Least Of All The Saints

 
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 3:8-10 ESV

Paul confidently declares that he is the least of all the saints and holds no false humility. He acknowledges his past participation in the arrest and death of many Christians before he met Jesus, and he bears the weight of this debt on their behalf. He also recognizes the significant burden of his call and revelations to carry the gospel to the disinherited nations from the time of the tower of Babel. But Paul rises to the challenge with unwavering determination and fortitude. He will fulfill the call of Christ, come what may.

Paul is reaching out to the Gentiles in various nations surrounding Israel. These nations were previously punished by God during the time of Nimrod, the ruler of Babel. God punished them because of their pride and their attempt to become like God by building a tower up to heaven. At that time, these people all spoke the same language. As a result of their disobedience, God mixed up their languages, so they could not understand each other. Many of these people dispersed and went to different lands to start their own tribes and families, eventually becoming the seventy nations to which Paul is now preaching the gospel.

Paul speaks of the "unsearchable riches of Christ," which can also be understood as "incomprehensible riches of Christ." These riches exceed our natural understanding. We cannot fully comprehend the power and majesty of Christ, no matter how much we try. These are the riches that Paul refers to. The magnitude of Christ's beauty and power is beyond our imagination. As Isaiah 64:4 ESV says, "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."

The plan of God was truly remarkable as it was hidden in plain sight. There were many references to Christ in the Old Testament, but the plan was not spelled out clearly. It was scattered throughout the Torah and the prophets in bits and pieces. I personally believe that this was done to conceal this information from the principalities and powers, giving the Church time to build and assemble. Even Satan, the accuser, was unaware of the plan in its entirety. As stated in Proverbs 25:2 ESV, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." We are kings and priests unto God and his Father. It's important to remember that we have all been offered the same redemption package, and there is no "one-upmanship" to be had here. We have all been redeemed through the blood of Christ, and it is up to us to respond to God's call. Once we acknowledge God's pursuit of us, and receive His powerful gift, we can rest in the knowledge that He has completed the necessary work to save us. We can stand (or rest) in the finished work of that salvation.

Paul goes on to say that the plan or ‘mystery’ (is a matter to the knowledge of which initiation is necessary) so that the Church might NOW reveal the infinite wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  Why would God do this? And why now? I believe it was time-sensitive, if the plan were revealed too early, there would be too many sons of God who would have attempted to undo the plan and take out the Church.

Do keep in mind that God created ALL things for His glory, there is not one thing that escapes His gaze. “For all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son, and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:16-20 NET

When Satan was cast down to earth, he had the desire to rule over all of mankind. However, God had already declared that man was to be the ruler of the earth. Satan's only option was to submit to mankind. Instead, driven by his pride and accusing nature, Satan chose to deceive mankind by causing them to doubt the word of God. This led to the loss of mankind's innocence before God and introduced them to the knowledge of good and evil. Satan had succeeded in getting back at God by attempting to destroy God’s creation in mankind, by bringing them under his rulership and power, and introducing death to the world. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15 ESV

In addition to Satan, there were other threats, such as the sons of God who were appointed over the seventy nations as punishment. They, too, rebelled against God and sought their own way. The Bible states in Psalm 82:1-2 ESV, "God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 'How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?'"

Paul writes about the church's role in revealing God's ultimate plan and purpose on earth to the principalities and powers. The church is meant to be a part of God’s divine council, replacing the rebellious sons of God on earth. The church will rule and reign with Christ on earth as co-regents and demonstrate true righteousness and judgment through Christ Jesus. Were you ever wondering about the purpose of the Church in the world? There it is.

Stephen Barnett

I Was Made A Minister

 
“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.” 

