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"The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." [Hebrews 7:21-25].

            The glory and extent of salvation rests in the ability of the Saviour. A changing priesthood is sure to have its limitations, but an UNCHANGEABLE priesthood can proceed to minister until fullness is reached in every part.  We are well acquainted with the "in part" ministries, as God anoints men to fulfill a certain mission, and it grows and expands and many are blessed. But when he dies, while others might try to carry on his vision, it is never the same again. For one thing, every generation needs a NEW VISION, and not a carry-over of the old.  But also, that particular anointing and call given to a man is a ministry that is peculiarly his, and when he dies, it also ceases to function.  A changing priesthood, because death brings a cessation of their activity. But when there comes an unchangeable priesthood, with the power of an endless life, the ministry can proceed through the ages until a full victory is consummated.
            Jesus Christ is our great High Priest after this order of Melchizedek, and because HE EVER LIVETH, and changeth not, He shall reign until all enemies are subdued under His feet.  And while it is not the major point of our thought in this chapter, we also behold the vision of becoming ONE IN HIM, to share in this priesthood, and when we have this same AGE-ABIDING life, we shall see a ministry unfold before us which leads into perfection, into completion. Our task will not be left undone, but we shall have the ages before us to carry it through to victory, and to HIS praise.
            This phrase, "He is able also to save them to the uttermost," is given by Phillips as "He can save fully and completely."
            Young's Literal, "He is able to save to the very end." Amplified, "He is able to save to the uttermost-- completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity."
            The Greek words used here are most interesting, "eis to panteles," or INTO THE ALWAYS. It is only used twice in the New Testament, here, and one other time, which, while being in the negative sense, we shall examine anyway, for it helps to bear out the strength and meaning of the word.  "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up." IN NO WISE could she lift up, it was a complete bondage, not a single avenue of escape, nor a moment of respite.  Always it was "bowed down," to the uttermost, always.  UNTIL Jesus came and brought liberation, and then the negative had to give way to the positive, and it was His salvation which was then to the uttermost.  Praise God, what is to man an unchangeable situation, and as far as the natural is concerned will remain that way always, such a state is not impossible to God. The only permanent, and unchangeable state which is truly eternal, is HIS SALVATION.  All sin and evil shall end, but His life and righteousness shall continue always.
             Again we remind ourselves of the scripture, "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope." [Romans 8:20].  The completeness is clear, the coverage is ALL MEN. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." [Romans 3 :23]. "And so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.  Death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression." [Romans 5:12,14]. "The scripture hath concluded all under sin." [Galatians 3 :22].  "For GOD hath concluded (shut up) them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all." [Romans 11:32].
             With such an array of scripture, it is evident that the coverage of sin was, and is complete, and in no wise could, or can creation lift itself up again. Bondage to vanity was a seemingly endless state.
            Even the giving of the LAW could not produce the LIFE and POWER which could remedy the situation. "For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law." [Galatians 3:21].  All of the commands, "This do, and thou shalt live," were ineffectual, because the natural man was bowed down and could in no wise lift himself up. One cannot pick themselves up by their own bootstraps.
            BUT, "what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin (being a sacrifice for sin) condemned sin in the flesh." [Romans 8:3].  It required a "divine intervention" in the state of affairs. There must needs be the impartation of a higher power, a more abundant life, to give strength, help, and victory.  And GOD sent His own Son to be that Saviour.
            "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto age-abiding life by Jesus Christ our Lord." [Romans 5:20-21].
            There is a POSITIVE operation of God which swallows up all of the intermediate, present state of negation. The abounding of sin is most evident, and for thousands of years appeared to be a condition out of which creation could not lift itself. Then Christ appeared, bringing life and incorruption to light through the Gospel, and released the positive power of His life to restore-- thus, "IN CHRIST shall all be made alive." [1 Corinthians 15:22].
            The coverage of this REDEMPTION is very complete, for we read, "And having made peace through the blood of His cross, BY HIM to reconcile all things unto Himself ; by Him, I say, whether things in earth, or things in heaven." [Colossians 1:20].
            Salvation covers ALL MEN, in purpose, in provision, and ultimate possession. His is an unchangeable, continuing priesthood, therefore salvation is to the uttermost, and its completion is assured, secure.
            The thought is two-fold:
            1) Its scope is universal, to be ALL IN ALL.  For Christ shall reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet, and then will He deliver up the kingdom to the Father, "that God may be all in all." [1 Corinthians 15:28].
             2) Its individual application is to the full, until each vessel is brought to FULL CAPACITY, and thus satisfied and content.
