December 25 Life-Changing Moments With God

The kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared.

You, Father God, have loved me with an everlasting love. In this Your love was manifested toward me, that You have sent Your only begotten Son into the world, that I might live through Him. In this is love, not that I loved You, but that You loved me and sent Your Son to be the propitiation for my sins.

When the fullness of the time had come, You sent forth Your Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those of us who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Great is the mystery of godliness: You, Almighty God, were manifested in the flesh.

As we children have partaken of flesh and blood, Jesus Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.

It is a wonderful mystery: God in flesh, the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice for humanity’s sin! All praise to You, the author of this amazing salvation plan!

Titus 3:4; Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:9–10; Galatians 4:4–5; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14^[1]

 

^[1] Jeremiah, D. (2007). Life-Changing Moments With God (p. 384). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Rev. Franklin Graham: ‘Pray God’ Spares the Nation ‘from the Evil Before Us’

On Christmas Eve Rev. Franklin Graham asked Christians to pray that America will be spared “from the evil that is before us.”

Source: Rev. Franklin Graham: ‘Pray God’ Spares the Nation ‘from the Evil Before Us’

December 25th The D. L. Moody Year Book

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.—Luke 2:7.

THE natural human heart is like that inn at Bethlehem—no room for Christ! Every true saint of God for four thousand years had been gazing out into the future, looking and listening that they might hear the footfall of the Coming One. Bible students think that when Eve brought forth her firstborn and said: “I have got a man from the Lord,” she thought he was the Promised One. And right on for four thousand years the mothers in Israel had been looking for that Child. And now the time has arrived. He appears on earth; and the first thing we read is that there is no room for Him!

He came on no secret mission. He tells us what He came for, “to seek and to save that which was lost.” He came to get His arm under the vilest sinner and lift him up to God; to bind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort those that mourn. And yet from time to time it was announced in Jerusalem that He had come, until He was put to death on the cross, the sword was not put back into its scabbard until it had pierced the very heart of the God-man.^[1]

 

^[1] Moody, D. L. (1900). The D. L. Moody Year Book: A Living Daily Message from the Words of D. L. Moody. (E. M. Fitt, Ed.) (pp. 230–231). East Northfield, MA: The Bookstore.

My Journey Through the Evidence for Christianity (Video) — Cold Case Christianity

Although J. Warner seldom says much about his personal testimony, he gets asked about it all the time. Did the evidence persuade you, or were their people in your life who led you to Jesus? In this clip from J. Warner Wallace’s longer talk on the existence of God from the fine-tuning of the universe (based on his book, God’s Crime Scene), J. Warner provides a brief description.

To see more training videos with J. Warner Wallace, visit the YouTube playlist.

My Journey Through the Evidence for Christianity (Video) — Cold Case Christianity

December 25, 2020 Evening Verse Of The Day

spiritual participation

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; (4:32a)

The congregation of those who believed had grown so rapidly that they were no longer numbered. That startling growth was the direct result of the action recorded in verse 31, when those who were “filled with the Holy Spirit … began to speak the word of God with boldness.” The unity of the believers, who were of one heart and soul, was also a powerful testimony. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” In His high-priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that “they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me” (John 17:21). The first fellowship was an answer to that prayer both in position and practice.

The basis of their shared life was twofold. First, they were preoccupied with ministering to each other. So intent were they on meeting each other’s needs that they had no concern for gratifying their own desires. Theirs was a humility stemming from seeing themselves in relation to Jesus Christ, and others as more important than themselves (Phil. 2:3). Second, they were focused beyond themselves to reaching the lost world with the truth of the gospel. That left them little time to bother with trivial personal matters. Their unity stemmed from focusing on those priorities Jesus had left them: selflessly loving each other, and reaching the lost world.^[1]

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4:32 / For the expression all (Gk. plethos) the believers, see note on 6:2. One of the most remarkable features of life among the early believers was their unity. This is expressed here in the words they were one in heart and mind, a typically Hebraic turn of phrase indicating their complete accord (cf. 1 Chron. 12:38). It is a general statement to which there were exceptions (see disc. on 5:1–11), but the exceptions only proved the rule, which was the more remarkable in view of the steady growth of the church. This unity, based on the recognition that “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism … one God and Father of all” (Eph. 4:4f., gnb)—in short, on their mutual love of God—was demonstrated, as it had been from the first, in their readiness to meet one another’s needs, their love of neighbor (cf. 2:44f.). Thus no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own (again, a general rule to which there were exceptions). From Luke’s expression, however, it is clear that the believer still “owned” his belongings until such time as he saw fit to dispose of them, that is, they were not practicing a thoroughgoing communalism but were simply a caring community responding to the needs of others as they arose. The response was a purely voluntary one, in contrast to the Qumran community, where the sharing of goods was a rule imposed upon all of its members (see note on 2:45).

It is probably true that their willingness to sell their belongings owed much to their expectation that Jesus would soon return (see disc. on 2:44). It may also be true that it contributed to their later state of acute need (cf. 11:27–30; 24:17; Rom. 15:26; Gal. 2:10). But this does not entitle us to condemn what they did. Discipleship is always costly in one way or another (cf., e.g., Luke 9:23–26; 14:25–33), and who is to say that this was not the right price for them to pay? After all (though they may not have known it) the city was soon to be destroyed, and God in his infinite wisdom may well have guided them to use what they had while they had it. Subsequently, their poverty became an occasion of blessing both to them and to those who ministered to them (cf. 2 Cor. 9:11f.).^[2]

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32. And the multitude. In this place there are three things commended; that the faithful were all of one mind; that there was a mutual partaking of goods amongst them; that the apostles behaved themselves stoutly in announcing the resurrection of Christ. He saith that the multitude had one heart; because this is far more excellent than if a few men should have a mutual consent. And heretofore he hath declared, that the Church did grow to be about five thousand. And now he saith that there was wonderful concord in so great a multitude, which is a very hard matter.

