The Great Commission
Repentance is part of the Great Commission, the final instructions of the resurrected Lord, as recorded in Luke.
Luke 24:44 - 49
Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
Instructions to Paul
Repentance is part of Jesus' initial set of instructions to Paul.
Acts 26:14 - 20
I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Repentance Is a Foundational Principle
Hebrews 5:12, 6:1
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God;
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Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
Notes:
1. Law, Prophets, Psalms (or writings) are three major divisions of Hebrew Scriptures. All mention of Messiah must be fulfilled.
2. Jesus opened the minds of the disciples allowing them to understand the Scriptures, and then lays the foundation for what has happened and what will soon happen: it is written and it must happen.
3. Repentance and remission (meaning release and freedom as in Luke 4:18, which is Isaiah 49:8) of sins should be preached (meaning to proclaim, to announce also as in Luke 4:18). In the New Covenant a disciple is the one who "preaches". A disciple is not all "preachy" as in you should do this, you should do that from the "I'm right, you're wrong perspective"; but simply announcing: this is what has happened, these things are now true. And yes that does include, "you should now change your mind and you must now change your way."
4. There is an underlying process at work: things that are written are being fulfilled. Things stated by God to be true, but not yet visible are becoming visible. Disciples are witnesses of that awesome fact. Disciples are not under a crushing burden of being solely responsible nor are they passive observers. Disciples are participating witnesses joining in the intent of God to accomplish His plan. Words that are written down (the plan of God, reality from God's perspective), disciples are now announcing and witnessing the results.
5. We must get behind words wrapped in religious or institutional meaning: minister means servant, preach means to announce, gospel means good news.
6. Paul is sent to Gentiles to open their eyes. Eyes must be opened in order for them to turn: darkness to light; from power (authority, legal dominion) of Satan to God.
7. Jesus talked to Paul in Hebrew. Become familiar with "Hebrew-isms". Lots of indirect references to God (the prodigal son said, I've sinned against Heaven; modern observant Jews often refer not to God but to ha-shem, "the name") and His dwelling (the mountain, Zion, the city of God), lots of hinting back to Hebrew Scriptures, lots of literary parallelism.
8. Repentance is one of the first principles (elements, molecular building blocks) of the oracles (sayings) of God. It is one of the elementary teachings of Messiah: the first, one of the starting points of the word of Messiah.
B. Foundation in the Hebrew Scriptures
Ezekiel 18:30 - 32
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"
Jeremiah 18:5 - 10
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.
Notes:
1. There are two main concepts of repentance used in the Hebrew Scriptures. One refers primarily to men: to turn, to change your direction, change the way you're walking. The second is used of both God and men: to repent, to feel sorry, to sigh deeply, breathe strongly, a change of heart, a change of mind.
2. God can feel deeply sorrowful, can change His mind, and can have a change of heart. Men can feel deeply sorrowful, can change their mind, can have a change of heart. But only men must change their way.
3. God to men: repent, change your direction, change your way, turn back to me and live. God about Himself: If you turn, I will relent (repent, change my mind).
4. What does it mean for God to repent?
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Genesis 6:6
And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
The passage from Genesis indicates the Lord was sorry (the Hebrew word is repented). The Lord changed his mind? That appears contradictory given the passage from Numbers. But the wording in the book of Numbers pairs "lie" with "repent". From that perspective the verse is communicating that God does not change His mind with intent to deceive. A distinctive feature of the Hebrew Scriptures is literary or poetic parallelism: repeating the same thought twice using different words. For example, note the pattern in these five verses from Psalms 33 where the thought in the first half of the verse is repeated in the second half using different words (i.e. in verse 7 gathering water as a heap is parallel with laying up the deep in storehouses):
Psalms 33:6 - 10
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
5. God does repent. He communicates his deep sorrow over losing fellowship with man. He is grieved, is sorrowful over the loss of intimacy with his children. When men turn God communicates that His intent has changed. But He doesn't lie, intentionally try to deceive. He doesn't turn from going in a wrong direction, doesn't choose a new personal direction.
6. There is a key concept mentioned by both Ezekiel and Jeremiah: individual responsibility. In the coming day when men's hearts will change, one generation's twistedness will not be blamed on a previous generation.
Jeremiah 31:29 - 30
In those days they shall say no more: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge.' But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.
Ezekiel 18:2 - 4
"What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge'? "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. "Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.
