“Ye are my
witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know
and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed,
neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is
no savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no
strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.” Isaiah 43:10-12. As we read the contents
of this passage of scripture, many thoughts can be garnered and placed deep in
our hearts.
The most
profound and provocative sentiment is the call for Israel to be witness that God
is who he said he is. From our vantage point of salvation by the blood of Jesus,
and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, being made partakers of the divine
nature (2nd Peter 1:4) we can safely assume that what Israel was
called upon to do, could only be a type. As we delve more deeply into the major
components of what God seemingly is saying, we will no doubt discern the real
message and purpose and personage to whom the call to be God’s witnesses really
applies.
Going back
to the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, we learn very clearly that the
promises and high calling of God made to ancient Israel were only given as types
of that which would unfold in the midst of God’s chosen people—called the
church. Before long, we will see how impossible it was for those to whom the
prophecy was spoken could not possibly demonstrate to the world the personality
and divine nature of God himself. We cited the following in previous writings,
but it seems appropriate to rehearse the lessons in which Israel was used as a
point of contact or a reference point, that was intended for a bigger picture.
God
recalls his word: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep
my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for
all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy
nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
Exodos 19:5,6. These words—much like a covenant between God and Israel were
spoken by the Lord himself. He spoke to a people then present; and yet in all
fairness, the standard that God provided and laid before Israel like a challenge
in all fairness could hardly be brought into reality in the lives of those to
whom the words were spoken. But as we can see from their history to this very
day, Israel never attained the lofty measures that God pronounced on their
behalf, and required of them.
Here are what
the facts tend to teach us. The word of being called to be witnesses unto
God—THAT HE IS GOD—was spoken by the prophet in about the year B.C.712. We
previously explained that in those 712 years before Christ, thousands of
generations were born, lived and died without seeing the prophecy fulfilled in
their time. Until today, it stands to reason that prophecies, spoken in any time
frame will only be understood on the basis of “When the fulness of time is
come.” Galatians 4:4. Generations living in their own time frame are not
likely to see the fulfilment of the prophecies, without understanding to whom,
or to what people the prophecies referred.
It is
likely that each generation felt sure that the words spoken by the prophets
meant they themselves. Each ensuing generation most likely placed themselves in
line to see the fulfilment of prophecies (especially the Messianic prophecies)
but in the meantime, God already had set the time and circumstances under which
his word, spoken by the prophets would come to fruition. To get the full
understanding of what we are talking about, we need to rehearse God’s words
spoken to Israel by Moses. In about the year 1491, the year Israel departed
Egypt the Lord promised them an elevated place among all nations upon the
therefore, if ye
will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar
treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be
unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:5,6. But as we observed in a
previous letter, natural Israel did not meet the requirements of the Divine
process; but the words spoken by Moses are carried to New Testament times and
fulfilled within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ.
We learn from an
apostle to the New Testament Church: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, (removing the concept of an holy calling from
Israel of old), a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light.” 1st Peter 2: 9. Here, we see that the
wording of the text is almost exactly as that which was spoken by Moses back in
B.C. 1491. But in this case, the apostle Peter applied those original words,
spoken nearly 2,000 earlier to a natural people, but now applied to a spiritual
people—namely, the Church at large—and the collective body of Christ. Based upon
this scripture alone, it proves that Peter was not the first Pope as falsely
claimed by the Roman Catholic Church. The concept above, taught by Peter,
clearly highlights the priesthood of all believers in Christ.
As we have said time
and again, to gain the full understanding of biblical prophecies, we must
determine what was spoken, to whom it was spoken, what were the determining
circumstances, and what time frame did the prophetic words allude to. Let us
look at a few examples of how it takes a closer look and a broader understanding
to fully understanding of prophecy. The most important factor mentioned above is
the essence of time. Let us remember that about 740 years elapsed between the
promise of a child born, and a son given, during which many generations were
born, lived and died, who never saw the reality of the promise.
The main thrust, the
everlasting plan of salvation, was put in place IN GOD, before the ages were
formed—before time began, or in eternity. Away back then, each one of us were
registered in God’s manual “of things to do.” To many, their salvation began
when they walked to the front and stood before the altar where they repeated
“the sinners prayer” and went on the be baptized that same hour, and after a
change of clothes they were given the right hand of fellowship into that local
Assembly. That moment around the altar when “they found Jesus” becomes the
actual beginning of their salvation experience; when they met Jesus and began to
learn him in future bible classes.
But what is our
Father’s condition and terms where our salvation is concerned. This also refers
to us becoming true witnesses of our Heavenly Father and of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Bear in mind that so far, we have seen how God began the process
of redemption through people like Adam, a type of Christ, Abraham, Moses, Isaac,
and many others. The call of Moses, Abram, and a host of others was putting into
real time, and with real people, that which was already established before the
world began. But consider this! God’s plan of the salvation of mankind was set
in motion, long before man ever set his foot on this terrestrial plane. Yes!
Man’s redemption got on the way in his absence and without his involvement at
any level. To view this dramatic truth, we must stand on the edge of time, where
time shadows, or borders on eternity.
