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Chapter 170 [Home] [Accept Jesus] [More] [Previous] [Next] 170.000.000 Torrey: p144 THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST170.005.000
Torrey: no Note: There are two types of 'power': (a) the ability to do something, and (b) the right or authority to do something. For instance, I have the ability to take someone's money and use it, but I don't have the right to do so. Obviously, because Jesus is God and is omnipotent He had the ability to judge, etc. In the foregoing Topic, Jesus' power means His authority for actions such as sitting in judgment, not merely His ability to take such actions. 170.005.012
Torrey: no Revelation 5:1-4 [1] Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" [3] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. [4] I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. === DISCUSSION === Revelation 5:5 New American Bible One of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right by his victory to open the scroll with the seven seals." A person cannot win the right to do something he already has the right to do. 170.005.022
Torrey: no Revelation 5:5 New American Bible One of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right by his victory to open the scroll with the seven seals." Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. John 5:22-23 [22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. === DISCUSSION === A person does not obtain authority and legitimacy to judge others simply by being in the right place at the right time. He has to learn about applicable rules and relevant circumstances so that his decisions will be respected by those he judges and by others who learn of his decisions. If Jesus had not gone through earthly life and death Himself, Satan and people who are condemned could reasonably say that Jehovah and Jesus are condemning unfairly because they do not really understand what it is like to be human and it is not possible to comply with the rules laid down by God. 170.005.032
Torrey: no Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Confer 1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 170.005.042
Torrey: no John 10:17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life -- only to take it up again. 170.005.052
Torrey: no Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, It is part of God's plan from the beginning that man shall face the death of his physical body one time. Jesus could not truly understand being human if He did not experience physical death. 170.005.062
Torrey: no (This point, differently worded, is raised in a footnote in the New English Bible.) Acts 4:10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 170.005.072
Torrey: no Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Romans 3:21-24 [21] But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. John 5:22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, By providing a way to avoid perdition Jesus earned the authority to judge all men and to condemn those who refuse to accept salvation. Galatians 3:10, 13 [10] All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." [11] Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." [12] The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (Note: In verse 13, "becoming a curse" does not translate well. The Revised, New International, and New American Versions read almost exactly alike. This does not mean that Jesus became an affliction to us, but rather that He took the burden of becoming cursed.) 170.005.082
Torrey: no Romans 3:21-24 [21] But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. === DISCUSSION === All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. If Jesus had not died, every man, with the possible exception of a few dozen, e.g., Noah and Abraham, would have to be condemned. It could hardly be said that Man was being judged righteously if virtually every person judged was found guilty and condemned. It would hardly be just to condemn Man if no path to salvation existed. To many people, it is philosophically unacceptable that a perfect being that has never experienced hunger, fear, thirst, weariness, pain, temptation, etc., would have the audacity to judge and condemn admittedly imperfect beings. The attitude is "Unless you've been through it yourself, you have no right to condemn someone else. If you were in that situation, you might not even have done as well as the people you are condemning." 170.005.092
Torrey: no John 5:22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, === DISCUSSION === Two of the basic ethics rules applicable to judges and lawyers are "A judge shall avoid even the appearance of impropriety" and "A lawyer shall avoid even the appearance of impropriety." In order for the decisions of a judge to be respected by the general public, the public must feel that the decisions were rendered fairly, on the basis of the applicable law and the evidence, and nothing more. A reasonable member of the general public must not feel that the judge was biased, prejudiced, bribed, etc. It is not enough that in actuality there was no bias, prejudice, or bribery. If it appears that there might have been improper motives for the decision, the validity, justice, and propriety of the decision will be suspect. Righteous means fair, just. Sitting in righteous judgment means sitting in fair judgment. At the final judgment, men will be judged publicly. To many, it is unacceptable that a perfect being that has never experienced hunger, fear, thirst, weariness, pain, temptation, etc., would judge and condemn admittedly imperfect beings. Obviously, for God to sit in judgment, or for Jesus to sit in judgment if He had not become human, would raise the appearance of impropriety. There would be no way to avoid the appearance that a perfect being was unfairly holding imperfect beings to an impossible standard that no being could meet. 170.005.092a
