Hebrews 4:16
The Throne of Grace
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
GOD . . . . . .
Why now, at the end of Chapter 4, are we introduced (for the very first time) to the throne of grace? The Master has been painting a portrait for us, and with each brush stroke He reveals another part or portion of Himself. We began our study in the Book of Hebrews facing a giant canvas, it was empty, it was void, and darkness was on the face of the deep; then, in Chapter 1 of this wonderful Book of Hebrews, verse 1, there was a powerful burst of light as the Holy Spirit brought forth the wonder of God in one single word! He introduced us to the whole book through one word, revealing that divine Being in His fullness . . . GOD! God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (Hebrews 1:1)
His Son . . . . . .
And from that high place, higher than the heavens, the Spirit of God has been presenting to us all the rays of colors that are found in His marvelous prism of light. The God of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things presents Himself as the God of all things. Then, with just as much grandeur, He presents His Son, who in these last days has spoken unto us. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2) As the painting progressed, we saw the sacrifice of the Son, and after He has purged our sins, it was the Son, Jesus Christ, who sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3) God also revealed the ministry of His angels to us in Chapter 1 of Hebrews. In the Old Testament, God had revealed His angels ministering to His people. We only mention one man, Daniel (a man greatly beloved)(Daniel 8:16), and so, God moves through the history of mankind to reveal not only His Son, but His continual ministry of angels to man. He unveils to us (in Chapter 1 of the Book of Hebrews) a throne of righteousness, the throne of His anointed, Jesus Christ who holds the scepter of creation and eternity; it was this very One who laid the foundations of the earth, and stretched His hand out as He created the heavens.
Grace . . . . . .
In Chapter 2 of the Book of Hebrews, the marvels of salvation are revealed in the true son of man, for we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9) This is the first time grace is mentioned in the Book of Hebrews, and it will continue to be a theme throughout the rest of the book.
Grace is mentioned only seven (7) times in the Book of Hebrews. In Ephesians, which most consider the book of grace, grace is mentioned twelve (12) times; however, the book in the canon of Scripture which you would not expect to overflow with the word grace, is the Book of Romans. In Romans the word grace is mentioned twenty-one (21 or 3×7) times to show the fullness of God’s grace in relationship to the judgment of the law against man. In the four gospels, grace is only mentioned five (5) times, once (1) in Luke’s gospel, and four (4) times in the Gospel of John. Since we are dealing with the throne of grace, I thought we would glean from these facts, and how the Lord has laid out His grace to us in the Scriptures.
Faithful High Priest . . . . . .
With the first mention of grace in the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 2, verse 9, we also have the first mention of Christ’s divine priesthood, as the faithful high priest in Chapter 2, verse 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17) This relates to the faithfulness that He has maintained throughout all eternity as in, Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)
(Side Bar: Note: the phrase Lo, I come is mentioned five (5) times in Scripture, coincidence that five is regarded to be the number of grace? I think not, there is no such thing as coincidence in Scripture. The word grace is not seen in a written form, however, it is seen spiritually. It is through grace that God approached Israel (Exodus 19:9), it is through grace that He revealed Himself to man through the written word (Psalm 40:7), it is through grace that God promises to dwell in the midst of His people (Zechariah 2:10), it is through grace that Christ came (Hebrews 10:7), and it is through grace that God revealed His plan to establish the second, or new man as in Hebrews 10:9.)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. (Exodus 19:9)
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, (Psalm 40:7)
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. (Zechariah 2:10)
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9)
The Great High Priest of Our Profession . . . . . .
Let us consider this faithful High Priest in the eternal faithfulness of the Eternal Priest of God made after the order of Melchisedec. In Chapter 3, verse 1, the Spirit of God increases the revelation by presenting the Lord Jesus as the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrew 3:1) The Lord presents to us not apostolic succession, but apostolic revelation in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is seen in Chapter 2, verse 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;. We see how the Lord Himself took upon Himself the apostolic revelation, and delivered it to them who heard Him. All revelation must be received as of the Lord with apostolic proof concerning our salvation, for it is He, and He alone, who reveals faith to man. He reveals Himself to glorify the Father, when we add the High Priest to this wonderful awakening, we behold His present ministry to us in Hebrews 4:14, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. The Lord Jesus attained this wonderful position of a great High Priest by the sacrifice of Himself upon the cross, by His glorious resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the majesty on high. There has never been a priest on earth among men who has acquired this title of great high priest. This title (great high priest) is only mentioned one time in all of Scripture. Great: for He is greater than all our sin. He is apart from sin, and He is separated from sinners, He is reserved and separated unto the righteousness and holiness of God. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
The only authorized priesthood among men was assigned to Aaron, and the Levitical priesthood; there has been no other priesthood given in the Old Testament, or even in the New Testament concerning the sons of Adam. (Do not confuse Church order with priesthood). All the high priests of the Old Testament, and in the days of the Lord Jesus on earth were only mere earthly men assigned of God to the priesthood (many times men, not assigned by God, are made priests by man, example: Judges, Chapter 17).
