As did Adam and Eve in the garden, Job lost it all. But in the end the Father restored double. God loves through His actions which means He has a heart to bless us with everything that He deems wise. And He acts in perfect wisdom. The meek, the Father’s born again sons and daughters, are going to get the earth back. (See Matt. 5:5.) A new heavens and a new earth are coming, populated by people who have become Jesus’ look-alikes.

Let’s consider Job’s case. God got him to the point where He moved in selfless love, and we see what happened:

After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it! All his brothers and sisters and friends came to his house and celebrated. They told him how sorry they were and consoled him for all the trouble God had brought him. Each of them brought generous housewarming gifts. (Job 42:10-11 MSG)

You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured]. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord’s [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy.

(James 5:11 AMPC)

The Father has given a promise to give the same payback to His new creation race, those born of the Spirit into sonship.

Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. (Isaiah 61:7 AMPC)

It’s instructive to recap our condition of debts against a Holy God and the debts suffered against us from others. Our transgressions against our Creator are many. The human heart we inherited from Adam is prideful and rebellious. The carnal mind is at enmity with God. Romans 8:7 sums us up by saying: “[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed, it cannot.” Our hearts, before we embrace Jesus Christ’s satisfaction of our debt to God, are cut off from the pure nurture and affection of the Father. And sometimes it’s years before we experience the Father’s redemptive love and healing presence through our finally turning to Jesus. Without knowing Abba Father and His Word intimately, we are subject to our own sinful ways. We incur sin’s damage to our souls. And as a result, we know shame because what proceeds from us falls far short of the glory of God that was bestowed on man in the garden. That’s what we do to ourselves. And then there are the transgressions against us by others who function apart from the new godly nature available from the Holy Spirit through Jesus’ death on the cross and ascension back to Heaven. Those who hurt us are themselves wounded souls. There is no hope for men and women centered on themselves as the source of life. The consequences of sin are very often tragic. The brokenness great.

Thanks be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who, out of mercy, enacted their plan at the cross and made a way to return us to God as the abundant supply of supernatural life for us. The very life of God Himself He gives to us. So, while we await the new heavens and earth, what are we given in this age, this era termed the time of “the restoration and fulfillment of all things?” (Eph. 4:10 TPT) Do we really get back double here and now as we walk with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord or do we merely endure until His return? We are called to persevere and endure as the world we inhabit is “brutal and perverse.” (Phil. 2:15 TPT) However, in experiencing union and communion with Christ in our interior regenerated spirit, and in increasingly “taking hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of us and made us His own,” we can experience quite a payback. (Phil. 3:12 AMP) Prophetic writer Deanna Deering quotes the Lord in her book, The Masterpiece of the Wilderness, “The race is against the possibilities I lay before you. You determine how high you will go.”^[1]

Let’s survey the blessings and benefits He has generously given. First, because of Jesus Christ’s shed blood and sacrificed body, our debt to God is wiped out. 1 John 1:9 declares: “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].” (AMPC) Jesus’ blood cleansing makes us white as snow, Psalm 51 records. And Psalm 103:12-14 adds re: God’s reckoning of our sins: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe]. For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.”  We are innocent before our Maker again like in Eden. 

Now forgiven by our Maker, by His grace or ability, we can forgive each other. As we “acquit and forgive and release” one another to the Lord, chains fall off our souls. (Luke 6:37 AMPC) Through the promises of God in the Bible, we can trust Him to avenge us as well. (See Romans 12:19 AMPC). We also judge each other not and let go of unfulfilled demands and expectations as Jesus has become our complete Need-meeter. And through heeding God’s commands, we position ourselves to receive a payback of abundant life. Gospel writer John quotes Jesus: “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”(John 10:10 AMPC).

Perfect righteousness has been credited to our account Romans 4:24 reveals, and we have the declaration of Romans 8:28 over us: “So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.” (TPT) Romans 8:29 goes on to tell us just what His glorious purpose is for us: “For He knew all about us before we were born, and He destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of His Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like Him.” (TPT) And Jesus is Love Incarnate. This is quite a payback!

Now, assuming we have believed on Him and are in pursuit of Him, we acquire the promise of Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].”(AMPC) 

His rewards come from His continual supply as we stay ourselves on Him and let Christ’s life be our life. The vital thing is that we must maintain intimacy—union and communion—and yield to Him. A few verses are worth noting about this reality.

 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (John 15:5 AMPC)

And He alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given Him the highest rank above all others. (Eph. 1:22 TPT)

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2 AMPC)

The greatest and most needful thing that is freely supplied to us because of Jesus is our Maker’s unconditional love and full acceptance. “God is love,” 1 John 4:8 states. (AMPC) And “God is Light…there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].” (1 John 1:5) In Psalm 62:12, the Lord promises “All the love you need is found in Me.” (TPT) He heals all love deficits. He is the Perfect Father whom we can draw near to as Abba or “Daddy” and “Papa.” We can walk the earth “nourished and cherished” by Jesus within our bodies by way of the Holy Spirit and the God who is three-in-one. (Eph. 5:29 NKJV) Jesus, Himself, walked among a broken and hurting world full of evil people who misunderstood and rejected Him. Just as He stayed whole in His person as He was “continually nourished and empowered by [His Father’s] love,” so we can walk with this same continuous supply of perfect love and acceptance. (John 15:10 TPT) We can have the same relationship with the Father as Jesus had on earth. Isaiah 53:3 describes what Jesus overcame: “He was despised and rejected of men, a man of deep sorrows who was no stranger to suffering and grief…(He was) considered a nobody, not worthy of respect.” (TPT) It was our Lord’s interior life with the Father and the Spirit that saved Him from being damaged by the World. The footnote from The Passion Translation reads, ”Yet, Jesus was the most emotionally whole and healed man to ever walk the earth. He did not absorb the insults and rejections of even His neighbors (Luke 4:14-30).”^[2]