Mortal man, even
those who claim Jesus as Savior, counts time and his redemption based upon what
he can understand as it relates to his mortal life on earth. But the Lord God
who is Spirit, began interacting with man in his unborn state. He spoke to a
child saying: “Before I formed in the belly I knew thee; (because he was
actually alive and was known to God in a positive way) and before thou camest
forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the
nations.” Jeremiah 1”5. I can still remember when the Lord spoke to me back
home in Kingston, Jamaica, saying: “Before your mother knew what she would have,
I ordained thee to this ministry, and thou shalt go to whom I shall send thee.”
This was repeated in exact words in Birmingham, England, some 5,000 miles away
from Kingston, and by people who were perfect strangers to me.
The young child
rebuffed God somewhat by saying: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I
am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go
to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
In the midst of this dialogue between a mighty God and a little child, he
moved to consolidate with this child the ministry to which he was called.
“Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto
me, Behold I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee
(a simple little boy) over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out,
and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.”
Jeremiah 1:9,10. Don’t forget that all of this happened before the child was
born, and him being yet unborn had no impact or relevance to the ministry that
God had already ordained for him. His ordination was enacted and confirmed while
he was still in the womb.
But we are forced to
ask if the case of Jeremiah was unique to himself; and was an event that would
not be replicated in others. David in the Psalms offered a candid narrative that
captures the reality of God’s dealings with mankind before the ages were formed.
He wrote: “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my
mother’s womb. Thine eyes did see my substance yet being unperfect; (or
being undeveloped) and in thy book, all my members were written, which in
continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm
139:13,15,16. Thus, we see that the process of God dealing with mankind
before their actual birth, was not unique to the child Jeremiah.
Paul expanded on the
subject of God’s dealings with us before time began, as he wrote candidly in
this letter. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his
grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace.” Ephesians 1:4-7. Another great witness is offered by Paul in
his letter to his son in the gospel Timothy. In this letter, he emphasized the
origin of our salvation, in that it was sealed and signed long before time
began, as we just read in Ephesians.
“Be not thou
therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be
thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
who hath saved us , and called us with an holy calling, not according to our
works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began.” 2nd Timothy 1:8,9. What are we being offered
in these scriptures? Both Ephesians and second Timothy are endorsing the truth
of the origin of our salvation, which process, and principles were set in place
before time began: and to emphasize this truth, John in the Revelation saw a
Lamb as one that has been slain before the foundation of the world. “And I
beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the
midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and
seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
Revelation 5:6.
These New Testament
scriptures serve to pull the curtains back and escort us from the corridors of
time to the very edge of eternity. From an open door, we are allowed to see
God’s major plan, not only to those who believe in his Son Jesus Christ, but the
ultimate prospect of the entire creation. His major plans are set in stages or
segments of time; in which each segment must run its course to it completion,
before the ensuing segment is allowed to fill in what would be a void if allowed
to remain dormant and stagnant. Against the background of what seemed to be an
unfulfilled promise, Paul told the Galatians: “But when the fulness of time
was come.”
This means that a
thousand generations could have claimed that the prophecy was meant for them,
when in truth, it was not meant for them at all. Look at the intricacies and
required process needed to correctly understand biblical prophecies. Phillip was
taken by an angel out of what could have been called “revival time” in Samaria.
He ended up on the road that would take a goodly man from Jerusalem back to
Ethiopia. From his perch atop his chariot, this man was reading from the book of
Isaiah. As Philip drew near and joined this noble man, he noted that the man was
reading from Isaiah 53. Soon he enquired of Philip; I pray thee, of whom
speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? Acts 8:27-34.
We have another
candid example of how many in olden times dealt with prophecies that would
likely impact peoples and nations in ensuing years. Let us walk through the door
and join Peter as he explained to us the matter of a truth, yet to be revealed
in a time frame that differed from those who spoke those ancient prophecies.
Thus, we read: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him
not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving
the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the
prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of
Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified before hand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Unto whom it was
revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us did they minister the things,
which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you
with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desired to
look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the
end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ.” 1st Peter 1:8-13. Please notice the
dramatics involved in this process! After the prophets spoke by the Holy Spirit
of this particular glory of a salvation at that time was still hidden in Christ,
they went back in prayer earnestly seeking to know to whom they were speaking.
But there is another
essential component that belongs in the mix. Let us look at the facts that are
woven into this aspect of the biblical chronology. Peter alludes to the grace
that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
This begs for a further search by us, to determine what time frame was Peter
referring to, because he did say: “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto
themselves, BUT UNTO US did they minister the things, which are now reported
unto you…” 1st Peter 1:11,12. Peter did not stand aloof as he
referred the truth to another set of disciples in Christ. He affirmed that the
glory would come to us (including himself) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But let us look at this matter from a chronological point of view, in that Peter
included himself to be a participant who would share in the glory to be revealed
at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Look at the facts, and their allocated
timeline. To understand this, is to acknowledge that all that God does is
exactly “ON TIME” for the people involved.
Royce O.
Kennedy