In Christ, we have a great High Priest who is higher and holier than all that went before Him, Why? because His priesthood is a divine priesthood established in the Son of God from all eternity, and because He is higher than the heavens, it is He alone, who can feel and touch our infirmities. In Hebrews 5:5, So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. In this verse, we have the man (Jesus) and Christ’s glory side by side. For it was He who humbled Himself in Philippians 2:6-8.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:(Philippians 2:6)
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:7)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)
The Eternal Great High Priest . . . . .
As the Son of God, He submitted Himself to the will of the Father. He completed His eternal mission as Savior of men, and Sacrifice to God; therefore, God the Father has highly exalted Him. God the Father has glorified the Lord Jesus who was always the glory of the Father, but now is glorified in His eternal priesthood at the right hand of the majesty on high. In Hebrews 5:5, we have the blending of grace in His eternal priesthood, and His eternal Sonship, today have I begotten thee. In Chapter 5, verse 10, it is the Almighty God who calls Him (the Lord Jesus) the high priest. The whole authority of the Godhead is seen in His perfection. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 5:10) God the Holy Spirit reveals to us the eternal covenant of the priesthood in the revelation of Melchisedec, of which we will have much to say when we finally get to Chapter 7. Christ does not share the order of Melchisedec, He is the order of Melchisedec. Chapter 6, verse 20, Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. We are well aware that Christ entered in beyond the veil to present His blood, and His sacrifice to God the Father. He is mentioned as the forerunner (that which goes before) and in this we see the eternal priesthood of the Son of God, and as God’s Son, He made peace with God for us, and presented Himself as a sacrifice at the hands of His own priesthood; therefore, He is able to not only succor us, but to carry us within the veil in His own body. For it was in His own body, on the tree, that He sacrificed Himself as both Sacrifice, Priest, and Savior. And once again, the eternal God makes the statement (as a refrain) concerning Jesus Christ and His eternal priesthood for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
In Hebrews Chapter 7, verse 26, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; we have God qualifying the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in His eternal priesthood: 1, He is holy; 2, He is harmless; 3, He is undefiled; 4, He is separate from sinners; and now 5, . . . here it is . . . the star burst . . . He is made higher than the heavens. Could we (knowing this High Priest) have any higher calling then to be ministered to by such a High Priest.
In Hebrews 8:1, Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; we have the sum of all things: we have a man in heaven, Jesus Christ, past into the heavens for us, and He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is sat down at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven. In this same majesty, Christ revealed Himself to Peter, James and John on the mount of Transfiguration. In Peter’s epistle he recorded that along with James, and John they were all eye witnesses to the majesty of the Son of God. In Hebrews 8:3, For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer, the Lord Jesus is the gift of God, and as the gift of God He offered Himself (the just for the unjust). In Hebrews 9:7 we look back to that which He had already fulfilled, and was a foreshadow of things to come, it was by a better blood than Abel. In Hebrews 9:11, But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; we have the perfect tabernacle that could not be destroyed for it is not made by the hands of men, and it is not made of the buildings of the earth. It is a heavenly tabernacle that He (the Son of God) has pitched. We also have prophecy in this verse, for the Holy Spirit tells us that Jesus Christ is a high priest of good things to come. Would this not point us to the eternal state of the new heaven, and the new earth.
In Hebrews 9 we have the Spirit of God referring to Him as a better sacrifice once and for all.
