Jesus Christ came to this earth to save/redeem it and all of God’s creation upon and in it, especially mankind. In John 3:17 (KJV) it says: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
OK, so before we go any further, we need to understand what the word “redeem” or “redemption” means. The Holman Bible Dictionary, page 1370 gives the following definition for redemption:
“To pay a price in order to secure the release of something or someone. It connotes the idea of paying what is required in order to liberate from oppression, enslavement, or another type of binding obligation. The redemptive procedure may be legal, commercial, or religious.”
Redemption was and is:
- The Heart of Christ’s work.
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 KJV)
- Costly.
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV)
- Freedom from the curse of the law.
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’). But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 3:13, 4:5 KJV)
- Cause to worship Christ.
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Revelation 5:9 KJV)
“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:3-4 KJV)
- The Sinners’ pardon and justification.
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7 KJV)
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:24-25 KJV)
- Appeasement against God’s wrath, propitiation.
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV)
Redemption is a gift of glory:
- The completion of redemption is translation.
“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.” (Romans 8:23 KJV)
- Our redemption is made sure through the seal in our foreheads of the Holy Spirit.
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30 KJV)
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV)
And then there is this beautiful gift of information from the book, Secrets of Eternity:
“As man awakes and takes hold of that Christ Light which has been given to abide right within himself, he will hold the very powers of heaven in his hands – and the powers not only of redemption but of the resurrection. First he will be redeemed from every weak, false, erroneous idea, then from his sins and weaknesses, evils and mistakes, then from his bodily ailments, until his whole being is resurrected into a newness of glorified vibrant life.” (Chapter 6, page 92 bottom to top of page 93)