Not only does the blessing of grace exempt one from the judgment of eternity in the lake of fire/hell, but also bestows the kingdom of God Almighty/heaven upon one while on earth. John the Baptist announced this new opportunity for humanity.

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Matthew 3:1-2  NASB

Since the time of John, the gospel of the kingdom of God/heaven/light and the blessing of grace have replaced the Law as God Almighty’s covenant for the justification of the living.

“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every one is forcing his way into it.”  Luke 16:16  NASB

Whereas the Mosaic covenant was with the Israelites, a small portion of humanity, the new covenant of grace is for all the nations, i.e., everyone, both Jew and Gentile.

“And so, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He should be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”  Acts 26:22-23  NASB

There is no circumstance of birth that precludes one from escaping the kingdom of darkness/death and entering the kingdom of God/light/heaven/life while on earth.

To the Jew, the blessing of grace meant transition from atonement based on the deaths of sacrificial animals to justification as a gift of God Almighty.

and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,  Philippians 3:9  NASB

To the Gentile, the blessing of grace meant inclusion in God Almighty’s family through salvation.

Or is God the God of Jews only?  Is He not the God of Gentiles also?  Yes, of Gentiles also–if indeed God is one–and He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.  Romans 3:29-30  NASB

Both Jew and Gentile are forcing [their] way into the kingdom of God Almighty (Luke 16:16) because sinful humanity while on earth is an unnatural fit with the holiness of God Almighty’ kingdom.

Jesus Christ brought the kingdom of God/light/heaven back to the physical realm.

And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”  Mark 1:14-15  NASB

In addition, Jesus announced that by virtue of His work of redemption He was the door that provided passage from the kingdom of darkness and death into the kingdom of God/light/heaven and life eternal.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture ”  John 10:9  NASB

However, after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, the Christ bringing the message of the blessing of Abraham to all the nations was the many-membered body of Christ with Jesus as Head.

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all made to drink of one Spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many.   1Corinthians 12:12-14  NASB

Consequently, not all appearances of the term “Christ” are referring to only Jesus.  A mention of “Christ” may refer to Jesus, the single-membered Christ, but other mentions might refer to the many-membered body of believers.  At the end of this chapter, we will learn of this many-membered Christ, the church.

The Law offered humanity the opportunity to achieve justification before God Almighty by human effort, but no one was able to do so.

For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.  Hebrews 7:18-19  NASB

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.  …  When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.  But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.  Hebrews 8:7,13  NASB

Now, God Almighty has provided justification as a gift to humanity.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  Ephesians 2:8  NASB

With the blessing of grace, humanity was relieved of dietary and purification laws.

One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.  …  One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike.  Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.  …  for the kingdom of God is not eating or drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Romans 14:2,5,17  NASB

In addition, the ceremonial sacrifices of the Law, which foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice, became obsolete after Jesus’ death and resurrection.  We are told directly that the daily and annual sacrificial offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law were insufficient to remove sin.

For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,  /  And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.  Hosea 6:6  NASB

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  Hebrews 10:4  NASB

These animal sacrifices ended in 70 AD when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, thereby making it impossible for there to be sacrifices made in the place chosen by God Almighty (Deut 16:6).  A shrine of Islam, the Dome of the Rock, was built on the site of the Jewish temple in 691 AD.  It was rebuild in 1023 AD and remains there to this day.  Through the years, Jews have wanted to rebuild the temple, but it has not been done.

Jesus, when asked about the commandments in the Law, indicated that they were based on love.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.  And a second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:35-40  NASB

These two commandments direct one to spend time and effort loving God Almighty and neighbor and producing fruit of the Spirit.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me, I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ ”  Matthew 25:34-36  NASB

In addition to these two commandments, personal holiness detailed in the Law remains God Almighty’s standard of behavior for humanity.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.  Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”    Matthew 5:17-19  NASB

The Ten Commandments and other commandments regarding personal holiness remain the standard.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, not thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, not revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  1Corinthians 6:9-10  NASB

For instance, the biblical standard for sexual behavior stated in Leviticus, Chapter 18 and elsewhere is marriage, whereby a man and woman devote themselves exclusively to each other.

Marriage must be honored in every respect, with no cheating on the relationship, because God will judge the sexually immoral person and the person who commits adultery.  Hebrews 13:4  CEB

Nevertheless, throughout history, individuals, groups, even societies, have disregarded these commandments, thereby engaging in immorality.  After receiving the knowledge of grace, one who continues willfully to practice ungodly behavior will suffer the wrath of God Almighty.

