Treasured Possession

“Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now IF YOU OBEY ME FULLY and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my TREASURED POSSESSION. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:3-6)

There was a CONDITION to Israel becoming a “treasured possession” out of all the other Nations. They had to obey Him fully and keep His covenant. Obviously this did NOT happen. Even before Moses got off the mountain where he received the Commandments Israel had broken them. And the first thing God told Moses to do was to set up the Tabernacle and build the ARK with a MERCY SEAT covering. The Ark contained the broken commandments.

Thus began the requirement for all the animal sacrifices to ATONE for breaking the commandments...UNTIL the final Lamb of God, and sin bearer, came to take away the sin of the world…and he came about 1500 years later.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Israel is still his chosen Nation, but are NOT yet his “treasured possession”. To become God's "TREASURED POSSESSION" requires a sinless existence. Good luck with that in this present evil age...for anyone. However, in the ages to come AFTER the resurrection to immortality the Israelites and all others will become God's treasured possession. God tells Israel….

“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people… so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but NOW you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” (Hebrews 8:10; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

And for the rest of us Gentiles...

“…the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to ALL MEN, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:11-15)

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Under the Law given to Israel to atone for sin a bull or a goat was brought by the sinner as an offering (approach present) to be sacrificed by the priest for “unintentional” sins. However, for “intentional” sins, a perfect “lamb” was to be brought by the sinner to the priest. (Leviticus 4)

These offerings, however, could not “take away sins”.

“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10;11)

NOTE that the Law of Moses required the “sinner” to bring to the Temple the offering to be sacrificed on his behalf. BUT not anymore does the sinner have to bring to the Temple (or Church) an offering! …God Himself has brought the final offering on behalf of ALL sinners, and this sacrificial LAMB “takes away the sin of the world”… ALL “intentional” sins of the whole world!

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) “…he said, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.’ He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we (sinners) have been SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (sinners)." (Hebrews 10)

GLORY TO GOD! ALL have been saved in Christ Jesus…by the GRACE of God. It is His gift to sinful mankind!

“So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the approach present (gift) of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:7-9 CLNT)