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GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
November 25, 2000 RADIO MESSAGE #347
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The manner in which Christ delivered Old Covenant Israel from their physical bondage in Egypt is typical of the manner in which He delivers New Covenant Israel from their spiritual bondage in the world (as in Isaiah 61:1). I. Christ delivered Old Covenant Israel because He had purposed to do so: "all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt" (12:41) because He had previously said "I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt" (3:17). Israel departed Egypt not because Christ had merely wished or desired it, but because He had purposed it by an unalterable and unfailing decree.
Christ delivers New Covenant Israel because He has purposed to do so. His purpose was expressed in the name given to Him at His incarnation (Matthew 1:21): "you shall call His name JESUS [literally Savior], for He will save His people from their sins." He declared His purpose to be accomplished just prior to departing the world, saying to His Father, "I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:30). Contrary to Churchianity, the purpose of Christ is not His mere wish or desire for the salvation of everyone, which purpose would most certainly not be accomplished. Rather, it is His purpose by an eternal and unalterable decree to save His elect, and this purpose will most certainly be accomplished (Isaiah 14:24; 46:11b; J! eremiah 4:28b).
II. Christ delivered Old Covenant Israel in an overpowering manner (13:3, 9, 14, 16): "for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place"; "for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt." Not even the obstinacy of the mightiest monarch and nation in the world could prevent Christ from accomplishing His purpose to deliver His people. With His own strong hand Christ overpowered Pharaoh, who then was compelled to release the Israelites (3:20; 6:1).
Christ delivers New Covenant Israel in an overpowering manner. He is identified as "I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save" (Isaiah 63:1), and as "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One [who] will save" (Zephaniah 3:17). Not even the obstinacy of the mightiest spiritual power in the world can prevent Christ from accomplishing His purpose to deliver His people. With the "finger of God" Christ has overpowered and bound Satan, and is therefore unthwarted in delivering His elect (Mark 11:20-22; Revelation 20:1-3). And not even the obstinacy of the most self-righteous sinner can prevent Christ from saving him - as the conversion of Saul of Tarsus gloriously illustrates (Acts 9:1-6). Contrary to Churchianity, Christ is not "powerle! ss to save us unless we let Him."
III. Christ delivered Old Covenant Israel in its entirety (12:41): "all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt." Not one single Israelite was left in Egypt.
Christ delivers New Covenant Israel in its entirety. He therefore has declared to His Father, "Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost" (John 17:12). Contrary to Churchianity, which teaches that many - yea, even most - of the souls for whom Christ died will nevertheless perish, Christ will not permit even one of His elect to perish.
IV. Christ delivered Old Covenant Israel in an orderly fashion (12:51): "the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies." Armies are known for progressing in an orderly fashion. So it was with these armies (13:18): "the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt." Here was a host of 600,000 adult men plus their wives and children (12:37) - a multitude of perhaps at least two-three million souls plus livestock, all anxious to depart Egypt at the appointed hour. Yet here was no mob-scene when the appointed hour arrived. And their orderliness was maintained for the next forty years in their encampments (Numbers 2) and their marches (Numbers 10:11-28). Christ ! is orderly in all that He does.
Christ delivers New Covenant Israel in an orderly fashion. The madness and hysteria and confusion accompanying the so-called "conversions" of the modern charismatic movement are indictments against it. "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:33).
(To be continued.)