And surely where faith beareth the chief sway, it doth so knit the hearts of men together, that all of them do both will and nill one thing. For discord springeth hence, because we are not all governed with the same Spirit of Christ. It is well known that by these two words, heart and soul, he meaneth the will. And because the wicked do oftentimes conspire together to do evil, this concord was laudable and holy therefore, because it was amongst the faithful.

And no man did say. This is the second member; that they coupled this love with external benefits. But we shall see anon, after what sort they had their goods common. This is now worth the noting in the text of Luke, that the inward unity of minds goeth before as the root, and then the fruit followeth after. And surely even we ought to observe the same order, we must love one another, and then this love of ours must show itself by external effects. And in vain do we boast of a right affection, unless there appear some testimony thereof in external offices. Moreover, Luke declareth therewithal, that they were not of one mind for any respect of their own commodity, forasmuch as the rich men, when they did liberally bestow their goods, sought nothing less than their own gain.^[3]

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32. Two facts characterized the life of Christian community. The choice of word (company) reflects the growth in size of the Christian group. Despite its size it had a common mind and purpose; in other words, it was united in its devotion to the Lord (for the expression used see 1 Chr. 12:38). The other thing was the fact that nobody regarded his property as being under his own control but was prepared to regard it as for the use of the community as a whole. This way of putting the matter brings out the fact that the things which each person possessed evidently continued to be his own property until it was found necessary to sell them for the common good. The two characteristics thus described correspond broadly to the two great commandments of love (or devotion) to God and love to one’s neighbour. It has also been noted that the phraseology used to describe them is reminiscent of that used by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in expressing ideals for human life in community. Christian ideals are none the less Christian for being also recognized by secular moralists.^[4]

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32. And the community of believers was one in heart and mind. No one claimed that anything he possessed belonged to him; rather, they had all things in common.

• “And the community of believers was one in heart and mind.” Here is a picture of the extraordinary unity of the early Christian community. Despite the opposition from the Sanhedrin (perhaps because of it), the believers form a community that is “one in heart and mind.” The believers, who number about five thousand men (v. 4), maintain unanimity because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in their midst, the preaching of the Word of God, and the readiness to share each other’s goods. Even though we are able to explain the unity of the Christian community, we acknowledge that in such a large group of people it is indeed unique.

The phrase one in heart and mind is typically Hebraic. It occurs frequently in Deuteronomy and is part of the summary of the Decalogue: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mark 12:30). The early Christians express this love on a horizontal plane to their brothers and sisters who are in need. Thus they fulfill the second part of this summary, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).

• “No one claimed that anything he possessed belonged to him; rather, they had all things in common.” Emphatically Luke reports that no one in the community claimed ownership of his possessions. The term no one underscores the prevailing unity of the Jerusalem church. In a sense, Luke repeats what he has related as the effect of Peter’s Pentecost sermon: “All who believed were together and shared all things. They began to sell their possessions and goods, and they gave to anyone who might have need” (2:44–45).

Once more he illustrates the unique spirit of the early Christians as they take care of the poor in their midst. They do so by sharing their material possessions and demonstrate their willingness not to claim them as their own. They are mindful of the divine instruction not to have any poor among God’s people (compare Deut. 15:4). That is, because of God’s abundant blessings on his people, the Christian community ought to abolish poverty.

Note that the apostles advocate voluntary sharing of possessions, not abolition of ownership. As a community the Christians are distinct from the so-called Qumran community that was located near the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. The Essenes who lived in that community renounced the right to private property, established a common fund, and distributed to each member an equal share to meet his needs. The Christians in Jerusalem, however, lived by the principle of voluntarily sharing possessions to strengthen the unity and harmony of the community. The Essenes acted in response to a manmade rule of compulsion; the Christians acted in obedience to God’s law of love. The Christians practiced common use of their possessions, not common ownership.^[5]

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^[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts (Vol. 1, pp. 146–147). Chicago: Moody Press.

^[2] Williams, D. J. (2011). Acts (pp. 92–93). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

^[3] Calvin, J., & Beveridge, H. (2010). Commentary upon the Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 1, pp. 190–191). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

^[4] Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 5, p. 115). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

^[5] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 17, pp. 173–174). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 28, Resurrection of central importance — The End Time

By Elizabeth Prata

Christmas advent. We are coming toward the end of our look at the life of Jesus through scripture. The first section of His life was seen through verses focused on prophecy, arrival, and early life.

The next section of verses looked at Him as the Son, second person of the Trinity.

We proceeded into looking at Jesus as the Son’s preeminence, His works, and His ministry. Under ministry & works, I chose verses showing His attributes and aspects of being servant, teacher, shepherd, intercessor, and compassionate healer; and His attributes of omniscience, having all authority and power, and sinlessness.

Now it’s the last section. We’ll look at His resurrection, ascension, and prophesied return. There is one more day until Christmas, but I have more verses waiting. We are going to go over by a week, into the New Year, which I believe fits. When we finish, we will be looking at the New Year with all that entails, the feeling of freshness, hope, optimism for a new start. And when we finish the last verse, we will be looking through the lens of scripture at the hope and optimism of His return and that all will be made new.