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23)
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24)
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (Hebrews 9:25)
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)
Even though in these verses we do not have a direct reference to Him as High Priest, it directs us to the better sacrifice that He offered in Himself once and for all. Do not forget that heaven also needed to be purged (as recorded in Hebrews 9:23), and this could only be accomplished through the sacrifice and offering of the Eternal Priest, Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 10:21, And having an high priest over the house of God;. In this verse, the Holy Spirit of God impresses to us that we have a high priest. We have one High Priest, and only one High Priest over the house of God, whose house are we. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6) We have one Savior, one Lord, one Master, one Spirit, one God and Father, and one Priest. (Have we need of any other?) The Spirit of God has drawn us to the Book of Hebrews to display the glory, the honor, and the majesty of our divine High Priest.
The Sacrifice and the Priest Outside the Camp . . . . .
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. (Hebrews 13:11) (Read Leviticus 9 and connect the blood drops) And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. (Leviticus 9:11)
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12)
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)
In Hebrews 13:11, if you can bear it, our Lord Jesus Christ suffered without the camp. Outside of Jerusalem, in the place of death, the place of the skull (Golgotha), He was driven out from man to be hung on a cross. He, who had descended from heaven, would now suffer death at the hands of man, and for the sin of man. As He laid down His life, He also took it again in His glorious resurrection, for He who descended also ascended up to heaven to enter into the heavenly veil, and present His blood as the blood of the atonement, once and for all. And we (who are under that atonement of that blood) are to go to Him outside the camp, bearing his reproach.
The Priesthood of Christ . . . . .
For our hope in His Person, as the great High Priest, He entered into the veil, and placed His blood on the eternal mercy-seat for us (Hebrews 9:13). In the Book of Hebrews there are twelve (12) direct references to the priesthood of the Lord Jesus, and four (4) verses that compare His priesthood to the priesthood of Aaron. In taking in the title of the Book of Hebrews, we have the twelve (12) direct references in relation to the twelve tribes of Israel, and the four (4) comparison references takes us into the whole world around us. This is a book that is little in the eyes of the Church when it comes to study, and it is often put on the back burner, and yet, it is the only book in all of Scripture that even mentions the priesthood of the Lord Jesus, and deals with all of the benefits of that priesthood to us, as the children of God. Could it be that man, in Adam, would not want us to understand our full position in our great High Priest before the throne of grace.
The Priesthood of Man: A Powerless Form of Godliness
In the Old Testament, when the nation of Israel was divided under Jeroboam and Rehoboam, Jeroboam made priests of the lowest sort. And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. (1 Kings 12:31) Through the acts of Jeroboam we see a man who wanted to play God. He established worship in the ten tribes who had followed him in the rebellion. He placed a golden calf in Dan (judge) at the northern border of Israel, and a calf at Bethel (house of God) at the southern border of Israel; and forbid the children of the ten tribes (Israel) to go up to Jerusalem to worship God. Man likes to play God, and man’s priesthood is his sandbox and quicksand where he lures all the little ones in, and leads silly women captive. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (2 Timothy 3:6)
As Adam is of the earth (earthly) his priesthood can only be of the earth, and therefore, in opposition to God. When ever any descendant of Adam attempts to stand between God and man, he is trying to usurp the authority of the Son of God, as our Great High Priest. This priesthood of man became a cult built through the deeds and acts of the Nicolaitans (those who rule over the people), and later morphed into accepted doctrines. The very first Church mentioned in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the church at Ephesus, and it is here that the deeds and doctrines of the Nicolaitans are exposed as the thing that God hates. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:15) God alone is Sovereign, and He alone rules, and He has placed His Son, Jesus Christ over all.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17)
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
We are a heavenly people, and our life is hid in Christ in God. We have gone without the camp, and we have joined our Great High Priest at the throne of grace in heaven. As the children of God, we must realize from the very outset of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, man has been in opposition to the glories of Christ from without, and from within. The Church has been plagued by those who attempt to corrupt the truth of the word of God. They have tried to usurp the authority of God, but no matter how big and prosperous man’s religion gets it is only a grand city, or state of Babylon.
One Rebellious Heart . . . .
Remember the man Achan, in the Old Testament, that upon the fall of Jericho he saw some silver, a wedge of gold, and a Babylonian garment. As we follow the progression of the heart of man through the Scriptures, we find both in Jeroboam, and Ahab and Jezebel, the creation of an apostate priesthood, especially the priesthood that Jezebel adorned with the robes of Baal. By the progression of man’s deceit, we would look at the garment that Achan beheld was most probably a garment of the false priesthood of Babylon. The fall of Jericho, was a spiritual battle, and a spiritual judgment. It was up to the priests of Jehovah to carry the ark, the blow the trumpets, and to surround the city. (Note: the word priests is mentioned twelve (12) times in Joshua 6 where the fall of Jericho is documented.) Now on to the man Achan. . . .
