11-CHAPTER VII THE HISTORY OF THE CHRIST

CHAPTER VII THE HISTORY OF THE CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the redeeming Centre of the history of salvation. He was of old the creative basis of the Old Testament revelation, for His Spirit was in the prophets. He was in mysterious union with God His Father (Psalms 110:1); He was the God of the history of Israel (John 12:14; Isaiah 61:1-11), the goal of the law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:19; Galatians 3:24), as well as of all prophesying in the temple service (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1) and of all direct prophetic announcement (for example, of Messianic prophecy as in Isaiah 53:1-12). As Lion of the tribe of Judah and Son of David (Revelation 5:5; 2 Timothy 2:8) He was the root and crown of the royal house of David (Revelation 22:16; Matthew 1:1-17), and therefore was basis, content, and meaning of all revelation even before He became man.

Then in the Savior of the time He Himself appeared (Galatians 4:4). As the Star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17) He arose in Bethlehem, as the "dayspring from on high" (Luke 1:78), as the personal appearing of the goodness and love to man of God our Savior (Titus 3:4). This is His first epiphany (appearing, 2 Timothy 1:10), His coming for salvation, for the rescuing of the sinner, "to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). As an­nounced by John the Baptist He was the Lamb of God who carries and bears away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Cross of Christ the Centre of all times The Cross is therefore the central event of His work on earth. It is the central act of God in the whole history of the universe. It is the most marvellous revelation of the will of God to save, "so that each that believes in Him should not be lost but have eternal life" (John 3:16). So though not in point of time yet in inner spiritual reality it is the central point of human history.

JesusNazarenusRexJudaeorum (INRI), that is, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. This message, in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, set above the cross by an unbelieving hand, stood therefore at the same time under the overruling of the world- governing Savior-God. For in that this inscription in the three chief languages of civilization at that time—the languages of the State, of culture, of religion—was set over the cross, it did in fact, though not in human intention, express that Jesus of Nazareth, of the people of Israel, stood in relation to all depart­ments of human life, that His person and His work, outwardly and inwardly, is valid for all the world, that He, the despised, will yet wear the crown. As matter of fact the out-workings of His saving work are marvellous. It is as if in the midst of the darkness of Golgotha the sun had shone out and illuminated with its brightness the whole past and the whole future. (Compare on the Chart the rays of light which stream out from the Cross on every side). The effects of the original fall of Satan can be overcome only through the Cross. Therefore do the rays from Golgotha stretch back into those distant ages before man. That on the threshold of the lost Paradise there was given to man the original gospel concerning the seed of the woman and the treader-down of Satan (Genesis 3:15) can find historical out-working only in the saving work of the Crucified. Therefore the darkness of this sword of promise receives its first clear light from Good Friday and Easter. That God would not condemn but be gracious; that He would establish His covenant with men and have fellowship with them; all that He had testified in His covenant with Noah and had confirmed by the covenant-sign then appointed, the rainbow bridge of light which unites heaven and earth (Genesis 9:12 ff), all first became possible through the Cross. For only "through the blood of the eternal covenant" (Hebrews 13:20) was the wall of partition done away, the sin which separated God and man, for the removal of which through His sacrifice Christ appeared (Hebrews 9:26). The promise given to Abraham of blessing for all peoples (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:13-14), the justifying of Abraham through faith alone (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:9-13), the offering upon Moriah (Genesis 22:1-24), the faith of the patriarch for resurrection (Hebrews 11:19) —this all first receives full light from the saving work of the Crucified and Risen One (see Romans 4:23-25). And finally, the whole Mosaic law, its moral demands, its appointments of Divine worship, its prophetic type and its an­nouncements of Messiah would, as regards at least their last and deepest meaning, remain forever dark and incomprehensible if Christ had not come as the fulfillment of law and prophecy (Romans 10:4), and by one offering had illuminated, explained, and fulfilled all other offerings (Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 10:9), and had thereby superseded the whole Mosaic law and temple service (Hebrews 7:18 and Hebrews 7:12). But the future also lies under the bright rays of the Sun of salvation risen after Golgotha. For now there can be a church, a people for the personal possession of the Son of God, redeemed and purchased by His own blood.¹ Of this church the foundation, crown and star, strength, honor, and praise is the Cross alone (Galatians 6:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:2); that is, the Cross in connection with the resurrection of the God-given Substitute and Surety, (1 Corinthians 15:13-19), Who died for us and lives for us (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:10), Who on earth acquired for us salvation, and Who from heaven, through His Spirit and His royal high priesthood, bestows, maintains, and glorifies that salvation (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 8:1-2; 1 John 2:1).

Only thus can there be a visible kingdom of God; for only if sin be overcome can there be a renewed humanity truly serving God.

Certainly also for Christ personally the crown is attached to the Cross. The same earth that was the scene of His humiliation must be the scene and witness of His exaltation and glory. This simply belongs to the Divine justification of the Crucified before every creature. Thus the appearing of Christ in glory is entirely a fruit of His appearing in humiliation and the Millennial kingdom stands out in the light of Cross and resurrection. And at last the final goal will be reached, the eternal state, the transfigured universe. And since all will be wrought through Christ, and through Him as the One who conquered sin by the Cross, then is it but a natural result that He as the Lamb will be the centre of worship for all eternity (Revelation 5:6-9). Therefore on the new earth the city of God that descends has the Lamb as its foundation (Revelation 21:14; Revelation 21:27), the Lamb as its fountain of life (Revelation 22:1), the Lamb as its light (Revelation 21:23), the Lamb as its temple (Revelation 21:22), the Lamb as its object of blissful love (21:9). Therefore is He surrounded by the heavenly songs of praise as the Lamb upon the throne with the wound-marks of His love (Revelation 5:6). Therefore the seat of Divine authority in the glory is called " the throne of God and the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1).

Thus the radiant sun of Cross and resurrection illuminates the whole history of the universe. As regards the pre-Christian unfolding they break through as it were a generally gloomy and cloudy heaven, which only gradually and in parts clears; as regards the times after the completed work of redemption they shine through ever more clearly, overcoming all the clouds, the firmament becoming ever brighter, flooded with golden sunshine and brilliance. (See on the Chart right and left the rays proceeding from the Cross over the background of heaven.) The Threefold OfficeofChrist The historical unfolding of the redeeming work of Christ is amazing. It is inseparably united with the historical path taken by Christ personally after His incarnation, and which he still takes through time and eternity, through earth and heaven. Quite evidently this way, in its chief forward steps, corresponds to the three offices of die Redeemer, His offices of the Prophet, the Priest, and the King.

First, in the foreground stands the prophetic office (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). In life and teaching Christ proclaimed the will of God, and in the message of the kingdom of heaven showed Himself a "prophet mighty in word and deed" (Luke 24:19).

Then this Prophet went to the Cross. He accepted the burden of the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2) and became at once the lamb for sacrifice and the priest (Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 9:25). Thus there came this terrific hour on Golgotha in which Christ, the Holy One, at Passover in the year 30, on Nisan 15, (according to astronomical reckoning perhaps April 7th, 30), gave His life as propitiation for sinners. From the land of die living He des­cended to the black line of death (see the Chart), so as through death to bring to naught him that had the power of death, the devil (Hebrews 2:14). But then God raised and exalted Him (Php 2:9). He who was dead arose on the third day, ascended to heaven, and is now as King sitting at the right hand of God, whence He will come to complete His work (Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 3:21). It is as if out of the black line of death there arises suddenly a golden line of glory, which soon after the event of the Cross mounts into the heavenly regions (Ephesians 1:20). There it remains, above all the course of the kingdom of God on earth, like a golden heavenly counterpart, until here below, in the field of world affairs, God’s goal has been reached for this age of salvation, even the building of the church, the gathering of His redeemed, who here, in this interval and waiting time (Psalms 110:1; Hebrews 10:13), as His witnesses, like seven golden lamps, shall glorify Him by raying forth brightly His message and His life (Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22). The Royal High PriesthoodofChrist In this period, which is the economy of the gospel and of grace, Christ in heaven is at once priest and king. He intercedes on behalf of His own (Romans 8:34). He is their advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1):"We have such a high priest, Who sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens (Hebrews 8:1). He is priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.² There by faith we see Jesus, who was humbled by becoming a little lower than the angels, precisely on account of His sufferings in death "crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:9).

Christ’s Arrival (Parousia) and Appearing (Epiphany) In this the priesthood and kinship of the Highly Exalted One is perceptible only to faith. At present He is absent, invisible to the earthly eye. Therefore a day must come when this will undergo a change. Christ must return and set up His kingdom. He must come forth from His absence and make Himself to be present (arrival, parousia). He must take His people to Himself, conquer His foes, appear in splendour (epiphany), so unveiling Himself and becoming visible (Revelation 1:7). He must make His people manifest before His judgment seat and make their life on earth to pass before His face in the light of heaven. He will decree crowns or loss (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:14-15). The Glorified Christ and His Glorified Church The golden line must at that time descend to the earth and the region of the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17), must unite with the ascending blue line of the perfected people of God, the seven lamps, and then must they both, the golden line of the glorified Christ and the blue line of the completed church, remain inseparable for all eternity (1 Thessalonians 4:17 b). Therefore henceforth they experience all things in common. He who Himself came down first only to the region of the air, so as to come for His own, will then with His own Himself appear on earth (1 Thessalonians 3:13), so as then during the visible kingdom of God, united with them, to reign from heaven over the earth. But finally this united gold and blue double line, above and beyond world rebellion (Gog and Magog), world destruction, and world transfiguration, will merge into eternity. On the new earth, and in the heavenly Jerusalem come down to earth, Christ will rule as Throne-Companion of the Father (Revelation 22:1; 1 Corinthians 15:28). and His own will be with Him and share His glory (John 17:24; Romans 8:17). They will reign with Christ to all eternity (Revelation 22:5; 2 Timothy 2:12).

Notes ¹Acts 20:28; Titus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 6:20.

²Hebrews 7:1-25; comp. Genesis 14:22-24; Psalms 110:4