History of the Work of Redemption Vol I of the Works - Edwards - XX - Period III concluded

Required readingHistory of the Work of Redemption in Vol I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Part X of Period III.

My summary.

Today we finish the work with Edwards final conclusions about what we have learnt from the history of redemption.

We have seen:

(i) the greatness of the work;

(ii) that God is the Alpha and the Omega;

(iii) how Christ has in all things the pre-eminence;

(iv) the consistency, order and beauty of God's works of providence;

(v) the Scriptures are the word of God;

(vi) the majesty and power of God;

(vii) the wisdom of God;

(viii) the mercy and faithfulness of God to his people;

(ix) how happy a society the church of Christ is;

(x) the exceeding misery of all that are in a Christless condition.

What grabbed me

I loved the description of the church: 

'Hence we may learn how happy a society the church of Christ is. For all this great work is for them. Christ undertook it for their sakes, and for their sakes he carries it on; it is because he has loved them with an everlasting love. For their sakes he overturns states and kingdoms. For their sakes he shakes heaven and earth. He gives men for them, and people for their life. Since they have been precious in God s sight, they have been honourable; and therefore he first gives the blood of his own Son, and then gives the blood of all their enemies, many thousands and millions, all nations that stand in their way, as a sacrifice to their good.

For their sakes he made the world, and for their sakes he will destroy it; for their sakes he built heaven, and for their sakes he makes his angels ministering spirits. Therefore the apostle says, 1 Cor. iii. 21, &c. "All things are yours: whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours." How blessed is this people who are redeemed from among men, and are the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb; who have God in all ages for their protection and help! Deut. xxxiii. 29. "Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places."

Let who will prevail now, let the enemies of the church exalt themselves as much as they will, these are the people that shall finally prevail. The last kingdom shall finally be theirs; the kingdom shall finally be given into their hands, and shall not be left to other people. We have seen to what a blessed issue things shall finally be brought, and what glory they shall arrive at, and remain in possession of, after all the kingdoms of the world are come to an end, and the earth is removed, and mountains are carried into the depth of the sea, or where the sea was, and this lower earth shall all be dissolved. O happy people, and blessed society! Well may they spend an eternity in praises and hallelujahs to him who hath loved them, and will love them to eternity.'

We are truly blessed.  Let us show it, at least on our faces!

Next week's reading

Read the Preface to 'Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvation' as well as the First Point (I. The meaning of the doctrine) of the 'Discourse on Justification by Faith Alone'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.