Ephesians 3:7 ESV

There is not even a whiff of Paul taking credit for him becoming a minister for Christ. He states that “he was made a minister.” God’s work in Paul made him what he was to become, not the brilliance of Paul’s background as a Pharisee taught by Gamaliel the Elder according to Acts 22:3.  Gamaliel was himself a Pharisee in the tradition of the great Hillel.  A generation before Christ there were two great rabbis, Hillel and Shammai.  While this is a generalization, many of the rabbinic debates of the first century come down to the opinion of Hillel versus Shammai.  With respect to Hellenism, Hillel was more open to Hellenism than Shammai and was therefore more open to cooperation with the Romans.

Evidence for this more accommodating opinion is found in the book of Acts. Gamaliel is reported to have offered somewhat lenient advice concerning the early preaching of the apostles in Acts 5:34-39.  Basically, he said that if the movement is from God then it cannot be stopped, if it is not then it will not succeed. Gamaliel is reflecting the Hillel tradition of non-violence and allowing God to deal with parties that were against the Jews (Polhill, Paul and His Letters, 31).

Saul, or later called Paul after his conversion, met Christ on his way to Damascus. Scripture indicates that Paul was thrown from his horse and fell to the ground after a great light surround him, and a voice spoke out of the light “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. Acts 9:4-8

A follower named Ananias lived in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision. Ananias answered, “Lord, here I am.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. When you get there, you will find a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. Saul is praying, and he has seen a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to him and putting his hands on him, so he could see again.”  Acts 9:10-12 CEV

From the beginning of his service to the Lord, Saul was met with one supernatural encounter after another, thereby proving to Saul that Jesus was more than just a man, He was a divine being who had a mission for Saul to accomplish. “Ananias replied, “Lord, a lot of people have told me about the terrible things this man has done to your followers in Jerusalem. Now the chief priests have given him the power to come here and arrest anyone who worships in your name.”  The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name.” Acts 9:13-16 CEV

“Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized”. Acts 9: 17-18 CEV

It is important to understand the significance of Paul's commissioning by Jesus. It was not an ordinary initiation into the Way, as it was called during Paul's time. Every aspect of his calling was designed to emphasize that Paul had no role in it other than to obey. Despite his extensive training in the law and the prophets under one of the most learned teachers in the Pharisaic tradition, it was not enough for his salvation, or anyone else's. Paul encountered Jesus, the very person he had been persecuting, and Jesus responded with mercy and grace, revealing His authority over the entire world and every individual within it.

As Paul was approaching Damascus, he experienced the mighty power of Jesus, which completely changed his life. His life's purpose was transformed into a beautiful mosaic of Christ's plan. Jesus had told Ananias that Paul would spread the word of Christ to foreigners and kings, which is exactly what he did. We are the beneficiaries of that mission today.

As a last thought, Jesus also told Ananias that Paul would suffer much in the name of Jesus. Paul did suffer greatly, but he considered it an honor to suffer for Christ. “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?”

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”       2 Corinthians 11:23-30 CEV

Stephen Barnett

A Dwelling Place For God

 “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”   Ephesians 2:22

The final verse in Ephesians 2 is packed with meaning. But what does it mean when it says "dwelling place of God"? Many of us have been taught that God resides in a supernatural place far from Earth, where He conducts His business. But is God really like a corporate business magnate, living in an ivory tower and only giving out orders to His minions? This portrayal of God is unfortunately common.

God appeared to Moses through a burning bush and delivered the law. Mount Sinai was also where Elijah found refuge in a cave and God spoke (or whispered) to him to encourage him. These two motifs depict the divine locations where God chose to reveal Himself to man. Some people believe that God is dispassionate, aloof, and unconcerned about human affairs or the state of the world. Nothing could be further from the truth found in Scripture. Let us take a deep dive together and explore where God lives and why He chooses to live there.

The Old Testament presents two powerful metaphors that shed light on the sacred spaces where God chose to reveal Himself to humanity. The first metaphor is the Garden of Eden, a vibrant and abundant space teeming with life, water, trees, and fruits. The second metaphor is the towering mountain of Sinai, the places where God resides.

God's choice of a garden was not a coincidence. The garden represented us, with the flowing water, the trees, and the fruits all symbolizing various aspects of life. The water represented the mercy and grace of God flowing through us to water the earth with the flow of God's spirit. The trees, especially the Tree of Life, brought life and immortality when connected to it. The fruits represented new life growing in us and the sweetness of the spirit, the very nature and image of God Himself. God walked in the garden in the cool of the evening, communing with His creation, relishing, and taking joy in all He had made. The garden was a sacred space for God's purposes alone, reminding us of the beauty and importance of God's creation and His connection to it.

Mount Sinai, a high mountain, was the chosen place where God revealed Himself in a new way when building a nation. God chose Moses, a reluctant servant but fully trained in the ways and practices of Egypt, to lead the Jews out of bondage. Despite being a Jew by heritage, Moses was an Egyptian through and through, having witnessed the Jews' sufferings under the heavy hand of the Pharaohs. God revealed to Moses that the Jews were a chosen nation, and he was the one to lead them. With Israel's population growing, they needed a leader, and Moses was to be their guide in the ways of God. Moses' commissioning began on Mount Sinai, where God revealed His purposes for this new nation. Moses' return to Egypt marked the beginning of the realization of God's plans.

God's creation of a people is much like his creation of a garden. However, instead of just a garden, he also used a mountain as a metaphor for his people. The mountain also represents strength and stability, constantly reaching higher towards God's abode. It serves as a symbol of an eternal progression toward the divine. Both the garden and the mountain are depictions of divine origins and purposes, The mountain and the garden stand out for their unique character and composition.

When Paul had a revelation that the metaphors were not just referring to gardens or mountains but rather representing something more profound, it was like a lightning bolt from the sky. He saw that these metaphors pointed towards the place where God wished to reside - the human heart. But the human heart is known to be deceitful and desperately wicked. Therefore, God chose to become human to demonstrate that we can come to Him through the sacrifice He made on the cross and the victory He won over the deceiver, thus making us His sacred space just by loyally believing Him. This transaction came at a tremendous cost and with great suffering, but God was glad to do it. He knew that we were His family and needed His intervention to bring us home.

We are God's sacred space where He resides. This is true for all of us. Together, we have become a steadfast and unwavering mountain of the Lord, majestic and beautiful in our own right. Our well-watered garden is also where the Lord abides. Our roots go deep into the soil of His word, like strong trees planted by flowing streams of water. We bear the fruit of the spirit in due season.

Let's remember that we are all part of this sacred space and that our strength and beauty come from the collective faith of Christ. As we root ourselves in God's word, we will continue to bear the fruits of the spirit and inspire others to do the same.

May we all remain steadfast and unwavering in this faith, and may God continue to connect with us by the Holy Spirit and make us one body, together as a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. A garden and a mountain that all may come and taste and see that the Lord is good.

Stephen Barnett

You Are No Longer Strangers

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21 ESV

In his teachings, Paul reminds us that we are no longer strangers or sojourners, but rather are a part of God's kingdom. There was a time when we were all strangers, and all of the nations, except for God's allotted portion, Israel, were considered definite strangers. The Deuteronomy 32:8-9 worldview records this fact. However, through Christ Jesus, all of the disinherited nations are not only welcomed but embraced back into God's favor, and we now have a place in the kingdom of God as His sons and daughters. This profound act of redemption and acceptance revealed to us in the fullness of time, should evoke a sense of hope and joy in our hearts.

I can only imagine the fear and hopelessness that the people of dispossessed nations must have felt when the rebellious sons of God were ruling them. These nations practiced ritualistic hedonism and, at the other extreme, child sacrifices. The people were only trying to balance life and spirituality with divine beings who were, at best, unkind and wicked in their treatment of the populace.

What fantastic news that the Most High God has provided a way for people to return to His loving arms and escape the grip of their evil taskmasters. The scriptures reveal that after the death of Jesus on the cross, he descended into hell and set all the captives free. “Therefore, it says, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:8-10 ESV

This served as notice to the principalities and powers in charge of the dispossessed nations that their reign was over, and a new King had arisen to take charge and reign over all, and His name is Jesus. What an opportunity to embrace God's love and forgiveness and leave behind the chains of bondage of these foreign gods. The people visiting Jerusalem during the Pentecost celebration received this message with joy and gladness, to finally be free from the gods of this world and serve the God of heaven freely. “Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Acts 2:5-11 ESV

Being a Christian means being a part of God's family and connecting with other believers through Jesus's sacrifice. It's not about our skills or experience; these things are secondary to the foundation of our relationships with God and each other. Paul highlights the crucial role of the teaching of the apostles and prophets in strengthening and building connections between our fellow brothers and sisters. As members of this household of faith, we are called to cultivate and nurture these relationships with diligence and care.

Paul drew a powerful analogy, likening our strong connections with one another to a resilient building that can weather even the most ferocious storms with grace and determination. This building is not just any structure but a holy temple, where Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and each block is perfectly fitted in place on top of an unbreakable foundation.

Just as a building is only as strong as its foundation, with Christ as our foundation, we cannot fail, and so too our connections with each other. By maintaining these connections with love, care, and attention, we can build an unshakable community in the face of adversity. Together in Christ, we have a foundation of strength and stability that will endure to build His kingdom in our lives and the lives of future generations. We are the temple of God; Christ is in all things.

Stephen Barnett 

All-Access Peace

“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”  Ephesians 2:17-18

The passage above highlights the external nature of Paul's address, as he uses the phrase "we both" to refer to those who were not natural-born Jews, as opposed to those who were, but rather his focus is anyone outside the covenant. Paul is acutely aware that these Gentiles were considered outsiders, far from the mercies of God and distanced from the camp of Israel. However, his mission was to bring them close to the Father by providing them access through Christ and inviting them into close proximity. By doing so, Paul sought to bridge the gap and create a pathway for all those who are seeking a deeper spiritual connection, regardless of their origin.

Jesus' message of peace was not just mere words but demonstrated through His actions and agape love. Though some may have preferred Jesus to be a political leader who could bring worldly peace, He came to offer peace with God. Jesus' mission was to settle accounts that had been remembered for generations, and it was through Him that the nations outside the camp of Israel could be reconciled with God. God initially disinherited these nations, but He assigned the Sons of God to rule over them until the Messiah would come and unite all of God's people once again.

Notably, the outlier nations worshipped deities considered foreign to Yahweh, such as Baal, Ashtoreth, Ishtar, and others. These gods were initially the Sons of God mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:8-9, sent to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah of the world. However, they grew weary, abandoned their original purpose, and turned against the people they were meant to serve, becoming malevolent forces that led the nations astray.

Paul said that Jesus preached peace to those near, which means He preached to His countrymen. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” John 1:11 ESV It is incredible to me that here is the creator of the universe who came to earth to become a man to redeem mankind, who is rejected by His people and put to death for challenging the status quo. It wasn’t as if Jesus wasn’t speaking anything they didn’t already know, He was using the scripture to validate many of His claims, but there was spiritual pride that was blinding the Jews from seeing who Jesus really was.

Jesus came and suffered the cruelest tortures inflicted upon any man, rejection by His very own people and incessant beatings and crucifixion by the Romans, this was the price that had to be paid to purchase our salvation and our redemption to our heavenly Father. It is hard to imagine anything crueler than what such a man of peace like Jesus went through, but that was the cost.

In this life, it's easy to feel lost and far from God's mercies. Whether we were born into a culture that didn't embrace Christianity, or were raised in a Christian home but never truly felt that connection with the Father, the good news is that we all have equal access to the Kingdom of God through one spirit.

Thanks to the grace and mercy of the Father, we can find our way to Him through Christ. He is our one-way ticket to the Kingdom of God, regardless of our cultural background or upbringing. The only thing that truly matters is our believing loyalty in Jesus Christ.

