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Purposes of the Cross
Purposes of the Cross
Purposes of the Cross
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Purposes of the Cross

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As the guests at the marriage feast at Canaan desired and
preferred the new wine provided by Christ to the old, they
were served at first, so a genuine and converted believer
desires the new life above the old, having compared the easy
yoke and the light burden of his Saviour in comparison to
the hard yoke and grievous burden of sin, the world, and
the Devil he were under in times past.

The new life must never be lived out in an old fashion or
mentality, perception, and practices, or else we are saved
but not delivered from sin, which is more or else like we are
not saved at all. I will give them a new heart, says the Lord.
The new heart is for a new life.therefore if any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5: 17).
LanguageEnglish
PublisherXlibris UK
Release dateMar 29, 2013
ISBN9781483610108
Purposes of the Cross
Author

Dr. Apostle Emmanuel Adebiyi

Dr. Apostle Emmanuel Adebiyi is the shepherd and general overseer of the glory of the latter house bible ministries international. He plants churches and delivers the word of God worldwide in all his churches through the power of the undiluted word of God. Praying daily together for Emmanuel that through the gift bestowed upon him, many may come into the perfect saving knowledge of Christ and glory might be given to God and in thanks may be given by many on his behalf.

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    Purposes of the Cross - Dr. Apostle Emmanuel Adebiyi

    Purposes of the Cross

    Dr. Apostle Emmanuel Adebiyi

    Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Apostle Emmanuel Adebiyi.

    Library of Congress Control Number:   2013904719

    ISBN:

       Hardcover   978-1-4836-1009-2

       Softcover     978-1-4836-1008-5

       Ebook         978-1-4836-1010-8

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

    Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)

    Rev. date: 03/28/2013

    To order additional copies of this book, contact:

    Xlibris Corporation

    0-800-644-6988

    www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

    Orders@xlibrispublishing.co.uk

    305537

    CONTENTS

    Dedication

    Purposes of the Cross

    Introduction

    Preface

    Chapter 1:   What Is the Cross?

    Spiritual Death—Dead in Sins

    The priority—the Kingdom first

    Chapter 2:   The Results of the Cross—Unification of Jews and Gentiles

    Results of the Cross—The Peace of the Cross

    Result of the Cross—Forgiveness of Sins

    Chapter 3:   The Effects of the Cross—Eradication of Sins

    Crucifixion with Christ—Dead to Sin

    The New Clothes

    Effects of the Cross—Freedom from the Law

    The Effects of the Cross—Physical Healing of the Body

    Effects of the Cross—the Blessings of Abraham

    Chapter 4:   The Implications of the Cross

    Danger and Destruction of a Fruitless Branch

    The Great Commission

    Baptism of Water

    Discipleship

    Three Kinds of Disciples (Luke 9: 57-62)

    The Implication of the Cross—Doctrine of the Devils

    The Doctrine of False Religion and Worship

    Doctrine of Man and Woman’s Equality

    The Implication of the Cross The Sin of Masturbation

    Purposes of the Cross

    DEDICATION

    I dedicate this book to my spiritual father in the Lord, Mr Gabriel Olusola Ola, (Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria) for his love and humility in the Lord and for his encouragements in the early days of my conversion—though I may have had thousands of instructors in the Lord, yet I have one father, for he has begotten me through the gospel.

    Also unto all my universal brethren in the Lord, brought by the shed precious blood of the Lamb, born of water and spirit baptism, who for their faith and love for Christ Jesus are persecuted, despised, ridiculed, reproached, tormented, afflicted, marginalised, kidnapped, and murdered by the cold-blooded ignorant murderers fighting religious wars around the globe!

    As at present, it may be painful and sorrowful, but yet it shall turn to a great cause of joy afterward to suffer for his name’s sake and to die for the cause of Christ.

    And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held;

    And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

    And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Rev. 6: 10–11)

    This is the blessed assurance of your election and an open heaven of a heroic reception to them who were so used… . (Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time has come that judgement must begin at the house of God; and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that do not obey the gospel of God? And if the righteous are scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinners appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful creator (1 Pet. 4: 12–19).

