REDEMPTION FROM BEGINNING TO END

By David Riggs

Intro.
   A. The Bible declares the development of man's redemption from its
      beginning to its end.
   B. The scriptures reveal a complete, marvelous plan by which
      redemption is worked out step by step.
   A. God's plan was formed before the world was created.
      1. The Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. Rev.
         13:8; 1 Pet. 1:19-20
      2. It was planned before time began. 2 Tim. 1:9
      3. God planned to choose those "in Christ" before the
         foundation of the world. Eph. 1:4
      4. The church was part of God's eternal purpose. Eph. 3:10-11.
      5. Heaven itself was prepared before the foundation of the
         world. Matt. 25:34
      6. God's plan is described as the mystery which is now
         revealed. Matt. 13:34-35; Rom. 16:25-27

I. FROM THE BEGINNING, MAN HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING GOD'S    
   LAWS.
   A. From the very first, man was told what to do and what not to   
      do.
      Gen. 2:16-17.
   B. The consequences of man's disobedience was far-reaching.
      1. Upon Adam, and all men to follow, it brought fear, pain,
         grief in work, a returning to the dust, and separation from
         the tree of life. Gen. 3:17-19, 22-24
   C. In Noah's time, it brought destruction of all but eight souls. 
      Gen. 6:13; 8:21
   D. The generations of Noah's sons at Babel showed the continual
      failure of men to obey God.
      1. They were commanded to be fruitful, and multiply, and fill
         the earth, but they sought to never be scattered from each
         other.
      2. God confused their language so that they would begin to do
         as He ordained.

II. IN SPECIAL PROMISES TO THE FATHERS, GOD BEGAN TO REVEAL HIS PLAN.
   A. He promised to bring forth a great nation from Abraham.
      1. He promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's seed. Gen.
         12:6-7.
      2. First, they had to sojourn in a foreign land for 400 years.
         Gen. 15:12-16
         a. When they were in Egypt, God multiplied their numbers
            exceedingly.
         b. They finally received the land in Joshua's day. Joshua
            21:43-45
   B. God promised to bless all families of the earth through        
      Abraham. Gen. 12:3; 22:18
      1. This was the gospel preached beforehand to Abraham. Gal.
         3:8-9
      2. The "seed" by which all nations would be blessed is Christ.
         Gal. 3:16

III.  GOD MADE A SPECIAL COVENANT AT MOUNT SINAI. Deut. 5:2-3
   A. This covenant and law was made only with Israel.
   B. Israel's covenant served several purposes:
      1. To sanctify Israel as God's chosen people. Deut. 7:6
      2. To teach men the horribleness of sin. Rom. 7:13
         a. Israel's experience with the law demonstrates clearly the
            need for redemption from sin.
         b. Israel was monument to the futility of redemption by the
            works alone.
   C. As a nation, Israel survived only by God's grace.
      1. God raised up judges to deliver them from oppressors.
         Judges 2:8-23.
      2. Later, they asked for a king who would go out and fight     
         their battles. 1 Sam. 8:4-20
      3. Their kings could not save them from apostasy and captivity.
         a. God sent many prophets, but they would not heed them.
            2 Chron. 36:15-16
      4. Israel's glory as a nation would be lost, but their prophets
         spoke of a greater glory which was to come.

IV. GOD CONTINUED TO WORK OUT HIS PLAN.
   A. He repeated His promise to king David. 2 Sam. 7:12-13
      1. Jesus would be given the throne of His father David. Luke
         1:31-33
      2. Though the son of David, He would be called David's Lord.
         Psalm 110:1; Matt. 22:41-45
   B. He would set up a kingdom which would be different from other
      kingdoms. Dan. 2:44; Heb. 12:28
   C. There would be a new covenant which would be far superior to
      the first one. Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:6-13
   D. While they mourned the rebuilt temple's lack of splendor, God
      promised that its greatest glory lay ahead. Ezra 3:12; Hag.    
      2:2-9

V. IN THE "FULNESS OF TIME" CHRIST CAME. Gal. 4:4-5
   A. He came to fulfill of the law and the prophets. Matt. 5:17-18
      1. He came to bring redemption and salvation. Luke 2:28-32,38
      2. He preached good tidings to the meek. Luke 4:18; Isa. 61:1.
      3. God was laying in Zion the chief corner stone, who would be
         rejected, crucified, and raised from the dead. Isa. 28:16;
         Matt. 21:42
   B. In Christ we have come to the "last days."
      1. God spoke in various ways in the past, but now speaks
         through His Son. Heb. 1:1-2
      2. Christ speaks through His chosen witnesses. Acts 1:8
         a. Through their writings they witness to us today. 1 John
            1:1-4
      3. The salvation promised through the prophets can now be
         received in the name of Jesus Christ.

VI. GOD'S PLAN IS TO EVENTUALLY GLORIFY THE RIGHTEOUS. Rom. 8:29-30
   A. Jesus had gone to prepare a place for the faithful. John 14:1-3
      1. He wills that they may behold His glory. John 17:24
      2. A city has been prepared. Heb. 11:16
   B. The sons of God await the redemption of the body. Rom. 8:20-25
      1. There is coming a day when all who are in the graves will
         hear His voice and come forth. John 5:28-29
      2. At that time, the righteous will be changed into eternal    
         glory. 1 Cor. 15:52-53

Concl.
   A. Thus, from its beginning to its end, the Bible reveals God's   
      plan of redemption.
      1. From sin comes fear, pain, sorrow, bodily corruption, and
         the loss of the tree of life.
      2. Through Christ comes freedom, forgiveness, salvation,
         redemption, and eternal life.
   B. How about you? Have you taken part in what God has provided?
      1. Have you been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?
      2. If not, why not obey the gospel now?