Post 36 / The Next Language
March 1, 2021
It Is Finished?
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. [Jn 19:30]
These last three words of Jesus from the cross in the book of John have profound implications. They also raise a lot of questions like, “What is finished?” and “Exactly when?” Without exhausting their profundity I am going to share what came to my mind as I listened to them recently on my audio Bible commentary app.
I remembered the Lord’s comment earlier in John, Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. [Jn 4:34 KJV] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. [Jn 5:17 KJV]
I thought back to creation and the statements about God’s creative work and the institution of the Sabbath commemorating His finished creation and pointing to a future rest and finished work that falls to our benefit.
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. [Gen 2:1-3 KJV]
Subsequent to that we know that man tarnished that finished and “very good” creation and initiated the solution of a redemption process that put God back to work. Consequent to the fall God promised the serpent, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. [Gen 3:15 KJV]
On the cross we saw the fulfillment of the promised “bruise” to Satan. Paul stated it eloquently:
[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. [Col 2:15 KJV]
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. [Heb 2:14 KJV]
I think it is safe to say that when Christ said, “It is finished” He was openly declaring victory over Satan. He was reclaiming the title deed from the prince of the power of the air and legitimately assuming authority over the same. That authority was stated when He commissioned us.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. [Mt 28:18-20 KJV
I believe it is also safe to assume, based on the finished work of Christ, that we can be part of a new creation if we so choose. Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [2Co 5:17 KJV]
Judicially the work is finished to destroy the enemy, to establish a new heaven and a new earth, and to complete our sanctification.
The reality is that the enemy is still present in his wounded and shamed state. We are living in our sinful dying bodies with minds that are being transformed:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Rom 12:1-2 KJV]
And we are living in a world that is still groaning and waiting for something:
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. [Rom 8:22-23 KJV]
By faith we enter into a final, judicial reality and present victory if we will enter into the final rest signified by Christ being presently seated in heavenly places.
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places]. [Eph 1:20 KJV]
And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus. [Eph 2:6 KJV]
I believe that the faith rest in this new final era is what is referred to in Hebrews:
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [Heb 4:8-11 KJV]
I recently noticed a curious reference to rest in Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go [with thee], and I will give thee rest. What a strange place to mention or promise rest!
I have claimed this promise both personally and corporately for GRN USA for this year. We find ourselves kind of like the children of Israel somewhere between Egypt and the promised land where they would finally find rest from their wanderings. May we by faith walk in obedience with the promised Presence, and knowledge of the finished work, and delegated authority to finish His works and set aside our works. I believe that it is only as we walk into the battles that He has won that we will realize the promises that He has given to one day see every tribe and tongue and nation worshiping with us at the feet of the reigning Christ.
God Bless,
Larry DeVilbiss | Executive Director
Global Recordings Network USA
P. S. As a “thank you” for your continued support of the ministry of Global Recordings Network USA, and in celebration of over 80 years of God’s faithfulness, we have compiled a collection of 80 daily devotions written by GRN founder, Joy Ridderhof. You may read or download your copy of Rejoice Always – 80 Devotions with Joy Ridderhof here.