AND HE RESTED #2
Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Both of God’s creative works of the natural universe and of the spiritual redemption of souls were established from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
For it is clearly seen in that Hebrews 4:3 verse, that the rest is referring to salvation as it is entered into by “belief.” And those that do not enter into the soul-rest of Christ are said to have missed it by unbelief! Hebrews 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Our earliest record of the Eternal Son of God is that of a slain Lamb from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
And the earliest record we have of all the believers who shall occupy eternal glory is also from before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Their salvation is a three-fold work of the Triune God! 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
None are justified who were not elected. And none were elected who are not justified. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
And as the earth was without form, and was void, so men, made from the earth, are lost, without God and without hope in the world. Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
And as the Spirit of God moved on the chaotic waters, and the Word commanded the light to appear, so it is also for the sinner, dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), who must have the Holy Spirit initiate life in the soul. And the Spirit must call forth the effectual word of the gospel to bring the life of faith into the heart. And as we clearly understand that the sun, moon and stars were not created until the fourth day, (Gen. 1:14-19), so we must understand that the light which appeared on that first day, illuminating the creative processes for those first three days, was none other that the Eternal Son of God being introduced to this order. John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
As the light of the world, the Eternal Son illuminates all the natural order. Even the ability for human reasoning is from him! Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Every human’s wisdom and knowledge is from Him! John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. And as the light of life, he is that understanding given to the redeemed, whereby they may know the Father. Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
It was by the Word of God that the world before Noah’s flood existed. And it is by the Word of God that the world today continues to be established. 2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
And Jesus Christ is that Word made flesh to dwell among men! John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. It is by him alone that all things were brought into existence, and have their continuance! Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (that is, “stand together”).
One of the many similarities of the natural and spiritual creations is the progress of developing and maturing. In Genesis 1:11 we read, And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Here were individual blessings for the earth. But later there is not just these separate gifts for the clothing of the earth, but an entire garden! And the two things that it is said to be necessary for this garden to exist were rain, and a man to till the ground! Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
And so it is in the spiritual creation of the redeemed soul! For the spiritual new born is first concerned with but individual graces, as the earth was said to first have individual things, such as grass, vegetables and fruit trees. The newly born believer is concerned with the mercy of God. For mercy is only for the guilty! Mercy has no purpose or usefulness without a guilty object! The Apostle John writes to these new born’s regarding this focus on but one grace – forgiveness! 1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
Then he writes to a more mature class of “young men” concerning their advance into the warfare against Satan. 1 John 2:14b I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. They have advanced into the usage of the spiritual weapons which are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds! (2 Corin. 10:4). And lastly he addresses the aged believers who have advanced into a virtual garden of graces, having come by individual graces to the Gracious One! 1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.
And the same two things are required for this garden of grace within the hearts of the believers – rain, and a man to till the ground! First let us see that the believer IS the garden! Song 4:12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. And we know that each believer is to develop himself in a maturing sanctification. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. But one cannot accomplish this but by the “rain” of the Holy Spirit! Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Lord Jesus Christ – the king’s son – is not only The Man to till that garden, but is our refreshing shower of grace! John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Psalm 72:1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. He is our showers of blessing! Ezekiel 34:26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Song 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. The Bride calls on the Holy Wind of God to make the fragrances of his graces flow from her. She calls on both the cold north wind, and the hot southern currents to do so for his attraction. For he does not like lukewarmness; just hot or cold! Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
As we develop in the majestic, all encompassing love of God – for God IS love – we come to know ourselves as he has individually fashioned us, both for edification of the rest of the body of Christ, and for the glorification of his Holy Person! 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
It was only in the revelation of herself by the risen Lord that caused Mary to know who he was! John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, (And he really is! Song 5:1), saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
She was the very first to see and to speak with the risen Savior! It was not a Peter, or even a John! For they only had empty tomb religion at that time. But she was captivated by the love that would not let her go! She would not even be dissuaded by two angels from heaven! And when one gets to wanting the Lord Jesus with that kind of love, they will not be disappointed.
John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. …and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Pastor Gene Breed July 16, 2015