Hello everyone. Praise the Lord!
Second for the First Principle
In this
principle God sets aside the first and establishes the second. It is sometimes called the Election
Principle. This is a continuing example
that all sacrifice to God is set aside for the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus
Christ on the Cross. This is strictly by
revelation of God Himself for the continuing of God’s Purpose (Romans
9:10-12). There are many examples of
this principle throughout Scripture.
First among man does not mean first among God.
Cain was set aside for Abel: God set aside the offering of Cain for
the offering of the second, which was Abel’s.
When Cain murdered his brother Abel, God set aside Cain‘s family, who
was first, and established Abel‘s family, who was second.
Ham was set aside for Japheth and
Shem: Ham disqualified himself by
his sinful behavior on his father Noah, and was set aside for his two brothers.
The World was set aside for Noah’s
family: The world had grown wicked
so they were set aside for Noah’s family to begin again with mankind.
Ishmael
was set aside for Isaac: Ishmael was
rebellious and married Canaanite women, whereas Isaac returned to his homeland
to marry a woman chosen by God.
Esau
was set aside for Jacob: A blind
Isaac crossed his hands (Cross) and set aside Esau and blessed Jacob. The first was set aside for the second. Esau was a man of idolatry and corruption,
God could not allow that to prosper.
(Genesis 48:8-19).
Reuben
was set aside for Judah: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor
the legislator's pen from his descendants; to him nations shall submit, until
the coming of Shiloh.” When to other
brothers plotted to kill Joseph, Judah convinced them to save his life.
Calvary: God set aside all former sacrifices for
the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
Mankind’s relationship to God before Calvary was set aside for a new
relationship that is better and more intimate.
Salvation: God has set aside the Law of Moses for
salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
“Except a man be born again,” The first birth is set aside for the
second. The old man is to be set aside
for the new man. Our old condition is to
be set aside for a new condition. Mt.
Sinai is set aside for Calvary.
Heaven and Earth: Today’s world is filled with sin, but God
will set it aside and create a new heaven and earth. (2 Peter 3:13).
Jerusalem: The Jerusalem of
today will be set aside for a future new Jerusalem. The old city that is filled with sin and
strife will be replaced with a holy city where peace in God will reign.
The Old Testament is
set aside for the New Testament: The
Old Testament tells us where man has come from and is filled with types and
prophecy of the New Testament. But our
spiritual life is established by the New Testament today.
William J. Roop, M.A.B.S.
