This Wonderful Time of Grace Series
by Rick Combs
The above poster caught my attention as I was roaming in one of my group Facebook pages.
I thought that it captured the essence of the difference between Jesus earthly ministry to Israel and Jesus heavenly ministry today.
By and large, the church today has lost sight of the fact that the focus of Jesus ministry changed following his Ascension into heaven. He went from the focus being on Israel’s entrance into the kingdom of God to Grace being given to all the Gentile nations for a heavenly calling.
Jesus earthly ministry was to Israel. In Matthew 15:24 “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.
Jesus heavenly ministry is to the gentiles; all the nations. Upon confronting Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, Jesus commanded him in Acts 22:21 “And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles”.
Jesus in his earthly ministry equated “eternal life” with “going into the Kingdom”; the literal, visible, earthly, Davidic Kingdom. This was for Israel specifically as kings and priests unto the nations. They were to receive eternal life at the second coming. Acts 3:19-21 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began”.
Going into the Kingdom went hand in hand with their salvation. It is when they enter into the Kingdom that they shall be saved and find rest.
Jesus heavenly ministry provides salvation for free that is immediate to Jew and Gentile alike. Everyone may be saved just by believing with no other works required. Romans 3:21-24 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Also, Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast”.
Jesus earthly ministry was one of prophecy; the Kingdom of God. Acts 2:14-16 “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”.
Jesus heavenly ministry is one of mystery. This was established by God “before the foundation of the earth”. Ephesians 3:3-5, 9 “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 9 which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”.
Trying to relate to Jesus from His earthly ministry is an afront to His Glorious Heavenly ministry. Although we can gleam much from the four gospels, the heart of Matthew through John is directly to Israel to prepare them to survive the tribulation (Jacob’s Trouble) and then enter the Kingdom that Jesus will bring to the earth. Israel is to be a kingdom of priests and kings for all nations.
During this wonderful time of Grace…
- God is offering eternal life to EVERYONE; not just to Israel.
- Salvation is free and immediate; we do not have to wait for the Kingdom to arrive.
- We are in the mystery program; as opposed to the prophecy program.
We are indeed blessed in this age of Grace.
Amen!