Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 1

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

Introduction

The Blood of covenant is a divine pact between our Creator and mankind which brought redemption to sons of men. It is an agreement that God made with humanity by using the blood of His only begotten Son as a commitment. The blood of covenant is a powerful oath and God utilized the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah to Seal this solemn agreement. Therefore the covenant made with the Blood of the Lamb is important, necessary and essential to human existence.

The blood of covenant is the primary reason why God is overlooking our transgressions; instead of letting His fury descends on us. Had it not been because of the blood of covenant, human race might have been exterminated, since sin has dominated the world and injustice is rampant everywhere on earth. Considering the fact that the eye of the Lord is always bitter towards sin and He does not condone wrongdoings, so, we need to realize that it is the blood of covenant that makes this world to continue to exist.

The door of the Glorious Home would have been shut on humanity, but our merciful God is always considering the blood of the covenant, so the few people who are worthy still witness the physical and spiritual manifestation of the Lord. We are witnessing unprecedented rate of premature and untimely death in the world today due to our disobedience and misconducts, because the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23. However, those who are obedient and worthy are still living to a ripe age due to the grace received through the blood of the covenant.

The genesis of the Blood of the Covenant

The wickedness and judgment of man: In the beginning, the Lord saw that humanity had become thoroughly evil on the earth and every idea of their minds and their thoughts was nothing but evil at all time. God saw how bad the people on earth were, so the Lord was sad and it broke His heart that He ever made mankind and put them in charge on earth; as it is written “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” Genesis 6:5-6. No other creature of God made Him to be sorrowful except mankind that He created in His image. What is the extent of your wickedness to other people? Is every inclination of your mind sinful or ungodly? Is everything you imagine is consistently and totally evil? Are you sure that you are not among the people that are making the Lord to be bothered? If your answers to the questions are yes, then you need to plead for the Blood of covenant to cleanse and save you. Despite the fact that God felt distressed through sympathy for our misfortune, He was determined to annihilate mankind from the surface of the earth; according to the scripture which says “So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them’” Genesis 6:7. However, a man called Noah found favor and grace in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord was pleased with Noah Genesis 6:8. Is the Lord please with you? Do you think your conducts will make you to find favor and grace in the eyes of the Lord? If not, change now.

Noah pleased the Lord: The population of the earth was absolutely depraved spiritually and morally putrid in God’s sight to the extent that the land was filled with violence, desecration, infringement, outrage, assault and lust for power. And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerated, debased and vicious it was, because all humanity had corrupted their ways on the earth and lost their true direction. Then God told Noah about His decision to destroy all living creature, because they have filled the earth with violence. God informed Noah that He will destroy the earth and all it’s people completely because cruelty and violence have spread everywhere on earth. And God instructed Noah to make an ark Genesis 6:11-14. Are you one of those who are profaning the sacred things or places? Do you belong to the class of people who are assaulting others? Have you become an enemy of God due to your lust for power/position? Repent, and receive redemption through the blood of covenant before it is too late.  Later, God made a covenant with Noah by saying “But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your son’s wives with you, and of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female” Genesis 6:18-19. Will your conducts not debar you from entering the ark of Salvation? You must pray fervently to be worthy during this Lent period.

The covenant of God with creation and its sign: God made covenant with living and non-living things when He smelled the soothing aroma of Noah’s offering by saying “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease” Genesis 8:21-22. Since God promised not to curse the ground because of mankind and never again to destroy all living things, therefore He used the rainbow as the sign of the covenant which He established between Himself and all the living things on earth Genesis 9:11-17.

The covenant of God with Abraham, Israel, Judah and David: Almighty God established His covenant with our forefathers starting from Abraham. When Abraham was ninety-nine years, God made a covenant with Abraham that He will be multiplied exceedingly, he will be fruitful and become a father of many nations. God changed his name from Abram to Abraham and promised to establish the covenant between Himself and the descendants of Abraham. God used circumcision as a sign of the covenant that He established with Abraham Genesis 17:1-14. Isaac inherited the covenant, then, he passed it on to Jacob when he blessed him by saying “Surely the smell of my son is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed. Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Curse be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you” Genesis 27:27-29. Isaac seal the transfer of the covenant to Jacob by saying “May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may be an assembly of peoples; and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you, that you may inherit the land in which you are a stranger, which God gave to Abraham” Genesis 28:3-4. We need to realize that whoever inherits the blessing of Abraham which was conferred on Jacob in the previously mentioned passages has inherited the covenant of Abraham. God established His covenant with Jacob when he ran away from Esau his brother. Jacob dreamt that a ladder reached from earth to heaven with the angels ascending and descending on it. The Lord stood above it and said “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land of on which you lie I will give to you and our descendants. Also your descendant shall be as dust of the earth; you shall spread aboard to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” Genesis 28:12-15.

Judah inherited the covenant from Jacob when his father blessed him by saying “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be obedience of the people” Genesis 49:10. It can be deduced from the passage that Judah will be the ruler of his brothers since scepter is the staff of office or a symbol of sovereignty carried by rulers. It is for this reason that King David assumed or took over the covenant. God made covenant with David because he was zealous for the work of the Lord. David informed Nathan the prophet about his decision to build a house for the ark of God. The Lord sent Nathan to David with these messages “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your throne shall be established forever” 2 Samuel 7:12-16. God put a seal on the covenant He had with David by saying “If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers” Jeremiah 33:20-21.

If we critically observe all the aforementioned covenants, we will see that none of them involves blood. Therefore, we will analyze blood and what the scripture says about it, before we proceed. During the time of Noah, God instructed him not to eat meat with its life which is the blood, since the life of every flesh is the blood Genesis 9:4. God made it clearer to Moses that the children of Israel must not eat blood by saying “No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you shall eat blood. ‘Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off”’” Leviticus 17:12-14. God said we should not eat blood because blood is the life and the life of every flesh belongs to God; as demonstrated in the Book of Luke “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things by which you have provided?’” Luke12:20. It is clear that the souls of all mankind, animals and birds belong to God. The Book of Psalm corroborated this fact by saying “The earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1. Everything in the world belongs to God including our souls/lives, so humans must neither eat nor consume blood which is life that does not belong to them. However, God who has power over blood and life used the blood to make covenant with humanity.

The Blood of covenant: The Blood of covenant is the Blood of Jesus Christ which His Father used to make a covenant with the world. The Blood of the Lamb is the most powerful blood of covenant, and Almighty God utilized it for the redemption of mankind since salvation of souls is paramount to Him.

Jesus Christ inherited the covenant of Abraham, since he came through the lineage of David Matthew 1:17. Also because Jesus Christ was the seed referred to in the covenant made with Abraham that “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed….” Genesis 22:18. God mentioned the seed again when the covenant was transferred to Isaac Genesis 26:4 and He repeated the seed when Jacob inherited the covenant Genesis 28:14.

Almighty God used the Blood of the seed for the remission of sins, because of His love for us; according to the scripture which says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16. God permitted His Son Jesus Christ to die for us, the sinners and He utilized the Blood of covenant shed on the cross to give us eternal life, and access to His heavenly kingdom.

Since we are in the Lent period, repent and make necessary amendments, so that the coming of Jesus Christ into this world will not be in futility and his death on the cross which brought about or gave rise to the Blood of covenant will not be in vain.

Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 2

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

We shall continue our discussion by mentioning how people are breaking this priceless covenant of God and the consequences.

Humans are breaking the Covenants of God

Our God is a faithful God, so He can never betray covenant(s) and He will never betray any of His covenants. Humans are the ones that are betraying the covenants of their Creator. When the children of Israel were groaning under the yoke of slavery in the land of Egypt, they cried out, and their cry for help because of their bondage ascended to God. God heard their cry of grief and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Israel because He is a just God who will never betray a covenant. The scripture testified to this fact by saying “Now it happened in the process of time that the King of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of their bondage. So God heard their groaning, and remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." Exodus 2:23-24. If you want God to rescue you with the blood of covenant from your spiritual slavery, be obedient to His instructions. If you want your sigh to come into the presence of God, do not betray His covenant. The only way for God to pay attention to your burden of troubles is to seek Him wholeheartedly.

Stop the repulsive conducts in the churches: The Christians who are polluting the church of the Lord in various ways should beware. Whatever your post or position, you do not have the authority to profane the sanctuary of God. Brethren desist from contrary conducts that can void the covenants that God had for you. Brothers and sisters, abstain from every repulsive act that does not give glory to the Lord. Pastors and priests, it is time to flee from the detestable and disgusting practices that are breaking the covenants of God. As it is written "When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it —My house—and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations." Ezekiel 44:7. Many Christians are in spiritual bondage because of the abominations that they have committed, and the blood of the covenant is impotent in many churches because of their nauseous conducts. This is a wake up call for the Christendom, else the hosts of hell will hijack many things that are beneficial to the Christians and invert things that can make them to inherit the kingdom of God.

Do not treat the blood of covenant as a trivial thing: We need to realize that it is a worse offense to dishonor Jesus Christ, and disgrace His blood of covenant which made us holy. Those who despised and rejected Jesus Christ by treating as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin will be punished severely: according to the scripture which says "Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:29. Are you one of those who are insulting and disdaining the Holy Spirit? Do you belong to the group of people who are treating the blood of Covenant as common and unholy? Change now before it is too late, because God will save His people if they repent and turn to Him. He will release the Christians from spiritual imprisonment because of the blood of Covenant. The covenant that was sealed with the blood of the Lamb will prompt God to rescue the believers from the spiritual dungeon; according to the Book of Zechariah which says "As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit." Zechariah 9:11. Since God can be trusted to keep His promise, then He will deliver only those who are worthy and not everyone from spiritual captivity/detention, because of the covenant that was sealed with the blood of Christ.

Do not deny the Covenant of the Blood

The greatest disservice anyone can do to mankind is to deny the covenant that was sealed with the blood of Jesus. However, many pastors and church leaders are denying this precious covenant because of riches, post/position and their selfish ambitions. Countless statesman/stateswoman and influential people across the globe are denying the blood of covenant because of greed and aspirations. This is the end-time and Satan is waging war spiritually against the people of God. Lucifer is using discontentment, morsel and deceit: he is using riches/wealth, post/position and sexual immorality to wage the final battle. We must be careful so that we will not fall for the deceits of the devil. Therefore be content with what the Lord has done for you and wait on Him to promote you to the next level. The Book of Proverbs stated that "Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9. Is any of your conduct denying the blood of covenant? Are you one of the pastors/priests that are using deception to defraud the members of your church? How many souls have been led astray due to your lies? Are you absolutely honest? Are you putting in your best immaterial of the mockery of people? Do you belong to the category of pastors/priests that are not poor, yet they continue to steal the church funds? Are you a politician or government official who is looting the treasury of your country? Has embezzlement become your 'second nature'? It is time to change so that the blood of covenant can provide for your needs and give you divine peace.

Jesus said "Not everyone who says to Me 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21. What is this will of His Father in heaven? The will of His Father is ‘do not to deny the blood of covenant that brought redemption to mankind’. Never forget that we are in the last days, and the Scripture says "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Christians beware of those who can make the blood of covenant to be ineffective in your lives. There are several people in the world who pretend to be godly and religious whereas their conducts nullifies their claim of faith. Many of the people in the churches are exhibiting a form of piety, but their attitudes are denying the power of God, such people are just deceiving themselves. No matter how many times you profess to be godly or in what manner that you display your faith; unless your acts prove that you did not deny the power of God but you hold on to the power of God alone, the blood of covenant will not set you free from spiritual bondage. Therefore, do not be like people who claim to perceive and recognize God, but their actions deny Him. Many people in the world affirm that they are acquainted with God, but they are renouncing Him by the way they live and what they do: according to the Bible passage which says "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient and disqualified for every good work." Titus 1:16. Are you among the vile and rebellious people that when it comes to doing any real good they are palpable fraud? Do you belong to the class of people that are disrupting families with their teachings because of a fast buck (money)? Are you one of those people whose detestable and disloyal acts made unfit and worthless for good work of any kind? Do not procrastinate so that the blood of covenant will rectify your life.

Worship God in spirit and truth: Jesus said "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." John 4:23. What are you waiting for? Start worshiping God in spirit and truth without any hanky-panky. Since God is a Spirit, you must worship Him in spirit before the blood of covenant can protect and preserve your life. It is notable to know that since we are not fighting against humans or flesh and blood but against forces and rulers of darkness, and authorities in the spiritual world; so we certainly need the fortification and the protection of the blood of covenant; as it is written "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12. Inasmuch as the power of darkness cannot overcome one another, instead they usually pacify one another; which means, you need the blood of covenant to defeat the evil rulers and the authorities of the unseen world. The only way to conquer the cosmic powers of this Dark Age and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms that are destabilizing your life or journey is to seek the blood of covenant.

Be assured that you will reign with Christ: Believers must be confident that if we neither betray the covenant which was sealed with blood of Christ nor deny it; we will rule and reign eternally with our Savior. Anyone that rejects the blood of covenant will be rejected by Jesus Christ our Lord: according to the Bible passage which says "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us." 2 Timothy 2:12. The time has come for the Christians to suffer hardship for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord in order to win souls into His vineyard/kingdom. Be cautious and heed this advice that you must not disown the blood of covenant; else you will be disowned by Christ, and defeated by the darkness. If you don't want to be denied the access to the Glorious Home, never deny or reject the blood of covenant. Jesus Christ our Lord will reject before His heavenly Father anyone who rejects Him before men. He will disown whoever disowns Him and His blood which was used to seal the covenant with earthlings. As it is written "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10:33. You must neither deny Jesus Christ privately/secretly nor reject His precious blood of the covenant publicly, if you want to inherit the kingdom of God. However, what you need to do to inherit the kingdom of heaven is for you to set aside selfish interests and express a willingness to endure whatever that may come your way because of salvation of souls.

Believe in Jesus Christ our Lord by conforming to His example in living a godly life, and if need be, suffer or perhaps die because of your faith in Christ: according to the Scripture which says "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.'" Matthew 16:24. How many Christians are ready to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ during this Lent period? Are the leaders of Christianity prepared to forget about themselves and their interests? How many pastors/priests are willing to disregard the vanity of this world and abstain from selfishness? Are the believers eager to cleave steadfastly to Jesus Christ during this repentance time? How many Churches or Prayer Mountains will neither betray nor deny the covenant sealed with the blood of Christ this month? Are you ready to live in manner that will not trivialize the blood of covenant? We pray that God will strengthen you to fulfill all your good resolutions in Jesus Name. Amen.

Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 3

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

We shall continue our discussion by making people to realize that only the blood of Jesus Christ is worthy to be used to seal the covenant of God with mankind; so people must neither betray nor ignore the blood of covenant.

The Blood of Christ alone is worthy

During the time of Moses, the people of Israel were directed to use the blood of bulls, sheep, and other animals to sacrifice for their sins. However, the blood of these animals are powerless to take sins away; it is only a way to pacify or please God, and a symbolic gesture of the precious blood that will give redemption to the whole world; because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to remove your guilt of sin; according to the scripture which says "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins." Hebrews 10:4. Since the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins, but it only reminds people of their sins annually, then, there is need for a blood that is purer and better; which is the unblemished blood of Jesus Christ. Hence, we need a negotiator who will rescue the people who had sinned by breaking the old agreement with God; and bring the chosen ones a new agreement with its guarantee of God's eternal blessings. The Messiah is the conciliator of a new covenant uniting God and man, so that those who have been called by God may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance; since His death has served as payment which redeems us from the sins committed under the obsolete first covenant. As it is written "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" Hebrews 9:15. Are you among those who rely on the Blood of Christ to get remission of sin? Since Jesus brokered peace between God and mankind, do you believe that His blood will give you eternal life?

Jesus is without sin but understands our weakness: The Book of Romans says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. Since all of us have sinned and we continue to fall into sin on daily basis, then the blood of any human except Jesus Christ is not worthy to seal the covenant. Jesus Christ alone who is without sin is the only One that is worthy. For this reason, Jesus understands our liability and infirmities; He knew that we are susceptible to temptation because He was tempted in every way just as we are. Therefore, Jesus Christ our High Priest is able to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, because He had been tempted in every aspect and knows exactly how it feels to be human, yet He did not commit any sin. As it is written "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" Hebrews 4:15. Since Christ understands our temptation and sympathizes with our weaknesses, He alone is worth to use His blood to seal the eternal covenant between God and mankind.

The unblemished Blood of Christ: God instructed the children of Israel to take unblemished male lamb to celebrate the Passover. This signified that the blood that can protect and preserve human lives must be flawless. As it is written "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats" Exodus 12:5. We can deduce from this passage that only the perfect blood of Jesus Christ can give protection and preservation to mankind. Therefore, you need the blood of Jesus to install the protective covering of the Lord on your family so that the destroyer will neither come into your house nor any harm befall your household; according to the Bible passage which says "For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you" Exodus 12:23. If you don't want the angel of death to visit you, seek the blood of Jesus. If you don't want any harm to befall you, cover yourself with the blood of Christ which was used to seal the covenant. Therefore, we must realize that we were purchased and redeemed with the precious blood like that of a sacrificial lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. As it is written "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" 1 Peter 1:19. We must admit that we were not redeemed with corruptible things but with the flawless blood of Christ. The payment that rescued and liberated humans was the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb of God with no defects or imperfections.

Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself

The divine love which Jesus had for mankind made Him to sacrifice Himself; once and for all at the consummation and close of the ages, He appeared to put away and abolish sin by sacrificing Himself; had it not been that He appeared once at the end of the ages, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world: according to the scripture which says "He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" Hebrews 9:26. Hence, love and value one another. Practice empathy and compassion on people. You must unselfishly seek what is best for others instead of seeking your interest alone. We should allow our lives to be controlled by the divine love of God by esteeming and delighting in one another. So, let us live a life of love by following the example of Christ, who loved us so much and gave Himself for us as a sacrifice that pleases God: according to the Book of Ephesians which says "And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" Ephesians 5:2. Is divine love your guide? Are you ready to make sacrifices because of others? Have you resolve to abstain from evil and wickedness? Then get rid of your old leaven, so that you will be new dough, since Christ sacrificial death rescued us from spiritual death, just as the blood of Passover lambs rescued the children of Israel. As it is written "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" 1 Corinthians 5:7. Are you prepared to remove the old leaven of sin from your life? It is time to change positively so that the sacrifice/death of Christ will not be in vain.

Christ Atoned for our sins: The love that Almighty God had for the work of His hand called mankind made Him to use His only Son as atonement for our sins. Jesus Christ was sent by His Father to take action to correct the previous wrongdoings on the part of humanity; He reverses the consequences of guilt/punishment of our sins, by liberating us through His death and His blood that was shed on the cross. Jesus Christ took this action due to His sympathy for human being, so that we will benefit eternally by His expression of His undying love. Therefore it is a misrepresentation to say we love God, because He was the One who first loved us before we reciprocated His good gesture.

The scripture says "We love Him because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19. God demonstrated His endless love for us by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins in order to appease Him (God). The death of Christ avoided divine retribution/penalty coming upon mankind, and instead we receive favor in the presence of our Creator. The Bible testified to this fact by saying "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be propitiation for our sins" 1 John 4:10. The real and genuine love is the love that God had for us, and not the love with ulterior motives that humans have for their Creator. For this reason, Christ is the propitiation of our sins, the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature, our worldliness and our lustful lifestyle; and not for ours alone but also for the whole world. As it is written “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for the whole world” 1 John 2:2. How are you repaying Christ for this great sacrifice? Are your acts disgracing Christ or honoring Him? Do you appreciate and value the blood that seals the covenant which liberated you? How are you demonstrating your obedience to Christ through whom your sins are forgiven? When people believe that Jesus sacrificed His life by shedding His blood, they are made right with God. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past: according to the Book of Romans which says "Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed" Romans 3:25. Do you have faith in the blood that redeemed human race? Then, abstain from sinful lifestyle during this repentance period.

Many do not have faith in the blood of covenant: Today the situation of the world is dicey and there is turmoil everywhere on earth. People are not loyal to God and they are using deception to deal with one another. The believers are neither devoted nor reliable anymore, and the lives of those who are speaking the truth persistently are in a serious danger. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying "The faithful man has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net" Micah 7:2. Are you among those who are setting traps for their brethren? Have you become expert in evil instead of good? Do you belong to the group of corrupt people who demand bribes or embezzle the funds of the country/church? Are you among those who are brutal and eager to deceive others? Change so that the death of Christ will not be in vain and His blood which was shed on the cross will not become void in your life.

Numerous people have the notion that no one is rewarded for delighting in God. The belief of countless people is that: you gain nothing when you become God's friend and it profits you nothing to be in accord with God. The mindset of many people is that; it is a waste of time to please God: according to the Book of Job which says "For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God'" Job 34:9. It should be noted that whenever you fail to obey God and walk with Him, you are exposing yourself to spiritual attack from the darkness and punishment from God. Hence, do not be one of those who think that their accomplishments are due to their smartness, prowess and knowledge instead of the grace of God. So, rely on God and try your best to please Him, because without God you are nothing. You can only flourish in Jesus Christ; and anyone who cut off his/her union with Christ will come to nothing. Without Jesus Christ, mankind can neither achieve anything nor do nothing. The Bible confirmed this fact by saying "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" John 15:5. It is important to maintain your relationship with God because you are nothing without Him. Also, register it in your mind that your wealth and influence are vanity that cannot achieve any tangible thing, unless you know and depend on Christ.

We need to realize that without faith, we cannot enjoy the benefits of the blood of covenant. We must not doubt if we want the physical manifestation of the blood of Christ to resolve the issues of our lives; according to the scripture which says "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind" James 1:6. What are you waiting for? Do not hesitate, but ask with faith now so that the blood of covenant will perform wonders in your life. You must neither waver nor have a divided loyalty in order to witness the potency of the blood of covenant; bearing in mind that without faith you can never please God. If you want to please God and be acceptable to Him, then have unshaken faith in Him. As it is written "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews 11:6. You must have faith in God and sincerely seek Him in order to be rewarded.

Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 4

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

We shall continue our discussion by mentioning the attributes and the usefulness of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was used to seal the eternal covenant.

Attributes and usefulness of the Blood of Jesus Christ

The attributes of the blood of Christ are numerous because of its various and diverse usefulness to the extent that its efficacy and efficiency are unparalleled (unique). The adequacy of the blood of Christ is abundantly able to provide for the needs of mankind till eternity. The priceless blood of the Lamb is very valuable to the magnitude/level that is functionality is undeniable and there is no problem that it cannot resolve whether physical or spiritual.

The effectiveness of the blood of covenant makes it indispensable to humans in this world and the world to come. Only the blood of Jesus can assist us in every aspect of our lives and make us to be successful in all our endeavors. So, rely solely on the blood of the Lamb of God because of its immense advantage and countless benefits for your survival in this sinful world.

The Churches were bought with the Blood of Christ: There are countless churches in the world today whereby their overseers/pastors/founders are living in comfort and luxury while the congregation lives in penury. Many of these so called elders/priests are always busy pursuing their selfish interest thereby neglecting the members of their churches. The time has come for these leaders/pastors to remember that it is their duty to keep watch over the flock which Holy Spirit has placed in their care. It is their obligation to look after the members of their churches and supervise them as shepherds because the Lord bought the church with His blood.

The people that were appointed as elders/overseers/pastors, must tend and feed the church of the Lord which He obtained with His blood: according to the Book of Acts which says "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28. Are you among those who are troubling the church of God? If not, how are you guiding the flock of the church which the Lord acquired with His blood? Are you guarding and caring for your family alone or the entire members of your church? If you diligently perform your duty by exhibiting selflessness then you will be among the first-fruits to receive redemption of sins; since the passage clarified that without the blood of Jesus, there might have been no church in existence and if there is any, maybe it will not be sanctified and acceptable to God.

The blood of Jesus forgives our sins: According to the law given to Moses, almost everything must be sprinkled with blood to be cleansed, and sins cannot be forgiven unless blood is offered. Without shedding of blood there can neither be any release from sin nor cancellation of the merited punishment. The Bible testified to this fact by saying "And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission." Hebrews 9:22. It is clear from the passage that without the blood of covenant (Jesus) no human will be released from the guilt of sin and there will be no revocation of the penalty due for the sins. It is for this reason that Jesus said at the table 'This is My blood, which seals God's covenant.' He said, this is My blood of the new and better covenant which ratifies the agreement between God and mankind; and is being poured out for many people as a substitutionary atonement for the forgiveness of sins: according to the scripture which says "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28.

How are you using the blood of Jesus which confirmed the covenant between God and the believers? Do you have confidence in the blood that was shed as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many? The prophets testified that everyone who believes in Christ by accepting Him as their Savior and Messiah will receive forgiveness through His name and blood. Today, if you have faith in the name of Christ, and rely on His blood you will receive remission of sins. Your sins will be forgiven through the power in the name and the blood of Jesus, if adheres to Him. As it is written "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43. Are you propagating the potency of the blood and the name of Christ? Do you trust in the blood of Jesus and have unshaken faith in His name to resolve your issues? If your answers are yes, then the time has come that the blood of covenant will transform your life.

The Blood of Jesus permits fellowship with God: The blood of Christ made it possible for humans to have fellowship with God their Creator. When Jesus instituted the holy communion, the Bible stated that "He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you'" Luke 22:19-20. These passages affirmed that God's new covenant with mankind was sealed with the blood of Christ. The new covenant between God and the believers is an agreement that was confirmed with the blood of Jesus. So, unless you eat the flesh of Christ and drink His blood through the Holy Communion you cannot have eternal life. Anyone who feeds on Christ flesh and drinks His blood will have eternal life and such person will resurrect on the Last day. As it is written "Then Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.'" John 6:53-54. It is evident that without the blood of Christ no one can live forever. Therefore, believe in the saving power of the blood of Jesus. When was the last time that you partake in Holy Communion? Are they having Holy Communion regularly in your church? Do not joke with Holy Communion, because it is the only way to be intimate with God through the blood of Christ that was shed for forgiveness of sins.

For this reason, do not forget that whenever we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, we are sharing in the blood of Christ and when we break the bread, we are sharing in the body of Christ; according to the Book of Corinthians which says "The cup of blessings which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?" 1 Corinthians 10:16. Since anyone who partakes in Holy communion has become one body with Christ, those of us who are partaking in Holy communion must beware, else we will guilty; according to the scripture which says "Therefore whoever eats this bread of drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 11:27. We pray that we will not be guilty of the blood of covenant. However, continue to partake in Holy Communion so that you will remain and live in Christ forever; according to the Bible passage which says "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him." John 6:56. The only way to become one with Christ is to participate in Holy Communion. If you want to abide in Christ and endure forever, then always take part in Holy Communion.

The Blood of covenant enables intimacy with God: The blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross brought the grace to be intimate with our Maker. Christians must remember that we used to be unbelievers or Gentiles; during this period, we have no part in the covenants of promise because we are without knowledge of God's agreement; which means we lived in the world at that time without hope and without God. We used to be far away from God in the past, but we have been brought near Him by the blood of Christ; since that moment when we were saved and united with Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13. Christians do not backslide, and believers make sure that you do not return to your sinful lifestyle, else your grace of intimacy with God will be revoked. However, if you remain steadfast, you can boldly come into the presence of God and enter heaven's Most Holy Place through the blood of Jesus. As it is written "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus." Hebrews 10:19. Only the blood of Jesus can grant you access to the presence of God.

The Blood of Jesus fulfilled the covenants: God made several promises with the people of Israel and the believers, some of which did not come to pass until the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Then the power that resides in the blood of Jesus fulfilled these covenants; because the great sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross acted as a catalyst which prompted Almighty God to fulfill these covenants without delay. Inasmuch as the blood of Jesus had granted humanity remission of sins and reconciled us with God; the agreement which says "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me." Jeremiah 32:40. This promise was fulfilled because the blood of Christ was used to seal this everlasting covenant.

The scripture also stated that "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forever." Ezekiel 37:26. The exceptional strength in the blood of Jesus made the believers to be established and flourish with many churches across the globe. We pray that "The God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of everlasting covenant, will make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21. We pray that the blood of covenant will strengthen you and make you complete to live a godly life throughout your existence. You will be equipped through the power of Jesus Christ which will perfect your ways in manner that will be pleasing and acceptable to Almighty God.

The Blood of Jesus purifies and sanctifies: Jesus knew that God is not pleased with the sacrifices of animals to take away sins, or burnt offerings, but He only permitted them pending the time of propitiation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, He came into the world to do the will of His Father by canceling the first covenant (which deals with animals sacrifices) in order to put the second/new covenant into effect when He died on the cross. Due to the obedience of Jesus Christ, believers were cleansed of their sins and consecrated by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time Hebrews 10:8-10. The old way of worship is obsolete and has been removed therefore you don't need the blood of any animal or bird to worship God anymore. What you need for your survival and success in this world is the invisible blood of Jesus; because by a single offering He has perfected eternally and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified by bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity; as it is written "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." Hebrews 10:14.

Many of us (before we believed) were cleansed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ because of our previous lifestyle/sins. Then we were set apart for God and made holy, we were justified and declare free of guilt in the name of Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit the source of the believer's new life and changed behavior: according to the Bible passage which says "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11. Are you among those who were purified from sin and dedicated to God? Do you think your conducts will make you to be put right with God by Jesus Christ?

The unfailing love which Jesus Christ had for mankind made Him to free us from our sins, by shedding His blood for us on the cross. He died so that we will live. He sacrificed Himself and cleansed us from our sins in His own blood. The scripture corroborated the fact by saying "And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood;" Revelation 1:5. Since those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary for sin, are burnt outside the camp; Jesus also suffered and died outside the city gate in order that He might purify and consecrate the people through the shedding of His own blood and sanctify them for God. As it is written "Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered outside the gate." Hebrews 13:12.

For this reason, "If the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:13-14. Therefore, if we are living in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, purifies us from all our sin. As it is written; "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin;" 1 John 1:7. You cannot claim to have fellowship with God if you are living in darkness. Since light has nothing in common with darkness, and, light and darkness cannot live together, then abstain from darkness and embrace light.

Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 6

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

We shall continue our discussion of the attributes and the usefulness of the blood of Jesus Christ by mentioning how we were delivered, saved, and overcame this sinful world through the blood of covenant.

Deliverance belongs to Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ alone can rescue you from the troubles that are making your life unbearable. The Messiah is the only one capable of setting you free from your spiritual imprisonment. The power of liberation resides in the blood of Jesus. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord." Proverbs 21:31. It is time for you to realize that deliverance belong to Christ and He alone can release you from any spiritual bondage and give you victory. Christ died for our sins in order to set us free from this immoral age. He gave Himself as a sacrifice to atone for our sins, and to save and sanctify us, in order to deliver us from this wicked age, in accordance with the purpose and plan of God. As it is written "Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1:4. Since Jesus gave His life for our sins and used His blood to rescue us from this present world order, then He has delivered us from the control and the power of darkness. Our heavenly Father rescued us from the power of Satan and kingdom of darkness by the blood of covenant; according to the Book of Colossians which says "He delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." Colossians 1:13.

You need to acknowledge that Christ alone can deliver you from the dominion of darkness and only His blood can deliver you from the authority of darkness; according to the song which says, "The most powerful Blood that is superior to other blood, come and set me free; the Blood which flowed at Calvary give me deliverance." For this reason, expect with pleasure the coming of Jesus, who rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. Are you ready for the appearance of Christ who will deliver us from the impending fury of God's judgment? Do you know that you will be raised from dead and escape the anger of God through Jesus? As it is written "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:10. Hence, Jesus alone can save us from God's anger on the judgment day. Therefore, do you agree that the blood of Jesus alone can deliver us from the wrath that is bringing punishment of God? Is it clear to you that only the blood of the Lamb can deliver the impenitent? Do you understand that the catalyst which made Christ to invest heavily in us with all privileges was His great sacrifice and love? Do you doubt that humans were rewarded with new life in Christ because of the blood He shed on the cross? You will be delivered from spiritual captivity today, if you believe in the blood of Jesus and reconcile with your Creator.

We were saved by the blood of Jesus: Nowadays, many people in the world do not believe in the teaching about the Cross. The preaching about the cross doesn't make sense to countless leaders in the world. Several people because of their educational background, financial status, and their fame, believed that the message of the cross is nonsense. Though the message of the cross may be folly to those who are spiritually dead and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved by God's grace, it is the manifestation of the power of God. As it is written, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. Do you think that the message of the cross is illogical? Are you among novice who believes that the teaching of the cross is absurd? Do you know that anyone who rejects the message of the Cross will perish? Do you accept that the message of the Cross is demonstration of the power of God? We pray that you will not perish with the world or end your journey in Satan's camp, because God did not send Jesus into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior: according to the scripture which says; "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17. Since you know that Jesus came into the world to reform and put the world right again by giving salvation to mankind, then it is right to say that Christ came into this world to save sinners; according to the confession of Paul apostle which says "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am a chief." 1 Timothy 1:15. If Paul apostle admitted that he was a sinner, don't you think you are also a sinner? Do you admit that Jesus died for you to be saved? Do you agree that your redemption was purchased with the blood of Jesus? Therefore, trust in the invisible blood of Christ for your salvation.

Believers must acknowledge with their mouths that Jesus is Lord before they can be saved. The conditionality for you to be saved is to confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord by recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God, and believe in your heart that He died on the cross, and shed His blood for remission of sins. As it is written; "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9. We will be saved according to the song which says "There is power, there is power, and there is power in the blood of Jesus. There is healing, there is healing, and there is healing in the blood of Jesus…" So, you must publicly declare that Jesus is the Messiah that saved the world through His blood before you can be acceptable to God. Anyone who wants to be saved must trust in the blood of Jesus and honestly rely on the truth that God raised Him from the dead. Hence, with these messages we are urging and pleading with you to save yourself from this crooked generation by complying with the instructions of God. We are appealing to brethren in the Lord to utilize the power in the blood of Jesus to save themselves from the punishment coming on this corrupt generation. We are at the end time and many people in the world are evil/wicked, so, we are warning the believers to have faith in the blood of covenant and rely on it to save them from this froward generation; according to the admonition of Apostle Peter which says "And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying 'Be saved from this perverse generation.'" Acts 2:40.

For this reason, adhere to Jesus Christ the only Supreme Being who is able to save those who come to God through Him. Since our Lord Jesus Christ lives forever, therefore, He is able to save eternally those who come to God through Him, because He lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf perpetually in the presence of God, according to the Book of Hebrews which says; "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25. It is evident that we can only be saved forever by Jesus, who continuously petition God on our behalf; and we must believe that we are saved through His undeserved grace, together with His blood of covenant which makes us free of the guilt of sin. As it is written; "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." Acts 15:11. We pray that the divine favor and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which preserve us till this moment will not cease in our lives but grant us eternal life. Amen.

We conquered Satan by the blood of Jesus: Christians must realize that they will suffer maltreatment and hostility because of their Christ-like lifestyle. Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ will be persecuted. Those who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ will be hunted because of their faith, according to the Bible passage which says "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" 2 Timothy 3:12. Since you belong to Christ and want to live right, you will have trouble from others. Apostle Paul enlightened the Thessalonians by saying "For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know." 1 Thessalonians 3:4. So, do not see whatever affliction, persecution and tribulation that are currently happening to you as a strange thing; but have the confidence that you will overcome them. Though we will have distress and sorrow, however we should be courageous and undaunted, because of the assurance of Christ. Believers since we have guarantee from Jesus, whenever we have tribulation and trials; we must be brave and filled with joy because He had overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm us. As it is written "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Since you have the promise of Jesus, do not be terrified by your difficulties and troubles, because the world has been defeated for you. We pray that your frustration and suffering will come to an end today; according to the song which says "The blood of Jesus, I call on the blood of Jesus, the blood of Jesus continue to flow, use the fire of the Holy Spirit to uphold me, wash me with the water from Your body, trample on the spiritual battle of my life, so that I will glorify the Father."

Christ overcame the world, so for believers to overcome the world they must believe and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus and His blood of covenant. The only way to conquer the world is to plead the blood of Jesus. You can have victory and win the battle against the world, if and only if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God; according to the scripture which says "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:5. The only way to defeat the agents of antichrist is to be filled with the Spirit of God. Holy Spirit alone can conquer the strange and contrary spirits that are in the world. Without the power of the Holy Spirit it is impossible for anyone to overcome the hosts of hell. As it is written "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4. Therefore, seek the Spirit of God and the blood of Jesus that will strengthen you to overcome Satan and his invisible agents; according to the Bible passage which says "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to death." Revelation 12:11. Are you among those who did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death but were willing to die for the word of Christ? Are you ready to have victory over Lucifer by the blood of the Lamb and the truth which you are proclaiming? Do you love your life so much that you are afraid to die a righteous death? Do you belong to the class of people who will renounce their faith when faced with death? Make amendments today before it is too late, so as to inherit good things in heaven. You must adhere faithfully to Jesus Christ before you can overcome the world. If you emerge victorious, you will be adopted by God and inherit the good things in His kingdom; according to the Book of Revelation which says "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." Revelation 21:7. We pray that you will be among the victorious people who will inherit the blessings of God and become His children.

Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 5

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

We shall continue our discussion of the attributes and the usefulness of the blood of Jesus Christ by mentioning its reconciliatory and redemptive effects; we will make reference to how we were justified through the blood of Jesus and obtained eternal salvation.

Humans were reconciled with God by Christ's Blood: The Blood that our Lord Jesus Christ shed on the cross restored the paternity relationship between mankind and Almighty God our heavenly Father. The Blood of Jesus paid our debts of sins and made us acceptable to God. Even when we were God's enemies, He made us His friends through the death of Jesus Christ His Son. Now that we are God's friends, it is certain that we will be saved from the consequences of sin. Since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies (because of our sins): it means, we will surely be saved through Christ's life. As it is written "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:10. Do not return to your former lifestyle after your reconciliation with God, so that sin will not have dominion over you.

If God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. It was the blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross that made God to decide to bring the whole universe back to Himself. So, God brought back to Himself all things on earth and in heaven through Christ's blood sacrificed on the cross: according to the Book of Colossians which says "For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:19-20. The divine peace is reigning in the lives of the believers due to the grace of God and the blood of Jesus. Therefore, all things are done by God, who through the blood of Christ changes us from enemies into His friends and gave us the task of making others His friends also. We need to realize that spiritual rebirth (new creation) is a gift from God, who brought mankind back to Himself through Jesus Christ and His blood: according to the scripture which says "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5: 18. Since God had received you into favor, how are you performing your task of reconciliation? Are you aiming to bring others into harmony with God through your words and deeds? It is time for you to start restoring relationships instead of neglecting and abolishing relationships.

We have redemption through the blood of Jesus: Humans obtained redemption through the blood of Jesus. He paid the debt by shedding His blood on the cross. The Bible stated that, it is through the blood of Christ that we have redemption, because of His sacrifice on the cross, which resulted in forgiveness of our sins, and the cancellation of our sin's penalty. The scripture corroborated this fact by saying "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:14. This is in accordance with the song which says "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus". Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse you of your sins and parmanently erase them. The blood of Christ alone can pardon your offenses by atoning for your sins. So, trust in the blood of the Lamb that will make you right before God, and give you hope and peace throughout your existence.

Jesus purchased our freedom and forgave our sins; (He paid the price and we are set free). He achieved this feat by entering the Holy of Holies of heaven once with His own blood and secure our redemption forever. Jesus came into the presence of God, not with the blood of goats and bulls as a sacrifice, instead He took His own blood and obtained eternal salvation for us: according to the Book of Hebrews which says "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:12. Since Christ has freed us from sin forever, therefore, we have redemption and deliverance through the blood that paid the penalty of our sin; which resulted in the forgiveness, and complete pardon of our sins. The salvation obtained through the blood of Jesus produced the remission of our offenses and shortcomings, in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor. As it is written "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7. For this reason, give all glory to God, who is so rich in kindness and grace, that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His son, and forgave our trespasses.

We were justified by the Blood of the Lamb: There is nothing in this world that can be compared with the Blood of Jesus. Christ was betrayed and crucified because of our misdeeds, and was raised from the dead to secure our justification by making our account balance, and absolving us from all guilt before God. The Messiah was put to death because of our trespasses and He was raised to life in order to put us right with God: according to the Bible passage which says "Who was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification." Romans 4:25. Hence, do not betray the blood of covenant which secured our acquittal; instead trust in the blood of Jesus that made us acceptable to God. Since we have now been acquitted and declare free of guilt from sin by the blood of Jesus, then it is certain that we will be saved from the wrath of God. If we are now made righteous and brought into right relationship with God by Christ's blood, we have the assurance that He will save us from the indignation of God. As it is written "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:9.

For this reason, we must realize that we are made upright and granted eternal life freely and gratuitously by God's unmerited favor and mercy through the redemption which is in Christ. The great redemption that is in Christ made us to be justified, declared free of guilt of sin and made acceptable to God as a gift of His grace: according to the scripture which says "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24. Since God treats us better than we deserve because of a ransom paid by Jesus Christ, how are you using grace that put you in right standing with God? Are you proclaiming to the world, the blood of Christ which redeemed you from enslavement to sin? Do not forget that you are justified by undeserved grace of God, because Jesus Christ bought you with His blood, He made you free from your sins and the penalty of your sins.

Eternal Salvation came through the blood of Jesus: The Bible stated that "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12. Since we are fighting with the invisible spirits, we need the blood of Jesus to conquer them. We need the blood of covenant to set us free from our spiritual bondage. We require the blood of Christ to save our souls from sin and its consequences that are giving the hosts of hell advantage over us. Hence we can summarize that we need eternal salvation, which can only be obtained through the blood of Jesus. Therefore, only Jesus has the power to save. Salvation can be found in no one else except Christ. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given to mankind by which we must be saved except Jesus Christ. As it is written "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

For this reason, we must wake up from our spiritual slumber, because our salvation is nearer to us. This period is very crucial, believers wake up from your sleep and live properly. Time is running out, Christians the hour has come for us to be awaken from our spiritual complacency and be roused to reality, because our final deliverance is very close: according to the Book of Romans which says "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." Romans 13:11. Brethren, please understand this present time that our salvation is at hand, since God did not choose us to pour out His fury on us, or to suffer His anger. Almighty God has not destined us to incur His wrath or select us to be condemned, but rather to possess salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. The scripture testified to this fact by saying "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:9. God did not plan to punish mankind, instead He has chosen to deliver us from the penalty of sin by the abundance of salvation we obtained through Jesus Christ.

Believers be ready, Jesus Christ is coming back to this world, not to carry any burden of sin or deal with sin, but to bring salvation to the people who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him. Christ was offered as a sacrifice once to take away the sins of many people. However, He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are constantly and patiently waiting for Him, by taking them Home. As it is written "So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." Hebrews 9:28. Are you ready for the return of Christ? If Jesus comes today, will you be among those who will accompany Him home? What is the level of your preparedness for this eternal salvation? We pray that you will be among those who will confess that they owe their deliverance to the Trinity, and admit that God alone has the power to save by declaring that; salvation comes from God and the Lamb: according to the scripture which says, “And crying out with a loud voice, saying 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and the Lamb.'” Revelation 7:10. Our prayer is that, you will be worthy to be among this congregation of Saints. Amen.

Topic: The Blood of Covenant will give you liberty - Part 7

Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:9-11

We shall continue our discussion of the attributes and the usefulness of the blood of Jesus Christ by mentioning how we were redeemed by the blood of covenant and made worthy to worship before the heavenly throne of God.

The Blood of Jesus Redeemed us: It is important, necessary and essential for every Christian to believe that Jesus Christ their Savior and Redeemer is alive. Though He died on the cross but He resurrected and ascended to heaven. Satan was made aware of Job not only because he was blameless, upright and fear God but also because of his faith that his redeemer is alive. Job confessed that his Redeemer and Vindicator exist; according to the scripture which says "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth." Job 19:25. You must admit that your Redeemer is a living Being, who is the First and the Last before you can be redeemed. Do you know that there is someone in heaven who will come at last to the defense of believers? Jesus Christ our Defender lives, according to the confirmation of the four creatures that are serving before the heavenly throne of God; which says "The four living creature, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'" Revelation 4:8. The four living creatures were praising Jesus Christ the Redeemer of mankind, who was dead, who resurrected from dead and who is coming back to this world. 

It is evident that Jesus Christ purchased our freedom on the cross and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us. Christ rescued us from the Law's curse when He became a curse in our place. So, by becoming a curse for us Christ has redeemed us from the curse that the Law brings. As it is written, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'" Galatians 3:13. Never forget that the crucifixion of Jesus rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law because He took upon Himself the curse of our wrongdoing. Hence, He gave His life to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness; and to make us a pure people who belong to Him alone: according to the Book of Titus which says "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:14. Do you accept that Christ bought you with His blood and made you free from sins? Do you think your conducts will make you to qualify to be among the special people of the Lord? Are you enthusiastic about living a life that is good and filled with beneficial deeds? Are you totally committed to doing good deeds and live a godly life? Be eager to do what is right, so that you will be counted as a chosen possession of the Lord.

Jesus Christ died on the cross and utilized His blood to purchase mankind. He bought for God with His blood, people from every tribe, language and nation by His sacrificial death. The unblemished blood of Jesus ransomed people for God from every tongue, people and race; according to the song of the redeemed, which says "And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe, and tongue and people and nation." Revelation 5:9. Christ utilized His blood to redeem mankind because of the power which resides in it; according to the song which says "Great, great power; great, great power; the power that performs miracle is in Jesus Christ, the power that accomplish wonders is in Your blood." We pray that you will be among the redeemed who will sing before the heavenly throne of God.

The Blood of Covenant makes it possible to worship before the throne: Jesus Christ warned that at the end-time the populace of the world shall witness a great pressure and oppression will be widespread, as it is today. People are suffering and lots of miseries are happening on daily basis. Distress and affliction are common occurrence throughout the globe, while anguish is rampant among the earthlings. Jesus warned that there will be terrible trouble at the end-time than at any time since the world began just like the events that are currently happening in the world. The Book of Matthew testified to this fact by saying "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." Matthew 24:21-22. Therefore, give all glory to God who protected us from the pain and sorrow that are ravaging the world. However we need to realize that God preserved our souls because of a purpose, and the reason is, to strengthen and establish the hearts of the believers, then encourage them to remain firm in faith and remind them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. You are still in existence because God wants you to plead with Christians to remain faithful to their Maker, and enlighten them that if they intend to inherit the kingdom of God, they will pass through many troubles; according to the preaching of Paul and Barnabas which says "Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God'" Acts 14: 22. Are you ready to go through many hard times and suffer many things to enter the Kingdom of God? You must rejoice in your afflictions and persecutions before you can enter the Glorious Home.

We must pass through terrible tribulation and wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb before we can worship before the heavenly throne of God. The prerequisite to participate in the service before the heavenly throne is to go through great persecution without denying God and then purify your heart by washing it in the blood of the Lamb: according to the Book of Revelation which says "After these things I looked, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' …… Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, 'Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?' And I said to him, 'Sir, you know'. So he said to me, 'These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.'" Revelation 7:9-15. We pray that you will neither be absent among/in the congregation that will worship before the heavenly throne nor miss the kingdom of God.

Do not misuse your liberty: Christians, must not abuse the liberty that was derived through the blood of covenant. Jesus Christ has set us free with His blood; so, do not misapply your freedom. You must never use the liberty which you received through the blood of the Lamb in an unfair or selfish way; according to the scripture which says "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1. Believers, do not subject yourselves again to spiritual chains from which you were removed. Do not be ensnared by the glittering of this world. Do not submit again to the deceit of the Devil, instead use the blood of covenant to overcome whoever intends to hinder your journey spiritually. You must neither go back into the bondage of your past lifestyle, nor allow the throne of darkness to put you in spiritual slavery. We must realize that it is better if we do not receive liberty through the blood of covenant than to receive liberty and then return to spiritual bondage: according to the Bible passage which says "For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them." 2 Peter 2:21. Are you among the so-called Christians who are rejecting the holy life God told them to live? Can you honestly affirm that you did not turn your back on the sacred command which was given to you?

Are you one of the pastors/elders who are distorting, misrepresenting and misinterpreting the holy commandment entrusted to them because of greed and gain? Are you among the fair-weather Christians who are abandoning godliness in droves, because of their ambitions and aspirations? If you belong to any of the aforementioned class, you need to quickly change and turn to God fully before His judgment descends upon you. If God did not spare the angels that sinned but punished them, then you too will not be spared unless you change. As it is written "For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment." 2 Peter 2:4. Change if you don't want to suffer the same fate. If you don't want to be kept chained in gloomy pits of darkness, until the Day of Judgment; change before it is too late.

Believers be careful so that your freedom will not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. We must not allow our liberty to influence or cause people who are weak in faith to fall into sin. Watch out else your liberty might be a problem for others if not properly use: according to the Book of Corinthians which says "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak." 1 Corinthians 8:9. Do not permit your freedom to become an opportunity to indulge in worldliness, and selfish impulses. Your liberty must not be an incentive for greediness and gluttonous activities. Do not allow your freedom to become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you, or for your corrupt nature to express itself. Hence, your liberty must not be used to satisfy your sinful nature, instead use it to serve one another in love. As it is written "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5: 13. For this reason, do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh; instead serve one another in love. Likewise, your liberty must not be used as a pretext for wickedness and wrongdoing. Do not use your freedom to do evil, or as a cloak of maliciousness, instead use it to serve God; according to the scripture which says "As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God." 1 Peter 2:16. Never use your liberty as a veil to hide evil or commit crimes.

For this reason, we must pay attention to the things that we have heard, so that we will neither drift away nor slip away from truth. It is important to pay attention to this publication which explained how the blood of Christ gave us liberty and His superiority to the angels: according to the Bible passage which says "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." Hebrews 2:1. Listen carefully to the truth which you have heard, lest you perish. Since anyone who treats as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin will be punished severely. Worse punishment will be for those who have trampled on Christ by despising and disrespecting Him, and have treated the blood of covenant which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us. As it is written "Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing and insulted the Spirit of Grace?" Hebrews 10:29. So, do not misuse the blood of covenant which gives you liberty.

Finally, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

The Seal: Zechariah 9:11: “As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit."