“For God is satisfied to have all His fullness dwelling in Christ. And by the blood of His cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to Himself— back to its original intent, restored to innocence again!”
Colossians 1:19-20
As I read those verses this morning something caught my attention. Through the blood of Jesus’ cross, heaven and earth were reconciled. Say what! You mean despite all the chaos we’ve been seeing all over the world, in the mind of Creator God heaven and earth are not at war any longer? Whatever the enemy wants to use to distract us into believing that God doesn’t hear or care has been debunked in Christ. Here’s further proof:
“Jesus passionately cried out, took His last breath, and gave up His Spirit. At that moment the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth shook violently, rocks were split apart, and graves were opened. Then many of the holy ones who had died were brought back to life and came out of their graves. And after Jesus’ resurrection, they were plainly seen by many people walking in Jerusalem.”
Matthew 27:50-53 TPT
“When He had sipped the sour wine, He said, “It is finished, my bride!” Then He bowed His head and surrendered His Spirit to God.”
John 19:30
I wanted to share John’s account because he was there, so we’d know exactly what He cried out. The reconciliation of God and man was completed, we now had access to the Father in heaven through Him. All the Laws were finally fulfilled in the only One who was capable of keeping it perfectly. Heaven and earth were no longer at odds, God’s redeemed children, those who have accepted Jesus’ finished work, had become one. Hallelujah! The righteous dead were raised. It doesn’t say they saw ghosts, it said they were seen walking in Jerusalem restored and seen by many people. They had resurrected bodies just as Lazarus did when he was raised.
Listen to this written by the writer of Hebrews:
“So then, we must cling in faith to all we know to be true. For we have a magnificent King-Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathizes with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a Man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 TPT
Yes! Yes! We come boldly to receive Mercy’s kiss. Hallelujah! Remember I told you Mercy and grace are more than something you receive- it is a Person, Jesus Christ our High Priest. The animosity that was once between heaven and earth, meaning God’s creation, has been settled once and for all in Christ Jesus. As children of God we know that the veil has been torn. No people group has more access or privilege than the other. We have been made one body, many members, ethnicities, cultures and creeds but one, if we are Christ’s. Yes! Yes! I pray you’re getting this. I don’t care how long you’ve been saved, how little Word you have memorized, if Jesus is your Lord, you have been given access to this great reconciliation.
Satan may be at war, and his followers may be at war. But we have peace! Jesus is our Prince of peace. We have no need to be defeated, or suffer bouts of depression or rejection. We have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. The war has already been won for us. The fight for our souls has been won. Jesus did it all. We’re beneficiaries of His finished work.
“This is why he says: “He ascends into the heavenly heights taking His many captured ones with Him, and gifts were given to men.” He “ascended” means that He returned to heaven, after He had first descended from the heights of heaven, even descending as far as the lowest parts of the earth. The same One who descended is also the One who ascended above the heights of heaven, in order to begin the restoration and fulfillment of all things.”
Ephesians 4:8-10 TPT
Yeah! Everyone who is His has been set free. He marched all those who looked for what we now enjoy, into glory with Him. He stripped Satan of his authority given to him by Adam, restored all things to its proper order, when He declared “FINISHED!” Its not being worked out or negotiated, it is finished, completed, done! We just need to accept it and begin to live it. We’re not trying to live saved, we are saved! We’re not trying to live holy, we are holy! We’re not trying to be righteous, we are righteous! We’re not trying to be filled with the Spirit, we are filled! We’re not trying to be reconciled, we are reconciled! We’re not trying to be healed, we were healed by His stripes! We’re not defeated we’re overcomers, not by might not by power but by His Spirit. Live like you believe it. IT IS FINISHED! IT IS DONE!
Father in the Name of Jesus,
How refreshing to know that no matter what’s going on around us we’re not at war with You. We who are Christ’s have uninterrupted access to Your Presence because of Jesus’ finished work. We don’t need to feel guilty Or condemned we have been reconciled to You. Hallelujah. Thank you Holy Spirit for the gentle reminders of things we overlook or forget. We are completely His. Nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing left to workout. It is indeed finished, done in Christ Jesus. Amen
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant