Lifted Up

Transcription of Recording
May 22, 2020

The words “lift up” or “lifted up” whenever seen in the old King James Version are metaphors for the cross and the cross principle still at work today.

Now is the JUDGMENT of this world: now shall the prince of this world (Satan) be CAST OUT. And I, if I be LIFTED UP from the earth will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what DEATH he should die. John 12:31-33.

Here we see the cross and the cross principle signified. The cross is the judgment of Satan and all men. This heavenly kind of judgment is not at all like an earthly judge with a black robe handing down a sentence from high upon a government bench. This judgment is by a King upon a throne, the cross, disrobed, with a crown of thorns crushed down on His brow. The cross, a throne of grace, is Christ’s judgment seat. In His judgment, He does not decide our sentence, we decide our own outcome. Those who take up His cross and faithfully die with Him (Luke 9:23-24) live forever. Those who reject His cross and live for Self are condemned by the very cross they reject. They self-destruct similar to what Satan and Judas Iscariot did to themselves at the cross. God never destroys evil people. They always self-destruct at the cross. They pronounce their own death sentence. Ps 7:15-16; 9:15-16.

Notice that in John 12:31-33, the cross has both a centripetal force and a centrifugal force. Christ crucified both draws to Himself and “casts out” away from Himself. Satan and people are allowed to decide whether they will be brought into salvation or cast away from it. King Jesus does not decide. Neither does His Father in Heaven. You decide whether you whether you will be a sheep or a goat when He comes back. He showed us His unconditional love by His life, death and resurrection. Now you choose your own fortune or your poison. You either go toward and live out His love OR you reject and walk away from His love in defiance, living for Self. Your call. And by the way, living by law and human effort is a rejection of His love and grace. In this way, you can bring about your own “fall from grace.” Gal 5:1-4. GOD HIMSELF JUDGES NO ONE! John 5:22. You judge yourself by your response to Calvary. Jesus does not judge in the earth’s way either. He judges by allowing you to judge yourself, heaven’s way. John 8:15-16.

Jesus did not come into the world to judge the world (in the world’s way of judging). He came to save the world in the heavenly (cross principle) way of judging. John 3:17; Luke 9:56.

Let’s look at another verse with “lift up” in it.

ARISE, O Lord, in thine ANGER, LIFT UP thyself because of the rage of thine enemies: and AWAKE for me to the JUDGMENT that thou hast commanded. Ps 7:6.

If you look at this verse with fleshly eyes you will conclude that God is like an earthly judge who is angry and commanding a death sentence be imposed in revenge for the wicked. But if you read with eyes enlightened and unveiled by the Spirit of God with the cross principle, you will see the divine clue to understanding: the words “LIFT UP,” and the impact of this metaphorical expression on the rest of scripture. The use of these words cue us to look deeper and see that God’s only anger and judgment comes under the principle of the cross. His anger and judgment are found as always in His self-sacrificial love AT THE CROSS. He destroys evil, not ever by killing, but by dying and “ARISING.” “AWAKE” to the true judgment of God! . . . that through death he (Jesus) might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil. Heb 2:14.

God’s only anger, judgment, wrath and revenge is found at the cross of Christ. This is exactly why Paul wrote in 1 Cor 2:2, “For I have determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” foolish to the world but is the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:17-31.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL TO PREACH to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God , and give glory to him; for the hour of his JUDGMENT is come . . . Rev 14:6-7.

This judgment under the principle of the cross will be no different. It will not be His decision about you. IT WILL BE YOUR DECISION ABOUT HIM!

 

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