Athen's Library

THE SECOND ADVENT

THE COMING OF "ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN"

Letter #25 In The Series

January 2002

The Kinsman Redeemer

In the book, “See with New Eyes” by Ty Gibson

Chapter 14 page 131,

“EITHER God saves because WE’RE good or because He’s good.

If because He’s good, then salvation is ours BEFORE we’re good.

At one time I thought there were many different religions in the world. I could see lots of options: Catholicism, Protestantism, Adventism, Mormonism, And a whole lot of other isms. After some thought and investigation, I’m now convinced that there are really only two religions to choose between. On the one hand, there are various renditions of one false religion.  On the other hand, in contrast, there is one true religion, one truth about God.

The one false religion clothes itself in many different theological suits, to suit the 31 flavors of the human heart. Some are strong and blatant. Others are subtle and sweet. But when stripped naked, they’re all the same. Many expressions of one basic concept. Many frames, but one very identical picture of God.

The one true religion is what it is and it’s very clear about what it is. No subtle nuances. Just plain-Jane reality in all its unmistakable beauty.

So how can we know the difference?

That is all that I (Athen) will quote from Ty’s book so if you want to know what he thinks you’ll have to get his book and read it.

EITHER God saves because WE’RE good or because He’s good. If because He’s good, then salvation is ours BEFORE we’re good. The wave sheaf is gathered from the field that is not quite ripe. The wave sheaf is the ripest heads picked and waved as a thank offering before the sickle is put to the field.

I believe that the one truth is found in the “Torah”. The “Torah” is the foundation of the gospel.

Ellen White says Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy. The whole system of types and symbols was a compacted prophecy of the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up the promises of redemption.  AA 14.

One of the laws in the “Torah” is the law of the kinsman; in this law we have the plan, in types and symbols, of redemption for the human family.

The Kinsman Redeemer

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.  Numbers 27:8-11.

The law of the kinsman redeemer, found in the “Torah”, is best seen in the story of Ruth. This law was given to keep the inheritance in the family and or tribe. This law like all of God’s laws was renewed (given) in the wilderness by God through Moses and Moses put them in the “Torah”.

They cast aside the restraint of the law, and give loose rein to the corrupt passions and the promptings of the natural heart, and then triumph in the mercy and grace of the gospel. Christ speaks to such: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." What is the will of the Father? That we keep his commandments. Christ, to enforce the will of his Father, became the author of the statutes and precepts given through Moses to the people of God. Christians who extol Christ, but array themselves against the law governing the Jewish church, array Christ against Christ.  RH, May 6, 1875 par. 16.

precept < L praeceptum < praecipere, to admonish, teach

1       a commandment or direction meant as a rule of action or conduct

2       a rule of moral conduct; maxim

3       a rule or direction, as in technical matters

4       Law a written order; writ —SYN DOCTRINE

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.    And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.  Genesis 38:8-10.

Here is a record of an event that happened before God gave His laws in the wilderness, showing that His laws were from the beginning.  This story shows that when we are not willing to follow God’s laws His displeasure is made known, especially when we tamper with the plan of salvation.  The Lord took Onan because he spoiled the picture of the plan of salvation as Moses did when he struck the Rock twice, which represented the second coming of the Messiah.

We find that the law of the kinsman has to do with the inheritance of the families and the lineage of the Messiah and the plan of salvation.  In the story of Ruth, the death of Elimelech and his two sons caused a break in the Messiah’s lineage. This break is bridged by Boaz, the father of Obed the father of Jesse the Father of David.

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.  Ruth 2:1.

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.  Ruth 4:4-7.

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter…  Ruth 4:14-15.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.  Romans 5:14.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22.

Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. Luke 3:38.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15.

Here we see that in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Adam a son of God died in sin. The second Adam a brother, (Christ, the Son of God) came as the kinsman redeemer to bring about Adam’s righteous heir (a son in Adam’s name), and the lost inheritance; the inheritance that Satan usurped.

The promise to Christ, of the promised son is our hope for redemption through the kinsman redeemer. (Galatians 3:16) Abraham being the type.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Hebrews 11:17.  Who is He that, “had received the promises”.  Now to Abraham and his seed (which is Christ) were the promises made... Galatians 3:16.  These promises to Abraham are symbols of the plan of salvation and Christ fulfills these promises in the plan of redemption.  So Abraham is a type of Christ. The law that was added because of transgressions was the laws that Moses wrote in the book, "till the seed should come to whom the promise was made".

Galatians 3:19 has to do with Christ’s work as Abraham’s seed in types and symbols, but the main application or what the types and symbols point to is the seed of Christ, the work of the law of the kinsman redeemer. This law allows Adam to have a righteous harvest and salvation comes to all of Adams descendants by faith in ACCEPTING Christ’s work.