On to today’s picture verse. Note Paul’s statement “of first importance”.

Further Reading:

CARM: Jesus’ resurrection was physical

Al Mohler: Of First Importance: The Cross and Resurrection at the Center

And what is of first importance? “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,” and “that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” The cross and the empty tomb stand at the center of the Christian faith. Without these, there is no good news — no salvation.
Paul gets right to the heart of the matter in setting out those truths that are “of first importance.” Following his example, we can do no less.

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Thirty Days of Jesus Series-

Introduction/Background
Day 1: The Virgin shall conceive
Day 2: A shoot from Jesse
Day 3: God sent His Son in the fullness of time
Day 4:  Marry her, she will bear a Son
Day 5: The Babe has arrived!
Day 6: The Glory of Jesus
Day 7: Magi seek the Child
Day 8: The Magi offer gifts & worship
Day 9: The Child Grew
Day 10: The boy Jesus at the Temple
Day 11: He was Obedient!
Day 12: The Son!
Day 13: God is pleased with His Son
Day 14: Propitiation
Day 15: The gift of eternal life
Day 16: Two Kingdoms
Day 17: Jesus’ Preeminence
Day 18: Jesus is highest king
Day 19: Jesus emptied Himself
Day 20: Jesus as Teacher
Day 21: Jesus as Shepherd
Day 22, Jesus as Intercessor
Day 23: Jesus as Compassionate Healer
Day 24: Jesus as Omniscient
Day 25: Jesus’ Authority
Day 26: Jesus’ Sinlessness
Day 27: He rises!

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 28, Resurrection of central importance — The End Time

December—25 The Poor Man’s Evening Portion

And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.—1 Timothy 3:16.

My soul! sit down this memorable evening, and in commemorating the great event of Christ’s nativity, listen to what the Holy Ghost here speaks, by his servant the apostle, concerning the mystery of godliness! Here are so many wonders branched out into so many chapters; they hang like a rich and full cluster upon the vine. Gather them one by one, mark their beauties, and taste their sweetness. The first is, “God manifest in the flesh:” here is a meditation for thee to live upon, and to feast upon for ever. Thy God, thy Jesus, thy Holy One, the Son of God, was made flesh! Go on to the second: he was “justified in the Spirit:” a matter that would never have taken place, had he not fully, by his righteousness and death, satisfied his Father’s law, and brought in an everlasting righteousness for his people. Take down the third blessed character: He was “seen of angels.” Yes! they worshipped him also: for angels, principalities, and powers, were made subject unto him. Look, my soul, at thy Lord, under the fourth description which the Holy Ghost hath here given of him: He was “preached unto the Gentiles:” and this was as great a mystery to the Jewish Church as any: that God should “grant to the Gentiles also, through Christ, repentance unto life.” And how dear this part of Jesus’s character should be to thee, my soul, who wast by nature a poor Gentile, an alien to the commonwealth of Israel, having no hope, and without God in the world, thou needest not to be told. Mark another, and the fifth, particularity of thy Jesus; he is said to be “believed on in the world;” and how should this have been done, even in a single instance, but for the sovereignty of God’s grace? Surely this is no less a mystery also. Remark, my soul, how great, how very great in thy case. Lastly, the account closeth: “Jesus was received up into glory;” and there, my soul, do thou follow him, by faith, until the Lord come to take thee home with him in absolute enjoyment, that “where he is, there thou mayest be also.” Amen.^[1]

 

^[1] Hawker, R. (1845). The Poor Man’s Evening Portion (A New Edition, pp. 351–352). Philadelphia: Thomas Wardle.

December 25 – Prophecies of Jerusalem — VCY America

December 25

Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31

On this day that people celebrate the Birth of Jesus – feel free to go back and read Luke 2 or Matthew 2 with your family!

Jimmy DeYoung Jr. teaching on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem (author’s photo)

Zechariah 8:3 – Over 2,000 years after Zechariah wrote these words about Jerusalem, it is still a controversial city.

• The LORD is jealous of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:2)
• The LORD will dwell in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:3)
• Old men and young boys will dwell there (Zechariah 8:4-5)
• Jews will return to Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:8)
• The Temple will be built (Zechariah 8:9)
• God will bless the people of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:12)
• The Jews in Jerusalem will be a blessing (Zechariah 8:13)
• Fasting will be joy (Zechariah 8:19)
• Gentiles will seek the LORD in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:22)

Zechariah 8:16 – Truth and Peace! As we’ve shown for the last few days, Jesus is the peace, and Jesus is the Truth! (John 14:6)

Zechariah 8:22 – In John 12:21, certain of the Greeks approached Philip and said, “We would see Jesus!” Yes – many people came to seek the LORD in Jerusalem – and once again they will come!

Zechariah 8:23 – We haven’t seen that happen yet – antisemitism is on the rise globally.

Revelation 16:1  – Sores, blood seas, blood rivers, scorching fire, darkness – notice the similarities between the 10 Plagues of Egypt: Sores/Boils (Plague 5&6), Water to Blood (Plague 1), Fire – fiery hail (Plague 7), Darkness (Plague 9).

Revelation 16:12 – The way of the Kings of the East. Some discuss whether or not it is the 200 million man army of Revelation 9:16. If so, the Chinese army is rumored to be around 200 million men. Others believe that it is a demonic army.

Revelation 16:15 – This is the fifth time that the LORD describes his coming as a thief. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15, the coming is described as a thief – yet even some pre-tribulational experts say this refers to the Second Coming, not the Rapture.

The remains of the Tel Megiddo site in northern Israel

Revelation 16:21 – Instead of repenting, the men blaspheme God. It’s been said that the same sun that melts butter, hardens clay.

Psalm 144:1 – The Psalmist is thankful to the LORD for his offensive capability. then in the next verse for His defensive protection (fortress, tower, deliverer, shield).

Psalm 144:8 – We just read in Revelation 16:21 – that God will be judging those who blaspheme.

Psalm 144:15 – Are you happy?

Proverbs 30:31 – A king without insurrection – ah Rehoboam would have longed for that (1 Kings 12:16)

December 25 – Prophecies of Jerusalem — VCY America

December 25 The Virgin Birth

Behold, a virgin shall be with child … and they shall call his name Emmanuel …
(Matthew 1:23)

The first group ever to question the virgin birth of Jesus was religious leaders. How interesting! The Pharisees said, “We were not born of fornication” (John 8:41). That was meant to be cruel. After all. He couldn’t point to Joseph and say, “He’s my father,” for His father filled the universe. Jesus had to be God in order to save us, and He had to be man in order to die for us!

You were the child of an earthly father, hence you have your father’s DNA—you were born in sin. But not Jesus! He was the earthly son of a heavenly Father. He broke the cycle of sin before He was born. In the Bible, the sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish (a birth defect), or without spot (something picked up along the way). Since Jesus had neither inherited sin nor practiced sin—He alone qualifies as “… the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

I believe in the virgin birth because: a) The angel of the Lord announced it (Matthew 1:20); b) Mary’s husband-to-be accepted it (Matthew 1:24); c) Elizabeth, her cousin, got it by divine revelation (Luke 1:4); and d) the story was written by a respected medical doctor who’d known the character of all concerned. He wrote, “… know the certainty of those things” (Luke 1:4). God first laid His gift in a manger—then He hung it on a tree.

 

God first laid His gift in a manger—then He hung it on a tree. Today receive that gift by faith, and this will truly be the greatest Christmas you’ve ever had.^[1]

 

^[1] Gass, B. (1998). A Fresh Word For Today : 365 Insights For Daily Living (p. 359). Alachua, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers.

The Person of Christ | The Aquila Report

One aspect of knowing/believing Christ is imitating Him (13:15). In John 17:1–8, seeing Christ’s involvement with the Father (and the Holy Spirit) provides, with appropriate qualifications, a model for our interaction with other Christians (11:41–42).

 

Properly during the Christmas season, we emphasize Christ’s becoming man (incarnation) and that He is the King. But without denying these appropriate emphases, the Christ of Christmas is fully the Priest (and Prophet) as well as the King.

Old Testament priests, especially the high priests, offered sacrifices and prayed for their people (Lev. 16:15, 21). They were mediators between God and men (Heb. 5:1). The succession of Old Testament high priests foreshadowed the one glorious High Priest, Jesus Christ. He was not simply a man who mediated between God and men; Christ was in fact the God-man who mediated between God and men (Heb. 8:6; see 1 Tim. 2:5). Further, He did not simply offer sacrifices of animals or grain; Christ offered Himself as the one eternal sacrifice (Heb. 7:27; 9:12). Finally, He did not offer up weak and sometime ineffectual prayers for Himself and others; Christ offered up glorious and effective prayers, and He continues to do so (5:7; 7:25).

Christ’s intercessory prayer to the Father in John 17 includes His petitions for the disciples and all subsequent believers. But also, especially in John 17:1–8, Christ reveals aspects of His mediatorial role, which in turn highlight His person as being truly God and truly man, and He highlights the special relationship He has with the Father. In this article, after an exegesis of John 17:1–8, I will expand on the agreement between the Father and Christ as to this mediatorial role and Christ’s being called “the sent one.” Finally, I will exhort us to know and believe in Christ more deeply.

Exegesis of John 17:1–8

Christ begins the prayer with “Father” and refers to Himself as “Son” (17:1). These words wonderfully reflect the close and loving intra-Trinitarian relationship between the persons of the Father and the Son, extending from eternity past and continuing throughout Christ’s life on earth. Given this positive point, however, the first comment brings an ominous note: “The hour has come.” In John’s gospel, this refers to Christ’s crucifixion (2:4; 12:23). Christ then presents His first request or petition: “Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (17:1). This mutual glorification between the Father and Son is on the surface surprising because it is related to the upcoming ugly crucifixion (this mutual glorification also includes the Holy Spirit; 16:14).

Christ’s petition for mutual glorification is then grounded in what was previously given. The Father “has given” the Son both “authority over all flesh” and the elect so that the Son will “give eternal life to all [the elect]” (17:2). In this prayer, “to give” is quite prominent. This giving by the Father to the Son in order that the Son will give to the elect reflects a prior agreement between the Father and the Son. Further, since the Son, as God, has had all authority from all eternity, this giving of all authority must refer to the Son in His mediatorial role as the God-man.

Next, “eternal life” is given a definition. The elect will “know you [Father], the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (17:3). Referring to the Father as “the only true God” is not indicating that Christ is less than fully divine. Why not? Because John elsewhere clearly shows that Christ is fully divine (e.g., 1:1; 5:18; 10:30; 17:5; 20:28). Instead, the point is that to properly know the true divine Father, one has to see His relationship to the true divine Christ. The epithet of Christ is interesting; He is the One “whom you [Father] have sent.”

In 17:4, Christ states what He has done as per the prior agreement: “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” Although Christ is saying this on Thursday night, He is including Friday’s crucifixion in this statement (“on earth”). Of course, as High Priest, He will also be applying His accomplished sacrificial work while ascended in heaven.

Having just discussed His work while “on earth,” Christ speaks of His future glory upon His ascension. “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (17:5). Again in John’s gospel, Christ’s divinity is shown. Christ was with the Father “before the world existed.” Further, different aspects of glory are hinted at here. There was a glory in eternity past as Christ was the eternal divine Son. There was in some way a different aspect of glory that Christ had in His state of humiliation as the God-man while on earth. Finally, there is a glory of Christ in heaven similar to the one in eternity past, but it will be Christ as the God-man, not as the preincarnate, eternal divine Son.

John 17:9–19 includes petitions explicitly related to Christ’s disciples. John 17:6–8includes some of the grounds or rationale as to why the Father should grant the petitions. Christ has “manifested your [Father’s] name to the people whom you gave me” (v. 6), and they “have believed that you sent me” (v. 8). There is a progression: “Yours [Father’s] they [the disciples] were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (v. 6). That is, the election of the disciples was by the Father; the disciples were given to the Son; and the disciples properly responded. Therefore, part of the agreement was that the Father would give the Son a people and the Father and Son (and Holy Spirit) would ensure that they believed.

Read More

Source: The Person of Christ

10 Key Bible Verses on the Incarnation

December 10, 2020 by: Crossway This article is part of the Key Bible Verses series. God Became Man Read about God’s condescension and wonder anew at his redemptive plan for humanity with these verses and commentary from the ESV Study Bible , and let your heart be awed by God’s perfect plan to redeem his people.

Source: 10 Key Bible Verses on the Incarnation

Merry Christmas: 2020 | Reformedontheweb’s Blog

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” — Matthew 2:2.

THE incarnation of the Son of God was one of the greatest events in the history of the universe. Its actual occurrence was not, however, known to all mankind, but was specially revealed to the shepherds of Bethlehem and to certain wise men of the east. To shepherds — the illiterate, men little versed in human learning — the angels in choral song made known the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord, and they hastened to Bethlehem to see the great sight; while the Scribes, the writers of the law and expounders of it, knew nothing concerning the long-promised birth of the Messias. No angelic bands entered the assembly of the Sanhedrim and proclaimed that the Christ was born; and when the chief priests and Pharisees were met together, though they gathered around copies of the law to consider where Christ should be born, yet it was not known to them that he was actually come, nor do they seem to have taken more than a passing interest in the matter, though they might have known that then was the time spoken of by the prophets when the great Messiah should come. How mysterious are the dispensations of grace; the base things are chosen and the eminent are passed by! The advent of the Redeemer is revealed to the shepherds who kept their flocks of sheep by night, but not to the shepherds whose benighted sheep were left to stray. Admire therein the sovereignty of God.

The glad tidings were made known also to wise men, magi, students of the stars and of old prophetic books from the far-off cast. It would not be possible to tell how far off their native country lay; it may have been so distant that the journey occupied nearly the whole of the two years of which they spake concerning the appearance of the star. Travelling was slow in those days, surrounded with difficulties and many dangers. They may have come from Persia, or India, or Tartary, or even from the mysterious land of Sinim, now known to us as China. If so, strange and uncouth must have been The speech of those who worshipped around the young Child at Bethlehem, yet needed he no interpreter to understand and accept their adoration. Why was the birth of the King of the Jews made known to these foreigners, and not to those nearer home? Why did the Lord select those who were so many hundreds of miles away, while the children of the kingdom, in whose very midst the Savior was brought forth, were yet strangely ignorant of his presence? See here again another instance of the sovereignty of God. Both in shepherds and in Eastern magi gathering around the young Child, I see God dispensing his favors as he wills and, as I see it, I exclaim, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Herein we see again another instance of God’s sovereign will; for as of old there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elias the prophet, but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto the woman of Sarepta; so many there were who were called wise men among the Jews, but unto none of them did the star appear; but it shone on Gentile eyes, and led a chosen company from the ends of the earth to bow at Emmanuel’s feet.

Sovereignty in these cases clothed itself in the robes of mercy. It was great mercy that regarded the low estate of the shepherds, and it was farreaching mercy which gathered from lands which lay in darkness a company of men made wise unto salvation. Mercy wearing her resplendent jewels was present with divine sovereignty in the lowly abode of Bethlehem. Is it not a delightful thought, that around the cradle of the Savior, as well as around his throne in the highest heaven, these two attributes meet? He makes known himself — and herein is mercy; but it is to those whom he has chosen — and herein he shows that he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and he will have compassion on whom he will have compassion.

Charles H. Spurgeon- The Sages, The Star, and The Savior, Delivered on Lord’s Day Morning, December 25th, 1870.

Source: Merry Christmas: 2020

25 Dec 2020 – Rapture Ready News

Blizzard conditions hit Midwest as powerful winter storm threatens East Coast, U.S.
A powerful winter storm brought blizzard conditions to the U.S. Midwest on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, and is set to threaten much of the East Coast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25. Heavy rains and the existing melting snow from last week’s storm pose a flooding risk to mid-Atlantic and New England, while severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in the eastern Carolinas and southeast Virginia, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

It’s Not Armageddon, Mr. Premier—It’s CHRISTMAS!
…Unfortunately, legends in their own minds, all mayors, municipal councillors, governors, prime ministers, premiers et al who work to deny their constituents the epic Season of Goodwill, believe they’re so much bigger than the Creator.

Will we go quietly into the night?
We’ve been passive all year with few exceptions. We’ve absorbed one shock after another with little pushback.  We’ve watched the rise of totalitarianism in disbelief as it has taken hold in the form of lockdowns, riots, censorship, and election fraud.