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: (Joshua 7:20)
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. (Joshua 7:21)
So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. (Joshua 7:22)
And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. (Joshua 7:23)
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. (Joshua 7:24)
And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. (Joshua 7:25)
And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. (Joshua 7:26)
As it was in the days of Joshua (the heart of man), so it was in the days of the early Church. Consider Achan’s trespass. One man’s trespass led to folly in Israel, and the army of Israel was turned back at Ai, this was a transgression of the covenant that God had given to Israel. And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.(Joshua 7:15) One man affected the whole nation of Israel, I say this in all honesty. I lift my heart up before God, and with a humble mind and heart, I say to all the true servants of God: before we open our mouths to speak, or pick up a pen in the things of God, let us wash ourselves in the word of God, and make sure that all our desires are to please the Almighty, and that we should realize that we must take off our shoes for we stand on holy ground. Our burning bush is the throne of grace, as the bush was not consumed so our place of grace is there for eternity. Nothing can remove this throne from the child of God.
The Throne of Grace
The throne of grace is mentioned only one time in the entire Bible, and it is in Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. This one time mention shows us the importance of this place of divine grace. Chapter 4 connects our Great High Priest and the throne of grace together because they are both mentioned only once and it just happens to be in Chapter 4 of the Book of Hebrews. This oneness of His throne of grace, and His priesthood as the Great High Priest are connected together for all eternity.
In the 4th Chapter of Hebrews, we see the ministry of grace to the sons of Jacob. This includes the very title of this wonderful book. But, when we go further with the Spirit of God, we find that as He has led us to Chapter 4, we see the divine footsteps of our Savior leading us to see His priesthood. The number 4 speaks to us of the world, we see a throne of grace available to the whole world. In Chapter 4, verse 4, we see God’s divine rest. This rest is also available to all who trust in Jesus Christ. God rested on the seventh day, all His power and energy had been displayed by the word of His power. He formed the world from the very foundation to the seventh day when God rested. The world also settled and found rest before man brought sin into the world; before man transgressed — all was at rest. Man had been given a divine place in the presence of God. All around Him was the pristine beauty of the creation, but with man sin entered into the world, and with that sin chaos also entered.
In the fullness of time, God sent His Son to bring peace and rest to man. The only rest that man can find in this world today is at the throne of grace. The world will not find nor have rest until all things are fulfilled in the great plan and determinate counsels of God. The Spirit of God speaks expressly to us (the children of God) both Jew and Gentile that we should come boldly to the throne of grace. This is my place, this is your place, for we meet Him there. It is at this place that He makes intercession for us. It is at this place that He bears our infirmities. He wants to lift us above, and beyond, the horizon of this world; to go higher and further than the men of this world can ever reach or achieve. He desires that we (those who have being born of God) should go beyond, and to see what we have at this throne of grace, the Spirit of Christ will take you high above this world to where our Great High Priest dwells. He is a Priest who has no imperfections, He has a priesthood that no other but the Son of God can occupy; and He is the Great High Priest of our profession of faith. He is the minister of grace from this wonderful, marvelous throne of grace.
This is where we find both mercy and grace met together in the Lord Jesus Christ. People speak of God’s grace as it is a one time historical fact, when in fact, grace is active every day. Today one may experience the fullness of grace in every portion of one’s life, and this should be the experience of every child of God. Where do we meet grace? We meet grace at the cross, then grace takes us by the hand, and walks with us through life. Grace never quits, when things go wrong for the child of God, whether self inflicted, or from without, the grace of God never rests. The grace of God never leaves for what grace has accomplished in the soul is for all eternity. The same hand of grace that met you at the cross takes you to the throne of grace, so both you and I, may like Paul, find more grace in the day of trouble. And we can say to the Great High Priest, Thy grace is sufficient for me.
Grace for Grace
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, we are introduced to the Person and giver of grace. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) In verse 16 we have th fullness of His grace, the Spirit of God makes sure that we understand that grace is continuous for the child of God born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God, and God alone. The words ‘grace for grace’ show the continuous blessing of this wonderful grace that it is by, and in, the Son of God’s love, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is delivered by this Son, as our Great High Priest, in all His fullness; we must come to grace through the Lord Jesus. In verse 17, the Spirit of God, once again, uses the most precise and definitive words for all men: the serf, the prince, the laborer and the scholar; no matter what station in life, the Spirit of God states with all boldness, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Under the Law . . . .
