You Shall Not Go Very Far Away - Part Eight Mar 07, 2021 by: John Herbert | Series: You Shall Not Go Very Far Away Audio Study Notes PDF https://s3.amazonaws.com/cornerstonejax/sermonfiles/T042_20210307.mp3 Refresh A Recap from the Sermon Ex 8:27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.” We will continue today to look at that which is symbolically pictured through the 3 days' journey from a Christian perspective. The full text of this message can be found by clicking the PDF button. Sunday March 7th 2021 You Shall Not Go Very Far Away Part 8 1). Ex 8:27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away……… We had seen last time that the nation of Israel had not embraced the spiritual separation from Satan’s kingdom, that is symbolically pictured through the 3 days’ journey, throughout their history. A failure which is poignantly pictured through the first generation at Kadesh Barnea and their rejection of the land and their desire to return to Egypt – Nu 14:1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” The failure to make this spiritual separation through embracing and believing the truth of God’s Word we had also seen last time through the generation of eternally saved Jews at the Lord’s first advent. A time when despite having the Word of God in bodily form in their midst, they pledged allegiance to a pagan ruler within Satan’s kingdom instead – Jn 19:15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And this same failure we saw again at the end of Acts Chapter 28 with regards to this same generation, after the Lord’s resurrection, and the re-offer of the Kingdom of the heavens by the Church. A failure exemplified in Paul’s use of the words of Isaiah the Prophet to describe them – Acts 28:25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 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.” ’28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” The words from Isaiah Chapter 6 spoken by Paul to the Jews at the end of the Book of Acts are the same words spoken by the Lord to explain why He began speaking to the Jews in parables in Matthew Chapter 13. This was the same generation of eternally saved Jews seen in Acts but at a time prior to the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. These words from Isaiah were spoken to the nation on the same day that the offer of the Kingdom of the Heavens was in effect withdrawn from Israel because of the events recorded in Matthew Chapter 12. And we can find what amounts to the Lord’s own commentary on the words of Isaiah in – Jn 5:37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have [age lasting life] eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” And the words from Isaiah, as used in Matthew Chapter 13 and Acts Chapter 28, provide a summary statement as to the reason why national Israel came to a terminal point in their unbelief firstly at Kadesh Barnea, then at the Lord’s first advent, and again following His resurrection and ascension; a terminal point from which there was no change of mind on God’s part – Mat 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. And let’s note the specific timeframe given in v32 as it applies equally to the generation at Kadesh Barnea as well as the generation, alive, both before and after the Lord’s resurrection and ascension. There can be no forgiveness in this age, nor forgiveness in the age to come, the Millennial Kingdom, with regards to the terminal point of unbelief they reached, but what about the endless ages? The answer is simple. What these Jews had rejected was God’s purpose for them with respect to the 7th Day, which, as we have seen, amounted to a rejection of the reason for their eternal salvation, the rejection of the purpose for God’s creation of Man and the rejection of the land of their inheritance – an earthly land for the first generation and a heavenly land for the generation either side of the Lord’s resurrection. This had nothing to do with their eternal security. a). It is the rejection of His clearly stated purpose, encapsulated in the 7th Day, which is the sole subject of His written revelation to Man, that God will not tolerate. Hence the point of no return. b). A couple of weeks ago we had looked at the question as to whether those of the eternally saved generation still alive beyond the events of Acts Chapter 28 could still have repented. To which the answer was given, yes, as they still had the freedom to choose. However, this answer really needs some qualification. Yes, those still alive could have chosen to repent, but their freedom to choose to do was not the issue. Even if they had chosen to repent it would have made no difference to the outcome. God would not have changed His mind about the terminal point they had reached. There was no sacrifice available to deal with this particular sin of unbelief with respect to the 7th Day. There was no way for them to come back. 2). Let’s begin to examine some of this with respect to the Church – Acts 16:30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Through receiving the free gift of eternal life, Christians have been separated from the slavery to sin and separated from the bondage of Satan’s kingdom, pictured for us through the type of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. With this in mind we can then continue – 2 Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. As