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.  Hebrews 10:26-27  NASB

As we have established, the wrath of God Almighty in the afterlife will be the second death in the lake of fire/hell.

Though no longer the means of justification/salvation, the Law of Moses is a source of types and patterns for the blessing of grace.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  Romans 3:21  New International Version

The Mosaic covenant contains many patterns for the blessing of grace, the good things to come (Heb 10:1).  The following table illustrates the Law as a pattern for the blessing of grace.

Both of these covenants were with the seed of Abraham.  The Mosaic covenant was with Abraham’s natural seed through Isaac and Jacob/Israel.  The apostle Peter made this point to his fellow Jews.

“It is you who are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ ”  Acts 3:25  NASB

On the other hand, those who are saved/justified by the blessing of grace are Abraham’s spiritual seed.

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith that are sons of Abraham.  Galatians 3:7  NASB

These covenants were with a chosen people.  God Almighty chose Jacob/Israel’s branch of Abraham’s descendants as His own.

“ ‘Now then, if you [the nation of Israel] will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’  These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”  Exodus 19:5-6  NASB

The same description was applied to those who follow Jesus.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  1Peter 2:9  NASB

The inauguration of each of these covenants involved the sharing of blood.  Moses, after receiving the commandments, recounted to the people all the words of God Almighty, and sprinkled them with blood.

So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, “Behold, the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has make with you in accordance with all these words.”  Exodus 24:8  NASB

Likewise, Jesus symbolically shared blood with His disciples when it was time for Him to implement the new covenant with His death and resurrection.

And they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”  And He took a cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.”  Matthew 26:26-28  NASB

Each of these covenants had a mediator.  Moses was the mediator of the Law.

What is the use of the Law?  It was given later to show that we sin.  But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise.  In fact, angels gave the Law to Moses, and he gave it to the people.  Galatians 3:19  CEV

Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant.

and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.  Hebrews 12:24  NASB

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and man, the man Christ Jesus,  1Timothy 2:5  NASB

God Almighty wrote both of these covenants.  God Almighty wrote a portion of the Law upon the tablets of stone.

Now the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction.”  Exodus 24:12  NASB

God Almighty writes the new covenant upon the mind and the heart.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.  For finding fault with them, He says, / “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, / WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT / WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH; / NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS / ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND / TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; / FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENENT, / AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD. / FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL / AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: / I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, / AND I WILL WRITE THEM UPON THEIR HEARTS. / AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, / AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”  Hebrews 8:7-10  NASB

There is a Sabbath of rest associated with these covenants.  The day of Sabbath was a sign of the old covenant.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My Sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.’ ”  Exodus 31:12-13  NASB

There is a Sabbath rest for those in the new covenant.

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience.  Hebrews 4:9-11  NASB

Both covenants have a tabernacle.  Moses constructed a physical tabernacle for the Israelites.

“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skilled workman.”  Exodus 26:1  NASB

There is a heavenly tabernacle, and Jesus has entered it.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;  Hebrews 9:11  NASB

Each of these covenants deals with sin.  The Law was to expose sin and make humanity aware of sin.

Why the Law then?  It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made.  Galatians 3:19  NASB

The new covenant is to remove the guilt of sin by forgiveness.

And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”  And He took a cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.”  Matthew 26:26-28  NASB

Each of the covenants has a chief/high priest.  For the old covenant, Aaron was the first chief priest.

son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.  Ezra 7:5  NASB

With a new covenant to supersede the Law and Prophets, there is a corresponding change to a new priesthood.

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?  For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.  Hebrews 7:11-12  NASB

Jesus was made the high priest of the new covenant.

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.  Hebrews 7:28  NASB

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.  Hebrew 3:1  NASB

Jesus’ resurrection eliminated the need for another high priest, making Him the last high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 6:19-20  NASB

The high priest in both covenants interceded for the sins of the people.  The high priest of the old covenant entered the Holy of Holies once a year to seek forgiveness of sins for the congregation.

Now when these things have been thus prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship, but into the second only the high priest enters, once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.  Hebrews 9:6-7

Jesus, the high priest of the new covenant, once, and only once, entered the spiritual Holy of Holies (God Almighty’s presence in heaven) to deal with the sins of the world.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.  Hebrews 9:11-12  NASB

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priest, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  For the Law appoints men as high priest who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.    Hebrews 7:26-28 NASB

There was a priesthood to assist the high priest in the old covenant.