I believe that all of us were far off at one time or another, and it was God that found us. I also believe that each and every one of us has experienced this feeling at some point. But the good news is that we don't have to stay far off. God is always seeking us out, even when we don't realize it. We often think that we make the decision to follow Jesus, but actually, it was Jesus who made the decision for us by sacrificing Himself on the cross. Through His body, He has given us access to salvation, and all we have to do is accept His gift. He relentlessly pursues us with His never-ending love and mercy, and when He finds us, He pours out His grace upon us. Our Father is a God of love, and He will stop at nothing to bring us into His embrace. "Am I a God anyone can hide from? Do I not see what happens in secret? Am I not everywhere, filling heaven and earth?" Jeremiah 23:24 The Voice

In the end it is all about Jesus, not about us, Jesus provided the method and the means, we merely provide the vessel for Him to fill. Our job is to soak in the presence of Christ, which is without any effort on our part. We cannot add anything to the victory of the cross or improve on the Christian life. All we can do is surrender our will and rest in the finished work of Jesus, allowing Him to fill us with Himself. To soak in His presence, we don't need to do anything; we simply need to let go of our own will and allow Him to take over, how can it be simpler than that?

Stephen Barnett

What Has Been Abolished?

 
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace”    Ephesians 2:14-15 ESV

Consider this: Jesus Christ isn't just the bringer of peace, He is the embodiment of God's peace. He makes his home not just upon our mortal bodies but within them. Our bodies have become sacred space, the new Eden, from where God can live on the earth and operate His Kingdom. Jesus Christ has transformed our mortal bodies into His dwelling place so we may experience His divine presence. This realization is life-changing and can bring about an inner peace that nothing else can match for it is Christ Himself.

The dividing wall that separates people based on gender, race, ethnicity, and religion has been shattered through the body of Jesus Christ. In essence, it is the beautiful merging of two into one through Christ, akin to a marriage. In the past as well as in the present, there is intense hostility between Jews and people of other nations, perhaps due to the pride the Jews had in having Yahweh as their God, while other nations didn't. The Jews followed the laws and ordinances to the letter, but that was not what God desired. Instead, God yearned for their hearts, their devotion, and their believing loyalty.

The Muslim nations have a common ancestor with the Jews, which is Abraham; they share many similarities with the Jewish nation regarding their faith. However, it breaks down when it comes to following Muhamad instead of being led by the heart of the Lord, and it has made the Muslim religion very toxic by their need to follow doctrine and dogma based on a man who was obviously not God in the flesh.

Jesus has done an incredible thing for humanity - he has broken down the wall that divided Muslims and Jews from one another, as well as from the rest of the world and the Church. This division was caused by the hostility that arose from following laws, rules, and ordinances. However, Jesus removed the need to follow these commandments because they were never meant to be kept in the flesh but in the spirit through the spiritual man. Jesus became the spiritual man through whom we can enter into the Father’s favor.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our savior, we experience a transformation. He takes control of our lives and we become a new creation united in Christ. As we interact with others who share our faith, we discover that Jesus lives in His followers. Whenever two or more people gather in His name, Jesus is present among them. This means He isn't just joining the group; He was already there and always will be. In fact, He promises that "where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:19-20 ESV). We can hold onto this powerful truth, especially when facing difficult circumstances. When we come together, Christ is made visible in us, and each person carries a portion of Christ to share with others.

The beautiful concept of Christ and the church is all about two becoming one, just like a bride joining her bridegroom. In this case, Jesus is creating one new person by joining Himself with another. We call it a marriage, but in the case of Christ and the church, it is known as redemption. It restores man to the position he once held when God walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the day. This is proof that God always desired intimacy with mankind, intimacy based on dignity, respect, and love. It's amazing to think that this love connection is available to all of us, and it's available to us all.

