But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4–5)
When Adam and Eve sinned, they incurred the death penalty as God had warned. As their offspring, we have also inherited this death sentence; everyone is subject to it (Romans 5:12). This death has three distinct manifestations: 1) spiritual death or separation from God (compare with Ephesians 2:1–2; 4:18); 2) physical death (Hebrews. 9:27); and 3) eternal death (also called the second death), which includes not only eternal separation from God, but eternal torment in the lake of fire (Revelation. 20:11–15).[1]
After the first man and woman disobeyed God and committed the first sin, God drove them out of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22–24). However, God promised that in the future there would come a time when God would punish the serpent for tempting Eve, and deceiving her and Adam into sin (Genesis 3:14–15). Biblical scholars agree that the phrase “He shall bruise you on the head” refers to the time when Jesus Christ would once and for all defeat Satan (Romans 16:20; Revelation 20:1–3, 7–10).
This was only one of many promises God has made about dealing with sin. God also promised to bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to prisoners, and comfort all who mourn. He promised a proclamation of the day of salvation for His people and vengeance towards His enemies (Isaiah 49:8; 61:1–3).
The birth of Jesus to the virgin, Mary, introduced God’s direct, hands on fulfillment of His promises to deal with the problem of sin (Matthew 1:18–25). Thirty years after His birth, Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, bringing good news to mankind, healing the sick, and performing many signs and wonders. It was time to do as God had promised—to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:14–21).
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SUMMARY • Death is spiritual, physical, and eternal separation from God
• God promised to defeat Satan for deceiving man into sin
• The ministry of Jesus fulfilled God’s promise to save men from sin
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FOOTNOTES
Romans 5:12, John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1520 ↑
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RBG Devotional 5: The Time: Jesus Came To Save Sinners Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. 22-Jun-21, 13:43 |