            It is self-evident that if there be one part missing in an individual, there would still be the restlessness of desire seeking for fulfillment, and there would not be peace in its full measure. It is significant that the Hebrew word "shalom" which is given as PEACE, is also given for COMPLETENESS. There is no true, lasting peace without completeness.  Christ is declared to be the "Prince of peace," [Isaiah 9:6] for He is totally complete. "In HIM all fullness is pleased to dwell." [Colossians 1:19. Interlinear]. "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." [Colossians 2:9]. Because of His completeness and perfection, He is the embodiment of peace, and able to minister out of that fullness to us who are in need.
            Then Paul's writings made it clear that we are to have such a UNION WITH CHRIST that we also might be partakers of this fullness, and thus be fully satisfied. "And through union with Him you too are filled with it." [Colossians 2:10, Williams]. God shall fulfill the desires and longings of all creation until every creature has been brought into contentment.

             Some would ask the question: will every body be brought to the same position of sonship, etc. The answer is no!  Positions vary according to the plan and purpose of God for each individual. Using the allegory of the physical body, Paul asks, "If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him." [1 Corinthians 12:17-18].
              And again, "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION of the dead." [1 Corinthians 15:41-42].
               But the point is, whatever the capacity of the created being, God will bring it to full capacity so that there is no part lacking, and in this satisfaction it will redound to the glory of God.  Restoration is bringing everything to its fullest potential and purpose for which it was created, and then to remain in that state of completeness, INTO THE ALWAYS.  But there is no competition nor envying of positions, when every creature is swallowed up into divine fullness, they could receive no more. Furthermore, positions are relative, and they deal with God's operations through the ages, as we are fitted into our place in Him, to fulfill our callings, but when the whole purpose of the ages is complete, and God is EVERY THING IN EVERY BODY, perfect harmony and glory shall fill the universe.
             "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for the ages," [Hebrews 13:8] is able to bring each creature into this SALVATION INTO THE UTTERMOST.  All that remains therefore is the outworking of the process, which right now centers in the bringing forth of a firstfruits company.
              God is not limited, nor is He circumvented to the confines which plague us mortals.  And while He has His specifics which He works out in any given age and time period, it all harmonizes together and works toward that goal of universal victory.  We know that He is working in His called out ones in this hour, and uses every trial and testing in their purification process.  But Peter also writes, "knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." [1 Peter 5:9].  For while the Spirit bears heavily on the development of His saints, He also is able to use these afflictions and sufferings to mellow and work in those who shall be brought into a deeper relationship with Him in other ranks and orders. He works all things after the counsel of His own will, into us, yes, but also in all the affairs of all men.
             The marvels of His grace and salvation working now in a firstfruits is with wise design and purpose. "He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace in kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus." [Ephesians 2 :7, Amplified].
             The producing of His firstfruits is for the specific purpose that they might become the demonstrators of His grace in the ages to come.  DISPLAY VESSELS to reveal what God can do, as well as becoming instruments through which the same grace flows out to others. Thus the process shall continue until ALL have been brought to a saving knowledge of Christ, delivered from the thralldom of sin and decay, and brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
             Thus it is written, the hour shall come, when "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." [Philippians 2 :9]. This word "at" is actually the Greek word "in," IN THE NAME OF JESUS. The word "in" is defined as "a being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest in any place or thing." Thus one free translation gives the thought that "in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow," it is "RESTING IN THE ACT OF HOMAGE WITH GLAD ACCLAIM." This is not a coercive action to force a confession from the lips of the creature, but rather having been brought into the sphere of His name, to be brought into oneness with His character and nature, they might rest in Him, and gladly and joyfully worship Him as Lord of all in their life.
              There would be no rest if one part of the will of man was not subjugated to Christ. There would still be a conflict, two wills in contra-distinction to each other. But when every creature is ONE IN HIS WILL, to glorify and exalt Him, this shall bring harmony and rest.
            If salvation to the uttermost means anything, it means that there will be a REST given to creation. And all of the processes of correction lead into this rest.  In fact we read, "I will make My judgment TO REST for a light of the people." [Isaiah 51:4]. This does not speak of a vindictive action of wrath, but that girding up of correction to right a situation, to bring rest-indeed, to rest for a light for the people.  Light-- a divine illumination which springs out of judgment, which shall guide mankind into the ways of the Lord, and thus into peace.
             Having been brought into the sphere of HIS NAME, every knee shall bow. The Greek word for "bow" used here is "kampto" which is used four times in Paul's writings, and the meaning of it is clarified more when we understand the Spirit that moved him when he said, "for this cause I BOW MY KNEES unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." [Ephesians 3:14].  This BOWING of the knee was in love and worship, adoration unto the Lord because of all that moved within Paul to exalt Him.  Divine love had completely won his heart in solid allegiance, and he bowed to worship the Lord. To worship in spirit and in truth.
