The Nations

Limits of the Law

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

The jurisdiction of the Mosaic regulations over the covenant community reached its limit with the arrival of Jesus, the Seed of Abraham.

In responding to claims that Gentiles must be circumcised, Paul appealed to the common experience of the Spirit received by the Galatians.  Did they receive the Gift through a “hearing of faith” or “from the works of the Law?”  Having begun in the Spirit, why did they seek the “completion” of their faith based on “flesh” by submitting to circumcision?

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Both Jews and Gentiles

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The equality of Jews and Gentiles before an impartial and just God is pivotal to Paul’s Gospel. They stand or fall before Him on the same basis.

Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans with two purposes. First, to prepare the ground for his visit to the city and his planned missionary trip to Spain. Secondly, to deal with conflicts between Jewish and Gentile believers. In the Letter, Pual explained his Gospel, and he then discussed the status of the Jewish people and the conflicts troubling the Roman Church.

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Ruler of Kings

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Jesus is called the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth” in the present tense in the Book of Revelation. His sovereignty is based on his past Death and Resurrection, not military conquest. Though at times the “Kings of the Earth” do Satan’s bidding, the slain “Lamb” even uses their plots to achieve his redemptive purposes for humanity. Revelation often does the unexpected and presents paradoxical images and truths. The Book is more concerned with redemption than vengeance or destruction.

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Why do the Nations Rage?

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The second Psalm is a key messianic passage applied to Jesus several times in the New Testament. But precisely when were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne? Or is the world still waiting for his accession at a future date? And what about the “revolt” of nations and kings vented against Yahweh’s “anointed one”? Is this a prediction of a future conflict between Jesus and the government of the earth – (Psalm 2:1-6).

We do not have to search far for answers. For example, in both his gospel account and the Book of Acts, Luke applies these predictions to the arrest, trial, and execution of Jesus.

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Salvation for the Nations

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The Risen Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations!” As the exalted Sovereign over all things, he dispatched his disciples to announce his Lordship and the Good News of salvation to the “uttermost parts of the Earth.” The era of salvation commenced with his death and resurrection; therefore, the offer of reconciliation must be heard on the Earth until the moment the Son of Man arrives “on the clouds of Heaven.”

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