For Mine Eyes Have Seen Thy Salvation Which Thou Hast Prepared Before the Face of All People - Part 1451

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."  And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. (Luke 2:26-33)

Herein, the man was Simeon from Jerusalem. He was described as just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (Luke 2:25) He was not the only man faithful on the old testament side. Indeed, in Hebrews 11 we observe a number of faithful who saw the prophesied promise that was afar off. And to their credit, these were not only persuaded of them, but confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Their sights were not on the earthly, but on the heavenly, wherein lies their hope.

"For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country, and truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better [country] that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16)

But as we understand also, these all died in the faith because the promise could not come while the first covenant remained. "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Hebrews 9:8)

It was for this cause that Christ -- He is the mediator of the new testament, and the High Priest of good things to come "by a greater and more perfect tabernacle" that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:11, 15-18)

In other words, "how much more shall the blood of Christ -- who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

Good question. In this current dispensation of grace, we have received the promise. We have seen the salvation of the Lord -- His promised Christ. The One God (who created man and woman in the beginning) desired to justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith came and offered Himself as the free gift upon all men unto justification of life, if we would only believe. (Romans 3:30; Romans 5:15-21)

God Himself becoming our Saviour on the cross. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23)

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Christ Jesus ... " (Hebrews 3:1)

His love for His beloved creation so abundant that He willingly provided a way for us to stand and rejoice in the hope of His glory, the glory of God. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6-11) Through His sacrifice on the cross, we can be justified by His blood, and reconciled through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many." (Romans 5:1-15)

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

Still, like Simeon who saw "Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people" there were others who staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but were strong in faith, giving glory to God. (Romans 4:19) And these (even without the promised Christ) became world changers.

As the record in Hebrews 11 shows, these "through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, and stopped the mouths of lions. These quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again; while others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection, and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy;) they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:33-40)

Yet, these were only privy to the shadow of things yet to come. These only could see the promised Christ from afar -- off in the distance. The mystery that was kept in the bosom of the Father until the appointed time. This last day wherein those who were not a people could become a chosen people for the Lord of glory.

But we who have access by faith into this grace -- the "some better thing for us" in this last day --designed by God Himself in the very beginning -- wherein we can stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God have not even begun to take hold of the authority that we have in Christ Jesus who lives within.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

"And if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with [Him] that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waits for the manifestation of the sons of God ..." (Romans 8:17-19)

Waiting for us to begin to understand and step out in faith -- as did those faithful of old -- knowing that the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:17) "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, amen." (Romans 11:36)

Stand in the offering plate.