The Globalist-Conrolled Democrats Announce Their Plans to Persecute Christians
As we celebrate Christmas is it important to remember that you are practicing a belief that will soon be outlawed. With so many of our leaders controlled by the CHICOMS (eg Pelosi, McConnell, Feinstein, Kemp, et al), does any pragmatist really think that the CHCHICOMS ever allow Christianity to survive. The evidence makes it abundantly clear, that Christians are probably a year from being placed on the Endangered Species List.

The Congressional Whores, the MSM and Their CHICOM Allies Are Coming With Their Version of the J Stamp
The Congress is run by treasonous leaders. Speaker of the House Pelosi was raised in an organized crime family and she has continued her criminality throughout her political career. As this article points out, she is in bed with the cartels, who are controlled by the CHICOMS. Her son is alleged to be involved in the same Ukrainian activites as Joe and Hunter Biden. She is a billionaire living on a public servants salary.

Spectacular fireball explodes over China’s Yushu City, the largest fireball event since December 2018
A spectacular fireball exploded over northwestern China’s Yushu City, Qinghai Province at around 23:23 UTC on December 22, 2020 (07:23 LT, December 23).  The event lasted up to 20 seconds. Many locals reported hearing a series of loud bangs.

California Clearly Violated Election Law—Votes are Invalid – UncoverDC
California has been mostly absent from the discussion of election law violation, but new information reveals that wording legally required to be on its ballots was missing, in direct violation of its own state law. This means the ballots should not have been cast or counted, yet California certified its ballots, and thus illegally cast its electoral votes for Joe Biden.

Los Angeles County Drops Limits on Church Attendance After Supreme Court Sides With Churches
LA County Public Health Department issued a Revised Temporary Order that specifies that houses of worship in Los Angeles can now conduct services indoors with no numerical or percentage caps and only social distancing between separate households.

Children Terrified as Morbid Ad Shows Doctors Trying To Save a COVID-Stricken Santa
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service has come under fire for a recently released television ad depicting a gravely ill Santa Claus.

With A Less Than 1% Mortality Rate, Israel Will Plunge Its People Into Third National Lockdown As Christian Churches Limited To Gatherings Of 10 
In Israel, they have experienced so far a less than 1% mortality rate from COVID-19 infections, and they have distributed more Pfizer BioNTech COVID vaccinations than any other country. Yet, they are right now in the midst of a third national COVID lockdown, one that has Israeli small businesses wondering if they will ever reopen. I guess masks, social distancing, and vaccines really don’t work after all, do they?

Former CDC Director Says COVID-19 ‘Immunity Passports’ Could Help U.S. Get ‘Back To New Normal’
A former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says “immunity passports” for Americans to prove they have taken the COVID-19 vaccine might help the country get “back to a new normal.”

George Soros ‘Begged’ European Union Not to Dissolve Like Communist Russia 
Far-left billionaire George Soros resorted to “begging” Europeans to prevent the European Union from dissolving in the same way that communist Russia did in 1991, according to a report.

Biden’s Cabinet is going to be the U.S. branch office of the Chinese Communist Party
A Joe Biden presidency is going to be a dream come true for the Chinese Communists, a huge break they probably never in a thousand years imagined would come true.

U.N.: ‘Hundreds of Civilians Killed’ in Ethiopia Tigray Conflict
Eyewitness reports suggest that artillery strikes have killed “hundreds of civilians” in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region amid an ongoing military conflict there, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday.

Situation Update, Dec. 24th – Pence fails, options collapsing, DECLASS priority 
VP Mike Pence surprised no one yesterday by proving to be a total coward, refusing to issue a letter to the states in which overwhelming fraud has occurred, wherein Pence could have ordered them to submit legitimate electoral votes to Congress. (The Pence-Raiklin Maneuver.)

Source: 25 Dec 2020

He Humbled Himself | Bible Thumping Wingnut Network

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Christmas is a reminder of Jesus being born of the virgin and living the life we could not live. Here are three practical lessons from the birth of Christ that we can put into action.

Source: He Humbled Himself

Eight Christmas Traditions Celebrated on Seven Continents | BCNN1 – Black Christian News Network

 

Luminarias in a desert botanical garden | Tempe Tourism

1. Mexico: Luminarias

Humble paper bags lit with candles show the way to Christmas in Mexico. People call them “luminarias,” and they light the way for Jesus, Mary and Joseph to enter the homes of Christians. In Spanish, “Luminaria” means “festival bonfire.”

The brown paper bags hold sand for weight, and a bright candle meant to be burned as an act of prayer. At night, hundreds of the bags light up the outdoors in Mexico with a warm glow, as families walk among them.

An Irish Christmas sign | Andrew Penman

2. Ireland: Nollaig na mBan

In Ireland, the twelve days of Christmas start on Dec. 25 and end on Jan. 6. The Irish call the last day “Nollaig na mBan,” Gaelic for “Little Christmas.” They also believe it’s unlucky to take down the tree before Nollaig na mBan.

On the last day, the Irish honor women and mothers for all of the work they did to prepare for Christmas — from cooking to decorating — and the men do all the housework and take down the Christmas decorations. On this day, women visit their friends, relax, and drink tea and eat the last of their Christmas desserts together.

Legends about Nollaig na mBan miracles abound. On Nollaig na mBan, traditions say that Irish people should sweep their houses and fill a fresh bucket of water, rubbing a herring tail on a child’s eyes will guarantee the child’s health for the next year and the water in wells turns to wine at night. Unfortunately, going outside to see the water turn to wine brings very bad luck.

