Truth for the Final Generation

1. Truth for the Final Generation The Depth and the Height of God’s Love Part 2

2. Introduction and Review In our last study we saw something of the magnitude of the sin problem and the problem of how to redeem mankind. How to take the condemned human race of the first Adam into the second death and bring it back out?

3. We saw that God could not allow the first Adam to take his condemned race into the second death because neither he nor his race would have been able to come back out. The task of taking the condemned humanity of the first Adam into the second death and bringing it back out was given to the incarnate Son of God. When we look at the definition of the second death, how could the problem be solved?

4. Definition of the Second Death The second death is defined as the complete annihilation of the sinner through the complete separation from God by sin. We saw in our last study that Jesus turned the second death into the birth place for the new glorified humanity! This was such an astounding victory that the apostle Paul informs us that Jesus

5. “…spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15 Moreover Paul also tells us that Jesus actually abolished the second death and brought life and immortality to light through the good news (1Tim. 1:10). In other words he not only destroyed the second death but turned it into the spawning ground for giving immortality to humanity!

6. To go into the second death and get back out would be ‘Mission Incredible!’ But to get out glorified would be ‘Mission Impossible!’

7. Establishing What We Already Know The eternal Son of God would have to become a human person and take on the sinful fallen condemned human flesh and blood of Adam’s condemned race.

8. What is Meant by Becoming a Human Person? He took on the human personality and His divine personality condescended, humbled itself, to fuse with, and function only through, the human personality. So that he was not 2 persons but one person with 2 natures, the divine nature and fallen human flesh and blood.

9. John 1:1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

10. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

11. Philippians 2:5-7 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: • Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: • But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

12. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

13. Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

14. The First Prerequisite In order to have obtained the legal right to bring Adam’s humanity out of the second death, the Saviour would have had to convert and sanctify and perfect righteous human character in sinful fallen flesh. He had to live a sinless human character and perfect to maturity a sinless faith-obedience against all the temptations, against all the odds, against all the assault of the gates of hell.

15. The Author of Eternal Salvation 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18

16. Hebrews 5:7-9 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

17. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

18. Substitute and Surety Jesus therefore had to become the actual substitute and surety for Adam’s lost race. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

19. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

20. Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 In His work of perfecting human character Jesus had to take the steps the sinner is required to take!

21. Matthew 3:13-17 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

22. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

23. “After Christ had taken the necessary steps in repentance, conversion, and faith in behalf of the human race, He went to John to be baptized in the Jordan.” {G.C Bulletin 1901 page 36}

24. Jesus had to mature and perfect human character all the way from repentance to maturity. From ‘blade’ to ‘full grain in the ear!’ “Christ's life had been so retired and secluded at Nazareth that John had not a personal acquaintance with him, and he did not positively know that he was the Messiah. He was acquainted with the circumstances of his birth, and he believed him to be the promised One.

25. The secluded life of Christ for thirty years at Nazareth, in which he gave no special evidence of his Messiahship, suggested doubts to John whether he was indeed the One for whose coming he was to prepare the way. John, however, rested the matter in faith, fully believing that God would in due time make it plain. The Lord had shown him that the Messiah would be pointed out to him by a distinct sign; when this should be done, then John could present him to the world as the long-expected Messiah, the Lamb of God that was to take away the sin of the world.

26. John had heard of the sinless character and spotless purity of Christ. His life was in harmony with what the Lord had revealed to him respecting one that was among them whose life was without the taint of sin. John had also seen that he should be the example for every repenting sinner. When Christ presented himself for baptism, John recognized him at once as the superior one revealed to him. He discerned, in the person and deportment of Christ, a character above every other man he had ever seen.

27. The very atmosphere of his presence was holy and awe-inspiring. Although he knew him not as the Messiah, yet never had such a holy influence been realized by John from any one as when in the presence of Christ. He felt the superiority of Christ at once, and shrank from performing the rite of baptism to one whom he knew to be sinless. Many had come to him to receive the baptism of repentance, confessing their sins and crimes;

28. but John could not understand why the only sinless One upon the earth should ask for an ordinance implying guilt, virtually confessing, by the symbol of baptism, pollution to be washed away. He remonstrated with Christ, acknowledging his superiority, and refused to administer the ordinance, saying, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"

29. With firm and gentle authority, Jesus waives the refusal of John and his plea of unworthiness, saying, "Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Christ came not confessing his own sins; but guilt was imputed to him as the sinner's substitute. He came not to repent on his own account; but in behalf of the sinner. As man had transgressed the law of God, Christ was to fulfill every requirement of that law, and thus show perfect obedience.

30. "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God!" Christ honored the ordinance of baptism by submitting to this rite. In this act he identified himself with his people as their representative and head. As their substitute, he takes upon him their sins, numbering himself with the transgressors, taking the steps the sinner is required to take, and doing the work the sinner must do.