C. Preparation for the New Covenant
Luke 1:17
It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 3:3 - 6
And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS: 'PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD; MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE FILLED AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL BROUGHT LOW; THE CROOKED PLACES SHALL BE MADE STRAIGHT AND THE ROUGH WAYS SMOOTH; AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.' "
Malachi 4:5 - 6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Isaiah 40:2 - 10
"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD's hand Double for all her sins." The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him;
Notes:
1. An angel announces to Zechariah, father of John the Baptist: you will have a son, he will fulfill the prophet Malachi, and he is the one who causes the turning to begin. Luke indicates that John is fulfilling Isaiah: the one who prepares the way.
2. John's message is to announce an act of righteousness (immerse yourself) indicating that you are turning (repentance) for forgiveness and freedom from sin. In the preparing of the way, repentance is linked with a baptism associated with the forgiveness and cleansing from sin.
3. The point of turning is to make ready a people prepared: it emphasizes a people, a body. The turning, the preparation is not just for new or variations of religious ceremonial activity. It is for the New Covenant: new hearts, new spirit, what Paul later describes as the new creation.
4. Luke's translation includes the phrase "all people will see the salvation of God". This is similar to other name of God constructs found in the Scriptures: Elohim in saving form. Reading in English, we miss the Hebrew connection to the name of Jesus. Salvation of God in Hebrew is "yeshuat Elohim". The angel tells Mary to call the baby's name Jesus (yeshua) for he will save (yoshia). As Isaiah mentions: say to the cities of Judah: behold your God, the Lord God will come with a strong hand, His arm will rule. God in saving form is on the scene.
5. The things written that had to be fulfilled: get people out into the wilderness, announce that iniquity is pardoned; the time had arrived to turn back to God. That deep sorrow over sin, the change of heart, the turning of the direction of life is as if an impassible road (as in those mountains and valleys of the Fellowship of the Ring) has become a smooth and straight highway, a straight path into the heart of God. The Glory of God is being revealed.
6. The preparing of the way is get people ready, get a prepared people together, prepare the way. One of the earliest names for these people was "The Way":
Acts 9:1 - 2
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
D. Announcing the New Covenant
Mark 1:14 - 15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
John 20:21 - 23
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Notes:
1. Jesus announced the good news of the kingdom of God. It was written, it must now happen. The way is prepared, good news is announced. Behold your God, His arm will rule. The time is now to change your heart and mind; time to change the direction of your life.
2. The time is fulfilled, a people are ready, and a people are prepared. As Paul mentions to the Galatians, "in the fullness of time God sent forth the Son." The timing of God is linked to a ready people.
3. The people who are ready, they repent and believe: turning with a change of heart toward God and believing (the eye-popping realization) in the incredible good news: even though we've offended the majesty and holiness of the Father, we are reconciled, iniquity is pardoned, God in saving form has arrived, the Ruling Arm is here.
4. As the Father sent Jesus, disciples are sent: carriers of the announcement of forgiveness and release from sin. The word of God, things that are written are being fulfilled, coming to pass in visible reality. God said "light is" and "light is".
E. Applications in Acts
Acts 2:36 - 38
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:30 - 33
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
Acts 11:15 - 18
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."
Acts 26:20
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Notes:
1. First announcement on the day of Pentecost: can you imagine the horror they felt, this Jesus you crucified is Lord and Messiah (the chosen one, the Coming One that all the Prophets were talking about). You killed him, your actions caused the most grotesque suffering imaginable. They were cut to the heart, saying what shall we do? Because they were experiencing the deep inner sorrow and remorse, there was a simple answer: repent, be baptized, and you will receive. You will receive: meaning we trust the work of the Holy Spirit. The proof is in the pudding: repentance is followed by receiving.
2. Second announcement: you murdered him. The hearers were horrified in a different way, this was a threat to the power structure.
3. God grants repentance that causes new life: not just change of direction, but permanent state of mind.
4. Men are commanded to turn but God grants repentance: paradoxical balance between the responsibility of men to exercise their will and turn and the sovereignty of God who grants repentance. For example:
2 Timothy 2:25 - 26
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
5. Paul in summary: all people should change their mind, change the direction of their life, turning to God. There are always corresponding life changes that result: works befitting repentance.
F. Different Types of Repentance
Hebrews 6:1
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
Acts 13:15 - 16, 26
And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
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"Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
Acts 14:9 - 17
This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
Acts 17:2 - 3, 6 - 7
Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
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But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king Jesus."
Acts 17:18 - 31
because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean." For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."
2 Corinthians 7:8 - 11
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication!
