Period 3

In discoursing on this subject, we have already shown how the work of redemption was carried on through the first two of the three periods into which we divided the whole space of time from the fall to the end of the world; and we are now come to

The third and last period, beginning with Christ's resurrection, and reaching to the end of the world; and would now show how this work was also carried on through this period, from this

Proposition, That the space of time from the end of Christ's humiliation to the end of the world is all taken up bringing about the great effect or success of Christ's purchase.

Not but that there were great effects and glorious success of Christ's purchase of redemption before, even from the beginning of the generations of men. But all that success of Christ's redemption which was before, was only preparatory, and was by way of anticipation, as some few fruits are gathered before the harvest. There was no more success before Christ came than God found needful to prepare the way for his coming. The proper time of the success or effect of Christ's purchase of redemption is after the purchase has been made, as the proper time for the world to enjoy the light of the sun is daytime, after the sun is risen, though we may have some small matter of light reflected from the moon and planets before. Even the success of Christ's redemption while he himself was on earth, was very small in comparison of what it was after the conclusion of his humiliation.

But Christ having finished that greatest and most difficult of all works, the work of the purchase of redemption, now is come the time for obtaining the end of it, the glorious effect of it. This is the next work he goes about. Having gone through the whole course of his sufferings and humiliation, there is an end to all things of that nature: he is never to suffer any more. But now is the time for him to obtain the joy that was set before him. Having made his soul an offering for sin, now is the time for him to see his seed, and to have a portion divided to him with the great, and to divide the spoil with the strong.

One design of Christ in what he did in his humiliation, was to lay a foundation for the overthrow of Satan's kingdom; and now is come the time to effect it, as Christ, a little before his crucifixion, said, John 12:31. "Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out." Another design was, to gather together in one all things in Christ. Now is come the time for this also: John 12:32. "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me;" which is agreeable to Jacob's prophecy of Christ, that "when Shiloh should come, to him should the gathering of the people be," Genesis 49:10. Another design is the salvation of the elect. Now when his sufferings are finished, and his humiliation is perfected, the time is come for that also: Hebrews 5:8, 9. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered: and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Another design was, to accomplish by these things great glory to the persons of the Trinity. Now also is come the time for that. John 17:1. "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." Another design was the glory of the saints. Now is the time also for this: John 17:2. "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." And all the dispensations of God's providence henceforward, even to the final consummation of all things, are to give Christ his reward, and fulfill his end in what he did and suffered upon earth, and to fulfill the joy that was set before him.

In this study we have already traced how the work of redemption was carried on through the first two of the three periods into which we divided the whole span of time from the fall to the end of the world. We now come to

the third and final period — beginning with Christ's resurrection and extending to the end of the world. We will now show how this work was carried on through this period, beginning from this

proposition: The entire span of time from the end of Christ's humiliation to the end of the world is occupied with bringing about the great effect and success of Christ's purchase.

This is not to say that there were no effects or fruits of Christ's redemption before this period — there were, from the very beginning of human history. But all the success of Christ's redemption before His coming was only preparatory and anticipatory, like a few fruits gathered before the main harvest. No more success came before Christ's coming than God saw as necessary to prepare the way for His arrival. The proper time for the success and effect of Christ's purchase is after the purchase has been made — just as the proper time for the world to enjoy the light of the sun is daytime, after the sun has risen, though a faint reflected light may come from the moon and planets beforehand. Even the fruits of Christ's redemption during His own time on earth were very small compared to what came after His humiliation ended.

But now Christ has finished the greatest and most difficult of all works — the work of purchasing redemption. The time has come to obtain its purpose and its glorious fruit. This is the next work He takes up. Having completed the entire course of His sufferings and humiliation, all of that is now behind Him. He will never suffer again. Now is the time for Him to receive the joy that was set before Him. Having made His soul an offering for sin, now is the time for Him to see His offspring, to be given a portion among the great, and to divide the spoil with the strong.

One purpose of Christ's humiliation was to lay the foundation for the overthrow of Satan's kingdom — and now the time has come to carry it out. As Christ said shortly before His crucifixion, in John 12:31: 'Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.' Another purpose was to gather all things together in Christ. Now the time for that has also come. John 12:32: 'And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself' — consistent with Jacob's prophecy that when Shiloh should come, to Him the obedience of the peoples would belong, as Genesis 49:10 says. Another purpose was the salvation of the elect. Now, with His sufferings finished and His humiliation complete, the time for that has also come. Hebrews 5:8-9: 'Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.' Another purpose was to accomplish great glory for the persons of the Trinity through these events. The time for that has now come as well. John 17:1: 'Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.' Another purpose was the glory of the saints. The time for that is now here too. John 17:2: 'Even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.' And all of God's providential dealings from this point forward — to the final consummation of all things — are directed toward giving Christ His reward, fulfilling the purpose of what He did and suffered on earth, and bringing to completion the joy that was set before Him.