Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Shalom,
Don’t Fall For It – Romans, part 58
Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in a manner similar to the violation of Adam, who is a pattern of the One to come. 15 But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if many died because of the transgression of one man, how much more did the grace of God overflow to many through the gift of one Man—Yeshua the Messiah.
“Adam… is a pattern of the One to come.” The “One to come” is Yeshua. Adam is “a pattern” of Him, but not identical. Romans 5:15a But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. Adam was the spreader of lawlessness (aka rebellion against God), the transgression, while Yeshua is the spreader of righteousness (aka walking with God), the gracious gift.
While the verse acknowledges a pattern, the pattern is not identical. Then in what way are Adam and Yeshua not alike? Adam brought all of humanity into his rebellion. Yeshua only brings those who answer His call into righteousness.
1 Corinthians 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive. 23 But each in its own order: Messiah the firstfruits; then, at His coming, those who belong to Messiah.
But wait, this verse makes it sound like everyone will be saved. The idea that everyone will be saved and there is no hell is a lie. It is a deception called universalism. Don’t fall for it. Listen to these words of Yeshua.
John 5:28 “Do not be amazed at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 29 and come out! Those who have done good will come to a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil will come to a resurrection of judgment.”
Let’s not be confused by this either. These verses are not proposing salvation by works. To “do good” is to accept the gift of God’s Son and walk worthily. To “do evil” is to reject the gift offered by grace and walk in an unworthy manner. God is not mocked. He knows the truth, because He IS the truth.
Mathew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”
These things are not easily understood. However; our eternity with the Lord depends on how we receive the truth and how we live in submitted harmony with it. John 8:31 Then Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!” Then, speaking to Thomas, Yeshua rightly says… John 14:6 Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Meditate on these things. We’ll go at it again tomorrow. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 4 April 2023 13th of Nisan, 5783
Ex 33:20-23 Isa 38-39 Pr 28 Ac 27 (Rev 21)