Torrey: no Some might argue "God doesn't care about appearances." However, that is not true; He is concerned that Man might misinterpret His motives and believe He has acted unrighteously. Exodus 32:9-12, 14 [9] "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. [10] Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation." [11] But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? [12] Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. [14] Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. Isaiah 48:9-11 [9] For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. [10] See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. [11] For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. 170.005.102
Torrey: no John 5:22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, === DISCUSSION === There is a subtle, but significant, difference between this Point and the previous two. They discuss whether anyone could sit in righteous judgment of Man if someone had not personally experienced Man's situation. This Point is that because He experienced human existence, including death, Jesus can fairly, i.e., righteously evaluate a man's motives and his heart. 170.010.000
Torrey: p144, T:I 170.010.010
Torrey: p144, T:I, P:1 The death of Jesus Christ is mentioned directly more than one hundred and seventy-five times in the New Testament. Besides this there are very many prophetic references to the death of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. 170.010.020
Torrey: p144, T:I, P:2 Hebrews 2:14-15 [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. The incarnation was for the purpose of the death. Jesus Christ's death was not a mere incident of His human life, it was the supreme purpose of it. He became man in order that He might die as man and for man. 170.010.030
Torrey: p144, T:I, P:3 Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 170.010.040
Torrey: p144, T:I, P:4 Luke 9:30-31 [30] Two men, Moses and Elijah, [31] appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 170.010.050
Torrey: p145, T:I, P:5 1 Peter 1:10-11 [10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, [11] trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 170.010.060
Torrey: p145, T:I, P:6 1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 170.010.070
Torrey: p145, T:I, P:7 Revelation 5:8-12 [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." [11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" 170.010.080
Torrey: p145, T:I, P:8 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3- 5 [1] Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. [3] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. (Compare 1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. with 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.) The importance of Jesus Christ's death will come out further as we consider the purpose and results of His death. The modern preaching that lays the principal emphasis upon the life and example of Jesus Christ is thoroughly unscriptural. 170.020.000
Torrey: p146, T:II 170.020.010
Torrey: p146, T:II, P:1 170.020.012
Torrey: p146, T:I, P:1 Note: Vicarious liability means one person is held liable for another's actions. The classic example involves an employee who causes an automobile accident while on company business. Both the employee and the employer can be held liable for the accident, even though the employer did nothing wrong. Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:8, 11-12 [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [11] After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 1 Peter 3:18 [18] For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. ... He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 [3] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 170.020.012
Torrey: no Isaiah 53:8, 12 ... For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. === DISCUSSION === One who intercedes becomes voluntarily involved in a situation that does not directly involve him. An intercessor does not simply become an additional participant; he become involved on behalf of one of the other parties. Jesus voluntarily joined the dispute between Jehovah and Man that began when Eve disobeyed the only commandment that existed: "Don't touch the tree of knowledge." He interceded for the transgressors, since they were incapable of working things out alone. 170.020.020
Torrey: p146, T:II, P:2 Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." 170.020.030
Torrey: p147, T:II, P:3 Confer Leviticus 6:6-7 [6] And as a penalty he must bring to the priest, that is, to the LORD, his guilt offering, a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. [7] In this way the priest will make atonement for him before the LORD, and he will be forgiven for any of these things he did that made him guilty. Compare the following two passages: Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Confer Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 170.020.040
Torrey: p147, T:II, P:4 1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Romans 3:25-26 [25] God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. God is holy and must hate sin. His holiness and hatred of sin must manifest themselves. His wrath at sin must strike somewhere, on the sinner himself or upon a lawful substitute. The bracketed additions make clear the prophetic nature of the following two excerpts: Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:8 By oppression and judgment he [Jesus] was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. The utmost reason for the death of Christ is the demands of God's holiness. 170.020.050
Torrey: p148, T:II, P:5 Galatians 3:10, 13 [10] All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 170.020.060
Torrey: p148, T:II, P:6 1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast -- as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Note: In most translations the word "yeast" above is translated "leaven." In biblical usage, "leaven" is symbolic; it means "false doctrine". Compare Exodus 12:13, 23 [13] The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. [23] When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. 170.020.070
Torrey: p148, T:II, P:7 Galatians 4:4-5 [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 170.020.080
Torrey: p148, T:II, P:8 Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, We were in bondage to this age by sin and by the law. By the death of Jesus Christ we were delivered from this age to become citizens of heaven and sons of God. Philippians 3:20-21 [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Compare Galatians 4:3-5, 7-9 [3] So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. [8] Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. [9] But now that you know God -- or rather are known by God -- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Compare Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 170.020.090
Torrey: p148, T:II, P:9 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, His death bridged the impassable chasm that stood between a holy God and sinful Man. 170.020.100
Torrey: p149, T:II, P:10 John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds 170.020.110
Torrey: p149, T:II, P:11 Romans 14:9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 170.030.000
Torrey: p149, T:III 170.030.010
Torrey: p149, T:III, P:1 Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Ephesians 5:2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Titus 2:13-14 [13] ... Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast -- as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (Note: In most translations the word "yeast" is rendered "leaven". In the Bible leaven is symbolic -- it means false doctrine.) 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. We shall see that Jesus Christ died for all men, but His death was especially for those who should appropriate to themselves by faith the blessings which that death secured. 1 Timothy 4:9-10 [9] This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance [10] (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. This is the truth contained in the old doctrine of a limited atonement. 170.030.020
Torrey: p150, T:III, P:2 Ephesians 5:25-27 [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [26] to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, [27] and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 170.030.030
Torrey: p150, T:III, P:3 While it is true that Christ died for all, He had His bride especially in view, those who believe, whom He would redeem for Himself, and His death avails especially for Her. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 170.030.040
Torrey: p150, T:III, P:4 Romans 14:15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 1 Corinthians 8:11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. Christ died not only for the strong, enlightened, mature Christian, but for the weakest member of the household of faith as well. If we would bear this in mind would we not be more patient with and considerate toward the weak Christian who does not come on as rapidly as we wish? He is a weak brother, it is true, but he is "the weak brother for whom Christ died." 170.030.050
Torrey: p150, T:III, P:5 Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. 170.030.060
Torrey: p150, T:III, P:6 Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Here is the foundation warrant for worldwide missions, and here is the urgent call to press the work. "Let me go and find in the heart of Africa the men of that tribe for whom Christ died." 170.030.070
Torrey: p151, T:III, P:7 John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" On the ground of Christ's death God can deal with the whole world in mercy. The death of Christ is sufficient for the whole world; it is fully effective only for believers. We shall see that it is partly effective for all mankind. 1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Jesus Christ was in an especial sense the head of the church and died as its head and for it. Ephesians 1:22-23 [22] And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. But He is also in another sense the head of the race -- in effect the second Adam -- and died as the head of the race and for all men. 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:45 So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 170.030.080
Torrey: p151, T:III, P:8 1 Timothy 2:5-6 [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all men -- the testimony given in its proper time. Christ died for all. The ransom price is paid for all. Provision is made for all. Mercy can be preached to all. The sin accounts of all men are settled in full. All men are potentially forgiven; all they need to do is to accept by faith and thus make their own the pardon purchased by the blood of Christ. 170.030.090
Torrey: p151, T:III, P:9 Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Jesus died for every man -- not only for all men as a race, but for each individual man in the race. On the ground of Christ's death God can deal in mercy with each individual and offer him salvation. 170.030.100
Torrey: p152, T:III, P:10 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 170.030.110
Torrey: p152, T:III, P:11 Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 170.030.120
Torrey: p152, T:III, P:12 Romans 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
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