Focus: Ephesians 1:10 - KJV
10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Colossians 1:9-20
Prior to the time of Christ on earth, there had been men who lived thereat. Some lived prior to Moses while others lived from the time of Moses and before the advent of Christ. Each of these sinned while still in Adam and for that reason, are supposed to die with the enemy in the end. The advent of Christ brought grace to mankind. By it, since God is not partial, judgment of those who lived before the advent of Christ are to be judged based on the times of ignorance. The time of ignorance is depicted in the time prior to Christ who is the way the truth and the life, who made us to know that all that came before Him are thieves and robbers while, He is the good shepherd. Hence, because of grace, the sin of Adam will not be brought to bear on those who lived prior to Christ, but they will be judged based on conscience. Hence, when the fulness of time comes, they that are judged righteous based on conscience will be gathered unto Christ and the righteousness of Christ would avail for them just like them that have lived in the dispensation of the Gospel.
From the story of the rich man and Lazarus, we are made to understand that those who lived prior to the advent of Christ are not wholly condemned to the lake of fire for the sins of Adam. In other words, what God did for us in Christ Jesus had been accomplished from the foundation of the earth, like Paul asserted. Hence, the likes of Enoch whom God took, Abraham in whose bosom Lazarus sat, Moses whom God took his body, Elijah for whom God sent chariots for his transition and so many others of that era, would, because of the gift of grace, be gathered in Christ in the end such that Christ becomes the head and these ones with those who by the righteousness of Christ are judged just, would join them in His paradise at the fullness of time.
God is saying we need not be ignorant of the things He has prepared for His saints. God is not wicked, for as long as we identify with righteousness, we are of Christ. Many would marvel in the end when they start to identify their forebears who lived in the days of ignorance when the end comes. Imagine how it was possible for Lazarus to identify Abraham at the time they met. And who told the trio of Peter James and John the identity of Elijah and Moses both of whom had lived before their respective great grandparents? To assume that grace works only for those who live in the dispensation of the Gospel may not be right after all. Christ’s sacrifice has brought Him promotion amongst all men such that the Lord has given Him a name above all names and in Him, all things consist.
SOLUTION: Let us not be bothered about the theology of what happens with those who had gone before us. Rather, let us be concerned about where we would end when the fullness of time shall come: with Christ or without Him? That is what is important.
Please pray:
· Give thanks to God for His lovingkindness which He has made available to all in Christ Jesus
· Pray that the mercy of God will never elude you, no matter what
· Ask that no matter what happens, God will make you a candidate of heaven and that you will be found in Christ to the very end
· Ask that God be merciful to your entire household that none will miss the benefit of the grace that has been given
· Ask for your daily bread for today.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name
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