Christians receive their eternal redemption, so they become ‘a new creation’ in Christ. And to understand the significance of this, let’s remember that Adam was a creation for the purpose of rulership; Israel was a creation in Jacob also for the purpose of rulership and Christians are a new creation in Christ for the exact same purpose. And as a new creation with a positional standing ‘in Christ’, Christians have been separated from the Gentile nation under Satan into which they were born and separated from the present system of rulership of which that nation is a part - Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13 sums this up for us. Christians may still live physically in the Gentile nation within the world system under Satan into which they were born, but there is now to be a change in their allegiance. Like the OT saints in Hebrews Chapter 11 they should now confess that they are ‘strangers and pilgrims on the earth’, because they are seeking a homeland. And just like Abraham they are to get out of their country and their father’s house to go to the land that God will show them. a). Just as we have seen with national Israel, God has supernaturally done everything necessary to bring about the Christian’s separation from Satan’s kingdom, and just as with national Israel Christians have been called to receive a land as their inheritance – Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, Mt 21:43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And in order to receive this promised inheritance Christians are to make their own 3 days’ journey – the spiritual separation from the world and the things in the world and the old man as we have seen in previous weeks, which is made possible because of what God has supernaturally done for us. b). And also, as we have seen in previous weeks, that symbolically pictured in the 3 days’ journey can be characterized by the transformation, the metamorphosis, that is to take place through the continual process of the renewing of our mind in ‘epignosis’ knowledge, resulting in works of faithful obedience – Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in [epignosis] knowledge according to the image of Him who created him……. 2 Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, [Lit. God breathed] and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. A simple definition of the word ‘epignosis’ would be knowledge upon knowledge, a mature knowledge then; the type of knowledge described figuratively by the phrase ‘solid food’, literally ‘strong meat’ in Hebrews Chapter 5 – Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food [strong meat]. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food [strong meat] belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. And contextually, the strong meat in Hebrews Chapter 5 concerns Christ and the Melchizedek priesthood – Heb 5:5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; And the Melchizedek priesthood, as we can see in the verses from Hebrews Chapter 5, has to do with God’s purpose for His Son in the 7th Day and the part that can be played by Man in that same Day, if he will understand all that is contained in Abraham’s meeting with Melchizedek recorded in Genesis Chapter 14. c). It is the message concerning this that the Lord has called ‘the Word of the Kingdom’ in Matthew Chapter 13 and is the content of the gospel given to Paul to take to the Gentiles, called the gospel of the glory of Christ in 2 Corinthians Chapter 4. A message that is exclusively for the eternally saved, through which they are to hear that which God is offering to them - positions of rulership with Christ on His throne during the age to come, the 7th Day, the reason for their eternal salvation – Re 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” It is rulership as a joint heir with the King of kings and the Lord of lords that is the content of the promises made to Christians who are seen to be overcomers in Revelation Chapters 2-3. For these Christians who are presently in the process of overcoming, there will be a glorious conclusion – Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 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. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. It was this same ‘good news’ concerning God’s purpose for the 7th Day that had also been given to Israel – Heb 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. The gospel that the writer of Hebrews says ‘was preached to us’, is the same gospel, the gospel of the glory of Christ, that was preached to the Christians in Rome - Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. The gospel of Christ, not the gospel of grace, preached to the Christians in Rome, had been ‘mixed with faith’ by some - Ro 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. But it had not been mixed with faith by others - Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. Romans 1:18-32 are the verses that deal with these unrighteous Christians, but before we look at the detail let’s note something specific about them - Ro 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge [epignosis]……….32 who, knowing [epiginosko] the righteous judgment of God…….