What about the alleviation of the pain we have incurred and the healing of our broken hearts? Well, when Jesus announced why He came, He said it was to heal the broken personalities and to set snared people free from bondage. He is even the way out of poverty. He proclaimed His mission in Luke 4:17-19:

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” (AMP)

It’s up to us to go deeper and deeper in receiving Jesus’ ministry to heal our broken and wounded souls. “Pay attention and come closer to Me and hear, that your total being may flourish,” the Lord says through Isaiah in 55:3. “’I will heal their deepest wounds,’ says Yahweh” in Isaiah 59:10 (TPT). It’s up to us to run into the Father’s arms of love. 

I John 3:1-3 can get us started:

“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that He has lavished on us! He has called us and made us His very own beloved children…. Beloved, we are God’s children right now; however, it is not yet apparent what we will become. But we do know that when it is finally made visible, we will be just like Him, for we will see Him as He truly is. And all who focus their hope on Him will always be purifying themselves, just as Jesus is pure.” (TPT) The more we surrender to Jesus as our Source and take Him as our very life, the greater the restoration that’s ours. Even when undergoing trials and the sufferings that perfect us, the truth is: “There is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love.” In the spirit to Spirit union within, there is always the pleasure of God’s presence. (See 1 Cor. 6:17.) Paul went on in the verses Romans 8:38-39 to say, “I’m convinced that His love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken His love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.” (TPT)

When we receive God’s love and walk it out, we are enabled to love God and others out of the overflow. Note that this can take being “smothered” by the kisses of His Love Letter, the Holy Bible. (Song of Songs 1:2 TPT) We need the impartation of His nature to that degree to walk whole. And I John allows that we can walk free of lies and live free of darkness. 1 John 1:7 is our promise: “But if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].” (AMP)

In addition to the internal reality we can have of the kingdom within, we are positioned in Christ in the heavenlies, far above principalities and powers…. In fact, we are granted access to heaven and given every spiritual blessing. The Passion Translation describes what’s been bestowed upon us with these words:

“Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ —all because He sees us wrapped into Christ.” (Eph. 1:3 TPT) This Translation goes on to beautifully explain our station in Ephesians 2:5-6, “Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, He united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by His wonderful grace! He raised us up with Christ the Exalted One, and we ascended with Him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!” (TPT) Indeed, Paul revels elsewhere that our citizenship is in Heaven, not on earth. We can move into conquest of the enemy from this co-seated-with-Christ place.

In summary, Jesus goes on to encourage us to go after His Kingdom rule and keep receiving from God. He stated in Luke 12:31: “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid little flock, because your Father delights to give you the Kingdom.” (CSB)

The Word assures us that all that Jesus promised is ours. Ephesians 1:10 reveals,”And because of God’s unfailing purpose, this detailed plan will remain supreme through every period of time until the fulfillment of all the ages finally reaches its climax—when God makes all things new in all of heaven and earth through Jesus Christ.” (TPT) Ephesians 1:14 acknowledges the down payment of the Holy Spirit—our “engagement ring” as The Passion words it— “the first installment of what’s coming! He is our hope-promise of a future inheritance which seals us until we have all of redemption’s promises and experience complete freedom—all for the supreme honor and glory of God.” (TPT)

We see we have been given God’s keys to love, life, and light. In Jesus Christ, we have a position and authority over the prince of darkness—satan and his forces. Explained herein is just a taste of the goodness of God we can know. It’s up to us as to how far we will go with the Lord in yielding our lives to receive fulness from Him. We can have as much of God as we want as the saying goes. The prize is Christ and what He is making of us: 

“Christ gave himself to make her holy, having cleansed her through the baptism of his Word—to make her an altogether glorious Church in his eyes. She is to be free from spots, wrinkles or any other disfigurement—a Church holy and perfect.” (Eph. 5:27 PHILLIPS)

One name for Jesus Christ, the One whom we must take as replacement for our darkened Adamic selves, in order to receive the double recompense, is “the Consolation of Israel.” (Luke 2:25 AMP) The Word consolation means solace or “an equivalent or a return for something done, suffered, or given: compensation offered in recompense for injuries.”^[3]When Jesus becomes our everything, truly that’s when we have it all. 

Postscript

But now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holinesss that ends with eternal life! (Rom. 6:22 TPT)

If we’ll pursue holiness, we’ll see the Lord. (From Heb. 12:14)

And in beholding Him, we become like Him. “We can draw close to Him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into His very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18, and see footnotes h, i, j, k TPT)

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Blessings in return—

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^[1] Deanna Deering, The Masterpiece of the Wilderness (Osceola, IN: Voice Ministries, Inc.), p. 21.

^[2] Brian Simmons, The Passion Translation Isaiah: The Vision, (BroadStreetPublishing.com, 2018), p. 135.

^[3] https://www.merriam-webster.com>dictionary>solace (Accessed 04/10/2024)