    The scriptures cannot be broken.

    The children born after the flesh are persecuting them which are born after the spirit.

    Yea the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

    And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me (John 16: 1-3).

    What a religious error of eternal regrets and consequences, for no murderer shall inherit the kingdom of God, those that kills by the sword of men, shall die and perish by divine sword of eternal vengeance!

    Thanks to the Lord for all my spiritual children at Montpellier and Toulouse churches in France for their moral, physical, and spiritual support in all my trials and sufferings when I was indeed burdened as an apostle of Christ for their love of the truth and their encouragement for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ-knowing beloved, your election of God.

    PURPOSES OF THE CROSS

    A s God took the Israelites out of Egypt through the wilderness to the Promised Land, to prove and to know what was in their hearts, and as Jesus was led by the spirit of God into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil, so must we be taken to the wilderness by the spirit of God to be formed, broken, tested, proved, humbled, and empowered.

    The wilderness is a place of self—humility to divine exaltation.

    It is a place of sufferings to glory.

    It is a place of brokenness where the heaven is closed over you for some time, when it seems God is not there and is silent, preparing you for an open heaven, greater harvest, and fruitfulness.

    It is the place of trail for spiritual promotion and glorification.

    It is the place of desolation and isolation, preparing you to come out as the father and mother of many nations.

    It is the place of want and hunger, preparing you for abundance and surplus.

    It is the place of loneliness to attract the services of the ministering spirit.

    It is a place where your identity is tempted and authenticated as a child of God.

    It is the place where your love for God is tempted: if you would serve God alone or him and mammon.

    It is a dry place, where you are meant to be filled and anointed with the Holy Ghost and power for service.

    The wilderness experience requires your total submission and humility under the mighty hand of God so that he might lift you up in due course… the only determinant factor is if you’re coming out of your wilderness experience on time or not, just as the Israelites prolonged their forty days’ journey to forty years in their wilderness experience.

    Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days and nights, and he learnt obedience by the things he suffered, while the Israelites in the wilderness became more rebellious and faithless in the things they suffered and prolonged their forty days’ journey to forty years by their rebellious and faithless spirit!

    Be careful of the gospel of pleasure and convenience circulating in the world and churches today… such is the gospel of death and perdition, the gospel of the broad way and wide gate… if you received another gospel which we have not preached, you might as well bear with them.

    We must all bear our cross and pass through the rod, not the rod of the wicked, but of God.

    It is the rod of divine chastening upon every son and daughter loved and received by the Lord.

    It is the rod of wisdom. Rod and reproof bring wisdom, but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame (Prov. 29: 15) Such a rod is meant for redress and keeps one walking straight.

    . . . and I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bound of covenant.

    (Ezek. 20: 37)

    INTRODUCTION

    T he purpose of the cross is to clarify and deepen our understanding and knowledge on the completeness of redemptive work and the incomprehensible power of Christ’s love to lay down his life for us.

    And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3;19.

    Yet, we know it and believe in the love that the Father and his Son have for us by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, in the union that we share with them through the fellowship of the spirit in the comfort of that love for the accomplishment of that which both have begun in the redeemed… namely, the plan and execution of our great and precious salvation.

    And he that comes to me shall in wise be cast out. No man can come to me, except the Father draw him . . . And I give them eternal life, they shall never perish, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand, for my Father which gave them unto me is greater than all. John 6; 37, 44. John10; 28.

    This is all about Christ, the purposes of his cross, and the simplicity in him for better understanding of the necessity of his death, the pleasures of God and the usefulness thereof; the believer’s benefits of discovering the profoundness of the purposes of it, lest Satan should gain advantage over us, for we are not ignorant of his devises.

    Grace must not be received in vain.

    Man must not fall from it again as he did in the garden.

