Almost every book or epistle written by the Apostle Paul has at some point, in its opening introduction, the statement, 'Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,' or perhaps it will say, 'Grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.' Although this may seem to be a casual greeting used by the Apostle Paul, it goes to the heart of humanity's deepest need. It appears that the first couple in the garden of Eden surrendered their peace and the only way it could be found again is by grace through faith. (ref. Eph. 2: 8-9) Covering their bodies with fig leaves was man's first attempt to cover or hide their nakedness and shame. (ref. Gen. 3:7) God Himself made coats of skins for them instead; many believe this was God's way of initiating the first blood sacrifice as an acceptable way to approach Him. (ref. Gen. 3:21, Mat. 26:28, Heb.9:22 and Lev. 17:11) Future offerings by Adam and Eve's first two sons further attested to God having a chosen way for them to be accepted. (ref. Gen. 4:7) God's mercy and grace were extended to mankind immediately after the fall, as His plan of redemption was revealed.
God said, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 3:15, KJV) This spoke of the seed of the woman who would come and crush, or bruise, satan's head. This also spoke of the acquittal God would provide for humanity through the seed of the woman. (Christ)
The definition of the word acquittal is : ac-quit-tal 1 The act of setting free or the state of being set free by legal process.
2 The performance of a duty.
: a setting free from the charge of an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process.
The New Webster's Concise Dictionary and Merriam-Webster.com
About the time of the birth of one of Adam and Eve's grandsons, the Bible states that men began to call upon the name of the Lord. (ref. Gen. 4:26)
The flood of Noah's day left only eight people on the earth to begin anew. The word of God declares, "And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread." Gen. 9:18-19 KJV The Bible further speaks of the generations born to the sons of Noah, "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations." Gen. 10:5 KJV
At this point, the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. (ref. Gen.11:1) The account of the people at this time reads as follows, "And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, 'Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly.' And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, 'Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.' And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, 'Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they began to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.' So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." Gen. 11: 2-9 KJV
Under the Mosaic law, which would come forth many years later, God stated, "An altar of earth thou shalt make unto Me, and shall sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep and thine oxen: in all places where I record My name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." Ex. 20:24-26 KJV Such was the plight of unsaved man in the account of the tower of Babel. (ref. Ezekiel 16:22) In their pride, they thought they could build their way to heaven and also make a name for themselves. These self-made bricks represented man's effort to reach heaven. It was a polluted effort and their nakedness was exposed. God thought it best to confound their language and scatter them.
Pride says, 'I did it; I made it happen.' Pride assumes a name for oneself. Pride is really the opposite of faith. Our faith has a faith object and it's not us. The Gospel of Luke proclaims "He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts." Luke 1:51 KJV
Scripture tells us, "Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Rom. 4:3 KJV (Righteousness means right-standing with God) Righteousness also means "righteous" 1: acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin 2 a : morally right or justifiable // a righteous decision. 1 Morally right and just. 2 Virtuous; blameless: a righteous man. 3 Justifiable; defensible:
God said to Abram, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Gen. 12: 1-3 KJV Scripture says the law is not of faith, because the law is man's effort to be right with God. The law brought a curse, but faith brought a blessing. (ref. Gal. 3:9,13), (Note, the law is holy, just and good but it could not make us holy, just or good because of the weakness of our flesh.) (ref. Rom. 7:12, 8:3) Scripture states, "And the law is not of faith: but, THE MAN THAT DOETH THEM SHALL LIVE IN THEM. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Gen. 3: 12-14 KJV "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Gal. 3:9 Abraham found a way to be at peace with God, to be accepted by God (made righteous), to be a friend with God and to be blessed by God, and this was all by grace through faith. This is why we find God's words written by the Apostle Paul, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9 KJV
Paul's writings also verified this in the book of Romans, saying, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness," Rom. 1:16-18 NIV Adam and Eve attempted to cover their shame and nakedness with fig leaves, but God revealed the way to be accepted.
The tabernacle in the wilderness, the tabernacle of Shiloh-(the tent), King David's tent, and the permanent-structure temples which were built by the Israelites, all foreshadowed our bodies as believers, which are now the temple of God, indwelled by the Holy Spirit. God said through Moses, "But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go." Deut. 12:5 NKJV "In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you." Ex. 20:24b NKJV The tabernacle in the wilderness and the permanent-structure temples built by hand, as well as King David's tent, which he erected and the tabernacle of Shiloh - (the tent)(ref.Ps.78:60) all housed the ark of the covenant at times. Here God would meet with the children of Israel from on the mercy seat between the two cherubim. (ref. Exodus 25:22) Moses was given explicit instructions on the building of the original tabernacle, the ark, the altar and all the other furnishings housed in the tabernacle when he received the Ten Commandments from God. (ref. Exodus 25:8) They (the tabernacles and temples) were all subject to breaches breaking out. (ref. 1 Chron. 15:13)
The definition of the word 'breach' goes as follows:
1: Infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie or standard // a breach of trust // sued them for a breach of contract
2a: a broken, ruptured, or torn condition or area.
b: a gap (as in a wall) made by battering
3a: a break in accustomed, friendly relations
b: a temporary gap in continuity
The Israelites who came out of Egypt, led by Moses, agreed to an impossible standard, which their pride led them to believe they could keep, when they answered together and said, 'All that the Lord has spoken - we will do.' (ref. Exodus 19:7-8, 24:3) Shortly after this statement, God gave them the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. Pride is the opposite of faith and with time, many breaches in their agreement would break out.
