The Plumb Line

The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines a plumb as:

1. A weight, usually of lead, suspended at the end of a line and used to determine water depth or verticality.

2. The perpendicular position of a freely suspended plumb line (esp. in out of plumb, off plumb).

3. Vertical or perpendicular.

A plumb line is used in the building and construction sector to establish a true perpendicular, or true vertical, straight line for accurate measurements. The other way a plumb line can be used is in water to check the depth of the sea bed. In the sailing ship days seamen used a heavy weight on a rope which had a knot tied every six feet (1 fathom). This was tossed overboard and every fathom was counted until the weight hit bottom. It was used obviously when they were close to land and unsure of the water depth.

When I was a younger man my wife and I used to do some home renovations. Wallpaper was very much in fashion. I used a plumb line to start off my first sheet of wallpaper. It is surprising how much a seemingly straight wall was off plumb in the corners of adjoining walls. Without the plumb line to guide me the wallpaper would often end up slightly crooked.

Are you aware that a plumb line is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures? The reference can be found in the Old Testament Book of Amos.

Amos 7:4-8:

"(4) Thus the Lord God showed me: Behold, the Lord God called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory.

(5) Then I said:"O Lord God, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!"

(6) So the Lord relented concerning this. "This also shall not be," said the Lord God.

(7) Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.

(8) And the Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said:"Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore."

In verse 7 Amos sees a vision of the LORD holding a plumb line in His hand. The LORD is standing on a wall made with a plumb line. The wall would have been straight and true, because a plumb line was used for accuracy. Note what the LORD said to Amos, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said:"Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore."

The time had come for judgement on the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The plumb line of God's righteousness would be the measuring line for righteousness. King Jeroboam was an exceedingly wicked king who set up a false system of idol worship in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He turned the people's hearts away from the LORD.

In the Northern Kingdom every person's actions, deeds and words would be measured against the plumb line of God's righteousness. Let's now look at verse 9. "The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam." The Assyrian nation later carried out that judgement.

What sort of lessons can we learn from Amos chapter 7? Has the righteousness of God changed in our time? The Holy Scriptures are the plumb line of God's righteousness for all generations. You will either rise or fall when measured against God's words. To be truly righteous is to be right with God; with no debt of sin hanging over you.

 Let's look at the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 1:16-18:

"(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."

King Jeroboam set up a system of false worship deliberately suppressing the truth of the true system of worshipping God at Jerusalem. He brought upon himself the wrath of God. "The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste."I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam."

Note in verse 16 above that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel of Christ. If we want to be righteous we need to obey the gospel of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9:

"(6) Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,

(7) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

(8) in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(9) These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."

There are many voices in the world today which "...suppress the truth in unrighteousness." You need to weigh up what you hear in the light of God's words. God will never guide you into untruth! The Holy Spirit Himself will guide you into the truths in the Holy Scriptures.

Let's consider the words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples in the Upper Room on the night of His betrayal by Judas Iscariot. John 14:26, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." Let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Let the Holy Scriptures act like a plumb line in your life.

Otherwise, the same type of judgement that fell on the Northern Kingdom of Israel will be your lot. "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." A truly dreadful eternal destiny!

I sincerely hope that all who read this blog post are true Christians. If you are just a nominal Christian then you need a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It's easy to say that Jesus is our Lord. Can you personally say that Jesus is my Lord?

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

Having obtained eternal redemption

Two thoughts arise from this blog post title:

(a) Who obtained eternal redemption?

(b) What is eternal redemption?

The first thing we need to ascertain is what redemption is. As the basis for our redemption is in the Holy Scriptures; it is there we will find the answer.

The following extracts from my eBook titled "So Simple Yet So Profound' may help to explain what redemption is. Please note if the person involved could not buy back either themself or the designated possessions then only a very close relative had the right of redemption.

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So then, what does it mean to be redeemed? Redemption is the result of buying back a former possession. For instance, if a woman is in need of money she can pawn some of her jewellery for cash. She is given a ticket for the jewellery and has a set time to pay back the money + interest. If the jewellery is not redeemed by the set date; it becomes the property of the pawnbroker and the woman has no further claim on it.

In the Old Testament there were provisions made for redemption under the Law.

Leviticus 25:23, 24 - [Redemption of land and possessions.]

Leviticus 25:48 - [Redemption of bond servants.]

Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - [Redemption of a childless widow.]

Leviticus 25:8-10 - [Year of Jubilee.]

Boaz in the book of Ruth is a kinsman redeemer. Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, Boaz's kinsman makes her claim on Boaz. Redemption is a voluntary act. Boaz is willing, however, there is a closer kinsman. Next morning, Boaz goes to the gate of the city and tells his kinsman to sit down. He then takes 10 elders of the city and makes them sit down. He informs his kinsman of the redemption claim. His kinsman is at first willing, but is unable to redeem both Ruth and Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) as it will mar his own inheritance. The closer kinsman forfeits his right of redemption.

Boaz then redeems Ruth and takes her for his wife. Boaz also redeems Naomi's inheritance. Boaz then marries Ruth and they have a son Obed. Obed is King David’s grandfather.

