THE GREAT RESCUE
Every human being, since the events of the Garden of Eden (the fall), is born with a fear of death, and a lifelong slavery to this condition, that they need to be delivered (rescued) from. Jesus is the Savior, that has not only rescued His children from this slavery, but also destroyed the one who has the power of death (the devil). He did this by coming down from heaven, becoming flesh and blood (human) Himself, and living a sinless life, laying that life down as a perfect sacrifice for their sins, and taking the sin of the world on Himself, and granting His own perfect righteousness to these children (of God). He not only died, but was raised from death to life, as will all of His children. Then, He ascended into Heaven (the Kingdom) as will all of His children.
8 ... The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:814 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14, 15
This is the “Great Rescue”. Every human being born by a woman has three automatic enemies and needs to be rescued from them all. These enemies are the devil, the world (followers of the devil), and the flesh.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-168 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8
From before the creation, God’s plan was to make for Himself a people, that would be kingdom citizens for the King of Heaven, God’s Son Jesus. These people would not just be created perfect and obedient. They would instead be born into sin, and would be followers of the Enemy, until God rescued them from slavery. Even though they were lovers of sin, and opposed to the idea of submission to God. And then He would make new creations out of all that He chooses to give mercy to. He would remove their hard unbelieving heart and give them a new heart, new eyes, and new ears. Then, and only then would they begin to love God, and come to Jesus, and follow the Spirit.
22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 1 Samuel 12:2217 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:1726 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:26-27
The gospel is a good news story about a rescue for people who need rescuing. We start out life, after our first birth, drifting as if we were in a rushing river leading toward certain death, and God’s wrath. We desperately need a rescuer, and Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we are saved from drowning.
1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-45 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:511 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12
Jesus, “God with us,” says “COME TO ME.” All the Father has given to the Son will come. Whoever the Father will draw to the Son will be lifted up on the last day, and his heart will flow rivers of living water.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-3037 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:3744 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— John 6:44-4537 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38
Everyone has been invited to come to the Great Rescuer. What do you say to that? See Mathew 22:1-14
Read more on this from John Macarthur HERE
To read more in an excellent book called "Name Above All Names" go HERE.