loves us (present tense) and has freed us from our sins (accomplished in the past). Christ has set us free by his death. The children of Israel were set free from bondage in Egypt and promised on Mount Sinai that if they would keep the commandments of God, they would be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exod. 19:5–6). In a “second exodus,” Christ frees believers to be the new people of God. The return of Christ will be seen by all (v. 7). No secret rapture here! As Jesus said, “All the nations
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