Redeemer
The Redeemer refers to God, who grants salvation to humanity. The Bible also expresses this title as Deliverer, Savior, or Lord of Atonement. The term redemption means “to save someone by paying a price or bearing punishment on their behalf.” In ancient times, the act of paying a ransom to set a slave free was likewise considered redemption. God, as the Redeemer, predestined the work of redemption before the creation of the world and has carried it out ever since for the salvation of humanity.[1][2] In the New Testament, redemption refers to freedom from sin and death through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sins of the world.
Meaning of Redemption
The Hebrew word translated as redeemer is go’el (גֹּאֵל), meaning “kinsman-redeemer” or “avenger of blood,” derived from the verb ga’al (גָּאַל) “to redeem, to reclaim, to avenge.”[3] It refers to one who pays a ransom or the price of land to free someone who has lost their property or been enslaved due to poverty, or who rightfully avenges the death of a family member. Another Hebrew term frequently used for redemption is padah (פָּדָה), meaning “to ransom, to deliver, to set free.”[4]
The verb ga’al is used when God delivered the Israelites from Egypt[5] and when He promised to bring back His people from their captivity in Babylon.[6][7] Padah describes God redeeming His people from hardships such as war and famine,[8] and even saving souls from the power of sin and Sheol.[9][10]
In the New Testament, the Redeemer is revealed as Christ. The Greek word used to describe His redemptive work is apolytrosis (ἀπολύτρωσις),[11] meaning “release” or “liberation.”[12][13] This signifies that humanity, once enslaved to sin and bound under death, receives forgiveness and salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.[14]
The Work of the Redeemer in the Old Testament Times
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In the Old Testament times, the LORD became the Redeemer of Israel, protecting and delivering His people from suffering.[15][16] The Exodus stands as the defining event that reveals the work of the Redeemer. While the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, God remembered the covenant He had made with their ancestor Abraham and resolved to bring them out. That covenant was the promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants.[17]
“I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they lived as aliens. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. . . . ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.’ ”
God established the Passover to deliver the Israelites from slavery, commanding them to keep it by sacrificing a lamb on that day. Through the sacrifice of the Passover lamb, they were spared from the plagues that struck Egypt and set free from bondage.[18] In other words, through the lamb’s sacrifice, the Israelites were redeemed from both the slavery and the plague of death. Thus, the Passover became the day when God revealed Himself as the Redeemer of Israel.[19]
Christ Came as Redeemer
Christ is God who came in the flesh as the Redeemer. In the New Testament, redemption means that the sins committed by the human soul in heaven are forgiven through Christ.[20] The wages of such sin is death;[21] in other words, humanity is regarded as guilty of a crime deserving the death penalty. Such a grave sin cannot be pardoned without a price. Therefore, Jesus Christ became the sacrifice of atonement, shedding His blood on the cross to redeem humanity from the sin of death.[22]
The redemption of the Israelites through the blood of the Passover lamb at the time of the Exodus foreshadowed the redemption of all humanity—enslaved in this sinful world—through the blood of Christ, the true Passover Lamb and Redeemer.[23] Likewise, the sacrifices of lambs, bulls, and other offerings made for the atonement of the Israelites in Old Testament times were types pointing to the sacrifice of Christ, who would bear the punishment of humanity in the New Testament.[24][25] For this reason, the apostles testified that through the blood of Christ—His sacrifice—believers receive redemption, that is, the forgiveness of sins.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
“To be redeemed” contains the love of God, who sacrificed Himself even to the point of death for the salvation of the world. Humanity has been redeemed through the sacrifice of the Redeemer.
Another Sacrifice of Redeemer
The sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of humanity was not limited to His suffering on the cross. For the sake of humanity, God gave up the glory of heaven and came into this world in the flesh. By living a life of pain and hardship that sinners themselves should have borne, He had already made a profound sacrifice. Furthermore, His unwavering dedication to proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom—even while enduring contempt and persecution from His own creation—was itself an expression of God’s sacrifice.[26]
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy that the Christ would suffer death as the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of humanity. Yet the sacrifice of God through the work of the gospel continues even in these last days. Two thousand years ago, Jesus came in the flesh and cried out to the thirsty to come and receive the water of life. In the same way, in the last days the Spirit and the Bride call out to all who thirst: “Come and receive the water of life.”[27] Thus, the very work of salvation carried out by Christ is being accomplished once again.
- On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water [water of life] will flow from within him." (John 7:37–38)
- The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)
The Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation were written by the Apostle John as he was carried along by the Holy Spirit. When we compare these two books, we see that the Spirit and the Bride, just as Jesus Christ did two thousand years ago, gave up the glory of heaven and came in the flesh, living a life of sacrifice while proclaiming the gospel. Just as the redemption of humanity was accomplished through the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago, so in the last days, through the love and sacrifice of God the Father and God the Mother who appear as the Spirit and the Bride, humanity is led to salvation.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ "Isaiah 46:10".
- ↑ "Ephesians 1:4-5".
- ↑ Strong's Hebrew: 1350. גָּאַל, Bible Hub
- ↑ Strong's Hebrew: 6299. פָּדָה, Bible Hub
- ↑ "Exodus 15:13".
- ↑ "Isaiah 41:14".
- ↑ "Isaiah 43:1".
- ↑ "Job 5:20".
- ↑ "Psalms 130:7-8".
- ↑ "Hosea 13:14".
- ↑ Strong's Greek: 629. ἀπολύτρωσις, Bible Hub
- ↑ "Romans 3:24".
- ↑ "Ephesians 1:7".
- ↑ "Romans 6:6-23".
- ↑ "2 Samuel 7:23-24".
- ↑ "Isaiah 43:1–14".
- ↑ "Genesis 15:18-21".
- ↑ "Exodus 12:5-13".
- ↑ "Psalms 78:42".
- ↑ "Luke 5:32".
- ↑ "Romans 6:23".
- ↑ "Matthew 20:28".
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 5:7".
- ↑ "Leviticus 4:1-35".
- ↑ "Matthew 27:27-31".
- ↑ "Mark 1:38".
- ↑ "John 7:37–38".