The Lord Jesus Christ partook of flesh and blood to become eligible to redeem mankind back to God

He had to have the necessary qualifications.

1. He is related to mankind by birth.

2. He was willing to redeem.

3. He had the wherewithal to pay the redemption price.

4. He had the strength of will to carry out the act of redemption.

The Lord Jesus by His human birth and perfect sinless life has the right of redemption, as our Kinsman Redeemer.

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Let's look at Hebrews 9:12:

" Not with the blood of goats and calves, but [Christ] with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

Jesus Christ has already paid the price of our redemption at Calvary. The apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:18-21:

"(18) Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

(19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

(20) He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

(21) who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

The redemption price has been paid for all sinners who make a claim on Christ. Any sinner, through faith, has the right to claim redemption from the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ? If you have been redeemed then your redemption has an eternal duration guaranteed by God Himself.

The Jews in Jesus' time were looking for a Redeemer; someone who could break the Roman hold over them and rule in pomp and majesty. They failed to recognise that Jesus of Nazareth was their Redeemer. They failed to recognise that the sins of the nation had to be atoned for and that meant the Redeemer had to die and shed His precious blood on their behalf. God's justice via the Law meant the redemption price had to be paid in blood! Let's look again at Hebrews 9:12: " Not with the blood of goats and calves, but [Christ] with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

Does it give you great comfort to know that when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour; that not only have you been saved with a great salvation, but you have been redeemed with an eternal redemption?

Can you redeem yourself? Certainly not! The Scriptures are clear on this point.

Psalms 49:7, 8, "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their souls is costly..."

Psalms 30:9, "What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?

The apostle Paul informs us in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." and again in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Eternal redemption and eternal life both are mine in Christ Jesus! Have you made these truths good to your soul?

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

These all died in faith

Hebrews chapter 11 has often been called 'the roll call of faith'. The chapter starts off by giving us brief details of Old Testament saints of God; people whom we refer to as the Patriarchs.

Notables such as:

Abel - Enoch - Noah - Abraham - Sarah - Isaac - Jacob

Let's see what verses 13-16 tell us about them.

Hebrews 11:13-16 :

"(13) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

(14) For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

(15) And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

(16) But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

These all died in faith. What does this mean? They died - that is for certain! They died in faith! In other words, they died fully believing what God had revealed to them. And that was, that He had prepared a heavenly homeland for them when they died. Some of them lived very long lives, much longer than we live today. Yet at the end of their life's journey they still maintained their trust in God; that He would carry out what He had revealed to them.

How about you? Do you have complete faith that the Triune God has a place especially for you in Heaven? Let's look at the words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples on the night of Judas Iscariot's betrayal.

John 14:1-3 :

(1) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

(2) In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

(3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

Jesus spoke these words of encouragement to his disciples because He knew that Judas Iscariot had betrayed Him to the chief priests and elders of the Jews. He knew that He would be falsely tried and be sentenced to be crucified by the Roman Governor on a Roman cross. Because of His foreknowledge He informed His disciples in the upper room that He was going away. Firstly, He would die on the cross, and secondly He would be buried and rise again from amongst the dead. Forty days after His resurrection He would ascend to Heaven.

The great importance of these verses is that:

(a) They were not to be troubled

(b) If they believed in God they were to believe in Jesus the Son of God

(c) In the Father's house there were many mansions [residences]

(d) If this was not the truth He would have told them

(e) He was going to Heaven to prepare a place for them personally

(f) If He prepared a place for each of them He would come again and receive them into Heaven to himself

(g) And this is the best of all - He wants us to be with Him where He is in Heaven.

Psalms 116:12-15:

"(12) What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?

(13) I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

(14) I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people.

(15) Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

Verse 15 reveals the heart of God towards His people. The death of a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is "precious" in God's eyes. Surely this is because that believer will now spend eternity in the presence of God in Heaven.

King David the sweet psalmist of Israel informs us in Psalms 16:11, "...In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

The apostle Paul sums it up this way in his second letter to the Corinthian believers.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 :

"(6) So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

(7) For we walk by faith, not by sight.

(8) We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

Death for the believers in Jesus Christ is merely the vehicle which God uses to bring us into His presence in Heaven for eternity. Physical death of our bodies is not the end of our existence! Our soul and spirit goes to back to God who made us.

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 :

"(6) Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well.

(7) Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it."

The graphic way the writer describes the frailty of a man's life reminds us to remember who created us and who holds our lives in His hand. For the unbeliever there is physical death and entry into Hell. For believers there is physical death and entry into Heaven. And even then that is not the end of the matter. For Jesus Himself spoke of the resurrection of the body.

John 5:28-29 :

"(28) Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice

(29) and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."

For the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ there is "the resurrection of life"; and eternity in Heaven with Him.

For the unbeliever who dies still in their sins there is "the resurrection of condemnation".

They will stand before the Great White Throne, be judged for all their sins and be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternal judgement.

Revelation 20:11-15 :

(11) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

(12) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

(13) The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

(14) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

(15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Believers in Jesus Christ are written in "the Book of Life". Unbelievers are not written in "the Book of Life". To end up in the Lake of Fire would be an unimaginable horror of eternal duration! The choice of where we spend eternity is ours to make!

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]