The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Second Goat, #3

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The authority structure of the universe is in disarray. Because of the rebellion of the hierarchy of the heavens God is establishing a new government and set of rulers over which His Son will reign supreme. As part of this far-reaching endeavor the Throne of God, which from ancient times has been in the heavens, is now in the process of being moved from the heavens to the hearts of the saints. In fact, man was created to be the eternal Throne of God. This is part of the general concept of the Incarnation of God.

The wisdom of God, His answer to the presumption of the ancient lords of the heavens, is to move His throne (which at one time had been covered by Satan's wings) from the spirit realm into the hearts of the weakest of all God's creatures—man. But then, the mighty Christ was born in a barn!

How God must laugh at those who dare oppose His wisdom and power.

If your heart sings at the thought of a sin-free creation, and especially if you are willing to participate in the release of the material creation by being sternly obedient to the Lord in all He requires of you, then what we have to say is for you. Take hold of it. Serve the Lord with gladness, godly fear, and all the concentration and attention of which you are capable. Do not let a more diligent person take your crown, your talent.

The Four Horsemen of Error

The issue of the second goat, of Leviticus 16, is that of the removal of the presence of rebellion and sin. God desires to establish obedience and righteous behavior throughout the universe. The purpose of the new covenant, the Christian covenant, is to enable the worshiper to practice righteousness. The ultimate goal is a new world of righteousness in which even the memory of sin has been removed.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (I Peter 3:13)

As we have said, the perfect atonement for sin was made on the cross of Calvary. Any person may come to the Lord Jesus and receive the forgiveness of sin. The good news of the forgiveness of sins through the blood of the Lord Jesus has been preached well throughout the world.

Now we have come to the second goat, the goat of removal. It is time for us to address the verses of the Bible that deal with actual righteousness of behavior, not just forgiveness but righteous behavior. These verses constitute the majority of passages of the New Testament.

While Satan may be somewhat concerned with the message concerning the forgiveness of our guilt, he is tremendously concerned with the message concerning the removal of our sinful behavior. Such removal marks the end of his kingdom of lawlessness.

Satan is no fool. He has sent forth four mammoth errors, "four horsemen of error" we term them, into Christian thinking. Each of the four has as its objective to destroy righteous, obedient behavior in the Christian churches.

The four great errors, the four horsemen, are as follows:

Humanism.

Gnosticism.

Antinomianism.

Dispensationalism.

Each of the four has as its objective to prevent righteous, obedient behavior on the part of Christian people. Each is a direct attack on the establishing of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

To be continued.