A man dressed as one of the Three Kings greets people during the Epiphany parade in Gijon, Spain January 5, 2017. | REUTERS/Eloy Alonso

3. Bolivia: Three Kings Day

Traditionally in Bolivia, the wise men who brought gifts to Jesus also bring gifts to Bolivian children. On Jan. 6, Bolivians celebrate the “Dia de los Reyes,” the Three Kings Day.

The day before Three Kings Day, Bolivian children leave their shoes outside the door with letters to the wise men. In the morning, they find the shoes filled with candy and pastries. Today in many cases, the wise men seem to have decided it’s wiser to put Christmas presents indoors.

Unsplash/Stephanie Harvey

4. Russia: Christmas Eve fast and feast

Russians fast from food during daylight on Christmas Eve in anticipation of the arrival of Christmas. Christmas Eve in Russia can have as few as six hours of daylight. When the first star appears in the sky, they have a feast to celebrate the appearance of the star that led the wise men to Jesus.

Russian Christians call the Christmas Eve meal “The Holy Supper.” Families eat together, with the father opening the meal by praying The Lord’s Prayer, then thanking God for His blessings in the past year and his provision in the new.

The meal’s components hold deep meaning. Russians eat porridge with grains, honey and poppy seeds that represent hope, happiness and peace. A white tablecloth represents Christ’s swaddling clothes. The table displays hay to represent the stable where Jesus was born and a tall white candle to show how He gives light to the world. The bread at the meal reminds believers that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Russians dip the bread in honey and chopped garlic to represent the sweetness and bitterness of life.

Click here to read more.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Jackson Elliott

Source: Eight Christmas Traditions Celebrated on Seven Continents

Anne Graham Lotz: On Christmas, a prayer for the lonely | FOX news

Christmas Day can be a day of acute loneliness.

Open my mind to Your plan and purpose that give me a reason to live another day

On this day that is traditionally one where family and friends gather to eat, exchange gifts, and simply enjoy what has become a very festive holiday, I’m mindful that this year is very different. Many of us are separated from loved ones.

Christmas Day can be a day of acute loneliness. The void left by empty chairs in the family circle seems more painful in the midst of the hustle and bustle, the tinsel and lights.

Yet this day has heart-comforting meaning for the lonely, because God promised: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel—which means, ‘God with us’. (Matthew 1:23)

FRANKLIN GRAHAM: COVID AND 2020 — THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS IS THE CURE FOR OUR DEEPEST PANDEMIC PROBLEMS

The following is my prayer for you…and for me.…

All-Knowing, All-Seeing God,

I worship You as One who has eyes to see everything. You see that which is visible and that which is invisible. That which is temporal and that which is eternal. That which is past, that which is present, and that which is yet to come. And You see me. You know me. You know when I sit and when I arise. When I go out and when I come in. When I sleep and when I awake.

You know my limitations and You know my potential. You know my thoughts before they are formed into words. Nothing about me is hidden from You. You are the One who sees me.

And I worship You as One who is everywhere. There is no place in all the universe where You are not.

If I were to ascend to the highest heaven, You are there. If I were to descend to the lowest depth, You are there.

If I were to settle in the remotest part of the planet, You would guide me and hold me fast.

If I were to cower in the darkness, I would not be hidden from You, since darkness is as light to You. I was not hidden from You even when I was being formed in my mother’s womb.

“You are my hiding place; you . . . surround me with songs of deliverance.” You are always with me, and You have promised that You will always be with me.

Even to the end of all things. And after the end, You will receive me to glory, where I will see You face to face. Then I will know You even as I am now fully known. And I will be with You. Forever.

So when I am tempted to feel lonely, when there is no one visible to talk to or confide in, when I eat by myself and sleep by myself and walk by myself, give me an awareness of You.

Open my mind to Your plan and purpose that give me a reason to live another day.

Open my ears to Your gentle whispers that reassure me of Your loving, personal attention.

Open my eyes to Your blessing upon blessing that fills me with joy.

Open my mind to Your plan and purpose that give me a reason to live another day.

Open my heart to Your love that lifts and carries me beyond myself.

Draw me closer to Your heart as I read my Bible and spend time in prayer. Keep me focused not just on the facts and theology and prophecy of Your Word but on You.

Then give me opportunities to encourage others who may feel lonely . . . widows and orphans, teenagers and single parents, divorcées and singles, CEOs and salesclerks, prisoners and soldiers, the elderly and the sick.

Use me to demonstrate the truth that while we may feel lonely, we are never alone. Because we have You and You have us.

In the name of the One who is right here, right now–Jesus,

Amen.

Adapted from The Light of His Presence: Prayers to Draw You Near to the Heart of God. Copyright © 2020 by Anne Graham Lotz. Used by permission of Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ

Source: Anne Graham Lotz: On Christmas, a prayer for the lonely

The Glory of Christmas | Ligonier Ministries

On the night Jesus was born something spectacular took place. The plains of Bethlehem became the theater for one of the most spectacular sound-and-light shows in human history. All heaven broke loose.

Luke tells us what happened:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

The angelic visitor was surrounded by the glory of God. The glory was shining. This glory did not belong to the angel himself. It was God’s glory, signifying His divine mode of being. It was the divine splendor that shrouded the heavenly messenger, a visible divine radiance.

When the shepherds of Bethlehem quaked in fear, they were admonished by the angel: “Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, NKJV).

Every human being longs for a savior of some type. We look for someone or something that will solve our problems, ease our pain, or grant the most elusive goal of all, happiness. From the pursuit of success in business to the discovery of a perfect mate or friend, we make our search.

