When the meaning of the expression "the Lord our righteousness" becomes clear to us, then we understand the Divine salvation. Until we grasp this concept, Judaism and Christianity are religions consisting of various doctrines. The true salvation of the Lord is marriage, a union of God and the saint. The believer dies to the Law of Moses in order that he may be married to Christ. Marriage to Christ is the strictest bondage and the most glorious freedom available to mankind.

Jerusalem shall be called, "The Lord our righteousness."

The Divine marriage is being preached today, and the firstfruits of the Bride will hear and come away in their hearts to the Lord. The remainder of the Lord's people will continue in their struggle with God, and each will be judged according to the manner in which he or she has served the Lord.

Perhaps the Hebrew people at times understood the Divine salvation better than many Christians do. God spoke of being a Husband to them and they rejoiced in this relationship with the Lord.

However, many Israelites became entangled in the letter of the Law of Moses. Their interpretations of the Law became their God in place of the Lord. They erred in their hearts. They missed the Lord's intention.

We Christians also are in error. We have largely ignored the concept of marriage to the Lord, of union, of abiding, and have made the Christian salvation a profession of belief in certain doctrinal truths.

We exhort the unconverted individual to confess he is a sinner and receive the atonement made by the Lord Jesus. After this we point him toward residence in Heaven when he dies rather than toward marriage to the Lamb during his discipleship on the earth, missing the Divine intention as completely as did the Jews. It is as though we have died to the Law of Moses so we may go to live in Heaven rather than so we may be married to the Lamb.

Heaven is the present abode of God, Jesus, and the deceased saints. But going there does not result in Judah and Jerusalem being termed "The Lord our righteousness."

Notice:

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:4)

We must die to Moses that we may be lawfully remarried to Christ.

How does the Divine salvation operate? It operates by marriage. All else is scaffolding.

The compelling love of God stirs in the Lord Jesus. He feels the love of God being directed toward an individual who, though ignorant of Christ at this point, is a member of the elect. Jesus, through the Spirit, invites the person to receive His salvation.

The individual is drawn by the Father to Jesus and is prodded to repent and believe. If he does, the Lord Jesus spreads His righteousness over the sinner as Boaz spread his covering over Ruth.

To be continued.