    The benefits and blessings of the cross are for all and sundry, believers and unbelievers alike, just as the profit of the earth is for all…

    Believers must live out its purposes in the truest means and greatest pursuits or goal for divine accomplishment of their destinies in preparation and their worthiness for the incomparable, undefiled, indescribable glory awaiting us in heaven.

    Perfect and sound knowledge of the purposes of the cross shall stir us to greater desire for absolute commitment, pursuit, and longings, to increase daily in the love and power of conformity to Christ’s death.

    That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (in living the crucified life) Phil. 3: 10.

    If our delights and longings are in the increasing knowledge of the risen Lord until he be formed in us, or till we attain the fullness of the measure of the statutes of Christ, then shall the glory of his resurrection be increasingly, immeasurably glowing and shining through us as we joyfully bear his reproach in the world. The reproach of Christ is the testimony of believer’s salvation, the revelation of his glory and presence in his patience waiting for Christ, by the transformation wrought by the spirit of God within him… . if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. 2 Timothy 2;12.

    Conformity to Christ’s death is the total denial of the flesh and its lusts, death to the world with its pleasures, passions, and appeals. It is a life in the Spirit that transcends the knowledge and understanding of the natural man and carnal mind, counting it strange that you are not living to fulfil the animalistic nature like those of the world any longer.

    Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you; who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Pet. 4: 4–6.

    The glory of the risen Lord is not a terrestrial or earthly glory.

    The celestial–heavenly glory is the greatest, greater than any passing earthly or other glories.

    It is the glory from, and of the only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth.

    It is an enduring spiritual glory of eternal values… the glory of the Lord shall endure forever.

    Such glory that can be found in the life of an individual purchased by the blood of the Lamb with an upright conversation… hoary hair is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness (Prov. 16: 31).

    Such glory portrays Christ’s image and makes his name highly set in your life as your lifestyle and the Word is bringing many souls into the kingdom and drawing men’s consciences closer to God, provoking them to love him.

    It is such a glory in your tribulation and distresses, when you are falsely accused, such love and endurance in the Lord that has made you a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men . . . If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rested upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Pet. 4: 14)

    Such is the glory of the latter house in the fullness of walking in the Holy Spirit which renders your spiritual personality in Christ irresistible (no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life) and blameless, sons and daughters of the kingdom of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as light in the world.

    We must come to that perfect understanding and personal conviction and demonstration in our daily practical life that everything about the believer’s life is from the cross, by the cross, and for the cross… anything short of it is vanity and meaningless.

    The cross is the knowledge of the only true God in the promise of eternal life which is in Jesus Christ whom he has sent. John 17; 3.

    The purpose of the cross is to remind us of our beginning, past, present, and eternal future of rest with God in Christ Jesus in his Father’s house where there are many mansions.

    The babes in the Lord, who have just come to the Bishop and Shepherd of their souls, shall find the purpose of the cross edifying, comforting, challenging, and compelling.

    It is meant to prepare and draw them for higher heights of fellowship of Christ’s suffering by denying self and living unto Christ who died for us and rose again.

    For the uncircumcised and undecided in heart, alienated from the life of God, blinded to the beauties and the glory of the Lord, neither as of now tasted of his sweetness and goodness, the purpose of the cross is an eye-opener and whistle-blower to help bring them to the full understanding, consciousness, and necessity of Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.

    A simple and clear message signalling and preparing us for eternity: repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

    For the unstable in the Word, slothful in the Kingdom, and the broad-way Christians, the purpose of the cross is a reminder of Christ’s sacrificial, non-conforming to worldly lifestyle which we must emulate to live for at all times.

    For Christ to sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate, we must go forth therefore unto him without the camp, (outside the system, non-conforming to the world) bearing his reproach; for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13; 12-13.

    For the upright in the way and straight gate seekers, the purpose of the cross is a reminder of the source of our salvation, power, exaltation, glorification, sanctification, justification, present and future inheritance… of the recompense of reward in all the comfort of the scriptures, in the comfort of Christ and of the Father, in all our trials and tribulations which we endured as we are approaching the end of the goal set before us, for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed, as the hope of our future reunion with Christ brightens each day in the hope of eternal life and the glory which shall be revealed in us at his appearing and Kingdom.