Even in the preoccupation with sports we show a hope for a savior. As a sports season ends with far more losers than winners, we hear the cry from cities across the land—”Wait till next year!” Then comes the draft or a new crop of rookies, and the fans pin their hopes and dreams on the new kid who will bring glory to the team. The rookie, the new client, the new machine, the news that will arrive in tomorrow’s mail—all are invested with more hope than any creature can possibly deliver.

The burst of light that flooded the fields of Bethlehem announced the advent of a Savior who was able to do the task.

We note that the newborn Savior is also called “Christ the Lord.” To the astonished shepherds these titles were pregnant with meaning. This Savior is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. Every Jew remembered the promise of God that someday the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed, would come to deliver Israel. This Messiah-Savior is also Lord. He not only will save His people but He will be their King, their Sovereign.

The angel declares that this Savior-Messiah-Lord is born “unto you.” The divine announcement is not an oracle of judgment but the declaration of a gift. The newborn King is born for us.

Source: The Glory of Christmas

December 25 The Cry of Life

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn son.

Life and especially history are full of all kinds of cries. There have been cries of anguish and joy, cries of victory and defeat. And yet there is probably no cry that is as touching, as tender, and as timely as the fragile first cry of a newborn babe.

If you are a parent, you know the delirious joy—indeed, relief—that came when your own babies shattered the delivery room air with their first cry. Why does a child’s cry, something that normally brings concern to a parent, produce joy when it is first heard? Because it’s a sign of life. The tension in the delivery room waiting on on that first cry is not unlike the tension in all of creation that first Christmas Eve. When the cold silence of a Bethlehem night was broken by Jesus’ first cry, it meant more than just life. It meant eternal life—spiritual life! No longer would mankind live in fear of death. Life itself had been born in Bethlehem.

History’s most famous cry was that of a tiny Babe, born in a manger. Celebrate that cry of life this Christmas season. Even today, it echoes in your heart if you know Jesus Christ as a Savior.^[1]

 

^[1] Jeremiah, D. (2002). Sanctuary: finding moments of refuge in the presence of God (p. 376). Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers.

December 25 Thoughts for the quiet hour

A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest

Luke 2:13, 14

Angels had been present on many august occasions, and they had joined in many a solemn chorus to the praise of their Almighty Creator. They were present at the creation: “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” They had seen many a planet fashioned between the palms of Jehovah, and wheeled by His eternal hands through the infinitude of space. They had sung solemn songs over many a world which the Great One had created. We doubt not, they had often chanted, “Blessing and honor, and glory, and majesty, and power, and dominion, and might, be unto him that sitteth on the throne,” manifesting Himself in the work of creation. I doubt not, too, that their songs had gathered force through ages. As when first created, their first breath was song, so when they saw God create new worlds, then their song received another note; they rose a little higher in the gamut of adoration. But this time, when they saw God stoop from His throne and become a babe hanging upon a woman’s breast, they lifted their notes higher still; and reaching to the uttermost stretch of angelic music, they gained the highest notes of the divine scale of praise and they sang, “Glory to God in the highest,” for higher in goodness they felt God could not go. Thus their highest praise they gave to Him in the highest act of His Godhead.

Spurgeon^[1]

 

^[1] Hardman, S. G., & Moody, D. L. (1997). Thoughts for the quiet hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing.

December 25 The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible

December 25.—Morning. [Or December 17.]
“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

The General Epistle of Jude.*

JUDE, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

³ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

⁴ For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

If, while the apostles were yet alive, errors crept into the churches, we need not wonder that they multiply in these last days. We must set our faces as a flint against them.

^{5, 6} I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

If professors leave the gospel for unholy doctrine and impure living, he who cast down the angels for their sin will not spare them.

⁷ Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

^8–13 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (We do not know when this occurred, but the lesson of gentle speech is clear enough.) But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

¹⁴ And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

¹⁵ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

¹⁶ These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

^{17, 18} But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

¹⁹ These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

^{20, 21} But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

^{22, 23} And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. (Those who are in error are not all equally guilty: some are deceivers and others are dupes. We must restore all we can, but their error must be severely dealt with. Charity to error is cruelty to souls.

²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

December 25.—Evening. [Or December 18.]
“Behold, He cometh with clouds.”

The Revelation of John the Divine

ANDREW FULLER has said concerning this mysterious book:—“It is that to the New Testament church which the pillar of the cloud was to the church in the wilderness, guiding it through the labyrinth of anti-Christian errors and corruptions. It must not be neglected under a notion of its being hard to be understood. As well might the mariner, amidst the rocks, neglect his friendly chart, under an idea of its being difficult to understand it.”

Chapter 1

^1–3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

“To induce us to give the most serious attention to the subject, a blessing is pronounced on those who ‘read, and hear, and keep’, the words of this prophecy, especially as the time of its fulfilment was at hand. There does not appear to be any other part of Scripture that is prefaced with such an inducement to read, and understand, and practically regard it.”

^4–6 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

⁷ Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

⁸ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

⁹ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

He makes no mention of his being banished there by the persecutor: true virtue never boasts, or even invites others to admire it.

^{10, 11} I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

^{12, 13} And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

^14–16 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow (to denote that he is the Ancient of days); and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

^17–20 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. (He was overwhelmed by the glory of his Lord’s appearance. We are as yet incapable of beholding the full blaze of the Redeemer’s glory: this corruptible must put on incorruption before we shall be able to endure the sight.) And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead: and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.^[1]

 

^[1] Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (pp. 760–761). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.