Isaiah 53:4 - 6
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 40:2 - 3, 6 - 9
"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned. The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
Notes:
1. People are in different places, at different starting points. Different changes of mind are required. What are we announcing to people?
2. To the Hebrews: repentance from dead works. The temple is no more, the sacrificial system is done. There is only one source for atonement.
3. To Jews and "God fearers" (Gentile pagans who have started the turn, those kinds of people starting to embrace the idea of Creator God): Jesus is Messiah, Jesus is the One, the only One.
4. To Jews and Gentiles: the resurrection of Jesus.
5. To Gentile pagans: turn from useless (empty) things to the living God. He's no longer allowing nations to walk in their own ways.
6. To Gentile pagans: the Lord of Heaven and Earth, you ought not to think the nature of God is like something shaped by man's devising.
7. To Gentile pagans: there is an appointed day of judgment. Summarized in
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
8. To all: there is a different king. Jesus is king, Jesus is the Lord.
9. To those who've become separated from communion with God, needing restoration to intimacy: godly sorrow, only a true remorse precedes a change of direction leading to change in actions.
10. To all: all have turned each to their own way. I recognize that the penalty for my selfishness (that "I am god, there is no other" nature) was placed on Jesus. It was because of my corrupt nature and twisted choices that the lamb was slain. I am included in that group that Peter announced to "you murdered Him."
11. To all: iniquity is pardoned, we are reconciled to the Lord. It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).
12. To all: All flesh is grass, the grass withers, flowers fade, but the word of the Lord stands forever. Hinted at by the prophets looking forward: when preparing the way, what shall I cry out? As the ones who continue to prepare the way, we're in the wilderness, in the desert announcing, reminding modern day practical pagans: on our best dressed days, in our most glorious accomplishments, we're only grass withering and fading away.
G. Repentance as a Permanent State of Mind
Genesis 2:25
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 3:8 - 10
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
Romans 8:8, 20 - 21
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
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For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Ephesians 3:11
according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord
Ephesians 4:22 - 24
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.
2 Corinthians 3:14 - 18, 4:3 - 6
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
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But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 25:1, 6 - 10
O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
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The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine. And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, Even the veil which is stretched over all nations. He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Philippians 3:3 - 8
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
2 Corinthians 11:3 - 4
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Revelations 21:2 - 5, 9 - 11, 22 - 23
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
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"Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.
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But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
Notes:
1. Man's original ability to enjoy unashamed and intimate communion: clothed in Glory of God, naturally and intimately aware of relationship with God.
2. The original act of disobedience broke that communion. All men now separated from the life of God, drained of the Glory, are empty. All of existence, all identity and meaning can now only be found "in the flesh" and those that are in the flesh cannot please God. Consider a giant art museum, filled with gaudy frames, with each frame self-aware and primping, but each frame is empty. Not what the Artist had in mind. The sum total is summarized in Ecclesiastes 1:2: vanity of vanities, all is vanity (emptiness).
3. All of creation is subject to corruption. Everything decays; everything rots away. The old man, all of its identity, its search for meaning, is based on the flesh only.
4. God has accomplished an eternal purpose, the plan He has always had in mind. The glorious liberty of children of God, summarized by Paul in Ephesians as all things being "gathered together into One, in Him", delivered from the bondage to corruption.
5. When you turn, when repentance is granted, a veil, a covering is lifted. With permanently unveiled faces we behold the Glory of God. Which God? Oh yes, that one, the One who spoke light into existence. He's the one who has spoken light into existence on the inside of us. It is on the mountain (Zion, the city of God, the dwelling place) that the covering is removed. The eternal purpose is accomplished, past tense. Yet there is the uncomfortable paradox of things stated in past tense, but "we do not yet see." But we can "taste the good word of God" and we can taste "the powers of the age to come."
6. The permanent state of repentance, the counting, the reckoning, the considering (coming to final conclusion in your mind) that compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus, compared to the treasure of communion with the Holy Spirit, everything else is excrement.
7. There is an initial but also a continual repentance, putting on of a renewed (young again) spirit of your mind. In the spirit of your mind, the putting on of the new creation, you are no longer a slave to sin. No longer is the deepest part of you, the deepest sense of your identity based on the emptiness of the flesh and subject to the stench of corruption.
8. Paul warns of the danger of a re-deception. The most critical danger for a believer is not false doctrine, but a re-turning, a going back again. Paul frames that as the mind becoming corrupted away from the simplicity (singleness, sincerity, generosity) and purity of Messiah.
9. The people prepared are the reward for the Lamb. The people prepared are the dwelling place of God.
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