    Dr Apostle Emmanuel Adebiyi

    PREFACE

    T he cross is a divine project of eternal values and duration.

    Its deliberations, coordination, and resources were from eternity by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, decree of the watchers, and the demand by the Word of the Most High.

    It is written of Christ to suffer and die, to rise from the dead on the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning in Jerusalem—known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world—forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Pet. 1: 18–20).

    As the debt of our sin was paid and atoned for on the account, virtue, and merit of Christ’s death by the preciousness of the price paid through his blood on the cross of Calvary, the believer becomes an heir in the inheritance of the saints in light—inheritor of spiritual, physical, and eternal blessings in Christ Jesus–all in Christ alone. He is now the blessed of his Lord—the curse is broken, removed, and has been replaced by manifold blessings.

    Exceedingly great and precious promises, provisions, and privileges of an abundant life and manifold spiritual, physical, material, and other blessings are now his in Christ Jesus!

    What an inestimable exchange and demonstration of divine love as Christ has in love to our souls delivered it from the pit of corruption (second death)! (Isa. 38: 17).

    The cross of Christ becomes non-negotiable for the redemption and salvation of humankind from the inherited corruption resulting from Adam’s sin and its consequence(s).

    By the disobedience of one (Adam), many were made sinners, and death passed upon all (for the wages of sin is death). In him (Adam), we were all dead in sin (spiritual death), but in Christ, all that believed were freed from sin and made alive unto God.

    Thus by the obedience of one (even Christ) and faith of him many were made righteous, sanctified, and justified unto eternal life—Christ as our second Adam is the quickening spirit and the life-giver.

    The inestimable eternal worth and value of Christ’s cross demands on believers to ‘die to self’ or ‘suffer the flesh’ so as not to diminish or depreciate the purpose, power, and value of the price paid for their redemption—not trampling the Saviour underfoot and counted the flowing fountain that sanctified them an unholy thing—the precious life and blood of the Lamb of God.

    The cross of Christ has its positive and negative effects.

    Its implications are grave, with terrible consequences on those who are walking contrary to the purposes of it… negligent, slothful, careless, obstinate, sinful, and total backsliders (once saved, but drawn back; see Hebrews 10: 38).

    On the day of visitation when the Lord shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in the saints, and to be admired in all them that believe! (2 Thess. 1: 7–10).

    Believers are called to be saints but not all are living as saints. Not all believers are holy in all manner of conversation as he who has called us is holy.

    Many are workers of iniquities, despising and frustrating the spirit of grace with their wilful or deliberate sins.

    The final possession of Christ’s kingdom and glory, identification and glorification with him depends on a sanctified life in the body, soul, and spirit and in our total freedom and victory from the pollutions of the world and lusts of the flesh, for many were called, but few shall be chosen.

    Christ’s substitution and sacrificial death meant to deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father (Gal. 1: 4) requires that the believers on their own part be like-minded and crucified to the world and flesh.

    If Christ died to deliver us from this present evil world, we must also die or be crucified to the world for the purposes of the cross to be made manifest and realised in us.

    This is the price in our pilgrimage and warfare, if we are hoping to triumph over the world, self, and sin.

    Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the gentiles; that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Pet. 2: 11–12)

    This is the only way the believer can constantly walk free and fearless from the strife of tongues, reproach of the heathen, and the desolation of the wicked when it comes.

    Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing. (Eccles. 8: 5)

    They ought to walk blamelessly and undefiled in the way against the reproach of the heathen and the accusation and wrath of the old serpent—the accuser of the brethren, Satan.

    It is the only way to walk worthy of our vocation.

    It is the only way we can be counted worthy of our calling into eternal joy and glory.

    We, being purchased and marked by the blood of the Lamb, must establish and confirm our election with the testimony of our profession in the transparency of our steadfastness in the everyday renewal of our mind and newness of walk.

