#twofoldplanofgod

Today we’ll look at the last key doctrinal issue wrapped up in understanding the mystery of Christ, which is our heavenly position in Him.

Remember, in times past, Israel was a peculiar people separated for God’s earthly purpose with promises and covenants yet to be fulfilled.  In the ages to come, Jesus will return to set up his kingdom at which point Israel will receive her full atonement, hence accomplishing God’s earthly purpose. This all has to do with prophecy.

Today, under the mystery of the cross, and the dispensation of the grace of God, both Jews and Gentiles are in equal standing with God. He sees everyone through the finished work of the cross, giving a heavenly position to anyone who believes.

so 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:” – Eph 1:10

“… and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. … reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” – Col 1:20-22

And now…

“…we are raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Eph 2:6

“…complete in him”  Col 2:10

For the purpose of…

“…the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Eph 3:10-11

Both groups benefit from Christ’s finish work for salvation; Israel for the completion of the New Covenant promises, the Body by grace alone, through faith alone apart from covenants,  (1 Cor 2:7-12).  The blood of Christ is the connection between the two groups.  Christ Jesus, being the mediator of a better testament for Israel under the prophecy program, is also the Head of the Body for the church today under the mystery program, completing the two-fold plan of our gracious God!

We, as the Body of Christ, have a much higher calling than anything prophesied to Israel, through the mystery of the cross.  We are to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery! Eph 3:9

God separated and chose Israel (Ex 19:5-6, Num 23:9, Deut 7:6-8) for the purpose of a future everlasting kingdom that would last forever on the earth. His promises and covenants were proof of that relationship because God had not dealt with or treated any other nation as he did Israel, (Ps 147:20, Eze 36:19-22, Mal 1:2).

Israel continually sinned against God and rejected his provisions.  They never held up their end of the bargain.  Here’s a short list:

II Kings 17:7-8  walked like the heathen Psalm 78:10-11  did not keep God’s covenant and laws Nehemiah 9:16-18  refused to obey Luke 13:34  rejected the prophets Matt 27:35  crucified their Messiah

Now we know how, by our question is still why?  Paul gives these reason in Romans Chapter 11.

“I say then, have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” 11:11

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” 11:32

“… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” 11:25

In order for all men to be saved, God worked through Israel’s rejection, keeping it a secret since before the world began because had the enemies of Christ known about the amazing two-fold plan of God they would not have killed Jesus, and without the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have no hope of salvation.  Look at this verse, it rocked my world!

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor 2:7-8  (emphasis mine)