One of the interpretive guidelines of studying scripture is looking into spiritual truth behind the events. For example, I was looking at an online Bible Study Course that talked about Israel going into the Promised Land. I remember learning about this in Sunday School as a child. But what this publication and my years in Sunday School never discussed was WHY was Israel called the Promised Land? I never really thought about it. But if we look further, there are wonderful spiritual truths that lie just below the surface.
I came to the conclusion that we know many of the events of the Bible, but we rarely if ever go behind them to glean the spiritual truths reserved for those who want to search. So, a quick answer as to WHY Israel was given the Promised Land is given to us in Gen. 28:13-14; “And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land on which you lie, to you will I give it, and to your descendants; And your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed”.
All the families of the earth shall be blessed. This includes all nations as well as the earth being lifted from the curse while righteousness and peace prevails. Israel is promised a Kingdom; called to be a Holy Nation of priests set apart in their own land for this purpose. This is the Promise given unto them. This call from God also labels them as the “chosen people” which is another term we often don’t understand.
Ex. 19:5-6 “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the children of Israel”.
We miss many of these truths if don’t look behind the phrase “the promised land” and “the chosen people”.
It is the same thing with the event of the Cross. We are familiar with this event in history. But we need to go further and find out what lies behind this event?
We live in two realms at the same time. We often don’t recognize this. One is the physical realm (the event), and the other is the invisible spiritual realm (what lies behind the event). Not looking behind the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, limits our scope of truth. Of all the subjects in the Bible, we need to understand what was taking place in the unseen realm. Fortunately, God gives us these truths in His Word.
So for the next several weeks, we will peak behind into the invisible realities of Christ crucified. I know that for me, my faith has been strengthened and more established in this study. I can’t wait to share it with you. Believe me, you will be on the edge of your seat!
Some of the things we will consider are:
- What exactly happened to Jesus when He hung suspended between heaven and earth?
- Did Satan have a role in Christ’s crucifixion and if so, what was it?
- What happened to Him when He died?
- From what basis was the Son of Man judged and condemned?
- What made it possible for Jesus to rise from the dead and conquer death and hell?
We will consider these and many more realities.
Until next time, Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.