A Vision of Redemption

Someone who joined one of our groups asked me a rather important question:

"Do you have any summary writings that explain your approach.... or vision for 
redemption??"


According to Zondervan's Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, "Redemption is 
deliverance from the power of an alien dominion and the enjoyment of the 
resulting freedom. It involves the idea of restoration to one who possesses a 
more fundamental right or interest. The best example of redemption in the Old 
Testament was the deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage, from the 
dominion of the alien power in Egypt."

....

Pentecost was just another exodus from the power of an alien dominion and the 
enjoyment of the resulting freedom. Judea had become an alien jurisdiction 
under the power of the Hasmonians, Rome and Herod the Great. It had developed 
systems of governance that were contrary to the precepts of God. Judea had 
become like Egypt and had been re-made in the corrupted image of Rome. Power to 
make law was in the hands of the leaders, the people were bound by treaties and 
contracts, benefits were abundant but contributions were no longer free will 
offerings. The will of the leaders were forced upon the people by the courts of 
Pharisees and scribes. They made their instruments of war and took the sons and 
daughters of the people for their own service.

They called themselves the children of God but they had long rejected the ways 
of God. Not only did they whore after other gods but they deceived and seduced 
the people to return to the bondage of Egypt.

....

Those who followed the ways of John and Jesus and were publicly baptized were 
ostracized from the grace of the Pharisees. That outward ritual alone was 
enough to force the removal of their name from the temple membership. This new 
baptism was not like the baptism of Herod and his ministers but was the one 
proclaimed by the authority of John. With that act they left the temple of dead 
stone and the world to which it belonged and entered the kingdom of God.

That door established by Jesus is still here today. The Entrance is ministered 
by the true and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. The door to that kingdom 
under God is hidden in modern Law.12

...

At Pentecost, thousands left one governmental system and entered the kingdom of 
God at hand. It was another Exodus like that accomplished by Moses and as well 
as Abraham in his departure from Haran with many souls.

This took years of preparation and sacrifice but in one moment things changed. 
The Christians had an alternative to the Nicolaitian13 civic altars of Rome and 
Herod. The people had a different kind of government to invest in14 and were 
often accused of not sacrificing to the gods15 of the other governments 
government. But there was another king they cried, one Jesus. It is no 
different today, if men will seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness 
which is at hand.

Modern Christians have rebuilt their society in the image of Rome16 and take 
pride in that corporate civil power. They pray (or apply) to it. They consume 
the benefits that are financed at the expense of their neighbor. Through that 
covetousness they have been made "merchandise"as Peter warned. They are human 
resources to be used and used up. They are under a strong delusion that the 
kingdom of God is not at hand in spirit and in truth.

Jesus said he would take the kingdom away from the government of Judea.17 He 
appointed ministers to His Kingdom.18 They were told not to be like the rulers 
and princes of the gentiles (the other nations). They were not to exercise 
authority one over the other but were to be true public servants, clerks of the 
Kingdom. This alternative government in the Roman Empire (but not of it) turned 
the world upside down. It was a government that was bottom up where the people 
lived under the perfect law of liberty and were some times persecuted for their 
faith in that kingdom of righteousness....

To read the entire article with active links and footnotes go to

A Vision of Redemption
http://www.hisholychurch.net/news/redemption.asp

Don't forget "The Keys of the Kingdom" radio broadcast every Sunday at 8pm 
Pacific Standard time.
http://www.hisholychurch.net/radio.asp

Redemption would be a good topic of discussion this week.
Peace on your house
Gregory@hisholychurch.net
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