These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.  Numbers 3:3  NASB

There is a royal priesthood in the body of Christ to assist Jesus, our high priest, minister to the whole world.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  1Peter 2:9  NASB

Circumcision is the sign of both covenants.  Circumcision in the natural was the sign of the covenant with Abraham, and the practice was continued in the covenant of Moses.

“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.’”  Leviticus 12:2-3  NASB

Circumcision of the heart is associated with the new covenant.

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.  Romans 2:28-29  NASB

Water baptism is also a sign associated with the covenant of grace.  However, it is a physical activity, whereas the circumcision of the heart is a spiritual event.

Thus, the Law provides a pattern for the blessing of grace, which replaced the Law as God Almighty’s instrument for justification/restoration of humanity.  Next, we consider aspects of the impact of the blessing of grace upon the individual.  We are born into the spiritual realm of darkness as a child of Satan with his spirit of death.  We have a heart that produces evil imaginations (Gen 6:5); we have a soul in need of forgiveness and redemption; and we have a physical body that is destined for death by calamity, disease, or aging.  We are all sinners according to the standards in the Law, and, because of our sins, we are all condemned by righteous judgment to the second death in the lake of fire/hell.

We remain under condemnation by the Law unless and until an intervention by God Almighty, and such intervention comes as God Almighty’s blessing of grace–divine love and forgiveness bestowed upon whomever God Almighty chooses among the living.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  Romans 5:8-9  NASB

The second component of the blessing of grace as a gift from God Almighty is entrance into the kingdom of God/light/heaven while on earth.

For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.  Colossians 1:13  NASB

The third component of the blessing of grace is eternal life in the afterlife.

Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds, to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.  John 5:28-29  NASB

One who has received the gift of grace–justification before God Almighty, admittance into His kingdom, and eternal life–has received the greatest gift of all time (Eph 2:8).

…  And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”  Luke 12:48  NASB

Having received so much, the believer faces greater expectation of righteousness consistent with these marvelous gifts.  Specifically, in contrast to the covenant of the Law where the blood of the covenant was sprinkled on the people (Ex 24:8), the blood of blessing/covenant of grace is to be internalized, as symbolized by the eating and drinking of the sacrament of Holy Communion.  The association of internalization with the blessing/covenant of grace emphasizes that requirements of holiness are not only related to works and actions of the body but also to the inner thoughts, motives, and beliefs of the mind and heart.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.  1John 3:15  NASB

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you, that every one who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  Matthew 5:27-28  NASB

With the covenant of grace, we are to follow a law written on our hearts by God Almighty’s Spirit.

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.  Romans 7:6  NASB

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Galatians 5:18  NASB

These expanded expectations with regard to righteousness expressed in the gospel are applicable to everyone, especially to those who have received the greatest gift of all time.  Because thoughts as well as actions are violations of God Almighty’s expectations under the covenant of grace, there is a corresponding evolution of the definition of sin. 

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.  Romans 14:23   NASB

Thus, faith and belief, required of the redeemed to overcome sin, are emphasized in Scripture as necessary contributions from the recipient after the bestowal of the blessing of grace.

We have an example in Jesus’ ministry of the application of grace replacing the application of the Law.

And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.  Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a women; what then do You say?”  …  But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  …  And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they?  Did no one condemn you?”  And she said, “No one, Lord.”  And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way; from now on sin no more.”  John 8:3-5,7,10-11  NASB

When presented with a violator of the commandment of the Mosaic Law regarding adultery, Jesus affirmed both the expectation of meeting the standard of the Law and its prescribed punishment.  However, Jesus relieved the congregation of initiating the punishment of death and took it upon Himself, because He is He who is without sin.  Jesus, rather than casting a stone and bringing death upon the woman, offered forgiveness and life to her.  Jesus demonstrated that the blessing of grace, which offers life, superseded the punishment of death mandated by the Law.  Jesus’ admonition to the adulteress was from now on sin no more.  As we have noted, the gift of forgiveness of sins leading to life is not an entitlement for further sinning but brings with it the greater expectation of shedding the old live of sin and embarking upon a walk toward righteousness.

After the mandatory death of the body and resurrection into the afterlife, recipients of the blessing of grace will be relieved of a righteous judgment of the punishment of (a second) death (Rev 20:14-15) as mandated by the Law and will enter heaven by virtue of Jesus’ substitutionary death.

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.   1Thessalonians 1:10  NASB

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1Thessalonians 5:9  NASB

Again, God Almighty’s grace is unwarranted justification, whereby one is relieved from that which s/he rightfully deserves at judgment, i.e., the wrath of God Almighty in the lake of fire/hell.