Four Different Types of Reconciliation in Paul’s Epistles:

Ephesians 2:11-12 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

1. Dispensational Reconciliation:

This is the called the reconciliation of the world. 

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 

Reconciliation of the world has to do with the world having its status changed when Israel went out of divine favor with God. 

Romans 11:11-15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 

The dispensational barriers are now broken down and the whole world is now savable, no longer based on the Abrahamic covenant. In the future, after the rapture, it will again be based on the Abrahamic covenant. 

2. Individual Reconciliation:  Saved

This is individual reconciliation back to God. 

We can have our enemy status changed to son’s status (individually) 

Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 

When a person trusts Christ today their status is changed from an enemy to a Son, from being in Adam to being in Christ. Being in Christ they have now redemption and they now have the forgiveness of sins. 

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

2 Corinthians 5:17~18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

We as members of the body of Christ can now go out and tell the lost that they, as individuals, can be reconciled to God. They too can be redeemed and have their sins forgiven. 

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

3. One Body Reconciliation: The whole body. Israel did not.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Jew and Gentile reconciled in one body by the cross. Both are now in Christ. They are both part of the one new man by the cross, not at the cross. At is when. By is how. We were both baptized into Christ upon believing. 

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

4. Future Reconciliation:

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

All things in earth and in heaven. Notice the context of all things in vs 16. 

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

These are positions of rank and authority…whether in heaven or on the earth. 

Israel will be the instrument used to restore the earthly kingdom, while the Body of Christ will be the instrument God will use to restore the Heavenly places. That new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) with a new body will be equipped to do this. 

In the future reconciliation of the system of the creature, Satan gets kicked out of the heavenly places in mid~trib, and forfeits his ‘place’ 

Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,    

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 

God’s purpose is to reconcile and restore the whole system, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole universe back under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 

It is imperative that we rightly divide these different types of reconciliation or we will find ourselves lost in the weeds of confusion. 2 Timothy 2:15 

It is a wonderful thing to be a part of what God is doing today! 

As a member of the Body of Christ we are predestined to be with Him forever. Our cup of joy will be overflowing, all our fears, all our worries, all our cares, all our sorrows, all our pain, all our sadness, all strife, all division, dissipated and forever gone. For God will be all in all and He lovingly includes us in his eternal purposes. I can’t wait….

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

2 Corinthians 4:16~18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Pastor Marshall Coleman

1/28/2022