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:54). There is no ongoing death (sin-death, separation from God). It is gone, period. There cannot be any valid representation of the fleshy OC world in the same place as the NC world. His creation is standing on resurrection ground in the resurrection age. We are thankful for what HAS BEEN DONE.
The “unbeliever” in this life finds life in Christ when he “opens his eyes” upon embracing the tree of life. IN the first Adam, the people found death from eating of the trees of knowledge of good and evil (Law). IN the second Adam, the people find life–let God be FOUND true (Ro 3:4)
By Daniel Giese