[noun and verb form of ‘epignosis’] These Christians had a mature knowledge of the gospel of the glory of Christ, they had partaken of the ‘strong meat’ concerning Christ and the Melchizedek priesthood. These were not babes, but those trained in righteousness. They fully understood what was being offered to them with respect to Christ’s Kingdom, the 7th Day and the salvation of their soul at Christ’s Judgment Seat. They were ‘holy brethren’ and were partakers of the heavenly calling and the land of their calling lay before them, the land on which their attention was to be fixed. d). And that which is at the very crux of the matter with regards to those Christians who are commended in Romans Chapter 1 and those who will experience the fullness of God’s wrath is ‘the faith’ – Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” The end of v17 provides the link between those Christians who would live by the faith and those who would reject the faith seen in the verses before and after, and is a quotation from the Prophet Habakkuk – Hab 2:4b… But the just shall live by his faith. It is this same quotation from Habakkuk that is found in Hebrews Chapter 10, just a few verses after the announcement of the willful sin – Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries……………… 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe [have faith] to the saving of the soul. These verses are directed to Christians, but what we see in v26-27 describe exactly what we have witnessed with respect to the first generation of Israel at Kadesh Barnea and the generation of the Lord’s first advent, both before and following His resurrection. Both had received an ‘epignosis’ knowledge of the truth with respect to God’s purpose for the 7th Day but had then turned away from that truth to embrace the lie, finding themselves at that terminal point of no return. e). And perhaps needless to say, there is a chilling parallel between these 2 particular generations of Jews and the Christians seen in the second half of Romans Chapter 1. Ro 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness……….26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions……………….28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…….. We have seen in a previous week’s study, that there were 3 occasions in the Book of Acts where God gave the Jewish people over to the consequences of their unbelief. 3 occasions, so to speak, when He removed His hands from them so that they could continue to do what was right in their own eyes and follow the path this would take them. And we have seen in the last 2 weeks that there were 3 occasions, where as a result of unbelief, 2 particular generations of Jews, reached a terminal point from which they could not come back. The connection between these 2 sets of 3s will be obvious. And here in Romans we find 3 parallel occasions to those seen with respect to the Jews, when God removed His hand from unbelieving Christians to give them over to what seemed right in their own eyes, to follow their own path. f). An action on God’s part that speaks of these Christians having reached the same terminal point of no return seen in the generation at Kadesh Barnea and in the generation seen at the Lord’s first advent. The same point of no return we have seen through the pen of the writer of Hebrews, in Hebrews Chapter 10. 3). Heb 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. In relation to those Christians seen in Romans Chapter 1, we will realize that through the reference to the faith and the use of the word ‘epignosis’, that they had all left the elementary principles of Christ and gone on to a mature understanding of rulership in the age to come. a). The 2 different outcomes for these Christians are then seen figuratively in Hebrews 6:7-8. In these verses ‘the earth’ receives the same rain – the same Word, the gospel of the glory of Christ which was received and understood by all. But as with the earth in v7-8, receiving the Word could bring forth fruit, ‘bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated’ which will result in receiving a blessing from God or it could produce barrenness, ‘bears thorns and briars’, whose end is to be burned when the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. b). And according to Hebrews 6:3 going on to receive a mature understanding of rulership in the 7th Day is something that will only happen ‘if God permits.’ And the reason God would not permit a Christian to go on to an ‘epignosis’ knowledge is given in v4-6 – 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For those who were once enlightened, who had come to an ‘epignosis’ knowledge, if they should then fall away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. It is God who will not change His mind here, because of the seriousness of the consequence of them falling away. c). To know the truth, as those Christians seen in Romans Chapter 1 did, and then to ‘fall away’ is to bring on Christ the same shame and contempt that He had experienced at His crucifixion. God will just not tolerate the treatment of His Son in this way. d). Now, all of this might lead us to wonder, why did God allow the Christians seen in Romans Chapter 1 to go on to ‘epignosis’ knowledge if He knew they would fall away to the point where He would give them up to their vile passions? e). And what does this mean for us, in terms of what we have witnessed over the years and where we find ourselves now? Well, the answers to these questions will have to wait until next time – if the Lord is willing. You Shall Not Go Very Far Away - Part Eight Mar 07, 2021 Speaker: John Herbert Series: You Shall Not Go Very Far Away Category: Sunday Morning https://s3.amazonaws.com/cornerstonejax/sermonfiles/T042_20210307.mp3 Download Audio x