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: Romans 4:19.

“His own body now dead”, is a type for Christ after His death to have His promised Son.  Christ died the death of the testator to make sure the testament (will).  Adam put into the deep sleep is also a type for Christ, the second Adam, going in to the deep sleep. So Adam was created and did a work, of naming the animals, before he was divided male and female symbol of Christ and His ministry before He entered into His deep sleep.  Jesus said …Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  John 12:24.  For a seed to bring forth fruit it has to divide and when it divides it is no longer alone, so it was with Adam the type of Christ.

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  Hebrews 9:15-16.

The Son of the kinsman is heir to both the dead father and the live father.  Jesus’ Son, the son of the kinsman redeemer, born of God is the Overcome of Revelation 3:21.  And will fill the place in Heaven that was left empty by the fall of Lucifer, son of the morning.  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  Isaiah 14:12.  Being the righteous heir of Adam He will rule this Earth. This is the promise of Genesis 3:15, the removal of Lucifer’s authority is what bruises the serpent’s head. 

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  1 John 3:9.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  1 John 5:12.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  Revelation 3:21.

…She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. Matthew 20:21-22

From the study of the kinsman we can see why Jesus could not grant this request. The Son has His position from the beginning and the Mother is on the left of the Father. Christ went to Heaven after the resurrection and sat down at the right hand of the Father; the type for the Son of the kinsman to sit with Christ on His throne.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  Romans 8:17.

Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.  Luke 9:48.

From these verses we see that we are joint-heirs with Christ, Christ the Child in My name, not Christ the testator.

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.  Ruth 4:14-16.

Like Obed was a restorer of thy life type; so the Son of Christ, the Kinsman Redeemer, is a restorer of thy life for Adam and his human family.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  1 Corinthians 15:22.  Isaiah tells us that a little child shall lead them.  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  Isaiah 11:6.  

In this story of the Kinsman Redeemer we have depicted for us the first and second coming of Christ, Christ the Father and Christ the Son. Jesus said, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.  Luke 9:48.

About that period Messiah was expected. By many he was looked for to come as a mighty monarch. The Jews had boasted to the Gentiles of his coming, and had dwelt largely upon the great deliverance which he would bring them, that he would reign as king, and put down all authority. Every kingdom and nation would bow to him, and the Jewish nation would reign over them. They had the events of the first and second comings of Christ confounded together.  4aSG 115.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Hebrews 9:16-17.

testator  testatour : see TESTAMENT

6)  A person who has made a will, esp. one who has died leaving a valid will

We are heirs of God (Christ the testator), and joint-heirs with Christ the heir.  The only way we can have life without death is to be joint-heirs with Christ the heir; for if we were heirs with Christ the testator (The Kinsman Redeemer) we would have to die.

I believe that the one truth is found in the “Torah”. The “Torah” is the foundation of the gospel. I believe that it is time to learn what the “types and symbols” point to because “types and symbols” can not bring salvation.  It will take what the “types and symbols” point to, to bring redemption from the wages of sin.  In this story of the Kinsman Redeemer we have depicted for us in “types and symbols” the first and second coming of Christ, Christ the Father and Christ the Son.

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 1 John 2:22-23.

Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God and in this story of the Kinsman Redeemer we see Him as the Father and we know that to be a father He has to have a Son. We know that Jesus is the Christ and now we see how the law of the kinsman redeemer brings salvation to Adam’s descendants. In the type Adam’s harvest brought death to all of Adam’s descendants. In the antitype Christ’s, the second Adam’s, harvest brings life to all of Adam’s descendants and we by faith accept this free gift from God. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:12.

I would like to back up and talk more about

“Christ’s Righteousness”

The Bible says that Abraham and Sarah were dead both in sin and of age, past the age of reproduction, And he believed in the LORD; and it was counted to him for righteousness.  Genesis 15:6.  The proof that Abraham received this promise (it was counted to him for righteousness) Is the promised son (Isaac). 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16.

The only begotten Son without sin shows the Fathers righteousness. Some say that Jesus sinned when He doubted. The proof that, He was without sin, is His “righteousness” when He brings forth a Son without sin. This Son, in the name of the first Adam, will show that he was without sin and all who accept this gift will accept “Christ’s righteousness” in their life. With this act the harvest of this World will be separated the righteous from the unrighteous,

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. Revelation 17:3.

The scarlet color shows sin. This scarlet colored beast has been skimmed or the righteous taken out of the kingdoms of this World system; this is why the beast is scarlet color. God has set up His kingdom of “Glory” and has harvested the righteous by “the law of the kinsmen redeemer”.

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  Hebrews 10:1.

The shadow of good things to come are the types and symbols. The sacrifices that pointed to Christ “The lamb of God” that takes away the sins of the World were fulfilled with the death of Christ. On the cross Christ ratified the plan of salvation.

The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men could become its subjects. Yet it was not actually established until the death of Christ. Even after entering upon His earthly mission, the Saviour, wearied with the stubbornness and ingratitude of men, might have drawn back from the sacrifice of Calvary. In Gethsemane the cup of woe trembled in His hand. He might even then have wiped the blood-sweat from His brow and have left the guilty race to perish in their iniquity. Had He done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men. But when the Saviour yielded up His life, and with His expiring breath cried out, "It is finished," then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the promise of God, was then established. 

Thus the death of Christ--the very event which the disciples had looked upon as the final destruction of their hope --was that which made it forever sure. While it had brought them a cruel disappointment, it was the climax of proof that their belief had been correct. The event that had filled them with mourning and despair was that which opened the door of hope to every child of Adam, and in which centered the future life and eternal happiness of all God’s faithful ones in all the ages.  GC 347, 348.

From this we see that “ratified” means the door of hope to every child of Adam was opened or set in motion. This brought to an end the types and symbols (the law having a shadow of good things to come) of the Earthly Sanctuary system and opened up the work in the Heavenly. Jesus said, In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3.  To “prepare” a place for you is the work of “The kinsmen redeemer” and without this work the people of this world would be blotted out in their sins.

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  Hebrews 10:1.

So we can truly see that it takes the very image of the things that the shadow, in the law, points to that brings “Christ’s Righteousness” and the revelation of these things show that we are getting closer to the end of this World’s kingdom system.

Jesus paid the price, because the “wages of sin is death”, which has to do with the judgment of the dead, and in John 5 25 He is the “Son of God”; in John 5:27 the words “Son of man” reveals Jesus’ heir.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. John 5:25-27

“Christ’s Righteousness” is the wedding garment to cover our nakedness.  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ... Romans 8:17.

This “Christ” is Jesus’ heir (the Son of man, in John 5:27) that comes from His bowls and He shares with us His Father’s character and “execute judgment also”, because he is the Son of man. This has to do with the new heart, the new birth and being born into the Family of God.

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. Genesis 38:8-10.

Onan is a type.  If we, too, spoil the picture of the plan of salvation the Lord will remove us from His work.

Ellen White says …Those who have rendered supreme homage to "science falsely so called" will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view… 5T 80.

…When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness. Those who are accounted good workers will need to draw nigh to God, they will need the divine touch. They will need to drink more deeply and continuously at the fountain of living water, in order that they may discern God’s work at every point...  TM 299.

The Gospel in Its Greatest Loveliness.--Unto the poor the gospel is to be preached. Never does the gospel put on an aspect of greater loveliness than when it is brought to the most needy and destitute regions. To men of every station it delivers its precepts, which regulate their duties, and its promises, which nerve them to the discharge of their duties. Then it is that the light of the gospel shines forth in its most radiant clearness and its greatest power. Truth from the Word of God enters the hovel of the peasant and lights up the rude cottages of the poor, both black and white. Rays from the Sun of Righteousness bring gladness to the sick and suffering. Angels of God are there, and the simple faith shown makes the crust of bread and the cup of water as a banquet of luxury. Those who have been loathed and abandoned are raised through faith and pardon to the dignity of sons and daughters of God. Lifted above all in the world, they sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. They have no earthly treasure, but they have found the pearl of great price. The sin-pardoning Saviour receives the poor and ignorant and gives them to eat of the bread which comes down from heaven. They drink of the water of life.”-Letter 113, 1901.  WM 169.

The work may now seem small; but there must be a beginning before there can be any progress. "First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." The work may start in weakness, and its progress may for a time be slow; yet if it is commenced in a healthy manner, there will be a steady and substantial gain. A high standard should be placed before those who are newly come to the faith. They should be educated to be careful in speech and circumspect in conduct, giving evidence that the truth has accomplished something for them, and thus by their example shedding light upon those who are in darkness. All who accept the truth are to be lights in the world, not merely in profession, but in good works. Wherever an effort is made to raise up a church, thorough and faithful instructions should be given to those who accept the truth. No part of the work should be neglected, and they should not be left to themselves when the laborer goes to a new field, but should still receive care and instruction. Let nothing be left in an incomplete, slipshod manner. Whatever is done, should be done with thoroughness. The few who are thus brought into the truth will in time accomplish more than if there is a greater number uneducated, untrained, who do not realize their responsibility, and whose peculiarities are woven into their religious experience. It will be far more difficult to undo that which has been done wrong, and put another mold on the work, than to take the work from the very beginning.  RH, October 5, 1886 par. 13.

Yours in Christ to teach “the law of the Kinsmen Redeemer”

Athen Slawson