At the core of a peaceful life is the unity that comes from the union of the bride and the bridegroom. This peace extends to the individuals who receive Christ and to all of God's sons and daughters, resulting in a universal peace. But how can this be achieved? It is through surrendering ourselves to our wonderful bridegroom and allowing Him to fill us with Himself that Christ becomes our peace. We cannot become better Christians or better people through our efforts. Still, by surrendering and letting go of the control of our lives and allowing Christ to work in and through us, we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

So let us embrace unity and allow Christ to become our peace.

Stephen Barnett

You Who Were Far Off Have Been Brought Near

 
“But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ,” Ephesians 2:13 ESV

We were far off from the mercies of God because of what happened during Deuteronomy 32:8-9 ESV, where God disinherited the nations and assigned sons of God to look after the nations until the time of Christ. However, God kept a nation for himself, which was started through Abraham and Jacob (Israel).

Seventy nations were assigned to divine beings by the Most High God to watch over. These divine beings, also called the sons of God, were a part of God's divine council. However, these sons of God rebelled against the Most High once they were in place as overseers, leading the people astray. They also demanded that the men of these nations worship them instead of the Most High God. Their rebellion brought chaos and darkness upon these seventy nations, but there was one nation that stood firm: Israel. Admittedly, Israel had their problems, despite the chaos and destruction, but God's chosen nation grew and became more robust through time.

It was heartbreaking for the Father when the Sons of God rebelled. They were meant to represent the Father's love for mankind until Jesus came to earth and redeemed humans to their Heavenly Father. Sadly, their rebellion only caused pain and grief for both humans and the divine council as well. Many loyal angels went to war against these principalities and powers to keep them in line and prevent them from crossing their allotted boundaries.

During the feast of Pentecost in ancient Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit started calling out to the seventy nations to return to God. Many visitors from these countries were in the city and heard the disciples proclaiming the mercies and glory of God in their native tongues, creating a buzz. Through the sacrifice of His son Jesus, God was reaching out to the nations in a way they could understand. The stir in the city was a call to action for the outcast people to return to God and embrace His love. It was the beginning of a new era, a time when foreign nations could come together and unite with the Jews under the banner of Christ. (See Acts chapter 2.)

It was Paul who was first given the ministry to reach out to the Gentiles with the message of the gospel. Paul states “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 ESV

Paul's missionary journeys were driven by a deep desire to spread his ministry and reach out to as many of the disinherited nations as he could before his inevitable imprisonment and execution in Rome. His unrelenting passion led him to set his sights on Spain, which was widely regarded as the "end of the earth" during his time. The early church scholars Jerome and Clement believed that Paul had reached Spain before his untimely death. This serves as a testament to the unwavering conviction that fueled Paul's mission and inspires us to reach out to as many as would receive Christ as their savior to build the Kingdom of God.

Paul was unaware of the many nations beyond his missionary journeys that needed to know about the savior, including China, Russia, Ireland, England, and many other European nations. But we, as gentiles, have been called out to by the disciples who spoke in unknown tongues to declare the glory of God. Through time and space, God is reaching out to us, seeking to restore us to Himself through Christ Jesus. Let us be open to God's love and restoration and share the good news with those around us so that everyone can know His love and be saved.

We now become co-heirs with Christ by receiving His gift of redemption through faith in Him. In doing so, Christ is restoring Eden and bringing us back to our loving Heavenly Father, who desires to fill His house with His family. It was never about following rules, laws. or ordinances to please our Heavenly Father, but rather about having a relationship with Him based on believing loyalty. Our Heavenly Father demonstrated believing loyalty by setting an example for us, and He knew that the best way to do that was to become the example Himself. That's why He became Christ Jesus the man, to model believing loyalty to the world. That is now the only requirement for redemption.

The statement "you who once were far off have been brought near" is more than just words - it's a lifeline. The Father has paved the way to bring you back to the love of a Father who has His arms outstretched, waiting to receive you. He has always wanted His sons and daughters to know that they have a safe space to come and be embraced, to rest, and to be reminded that they are loved and valued in His eyes.

Stephen Barnett