           Furthermore, that this is not a confession drawn from the lips by a coercive action is confirmed by the scripture, "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit." [1 Corinthians 12:3].  Yet, is it not written, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh ?" And when the Spirit of God truly moves upon a life, the confession produced is IN spirit and in truth. Praise the Lord.
            Salvation is not measured in simple proportions, three bushels to each creature, etc. but whatever is required to bring each one to the full, Christ Jesus is our High Priest capable of that ministry, and He will continue to function in this sphere until the work is done.  It matters not how long the time element, since His priesthood remains unchangeable, He lives to make intercession, to converse with us, deal with us, until He has brought us into the fullness of His life.
            T. Austin-Sparks once wrote, "The highest purpose of God in the salvation of the believer is to bring forth in him the fullest manifestation of Christ in every aspect of his character."
            Is that your desire? That God might bring forth in you the very fullest manifestation of Himself ? There are times when our mind staggers under the impact of such a realm in God, but we say this, "while presently I cannot grasp it all, whatever God means by it, that's what I desire."  Surely we would not limit our salvation to the scope of what the natural, finite mind can comprehend.  Rather, we desire that which is above and beyond all that we can ask or think-even that which is purposed in the heart of our God.
           Christ didn't and couldn't procure a partial, an ineffective and unproductive salvation for men at Calvary. The horror of the fall, with its utter ruin and chaos, as man was "turned to destruction" by the sovereign plan of God, demands the provision for ALL the need to be met, even unto the uttermost.
            But He is able "to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think-- infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams." [Ephesians 3:20]. Insomuch that "you may be filled through all your being unto all the fullness of God that is, may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself." [verse 19].
            Every phase of restoration revolves around, and glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Centre of all things. Now we already mentioned that "in Adam all die," and this coverage was complete for this present form of creation. But then the verse goes on, "even so in Christ shall all be made alive." [1 Corinthians 15:22].  MADE ALIVE-- vivified, as some translations render it, from the Greek "zoo poieo," life-to make, or to make alive. Christ became A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT, now able to impart of His life to every man, according as His purpose is revealed for each individual.
            "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth ; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; that all should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him. --Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God : and they that hear shall live." [John 5 :21-23, 25].
             HE has the power over all, to quicken whomsoever He will. This is not just some ultimate result in the future, though it will take the ages to come to reveal this life in every creature, but this also includes the divine provision that we may begin to experience this vivifying process now. "If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." [Romans 8:11].
            "It is the Spirit that QUICKENETH ; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, are spirit, and are life." [John 6:63].  Man cannot quicken himself, but we can receive the Word of the Lord which effectually works within, and the Spirit of truth which vivifies, causes the truth to become life, and causes us to live to the truth.
             Abraham believed God, "Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." [Romans 4:17].  Believing that God can make alive that which is dead. He considered not the deadness of Sarah's womb, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.  It was not the ungodly condition of all the heathen around him that tested the quality of his faith, nor was he vitally concerned with their salvation at that time, but he was faced with the "deadness" of Sarah's womb.  If there was no conquering of one "deadened" womb, how could he expect to cope with a whole heathen nation dead in trespasses and sins. Salvation MUST WORK right in our own personal lives, and in our homes, before we set about to reconcile a whole world to God.
            It has been said that the barrenness of Sarah's womb was her greatest asset. No abilities to offer, only a womb that was barren and past age for bearing-- PLUS THE QUICKENING POWER OF GOD.
            How precious is this thought, we are not offering ourselves to God because we are so wise, strong, capable, and of great service to Him.  Ah, we have but the barrenness, the nothingness, the emptiness and unworthiness of a vessel all scarred and marred by sin and selfhood, that's all we have to offer to Him, but it becomes the arena for the operation of God's quickening, vivifying power. HE is able to bring forth a new life, glorious salvation to the uttermost, praise His name.  A full salvation, and one that abides ALWAYS.
            It is His life which becomes our life, even "the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." [Ephesians 1:23].  The Amplified gives, "Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself."  Saved to the uttermost, brought to full capacity-- He ever liveth to bring such victory to all of His creation. None left out, none rejected, but "ALL THE ENDS OF THE WORLD shall remember and turn unto the Lord : and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee." [Psalm 22 :27].  "And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." [Revelation 21:5].
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⁽¹⁾ Prinzing, Ray and Doris REDEMPTION---ALL IN ALL. Boise, Idaho, P.O. Box 5822

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