31. His life of suffering and patient endurance after his baptism were an example to converted sinners of what they should endure and patiently suffer in consequence of their transgressions and sins. John finally yielded to the request of Christ, notwithstanding his feelings of unworthiness to baptize him, and performed the service. He led the Saviour of the world down into the river Jordan in the presence of a large concourse of people, and buried him in the water.

32. After Christ rose up from the water and from the hand of John, he walked out to the bank of Jordan, and bowed in the attitude of prayer. The eyes of John were fastened upon Christ with the deepest interest and amazement. His heart was stirred with emotion as he looked upon him thus bowed as a suppliant. Christ's hands were raised upward, and his gaze seemed to penetrate Heaven.

33. As the believer's example, his sinless humanity supplicated support and strength from his Heavenly Father, as he was about to commence his public labor as the Messiah. Jesus poured out his soul in earnest prayer. A new and important era was opening before him. His former peaceful, quiet life is to here end. He had been happy in a life of industry and toil, while fulfilling the duties devolving on a son. He was an example to those in childhood, youth, and manhood.

34. His deportment showed that he felt the importance and solemnity of the hour. He knew that trials, toils, conflicts, suffering and death, were in the path his feet had entered. He felt the weight of the responsibilities he must bear. He was about to engage in new and arduous duties. A sense of the sinfulness of men, and the hardness of their hearts, which separated them from God, convinced him that but few would discern his merciful mission, and accept the salvation he came from Heaven to bring them.

35. Never before had angels listened to such a prayer as Christ offered at his baptism, and they were solicitous to be the bearers of the message from the Father to his Son. But, no! direct from the Father issues the light of his glory. The heavens were opened, and beams of glory rested upon the Son of God and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dove-like form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

36. While the people stood spell-bound with amazement, their eyes fastened upon Christ, from the opening heavens came these words: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The words of confirmation that Christ is the Son of God were given to inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene, and to sustain the Son of God in his arduous work. Notwithstanding the Son of God was clothed with humanity, yet Jehovah, with his own voice, assures him of his sonship with the Eternal.

37. In this manifestation to his Son, God accepts humanity as exalted through the excellence of his beloved Son. As John had now witnessed the heavenly dove resting upon Jesus, which was the promised token of the Messiah, he stretched forth his hand, and with assurance proclaimed before the multitude, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" From this time John had no doubt in regard to Jesus' being the true Messiah.” {RH, January 21, 1873 par. 1-6}

38. The Two Adams The first Adam represented the entire human race. Jesus became the second Adam and therefore He represents the entire human race. He therefore had to take upon Himself the guilt of humanity’s sin while producing perfect sinless faith in sinful flesh! Christ did not bear our sins as a man carries a bag on his back.

39. Sin-Bearer In His own soul, conscience, mind, He bore the crushing weight of collective human guilt. So closely did Christ identify with us that He bore our sins and felt them as if they were His very own.

40. Human Character Perfecter And while carrying such a weight He had to perfect and maintain blameless, mature and loyal character in our fallen nature.

41. The Faith of Jesus • He had to develop what is called the ‘faith of Jesus.’ A faith which, anchored in God’s love, and working by that love would submit our human self-will and our human sinful flesh to the will of God. • He therefore produced the perfect faith, perfect repentance, perfect love, perfect submission, perfect obedience; to be concise: perfectly mature and maturely perfect sinless human character in our sinful flesh. • Without this achievement He would not have been able to come back out of the second death and bring humanity back out with Him!

42. He Condemned Sin in Sinful Flesh Therefore Christ could not venture to go into the second death until He had accomplished that work of overcoming sin in sinful flesh and producing perfectly mature, sinless, ‘faith-working-by-love’ obedience for Adam’s condemned race.

43. “Christ did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and with His parting breath He exclaimed, "It is finished." John 19:30. The battle had been won. His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a Conqueror He planted His banner on the eternal heights. Was there not joy among the angels? All heaven triumphed in the Saviour's victory. Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost.” {DA 758.1}

44. “When Jesus came into the world, Satan's power was turned against Him. From the time when He appeared as a babe in Bethlehem, the usurper worked to bring about His destruction. In every possible way he sought to prevent Jesus from developing a perfect childhood, a faultless manhood, a holy ministry, and an unblemished sacrifice. But he was defeated. He could not lead Jesus into sin. He could not discourage Him, or drive Him from a work He had come on earth to do.

45. From the desert to Calvary, the storm of Satan's wrath beat upon Him, but the more mercilessly it fell, the more firmly did the Son of God cling to the hand of His Father, and press on in the bloodstained path. All the efforts of Satan to oppress and overcome Him only brought out in a purer light His spotless character.” {DA 759.4}

46. All that is required of us sinners has been already accomplished for us by Christ and is given to us a free gift. When the gift is received it produces the same results in us – faith, love, repentance, submission, righteousness from ‘blade to full corn in the ear!’

47. Ephesians 1:3-4 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: 4 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: