Justice and Mercy – The Arm of the Lord Moves From Physical Battles to the Spiritual Realm part 8

The physical battles of the arm of the Lord in the old covenant had now stepped up to spiritual battles in the new covenant.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12 KJV

God revealed His arm - His mighty power and love manifest in flesh - that defeated sin for His beloved and brought death to our enemy the devil.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV

The arm of the Lord – God revealed as a man with flesh and blood – provided the final necessary requirement to satisfy justice for man’s sins with its penalty of death. Man’s bitter bondage to sin and the fear of dying was over. (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 10:4, 10)

Jesus would defeat principalities and powers of darkness to bring His victory to all mankind. This was done through a transfer of His covenant of justice and judgment of the law, to His covenant of mercy and grace by the gospel.

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians 2:14-15 KJV [Another translation: "He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross." - Colossians 2:14-15 NLT]

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Revelation 12:10-11 KJV

We defeat the accuser – satan – by the blood of the Lamb: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection – and by the word of our testimony: our repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and our receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1- 6, Acts 2:38).

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." - Revelation 1:18 KJV

To be continued…