The Mercy of the Lord that Saves
We give thanks to the Lord and our Father for the abundant spiritual blessings being given for the ministry of the saints. We pray for the Lord’s mercy to come along with His grace and peace.
Mercy, like peace, grace, and faith, is something asked from the Lord and prayed for brethren to receive. Most Epistles begin with a prayer for mercy among God’s other provisions, such as this one.
2Jn 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Being merciful is a simple yet powerful commandment that holds more wisdom and truth than we first believe. We are commanded to be merciful, which is the nature of our Heavenly Father.
Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Mercy is seeing the Lord, and we are merciful when we show the Lord to others in the same way the Lord was shared with us. Those first given mercy from the Lord are, in turn, used to bring His mercy to others. This is how the Gospel, the indwelling Promise of God, also known as the good news, is spread as Christ builds His church in every generation. The first to believe and receive His mercy [see the Lord] have received the Promise of the Holy Spirit. With the resurrected Christ in us, we are Christ in this world and are sent to perform the greater works by preaching the one true Gospel.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Those obedient to the faith and the calling to preach the Gospel, being merciful in their deeds, receive even more of God’s blessing of mercy. We reap even more of what we are sowing.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Those faithful in the Lord’s mercy are given even more to further the work of the kingdom. The merciful have already obtained abundant mercy and spiritual understanding, which expands as their eyes are fully enlightened.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Those first given mercy, such as the Apostle Paul, are those the Lord uses to pass it on to others by appointing them to preach the Gospel.
2Co 4:1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not
Lord willing, this letter deepens our understanding of mercy. Wisdom comes from recognizing mercy as the centerpiece of all the Lord’s wonderful works to the children of Israel.
Psa 107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness [mercy] of the LORD.
Mercy and grace are intrinsically linked, as they are both what save us from our sins. We know grace saves us [Eph 2:8], but so does mercy.
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Receiving the Promise of the Holy Spirit, the Baptism of Christ, is the mercy of the Lord that begets us into a living hope as Jesus Christ is raised from the dead within us. This is the mystery of the Gospel now being revealed.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
All men are clay in the Potter’s hands who chooses the vessels that receive His mercy to whom He is making known the power of the Gospel.
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
The riches of His glory is the Living Word, the Holy Commandments of the Father. Mercy reveals these to us, giving one eyes to see and ears to hear them. When this Promise comes, these living Words are established in our hearts. By God’s mercy, we now have access to the throne of grace in our time of need. Mercy precedes grace, as without mercy, the grace that comes from the living commandments is not established.
Psa 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Isa 16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
The first step in turning our hearts to the Lord is seeing the commandments and having faith in them. This is why mercy precedes grace. Mercy opens our eyes to see, so grace can come and be established. Thus, the two main drivers of overcoming our sin, mercy, and grace are put into us when we have eyes to see and ears to hear the Gospel. Only the chosen disciples receive this first in every age and we shall see why soon.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
The Lord is always merciful to those who ask. Mercy is sending the Word of the Living Commandments to heal those who ask for help.
Psa 107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:20 He sent his word [the commandments], and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his mercy [goodness], and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
It is truly the mercy or goodness of God that leads every man to repentance in their appointed time. The Lord healed many of blindness, deafness, and other ailments, and they all asked for mercy. There are numerous proofs of mercy, being the opening of spiritual eyes to see the commandments of the Lord that heal. All of these stories and examples are done in parables. New Testament witnesses include the events in Mrk 10:47, Mat 17:15, Mat 15:22, Mat 9:27, Luk 17:13, and Luk 18:38. Here is one example where two blind men ask for mercy. With their eyes now open, those healed immediately follow the commandments, and thus mercy begins the process of salvation.
Mat 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Mat 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Mat 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Mat 20:33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
oMat 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
The Temple of God is Established by Mercy
We are drawn to the Lord through God’s enduring mercy, and the temple’s foundation is laid in our hearts and minds. The foundation is the Living Commandments. We see this truth in all the shadows of the Old Testament, in all the stories of building a temple.
Jer 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with mercy [lovingkindness] have I drawn thee.
Ezr 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
The throne of grace is where the Lord and His Father sit in the Temple that is established in our hearts by mercy. When our time to receive the Promise comes, the fire of the Living Word comes into the house, and the mercy endures forever. At the dedication of the first temple, the shadow of the true one we are shown this wonderful work of God to His children. The Living Word, the Promise, fills the house, the glory of the Lord, and all the children of Israel praise the Lord for His goodness and enduring mercy.
2Ch 7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2Ch 7:2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD [The Promise] had filled the LORD’S house.