In the dispensation of angels, Moses met with God Almighty, and received the divine law of God. This law became the divine school master, it instructed and taught man what man was, and what man is today. Man, under the law, became a hopeless sinner lost and beyond his own redemption. His own hand, his own will, his own desires could not, and cannot, bring redemption; he was under the law, and could not rise above it. The law condemns man, and ratifies the sentence of death upon man. Under the law a man could only be condemned. Man was flawed beyond redemption under the law. Man could not obtain redemption under the law. Under the law, man would fail every exam, and every trial, that the law would give him. Even the rich, young ruler in the day of Christ on earth went away sad. He boasted in keeping the whole law, but he coveted the things of the world more than the things of God. He was not able to sell his goods and give to the poor, he not only coveted the things of the world, but he failed his exam in the presence of His Creator. He could not love his neighbor as himself. His final exam was written by the One who created all things, and this rich young ruler would not put his name to the exam. As he walked away from the grace of God (in the Person of Jesus Christ) his steps became heavier and heavier with the weight of his sin. It is the law of Moses that condemns every man, for it exposes the heart of every man, for every man has sinned and come short of the glory of God.
But . . . . .
In verse 17 of John, Chapter 1, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God presents to us the word ‘but.’ He wants us to understand that even though we are condemned under the law, and even though crafty false translators have italicized this word ‘but,’ the Spirit of God is more powerful, and above their guile. God puts this word but in just the right place. Why is the word but in just the right place? we are condemned under the law, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Does not the Spirit of God want us to turn and see the bush that is on fire, and yet not consumed. The Spirit of God has brought us to holy ground, He wants us to look and live, to avail ourselves of grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ.
This must be important, for the first word is grace than truth. We can only know the truth through God’s grace, and we can only know the truth through Him who beholds all the grace of God, Jesus Christ. In the Bible, the first mention of grace is in Genesis 6:8, and yes, once again, we have that little word ‘but’. The whole world was condemned, God was going to destroy all flesh, Genesis 6:7: And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. The die was cast, and then we have in verse 8, But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. All was about to be destroyed, God was going to cleanse the world of all flesh, then the Spirit of God informs us that it was Noah who found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Also compare 2nd Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. . . . The eyes of the Lord had found a man, a preacher of righteousness who was pure in his generation.
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (2 Peter 3:5)
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:20)
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;(2 Peter 2:5)
This was truly the movement of God’s grace. For God had decided that the entire creation was going to be overthrown, and that it had repented Him that He had made man, for man had corrupted all things — especially himself. Man was a partaker of every corrupt thing, every wickedness according to his imagination. The very thoughts and intents of his heart was only evil continually. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, and every year only evil continually. The Lord of glory had decided . . . . the judgment was set and sure. The Lord Jesus referred to this judgment when He stated that as in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the coming of the Son of man. For when the Lord Jesus returns He will come as a refiner’s fire, He will come in judgment as He did in the days of Noah. But, we stand here, in this world, and before us is grace and truth in Jesus Christ. Even though judgment looms over the whole earth, we have One who sits upon the throne of grace looking for the Noahs of this days with grace to abound in the throne of grace. This throne is also a place of mercy, for we receive mercy at this throne; for in the Lord Jesus mercy and truth are met together. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psalm 89:14) Notice that in this wonderful verse in the Old Testament we have justice and judgment under the law, and mercy and truth met together in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. For truly, we see mercy and truth in the face of Jesus Christ.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)
In our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, we have both mercy and truth, they have kissed each other at the cross, and they have kissed in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10) This throne of grace, that has been made available to us, is a wonderful place; and He who sits on that throne (our Great High Priest) is He not wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6) This is the great invitation to every soul, He who is the fullness of God’s grace declares to all, Come unto me, and you will find rest for your soul. And once you find God’s rest, as in Hebrews, Chapter 4, then you can boldly approach the throne of grace, kneel before your Sovereign, and feel the soft touch of grace (on both your shoulders) as He ministers both mercy on one, and grace on the other. When He had purged our sins, He sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high, and then He took His place on the wonderful throne of grace.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Amen.
© Copyright 2017, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)