    My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. (Job 27: 6)

    The Devil abhors and detests to be reminded of the place of the skull (Golgotha) where his head was bruised by our Lord Jesus Christ.

    It was such a decisive place of fulfilled justice, judgements, and divine vengeance prophesied by God in the Garden of Eden against the old serpent in man’s favour, the vengeance against his subtlety in the garden.

    It was commonly believed and a tradition that Christ was crucified where Adam was buried and where his skull was found and there the serpent head was spiritually bruised. It was likely possible but with no biblical proof to establish it.

    It was just as when God prophesied to avenge Naboth’s blood by directing the dogs to lick the blood of the cruel and wicked Ahab in the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, who was killed by Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 21: 17–19).

    And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

    And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

    And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.00

    And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read book, neither to look thereon.

    And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof.

    And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

    And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

    And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors’, which are the prayers of saints.

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue and people and nation;

    And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on earth.

    And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and strength and honor, and glory, and blessing.

    And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

    And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever. ( Rev. 5)

    Here, we see the revelatory narration of redemption, the impossibility, powerlessness, and illegibility of any terrestrial, celestial, or marine creature to meet the need, fulfil the responsibilities and conditions of our salvation.

    There was no ability worthy in any creature to take up the challenge to open the book and to loose the seals thereof.

    And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold; therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me, and my fury, it upheld me. (Isa. 63: 5)

    If any must be counted worthy and qualified to take the book and open the seals, his blood must be pure and sinless as the price of redemption!

    Who was that man not sharpened in iniquity and whose mother conceived not in sin?

    Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean, from a man who drinks sins as water?

    Who can bring a new creature out of an old man in who dwells no good thing?

    It cost Christ’s righteous life for our sins (to condemn sin in our flesh) and his death for our life to purchase us by his unblemished blood—a deal called the blood of eternal covenant.

    Thus we learnt about the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of everlasting covenant (Heb.13: 20).

    First, this scripture shows that there was a covenant agreement between God and our Lord Jesus in the blood of everlasting covenant for the redemption of the transgressors—fallen Adam’s race.

    Secondly, it was a covenant made with Christ as the head of his people.

    For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

    For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

    And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, behold I and the children which God hath given me . . . For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

    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. (Heb. 2: 10–17)

    Thirdly, Christ performed and fulfilled the condition of the covenant. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19: 30).

    Fourthly, it was in fulfilment of covenant purpose that God raised Christ from the dead.

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer your Holy One to see corruption. (Psa. 6: 10)

    Christ knew that he shall be raised from the dead by the Father on the third day.

    Then answered the Jews and said unto him, what sign showeth thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the Scriptures, and the word which Jesus had said. (Matt. 12: 40; John 2: 18–22)

    Fifthly, Christ’s blood was the ground on which all the saints in him were delivered from the slavery of sin, prison, and dominion of Satan.

    As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. (Zech. 9: 11)

    Sin is a spiritual chain, prison, and enslavement; only Christ (John 8: 36) can set us free from its power, dominion, and destruction, the strongest above the strongmen.

    His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. (Prov. 5: 22)

    Sin is the ground of the enemy’s claim over the life and soul of the unrepentant sinner. We are servants to whom we obey, either of sin (slavery to Satan) unto death or of obedience (freeman in Christ) unto eternal life.

    But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth, for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. (Isa. 42: 22)

    Thus Christ came to proclaim liberty to the captives from the prison of sin, of satanic and demonic enslavement and oppression.

    He opened the door of the prison to them that are bound and gave his blood as a bond price for the seal of authenticity.

    For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matt. 26: 28)

    Sixthly, from henceforth, the redeemed are divinely assured of their complete redemption and salvation.

    I give them eternal life, they shall never perish; neither shall any man shall pluck them out of my hand; My Father, which gave them me is greater than all. John 10;28.

    Not only did Christ pay the full price of redemption, he made provision to preserve the purchased possession till the end.

    Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for themNow unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Isa. 53: 12; Heb.

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