And It Shall Come To Pass, That Whosoever Shall Call On The Name Of The Lord Shall Be Saved - Part 1964

"The husbandman that labours must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say: and [may] the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound. Therefore, I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (II Timothy 2:6-10)

"For whether He were Husbandman, or Shepherd, or a Labourer in the field, He was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which could not be avoided: for they were all bound with one chain of darkness." (Wisdom of Solomon 17:17)

This explains why in these last times -- "Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receives the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)

That is, the same Almighty God who created the world clothed Himself in the form of earthly sin-prone flesh (and yet without sin), in order that we who believe in Jesus the Christ by faith, and obey His commandments -- to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and from His love to love one another -- would obtain life everlasting. He was in the world and the world made by Him and the world knew Him not. Likewise, He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)

But when the humanity of God was on that cross, His hands pierced for one and all to behold, we were given a second chance to put our trust in Him. A second opportunity to dine at His most elaborate wedding feast -- being clothed in His righteousness and love.

As the scriptures tell us -- "For God so loved the world ..." (John 3:16) 

"After the love and kindness of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7) 

The Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His friends, we are instructed to "hear ye Him ..." 

Indeed, Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

Thus, if we liken this same husbandman to a farmer in today's world, for example, then we know that the husbandman has sown much seed upon the ground and planted many trees. But if the seed which is sown good in the season comes not up, or that which is planted does not take root, "even so is it of them that are sown in the world, they shall not all be saved."  Or, if the husbandman's seed should perish, if it receives not rain in due season, or if there comes too much rain, it will then become corrupted.

Neither of these outcomes are the farmer's intent, for the farmer (like the Lord our God husbandman) would that all would come to fruition, and flourish. As the scripture states, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:8-10)

And to the Jews: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kills the prophets, and stones them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)

The same analogy (wherein we are likened unto the husbandman's seed) can be used to describe the destiny of mankind. But the good news is that when we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith willingly and gladly lend our ear and heart to hear His voice -- the same man which God formed with His own hands in the beginning, breathing the breath of life into the earthly Adam, the same Lord who has created us all in His own image, and made us as the offspring like unto Him, is constantly calling us into His fold -- the body of Christ church.

But do we (His created beloved) even realize that we -- for whose sake He the Lord has made all things -- desires for you and I to have a personal relationship with Him -- He who is precious? This is why we are likened unto the husbandman's seed, because the Lord of glory Himself is beckoning us to become inheritors of His goodness and grace. He is calling us to be one of His beloved who like the farmer's seed will come forth to fruition, fulfilling His purposes which He wrote in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.  

Yes, He formed mankind in His own image. And as the scriptures so often tell -- "Like as the field is, so is also the seed; as the flowers be, such are the colours also; such as the workman is, such also is the work; and as the husbandman is Himself, so is his husbandry also: for it was the time of the world."

This is why right now, the Lord is pleading with all flesh to behold His glory and to turn their hearts to Him. Indeed, hear ye the Word of the Lord, ye that tremble at His Word -- "your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My Name's sake, said, "Let the Lord be glorified" but He shall appear to "your joy" ...  and they shall be ashamed." (Isaiah 66:5)

"And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed." (Isaiah 61:9; Revelation 3:8-9)

Thus, greatly rejoice in the Lord, and let your soul be joyful in God, for He hath clothed Jesus (as we now know Him by His Name in the New Testament side) with the garments of salvation. He hath covered Him with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decks Himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. And we are being invited into the most elaborate wedding feast of all time. Hearken unto His voice and know that He is God whose love is displayed continually in the heavens for us to see.

"For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:10-11)

 This day hath He given you salvation. This day hear His voice, and come unto Him. His Name is Jesus, and yes, He shall save you from all your sins.

Stand in the offering plate.