The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Person and Work of Christ, #11

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (I Peter 4:12,13)

Each member of Christ is righteous by imputation (ascribed righteousness) and is being fashioned in actual righteousness of personality and behavior by means of tribulation. Zion is being redeemed by judgment, that is, it is being released from the personality of Satan by the coming of Divine judgment upon the sin and rebellion that abide in the saints. The fourth chapter of First Peter describes the redeeming of the saints by fiery testings and afflictions.

Each aspect of personality of each member of the Body of Christ is delivered to death. The part of the personality that Christ desires to save is raised to eternal life in Himself. In this manner the heavens are being planted in the Life and righteousness of Christ. The living Word of God is being enlarged in people through the working of the power of God.

Next, that Life and righteousness must come down from Heaven in the saints and rule, teach, and bless each of the nations of the earth that Jesus has decided to save—each of the "sheep" nations. God has chosen Israel to be a kingdom of priests to Himself, a chosen race, a holy nation. Israel will rule the rest of the nations of the earth forever (Isaiah, Chapter 60; also, Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22).

We have come now to the third work of Christ—reconciling God's people, Israel, to Himself.

Saying to Zion, "Thou art my people." Only Christ is able to bring God's people into union with God. By the Lord's people we mean the elect Jews and the elect Gentiles.

The elect Gentiles consist of those individuals whom God has called out from the nations of the earth so that during the Kingdom Age they may serve along with the elect Jews as a ruling priesthood over the saved nations.

The elect Jews are composed of those Jews with whom God has dealt according to predestination and foreknowledge. During the Church Age the elect Jews have been but a remnant of the nation of Israel.

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (Romans 11:7)

At the end of the Church Age and the beginning of the thousand-year Kingdom Age, God will bring back the Jews to the land of Israel. God then will send anointed deliverers to the nation of Israel and pour His Spirit on the Jews. The entire nation will then be saved. This has been foretold by the Prophets. There is no authority or power in the heavens, on the earth, or in the realms under the earth's surface that in any manner can prevent the return of the Jews to their land and their physical and spiritual deliverance. God never shall break His covenant with the nation of Israel.

To be continued.