Refresh A Recap from the Sermon Ex 8:27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.” We will continue today to look at that which is symbolically pictured through the 3 days' journey from a Christian perspective. The full text of this message can be found by clicking the PDF button. Sunday March 7th 2021 You Shall Not Go Very Far Away Part 8 1). Ex 8:27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away……… We had seen last time that the nation of Israel had not embraced the spiritual separation from Satan’s kingdom, that is symbolically pictured through the 3 days’ journey, throughout their history. A failure which is poignantly pictured through the first generation at Kadesh Barnea and their rejection of the land and their desire to return to Egypt – Nu 14:1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” The failure to make this spiritual separation through embracing and believing the truth of God’s Word we had also seen last time through the generation of eternally saved Jews at the Lord’s first advent. A time when despite having the Word of God in bodily form in their midst, they pledged allegiance to a pagan ruler within Satan’s kingdom instead – Jn 19:15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And this same failure we saw again at the end of Acts Chapter 28 with regards to this same generation, after the Lord’s resurrection, and the re-offer of the Kingdom of the heavens by the Church. A failure exemplified in Paul’s use of the words of Isaiah the Prophet to describe them – Acts 28:25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 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.” ’28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” The words from Isaiah Chapter 6 spoken by Paul to the Jews at the end of the Book of Acts are the same words spoken by the Lord to explain why He began speaking to the Jews in parables in Matthew Chapter 13. This was the same generation of eternally saved Jews seen in Acts but at a time prior to the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. These words from Isaiah were spoken to the nation on the same day that the offer of the Kingdom of the Heavens was in effect withdrawn from Israel because of the events recorded in Matthew Chapter 12. And we can find what amounts to the Lord’s own commentary on the words of Isaiah in – Jn 5:37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have [age lasting life] eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” And the words from Isaiah, as used in Matthew Chapter 13 and Acts Chapter 28, provide a summary statement as to the reason why national Israel came to a terminal point in their unbelief firstly at Kadesh Barnea, then at the Lord’s first advent, and again following His resurrection and ascension; a terminal point from which there was no change of mind on God’s part – Mat 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. And let’s note the specific timeframe given in v32 as it applies equally to the generation at Kadesh Barnea as well as the generation, alive, both before and after the Lord’s resurrection and ascension. There can be no forgiveness in this age, nor forgiveness in the age to come, the Millennial Kingdom, with regards to the terminal point of unbelief they reached, but what about the endless ages? The answer is simple. What these Jews had rejected was God’s purpose for them with respect to the 7th Day, which, as we have seen, amounted to a rejection of the reason for their eternal salvation, the rejection of the purpose for God’s creation of Man and the rejection of the land of their inheritance – an earthly land for the first generation and a heavenly land for the generation either side of the Lord’s resurrection. This had nothing to do with their eternal security. a). It is the rejection of His clearly stated purpose, encapsulated in the 7th Day, which is the sole subject of His written revelation to Man, that God will not tolerate. Hence the point of no return. b). A couple of weeks ago we had looked at the question as to whether those of the eternally saved generation still alive beyond the events of Acts Chapter 28 could still have repented. To which the answer was given, yes, as they still had the freedom to choose. However, this answer really needs some qualification. Yes, those still alive could have chosen to repent, but their freedom to choose to do was not the issue. Even if they had chosen to repent it would have made no difference to the outcome. God would not have changed His mind about the terminal point they had reached. There was no sacrifice available to deal with this particular sin of unbelief with respect to the 7th Day. There was no way for them to come back. 2). Let’s begin to examine some of this with respect to the Church – Acts 16:30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Through receiving the free gift of eternal life, Christians have been separated from the slavery to sin and separated from the bondage of Satan’s kingdom, pictured for us through the type of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. With this in mind we can then continue – 2 Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. As Christians receive their eternal redemption, so they become ‘a new creation’ in Christ. And to understand the significance of this, let’s remember that Adam was a creation for the purpose of rulership; Israel was a creation in Jacob also for the purpose of rulership and Christians are a new creation in Christ for the exact same purpose. And as a new creation with a positional standing ‘in Christ’, Christians have been separated from the Gentile nation under Satan into which they were born and separated from the present system of rulership of which that nation is a part - Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13 sums this up for us. Christians may still live physically in the Gentile nation within the world system under Satan into which they were born, but there is now to be a change in their allegiance. Like the OT saints in Hebrews Chapter 11 they should now confess that they are ‘strangers and pilgrims on the earth’, because they are seeking a homeland. And just like Abraham they are to get out of their country and their father’s house to go to the land that God will show them. a). Just as we have seen with national Israel, God has supernaturally done everything necessary to bring about the Christian’s separation from Satan’s kingdom, and just as with national Israel Christians have been called to receive a land as their inheritance – Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, Mt 21:43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And in order to receive this promised inheritance Christians are to make their own 3 days’ journey – the spiritual separation from the world and the things in the world and the old man as we have seen in previous weeks, which is made possible because of what God has supernaturally done for us. b). And also, as we have seen in previous weeks, that symbolically pictured in the 3 days’ journey can be characterized by the transformation, the metamorphosis, that is to take place through the continual process of the renewing of our mind in ‘epignosis’ knowledge, resulting in works of faithful obedience – Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in [epignosis] knowledge according to the image of Him who created him……. 2 Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, [Lit. God breathed] and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. A simple definition of the word ‘epignosis’ would be knowledge upon knowledge, a mature knowledge then; the type of knowledge described figuratively by the phrase ‘solid food’, literally ‘strong meat’ in Hebrews Chapter 5 – Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food [strong meat]. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food [strong meat] belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. And contextually, the strong meat in Hebrews Chapter 5 concerns Christ and the Melchizedek priesthood – Heb 5:5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; And the Melchizedek priesthood, as we can see in the verses from Hebrews Chapter 5, has to do with God’s purpose for His Son in the 7th Day and the part that can be played by Man in that same Day, if he will understand all that is contained in Abraham’s meeting with Melchizedek recorded in Genesis Chapter 14. c). It is the message concerning this that the Lord has called ‘the Word of the Kingdom’ in Matthew Chapter 13 and is the content of the gospel given to Paul to take to the Gentiles, called the gospel of the glory of Christ in 2 Corinthians Chapter 4. A message that is exclusively for the eternally saved, through which they are to hear that which God is offering to them - positions of rulership with Christ on His throne during the age to come, the 7th Day, the reason for their eternal salvation – Re 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” It is rulership as a joint heir with the King of kings and the Lord of lords that is the content of the promises made to Christians who are seen to be overcomers in Revelation Chapters 2-3. For these Christians who are presently in the process of overcoming, there will be a glorious conclusion – Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 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. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. It was this same ‘good news’ concerning God’s purpose for the 7th Day that had also been given to Israel – Heb 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. The gospel that the writer of Hebrews says ‘was preached to us’, is the same gospel, the gospel of the glory of Christ, that was preached to the Christians in Rome - Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. The gospel of Christ, not the gospel of grace, preached to the Christians in Rome, had been ‘mixed with faith’ by some - Ro 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. But it had not been mixed with faith by others - Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. Romans 1:18-32 are the verses that deal with these unrighteous Christians, but before we look at the detail let’s note something specific about them - Ro 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge [epignosis]……….32 who, knowing [epiginosko] the righteous judgment of God…….[noun and verb form of ‘epignosis’] These Christians had a mature knowledge of the gospel of the glory of Christ, they had partaken of the ‘strong meat’ concerning Christ and the Melchizedek priesthood. These were not babes, but those trained in righteousness. They fully understood what was being offered to them with respect to Christ’s Kingdom, the 7th Day and the salvation of their soul at Christ’s Judgment Seat. They were ‘holy brethren’ and were partakers of the heavenly calling and the land of their calling lay before them, the land on which their attention was to be fixed. d). And that which is at the very crux of the matter with regards to those Christians who are commended in Romans Chapter 1 and those who will experience the fullness of God’s wrath is ‘the faith’ – Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” The end of v17 provides the link between those Christians who would live by the faith and those who would reject the faith seen in the verses before and after, and is a quotation from the Prophet Habakkuk – Hab 2:4b… But the just shall live by his faith. It is this same quotation from Habakkuk that is found in Hebrews Chapter 10, just a few verses after the announcement of the willful sin – Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries……………… 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe [have faith] to the saving of the soul. These verses are directed to Christians, but what we see in v26-27 describe exactly what we have witnessed with respect to the first generation of Israel at Kadesh Barnea and the generation of the Lord’s first advent, both before and following His resurrection. Both had received an ‘epignosis’ knowledge of the truth with respect to God’s purpose for the 7th Day but had then turned away from that truth to embrace the lie, finding themselves at that terminal point of no return. e). And perhaps needless to say, there is a chilling parallel between these 2 particular generations of Jews and the Christians seen in the second half of Romans Chapter 1. Ro 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness……….26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions……………….28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…….. We have seen in a previous week’s study, that there were 3 occasions in the Book of Acts where God gave the Jewish people over to the consequences of their unbelief. 3 occasions, so to speak, when He removed His hands from them so that they could continue to do what was right in their own eyes and follow the path this would take them. And we have seen in the last 2 weeks that there were 3 occasions, where as a result of unbelief, 2 particular generations of Jews, reached a terminal point from which they could not come back. The connection between these 2 sets of 3s will be obvious. And here in Romans we find 3 parallel occasions to those seen with respect to the Jews, when God removed His hand from unbelieving Christians to give them over to what seemed right in their own eyes, to follow their own path. f). An action on God’s part that speaks of these Christians having reached the same terminal point of no return seen in the generation at Kadesh Barnea and in the generation seen at the Lord’s first advent. The same point of no return we have seen through the pen of the writer of Hebrews, in Hebrews Chapter 10. 3). Heb 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. In relation to those Christians seen in Romans Chapter 1, we will realize that through the reference to the faith and the use of the word ‘epignosis’, that they had all left the elementary principles of Christ and gone on to a mature understanding of rulership in the age to come. a). The 2 different outcomes for these Christians are then seen figuratively in Hebrews 6:7-8. In these verses ‘the earth’ receives the same rain – the same Word, the gospel of the glory of Christ which was received and understood by all. But as with the earth in v7-8, receiving the Word could bring forth fruit, ‘bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated’ which will result in receiving a blessing from God or it could produce barrenness, ‘bears thorns and briars’, whose end is to be burned when the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. b). And according to Hebrews 6:3 going on to receive a mature understanding of rulership in the 7th Day is something that will only happen ‘if God permits.’ And the reason God would not permit a Christian to go on to an ‘epignosis’ knowledge is given in v4-6 – 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For those who were once enlightened, who had come to an ‘epignosis’ knowledge, if they should then fall away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. It is God who will not change His mind here, because of the seriousness of the consequence of them falling away. c). To know the truth, as those Christians seen in Romans Chapter 1 did, and then to ‘fall away’ is to bring on Christ the same shame and contempt that He had experienced at His crucifixion. God will just not tolerate the treatment of His Son in this way. d). Now, all of this might lead us to wonder, why did God allow the Christians seen in Romans Chapter 1 to go on to ‘epignosis’ knowledge if He knew they would fall away to the point where He would give them up to their vile passions? e). And what does this mean for us, in terms of what we have witnessed over the years and where we find ourselves now? Well, the answers to these questions will have to wait until next time – if the Lord is willing.