Measure Upon Measure – The Glorious Conclusion – The Restoration Of God - Part 17 Series

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – THE GLORIOUS CONCLUSION – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 17

One more chapter remains, and that is to wrap up all that has gone before. It is advisable to read all that preceded this last conclusion. The whole lot is the wonderful story of redemption and the window on the full work of Christ at Golgotha.

CHAPTER 7 - THE CONCLUSION

Throughout the preceding chapters we have looked at six consequences of Adam’s sin and traced the earthly pathway as it was trodden by the Son of God. We then looked at the ensuring blessings multiplied to us through the conquering, victorious work of the Lord Jesus on Calvary.

The consequences resulting from the act of Adam and Eve’s willful disobedience were considered. They chose to believe the liar in preference to the Creator. John, thousands of years later, spoke about the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life as what characterises this world system. Adam and Eve succumbed to all three facets of the devil’s encroachment.

They first saw the fruit was good. It looked tantalising, inviting, deceptively innocent. That was the initial step in their ultimate downfall. Secondly they hungered after it as something good to eat. The flesh desired it, hankered after it, craved for it until they had committed their full mental assent to proceeding with the act. At this stage they had crossed the line of no return. Thirdly, they wanted to be like God with the knowledge of good and evil and it was with that temptation that the devil kept them attentive. {{Genesis 3:6 “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”}}

This third aspect was the most dangerous of all, for that was the rearing of the ugly head of pride, and pride was the motivation behind Lucifer’s downfall. Pride in its arrogance proceeds from the devil. There was no more resistance. They now followed the devil’s leading. All caution and opposition to the evil one had been abandoned. The fruit was grasped and eaten, but it brought a cancerous famine to their souls.

Sin entered the human race with Adam’s disobedience. Adam and Eve had only ever known the tranquility of their environment but that became SERENITY RUINED. There was no turning back for him once the act of rebellion was completed. To him and through him the terrible results of sin’s blossoming became soon evident. Judgment was pronounced and the couple, created in the perfection of God’s handiwork, were expelled from the flawlessness of the garden where they had once known unclouded fellowship and communion with God, their Creator and Sustainer. Then through the world, SIN’S RESULTS were stamped on every individual.

Redemption came through the Lord Jesus Christ as he journeyed down the SAVIOUR’S ROAD. His years of ministry were spent in touching people afflicted with the dreaded consequences of sin. As the great Physician and Shepherd, He ministered in the world to counter the sorrow and pain, the guilt and shame of the human race. That was the prelude to the outpouring of Himself for the sins of mankind. The Saviour’s Road wended itself steadily, yet with the utmost conviction of determination right to the foot of the cross. It was there that in the giving of Himself, He appropriated to Himself all our sins and He bore them. Additionally, He identified with the consequences of those sins. He died for us but every atom of God’s wrath was sustained and by enduring the cross, all the wrathful cup was drained.

Then there was the consideration of the outflowing blessings which have been bestowed upon all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessings were outlined but only the major or basic ones were considered. Even so they are so deep and so wonderful that we, the recipients, are elevated to a dimension that it was not possible for Adam to comprehend in the days of his flesh. Our blessings are in the heavenlies. They are blood-bought and they are eternal. They set our hearts aglow and we rejoice in the Redeemer who concluded the great work of salvation. We wait for His coming when these blessings will be fully realised.

God has mapped out a total plan of redemption for the world and this plan continues to be worked out, but in our present dispensation there is joy in knowing that our salvation has been secured.

Eternity has been secured,

Our salvation’s been procured,

Through the cross which He endured.

This is our peace.