When you squeeze the Bible hard enough, what drips out is Relationship and Righteousness. Love and choice are components of relationship and the interplay between our lack of righteousness and His willingness to restore the relationship, necessitated the cross.
~ Hermann Weidemann
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
~ from Hebrews 10
Oh beloved, it is true. There is a desperate battle for our very lives. The conditions for victory have been won, but the outcome for each of us is a question that must be answered. And… we are not able to even answer the question in our dead and frozen state.
Enter the King of The Universe. A very long time ago.
In the eternal court of the ages. This same King had a discussion with many. But at the head of the table were Himself in His Triunity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit did already know the outcome. They were already there, eternity being but a breath of Their Being. But a discussion is always made better by having others involved. As children fill the heart of parents, wholeness can be made more full by the participation of those who cannot really add value.
“We shall make them like Us. They will be powerful beyond measure. Anything they put their minds to, they shall do.”
“But… what of the fallen one? Will he play in the situation?” said one of the elders of ages past.
“Yes. The Liar will tempt them to blind themselves, and they will. The one choice they make will make it so they cannot make any others. Though they will carry the DNA of gods, they will be as dead animals. They will fall forever short of the plan We have for them.”
The Son speaks, “Oh Father! I hate death! I AM livid with rage against it. Why do We allow it to even exist in our sphere of influence? Let Us destroy it once and for all!”
“Son. Death can only be dealt with One Way. You already know this. You know all things. You always have, and You always will. I AM so pleased with You, and rejoice in Your wisdom. What do You have to say My Son?”
The Son answers, “Oh how I Love them!”
The Spirit resonated this fully between the two other Great Hearts of forever, “He is glorious Father! What a joy to know You Jesus! But, My own Heart breaks at the thought Dear One… I mean, would You?”
Jesus answers simply, but with a profundity that changed everything, forever: “Yes.”
The Father speaks, “Let Us make this clear to all in attendance.” And the court of The Triune King falls silent for at least an age. All of everything ceases and listens. Even the one about to be dealt a blow of its own medicine listens. “For death to be eradicated, Life must die and swallow it up in victory.”
“Step forward Son.” And Jesus stands before His Father.
“I Love You Son. I AM so pleased in You!” And The Spirit spoke the same, in the Same Voice, in the very same moment.
“Father. To do Your will is the greatest of feasts. The richest of foods.” He bowed His head and came to a still state only possible in an eternally simple Being. Simultaneously, The Father moved with a speed and violence that tore back the edges of eternity, and ripped open His own heart in the movement. He slew His Son, and the blood of G_d poured out across all time and space.
Real Life cannot be beaten though. And the final true contender of an enemy of the G_dhead lost. Death was dealt a mortal blow, and as Jesus breathed in the inrushing Life of The Spirit, borne on the Love of The Father, the courts of heaven erupted into praise.
“Well done Son.”
“Oh Father! I desire that many be with Us. And that they be one with each other and with Us! We have so much to share! They will have so much to receive! There will be no end to Your fame! Oh Papa, I AM so alive!”
“Son, I will be with you as you endure the work of setting them free. Death will no longer be able to snatch one of them out of Your Hand. I AM giving many into Your Hand as well and will enable them to look to You for their freedom. … The foundations of the world have now been laid. Are You ready to proceed now My Beloved Son?”
“Yes Papa, let Us make them now in our Image.”
“Proceed Son. I AM with You. Our Spirit is One.”
And The Word speaks: “Let there be light…. “
And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay him homage, everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice] from the foundation of the world.
~ from Revelation 13
