Finding Life in Death
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Key Verse: “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Selected Scripture: |
IN OUR KEY VERSE, citing our Lord’s words, ‘If I be lifted up,’ there is a reference to the manner in which he was to die. Jesus was likening this future experience to that of Israel’s in the wilderness. He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” (John 3:14) Jesus knew that after he had left his heavenly glory with the Father and had come to earth as a man, that he would be the Savior of mankind. He would give his life as a ransom or corresponding price for the disobedience of father Adam. (I Tim. 2:6) As a result of faithfully laying down his life in death, he received life eternal, on the Divine plane, and a position next to the throne of God.
When Jesus said, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me,’ he was talking about the future. At the present time, the vast majority of those who know about Jesus live in the Western world; and of these, comparatively few hear and understand the message, or see the crucified one with the eye of faith.
The world of mankind in general is dying without knowing the plan of God; therefore only a few have had the opportunity to exercise true faith in Christ. Thank God, the day is nearing when he who was cruelly ‘lifted up’ at Calvary and afterward ‘lifted up’ in resurrection power—will be manifested in power and great glory—“the true Light which [will] lighten every man which cometh into the world!”—John 1:9
Earthly life and earthly blessings were lost by father Adam, or, as the Scriptures say: “In Adam all die.” Jesus will eventually restore these blessings, during “the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (I Cor. 15:22; Acts 3:21) Meanwhile, the church, the ‘body’ or ‘bride’ of Christ, is being called out from mankind first. This elect class, called to a heavenly calling, a high calling, will be joint-heirs with Jesus Christ in his promised kingdom.
Jesus, after offering his perfect sacrifice as the man Christ Jesus, was rewarded with the Divine nature. So also the believers of the Gospel Age are permitted to offer their imperfect selves (justified or reckoned perfect through the merit of the precious blood of Jesus) as an offering to God. In so doing, these are begotten of the Holy Spirit to be “New Creatures,” “Sons of God,” and accepted as Christ’s brethren—members of the “royal priesthood,” of which Jesus is the chief priest. (John 1:12; I Pet. 2:9, II Cor. 5:17) These, we are distinctly told, are to “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ”—to “suffer” with him, that they may also “reign with him.” (Col. 1:24; II Tim. 2:12) Thus the position of the church is notably different from that of the world in general, even as their calling is a heavenly, high calling, and even as their reward is the Divine nature.—II Pet. 1:4
At present, the great mass of mankind has not been drawn of the Father, but will be drawn by the Son, Jesus, who said, “[I] will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32), granting them blessed opportunities for knowledge and the blessings of the promised restitution. This drawing will continue throughout the kingdom age—for which all Christians pray, “Thy kingdom come”—and until all mankind shall have felt its influence, been blessed, uplifted, and restored to perfection.