Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The Lord promised to send the
rains to water the newly planted crops of the children of Israel
and then to finish their crops as they neared the time of harvest
according to their obedience to the requirements of the law.
This was a conditional blessing which was given to Israel under
the covenant of law. Because of the weakness of their
flesh, they experienced many times of famine when it rained
not upon the earth. This rain was often withheld
and their crops withered as their hearts grew cold and their disobedience
was manifested. Hosea also speaks of an early
and latter rain. Yet the rain of which he speaks
is not one of nature, which falls from the clouds and would nourish
a natural crop. Rather, he speaks prophetically
of the outpouring of a rain, which was not predicated upon
the obedience of those to whom it was given. This rain of which
he speaks does not produce a blessing, but is the very blessing itself.
The blessing of the Lord's people was given to them in Christ by
a promise, which preceded the giving of the law. The law was
added in order to demonstrate to the children of promise the
utter impossibility of their gaining any blessing from God
on the basis of their own righteousness. Paul said, for if the inheritance
be of the law, it is no more of promise, but God gave it to
Abraham by promise. He goes on to say that this promise
was made to Christ, who is the seed of promise, and that those
who are hidden in Him are the recipients of this manifest promise,
based upon the redemptive work which He has performed for them
as their substitute and elder brother. And this is the promise
that He hath promised us, even eternal life. And this is the
record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life
is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life,
and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Only those
who are found in Christ are the recipients of this life, and
this life is manifested by the work of the Spirit in making
them new creatures. Therefore, if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold,
all things are become new. A man cannot inherit the kingdom
of God by mere natural birth, but must experience a supernatural
work of the Holy Ghost to give him eternal life. This is the
early rain which comes upon the sons of God at the planting of
the seed in them by the power of the Holy Ghost. The natural
man cannot receive spiritual things. Flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned. Therefore it is necessary
that he be made alive in order to enter into this kingdom, which
is not one of flesh and blood. And you hath he quickened, who
were dead in trespasses and sins. Therefore we are quite certain
that natural men cannot embrace the eternal truths of God, nor
enter into his righteousness by any power which they possess.
This very truth overturns the religions of men, which are all
built upon the free will of men. Apart from a supernatural work
of God in a man by his free and sovereign grace, it is impossible
that any man could possibly approach the throne of God. Though the
born-again sons of God do presently enjoy the life of Christ which
is given to them, they have this treasure in an earthen vessel,
which is both mortal and corruptible, and consequently temporary. Therefore
they are given the promise which can be likened to the latter
rain, which is the hope of the resurrection and the life in
a body which is spiritual and not susceptible to sin and consequently
decay. Just as the Israelites of old
planted their seeds and waited upon the Lord to water the ground
and bring forth the full kernel in the ear, so do the sons of
God wait with expectation upon that latter rain, which causes
that seed which is cast into the ground to bring forth fruit
unto everlasting life. There are many today who teach
that all men have eternal life, since it is quite common to hear
men speak of man as having an immortal soul which cannot die.
This concept cannot be found in the scriptures, and its basis
is at the root of Satan's very first lie to Eve, ye shall not
surely die. The Lord gave this warning, fear
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. There is an everlasting destruction
in the fiery pit of hell for those who are the enemies of
Christ and not numbered among those he has loved with an everlasting
love. of everlasting life is given only to those who are made
one with Christ in the present time, and who groan and prevail,
having the firstfruits of the Spirit. As thou hast given him
power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as
many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that
they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent. And I give unto them eternal
life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them
out of my hand. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.