THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Devotion 7 of 12 The Lord Jesus is currently ministering from heaven. His work has not yet been completed, as the theological phrase "the finished work of Christ," suggests. That phrase is not found in Scripture, only in the creeds and dogmas of men. It is intended, I suppose, to refer to Christ's memorable words, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). However, that did not mean He had nothing more to do. He had received a commandment from the Father to lay down His life AND take it up again (John 10:17-18). When He yielded up His spirit, dying for the sins of the world, the latter part of the Father's command remained unfulfilled. His work was NOT finished. His life in a prepared body had been finished (Heb 10:5-8). The work He was to accomplish while in a humbled state was finished (Phil 2:8). Enduring the curse of God was finished (Gal 3;13). Being "made sin for us" was finished (2 Cor 5:21). Bearing the sins of the world in His body was finished (1 Pet 2:24). From another point of view, however, His real work was just beginning! – Tomorrow:
"Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 8-9, NASB)
After Jesus died, more work remained to be accomplished. He was to rise from the dead, leading captivity captive (Eph 4:8). He would show Himself alive to His disciples "by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3b). Jesus would spend forty days with His disciples, speaking to them of "the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3b). It remained for Him to be "exalted" and placed at the Father's right hand (Phil 2:9). On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared Jesus had worked in their very presence, pouring out what the people were beholding (Acts 2:33). He is presently mediating the New Covenant, ensuring that the people of God enjoy its benefits (Heb 9:15). Additionally, He is saving to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, ever living to make intercession for them (Heb 7:25). Five times believers are reminded that grace and peace are coming to them "from the Lord Jesus Christ," as well as the Father (1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2; 2 John 1:3). He is working in heaven, "a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb 8:2). His work was not finished when He died upon the cross. It was the foundational work that was finished. He lives on, and is still working.
It is true, He has given certain responsibilities to His body, the church. He has not, however, ceased His personal ministry. Peter proclaimed the activity of Jesus on the day of Pentecost. Having been "exalted" to the right hand of God, he said, "He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33). Jesus was speaking from heaven! There were miraculous signs displayed that day: a mighty rushing wind, cloven tongues of fire, and men speaking in languages they were never taught. The multitudes, however, were struck more with WHAT was being said, than with HOW it was being said. Here is the report that went out of those events: "we do hear them speak in our tongues THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD" (Acts 2:11). That was all being accomplished by the Lord Jesus. He was working!
Solemnly, the Spirit admonishes believers to see to it they do not refuse to hear the One who IS speaking from heaven. "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who SPEAKS from heaven" (Heb 12:25). Another version reads, "See to it that you do not refuse Him who IS speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who WARNS from heaven" (Heb 12:25, NASB). Nothing about that text, either etymologically or doctrinally, suggests Jesus DID speak from heaven. This is something He is doing NOW, and the people of God are to be alert to what he is saying. Involved in His word is this, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven" (verse 26).
Those who are unlearned in the heavenly kingdom wonder how we can "hear" Jesus speaking from heaven. There is such a thing as "ears to hear." The Gospels have Jesus referring to these "ears" eight times (Matt 11:15; 13:9,43; Mark 4:9,23; 7:16; Lk 8:8; 14:35). Seven times in the Revelation, Jesus Himself cries out to the churches, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Rev 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). Those who have these "ears" know what the text means. Those who do NOT have them, either have become "dull of hearing" (Heb 5:11), or have not yet been blessed with such "ears." As Moses said to Israel, "Yet the LORD HATH NOT GIVEN YOU an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and EARS TO HEAR, unto this day" (Deut 29:4).
A HEAVENLY WARNING
The "warning" is a solemn one, yet filled with comfort for believers. All things have been committed into the care of the Son. It is in Him that all things "hold together" (Col 1:17, RSV). He is maintaining the whole realm of nature, and the domain of grace as well. Because all things were made "by Him and for Him" (Col 1:16), the end of the world is in His charge. As it is written, "At that time (Sinai) His voice shook the earth; but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven. This phrase, Yet once more, indicates THE REMOVAL of what is shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain" (Heb 12:26-27).
The Lord Jesus does not want His people to be caught unawares at the end of the world. However, they will be unprepared for that time if they do not "hear" Him who is speaking from heaven NOW. Hearing, in this case, means discerning and responding in faith.
The unreserved acceptance of this admonition would revolutionize the average "church." In the professed church, there is altogether too much sensitivity to this world, and too little toward heaven. There is too much talk about earthly associations, and too little about heavenly ones. One aspect of being born again is "tasting of the powers of the world to come" (Heb 6:5). Much of the Western church is characterized by spiritual obtuseness and dullness. Wherever that condition exists, an abrupt change must be experienced. If such a change does not come, the end of all things will prove to be the ultimate curse.
Make no mistake about this, when a warning is issued from heaven, those who do not hear it will not be profited by the event being chronicled! The occasion is the shaking of all things – the termination of the natural order. Peter said the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet 3:10). Look about you! Everything your natural eyes can behold "shall be dissolved" (2 Pet 3:11). Jesus is warning His people about impending disaster – speaking from heaven. Throughout His church multitudes live blissfully unaware of this word. They do not hear it in their hearts, and thus they are not preparing for it. They are not making themselves "ready," as the real bride is doing (Rev 19;7).
Many of these people have been convinced they will dwell forever with the Lord, ready or not. They have been deceived into thinking they are locked into a saving relationship with Jesus – BEFORE He is finished working with them and for them! Some have formally accepted this lie. Others have embraced it in practicality, conducting their lives just as though Jesus was required to do nothing more to save them – as though His intercessions were not necessary, or they did not have to buy spiritual commodities from Him to recover themselves. In fact, they cannot hear Him, even though He fairly shouts to a lethargic people, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see" (Rev 3:18).
Part of Jesus' remaining work is teaching His people, thereby readying them for the transition from earth to glory, and time to eternity. Thus it is written, "But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have HEARD HIM and have been TAUGHT BY HIM, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph 4:20-24). How about you? Are you hearing Him who is speaking from heaven? You will know if you are when your thoughts gravitate and hold you to what He is presently teaching. It involves the abandonment of vain pursuits, and the aggressive appropriation of things that can transfer into the world to come.
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I thank You for ears to hear. I pledge myself to hear Your Son speaking from heaven, and ask for Your strength and support to do so with zeal.