One of their sources of mercy, or partial mercy, for the Israelite people was the mercy seat on top of the ark of the covenant. Once again, it was the shedding of animal blood which would make an atonement for them. (ref. Lev. 17:11) (This would foreshadow Christ's shed blood on the cross) But, as would sometimes happen throughout Israel's history, the ark could be stolen or left unattended. (ref. 1 Sam. 4:1-11, 7:2, 1 Chron. 13:3, and Ezek. 7:22) Failure to live up to the covenant made on Mt. Sinai meant a breach would break out. Much harm could and would come to the nation and people of Israel. Everything from a divided kingdom, to its going into banishment of exile in foreign nations. This was where their pride got them. God, in His mercy, would always bring a remnant back and is still today gathering the Jewish people back to Israel because He is honoring the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; (long before the covenant made at Mt. Sinai.)
As stated in Galatians, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. and this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God, in Christ, the law, which was 430 years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of non-effect." Gal. 3:16-17 KJV
It's recorded of Jesus upon the triumphal entry, found in Luke's gospel, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, 'If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Luke 19:41-44 KJV
We as believers now know the things which make for our peace, as stated in the following scriptures: "therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Rom. 5:1 KJV (to be Justified means to be made or declared righteous) "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:" Rom. 3:21-22 KJV
"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, BLESSED ARE THEY WHOSE INIQUITIES ARE FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED, BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN." Rom. 4:6-8 KJV "for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5b KJV "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Col. 3:15 KJV
We find in the book of Amos, "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:" Amos 9:11 KJV, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, declares the Lord, who will do these things." Amos 9:12 NIV This was repeated by James in the book of Acts as such, "After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages." Acts 15:16-18 NIV God has closed up the breaches of David's fallen tent.
Abraham himself was called out of a Gentile nation and found God faithful. We as believers, along with believing Abraham, now bear God's name. Shortly after King David placed the ark in the tent that he had erected, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is more than just a moniker that we as Christians loosely use. Perhaps its deepest meaning can be found in the priestly blessing in the book of Numbers: "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them." Nu. 6:22-27 KJV God said this is how they will put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
With this blessing, His face would shine upon them. His face would be toward them. But, this blessing under the law was contingent on meeting certain stipulations. It was a conditional blessing. (ref. Deut.31:17-18, Ezek. 39:23-24, Isa. 59:2, 2 Chron. 30:9) As stated previously, in Exodus and Deuteronomy, "But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go." Deut. 12:5 NKJV "In every place where I record my name, I will come to you, and I will bless you." Ex. 20:24b NKJV The process and place of God's way to be accepted and blessed was a progression that started in Genesis and continued with the tabernacle in the wilderness, the tabernacle of Shiloh-(the tent), David's tent and the permanent-structure temples. All of these were the place of God's presence (Spirit), blessing and place of mercy, if they sought Him after the due order. (ref. 1 Chron. 15:13, Romans 1:5, Ps. 50:23)
Once again, we know that our bodies, as believers, are the temples of God. In the books of Ezekiel and Isaiah, the prophets speak of a coming time when God's face would be turned towards us continually. "In a little wrath I hid MY face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." Isa. 54:8 KJV "Neither will I hide My face any more from them: for I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God." Ezek. 39:29 KJV We are now in that dispensation of grace and God has poured out His Spirit on all flesh - as spoken of by the prophet Joel, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh:" Acts 2:17a (ref. also Acts 2:17b and 15:8) In this time, as a believer, His face is continually towards us and all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are yes and in Him A-men unto the glory of God by us. (ref. 2 Corinthians 1:20)
Once again, we as believers are the temple of God and we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Jesus has made peace for us through the blood of His cross. (ref. Colossians 1:20) We bear His name and we are that place that is BLESSED! (ref. Ex. 20:24b, Deut. 12:5, Acts 15:17)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ:" Eph. 1:3 KJV
As stated earlier, the acquittal provided through the seed of the woman (Christ), although a work of grace, satisfied a legal process.
Once again, the definition of the word acquittal is : ac-quit-tal
1The act of setting free or the state of being set free by legal process.
2 The performance of a duty : a setting free from the charge of an offence by verdict, sentence or other legal process.
The New Webster's Concise Dictionary 2003 Edition and Merriam - Webster.com
Christ's death and resurrection as a man and as the Son of God, (fully man and fully God) (ref. Rom.5:15, Matthew 1:23) meant Jesus fulfilled the law. (ref. Matthew 5:17-18, Rom. 10:4) And we are found righteous through faith provided by His act of grace. He performed the work of the cross and our work is to believe it. (ref. John 6:29, Rom. 4:5) As believers (born-again) the righteousness demanded by the law is now fulfilled in us. (ref. Rom. 8:4) And now as Christians what was written of Abraham can be written of us "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he (Christ) had promised, he was able to perform." Rom. 4:20-21 KJV He has performed it!
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts." Haggai 2:9 If you're in Christ - then you're in that place!
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Col.1:2b