2Ch 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
God’s mercy is what establishes the kingdom within us and the grace that follows. Both mercy and grace save us.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Mercy is always about building the temple of God, which starts with laying the foundation of the Living commandments. There is no other foundation on which the Temple of Christ is built. This is the same as receiving the Gospel. The Holy Spirit brings righteousness, judgment, and mercy, and is the Lord’s favour upon His chosen people.
Hos 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness [mercy] shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Once Given, Mercy Endures Forever
Mercy endures forever as the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. The Lord loses none of those given to Him by the Father. Christ finishes what He starts, which is the salvation from sins and remaking us into the image of God. The work of God in our lives is finished right on the Father’s schedule.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
All the many greater and wonderful works of the Lord come by way of His enduring mercy. We have many Psalms singing the praises and giving thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.
Psa 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever….
Psa 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever……
Psa 136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Mercy is God’s goodness and lovingkindness; the same Hebrew word represents all three English words. His goodness or mercy is also known as the wonderful works of god to the children of men.
Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy
Receiving mercy is receiving the Promise that is the second coming of Christ. This is how our minds are renewed, and the construction of the Holy Temple begins in earnest. King David and his son Solomon reflect this truth in the shadow of the Old Testament. The Lord’s mercy shall not be taken from the new man born from the first. Here is the Promise made to King David.
1Ch 17:13 I [the Lord speaking] will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
1Ch 17:14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.
We pray daily for the Lord’s bread, the rain, and the Spirit, all of which are the Living Commandments to come and take root in our hearts. Those prayers of faith are answered, and the Lord has mercy upon us.
Psa 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Psa 86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Psa 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Who Receives Mercy:
All mankind is given the mercy that saves in their appointed time. The appointed time, known only to the Father, is when the Promise of the Spirit comes upon us. This is the time of reformation that is come.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
In this age, only the elect, those predestined from the beginning of time, receive the mercy of the Lord. The Lord chooses to whom He gives mercy [reveals Himself] and to whom He does not. There is no free will or choosing of man involved, as the Lord chooses.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Those Given Mercy, give it to others.
Those saved by the Lord’s mercy when the Holy Spirit of Promise comes, then become the instruments in how all the weightier matters of Christ’s law are given to others. These are mercy, grace, peace, and faith. These are the greater works, the elect, the Christ of Christ, the saviours on Mt. Zion perform in spreading the Gospel to those ordained to receive it. This is the role of the Lord’s priests and ministers who preach and live by the Gospel. Those who enter in by the door that is Christ become the shepherds of the sheep the Lord is saving in every generation.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
As the Father sent Christ, He now sends us, His Priests and Ministers of the Gospel. We lay hands on them, opening up their understanding and the Spirit of God, the living commandments, the Promise, falls upon them.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Those chosen for this honour through none of their own works receive the mercy of the Lord first, so through us, the rest of mankind receives mercy in due time.
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
This is why we are commanded to be merciful, as our Father has given us. As He is, so are we, the ministers of the Gospel, to be merciful.
Those given the Promise first by the mercy of God, in turn, spread it to others. We do this NOW and in the lake of fire to come when all mankind receives the Promise of salvation. When the Living Christ is revealed in a man, they are a Priest unto the Lord.
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Mercy Seat
The Old Testament reveals the mystery of how the Gospel is spread by the Lord’s Christ in the details of the tabernacle and the mercy seat. The mercy seat is a covering for the top of the ark, which is where the tablets of the commandments of the Lord were placed. Guarding the mercy seat and access to the ark are two cherubim who are angels of the Lord.
Exo 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Exo 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exo 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Exo 25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony [commandments] that I shall give thee.
The mercy seat covers the ark, which symbolizes the living commandments that is the Gospel. The Cherubims represent the Elect of God, the Lord’s two witnesses, sent by twos [Mar 6:7] to preach the Gospel. When Christ in us is resurrected, we are known as children of the resurrection and are now likened to the angels of God.
Luk 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Luk 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Those in whom Christ is resurrected by the Promise become the ministers and angels the Lord gives custody of the Gospel, the Living commandments. As the cherubim of God, we guard the way to the Gospel [the ark], which is the same as the tree of life.
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
The Living Words of the Lord [Christ] are met at the mercy seat. This is where mercy is given to those the Lord has drawn near to receive it. The angels spread the Gospel, thereby spreading the fire of the Word which is how the greater works are being done. We preach the Gospel to every nation and person the Lord has prepared and puts in our path. This is the laying on of hands and how the Holy Commandments are revealed unto the children of Israel, whose time of reformation has come.
Exo 25:22 And there [mercyseat] I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The deep parables hidden in the Old Testament patterns of the construction of the Temple represent what the Apostles and all since have done in laying on hands to spread the Gospel and bring the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Those who minister and lay on the hands are giving mercy, as this opens spiritual eyes and ears, so the Gospel is received into their hearts. This is how the Promise is spread and the church of Jesus Christ is built one saint at a time.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Laying on hands, the giving of mercy, is done when one who has the Living Christ walks with and breaks bread with those seeking the Lord. The breaking of bread is partaking of the Lord’s Body, eating the commandments that lay down our lives for the Lord. This is how we show the Lord’s death until He comes.
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
The parable of the walk to Emmaus, where Christ walked and ate with two disciples after He was resurrected, confirms the understanding of how the Promise is spread, and we show mercy to others. These disciples received the mercy of the Lord as their eyes were opened, and they understood the Scriptures, and Christ vanished into their heaven.. They now knew Christ, no longer in the flesh [2co 5:7], but they knew Him in the Spirit. This is the ultimate mercy of the Lord given to the few chosen in this age.
Luk 24:30 And it came to pass, as he [Christ] sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luk 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Luk 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Luk 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
Luk 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luk 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Once we receive mercy, what does it do?
Mercy shows us the way. Our ability to see the living commandments enables us to follow the Lord. Otherwise, we remain blind to the truth.
Exo 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
When we see the Living Word, we have received mercy and follow Him. Chosen disciples of Jesus Christ immediately follow Him as the mercy of God, the Living Word, has come into their lives.
Mat 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Mat 4:22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
The mercy of the Lord that opens our eyes quickly begins to show us our sins and hidden things that need to be burned in the fire. The Lord makes a quick work upon the earth when He comes to us. When we see the living commandments, then we see our sins. Sins are purged by mercy and truth.
Pro 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Mercy is our deliverance from the wicked one, the accuser that is our father the devil, within and without.
Psa 18:48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
God’s mercy reveals the commandments that is the brightness of His coming within us. We are now being taught the right ways of God as we are led by the Spirit. Without this mercy, our eyes fail us, and we do not do righteousness. We need to see His ways and have them made known to us.
Psa 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Psa 119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
Psa 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
Psa 67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
The Lord’s mercy brings remembrance of the commandments from heaven into our earth, so we obey them at the opportune time.
Psa 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth [His Living Word is Truth].
Mercy Not Sacrifice
The Lord wants mercy and not sacrifice. He wants us to be saved and sanctified, and that starts with receiving mercy from those previously given mercy by the Lord. Our outward sacrifices mean nothing to the Lord and are vanity that occupy us until the Promise of the Holy Spirit, the mercy of God, comes in Spirit and Truth.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Jesus Christ gave us the example. He ate the Gospel with sinners and publicans and was criticized by the religious who knew not the truth and had not the Spirit. Christ rebuked them, stating He wants mercy and not the sacrifices of the carnally minded.
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The Lord is well pleased when we who have been given the Spirit share and tarry with others, preaching the Gospel. This is the example He left us as well as those of the original Apostles. True worshippers in Spirit and in truth are created when they receive the Gospel, and the Promise comes to them. This is the good seed we sow as the agents of mercy for the Lord.
The good Samaritan is merciful and takes care of their neighbor, dressing their wounds, pouring in oil, and giving them a place of spiritual rest. This is the act of giving mercy, sharing the Gospel with those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness. [See the parable Luk 10].
Luk 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
We are Christ, His ambassadors in this world. We bring the good tidings of the Gospel and God’s goodness [mercy] to all who can hear.
Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, [mercy] and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Forgiveness is a component.
Mercy is the giving of the Living commandments, and forgiveness and compassion are key commandments and thus components of mercy. After David’s egregious sin, he prayed for mercy and forgiveness.
Psa 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
The goodness of God is His merciful nature, which leads every man to repentance in their time. Mercy is certainly forgiveness because we are commanded to forgive. When we repent after hearing the Gospel, we turn back to the Lord, and He forgives all of our transgressions. This is receiving mercy, which begins to establish the foundation for the Temple to be built.
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
The point of this study was to show the deeper meaning of mercy, yet I hope this does not subtract at all from the forgiving and compassionate mindset we are to have with all men. As our heavenly Father forgives us, we also forgive those who trespass against us.
Waiting in Hope for His Mercy:
We are saved by hope in the Mercy of the Lord that is promised to come. While we wait for the Promise, we are making progress in preparing for His coming by praying daily, eating the Lord’s bread [reading the Scriptures, studying the commandments], and obeying the best we can. Faith comes by hearing, and we should always be seeking more. Have faith and believe, the Lord’s mercy is coming. Just tarry and pray for Him to come, which is mercy.
Psa 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Praying for the Promise is praying for the mercy of God to fall. We are to pray for one another in the little flock for this mercy without ceasing.
Psa 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
The Lord’s prayer means so much more once we understand what we are asking for when we pray it and ask “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done”. We are asking for mercy, and it shall be granted. Blessed are the merciful.
Grace, Peace, and Mercy unto the brethren,