Who Am I That a King Would Die in My Place?

WHO AM I…

Our Creator knows who we are. In His eternal Word we can find who we were made to be, what we became through sin, where that leads us, and what we can become by accepting God’s rescue.

Some do not know of God’s rescue. Some know of it in part and need to inquire diligently into it. Some fight against being rescued by God, while others embrace it dearly and in being rescued find that they have become in Jesus Christ a person of very high eternal destiny.

My eternal soul is worth exactly what I let the Creator make it. I can either reject Him, resulting in my worthlessness in never-ending eternity, or I can accept Him and by faithful obedience let Him raise me to share with Him the eternal throne of the universe. —Watson Goodman

GOD’S MASTER PURPOSE IN CREATING MAN

He Will Have an Eternal Bride

As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. —Isaiah 62:5b

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming.’ “—Matthew 25:1 and 6a  

Christ—the Bridegroom

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. —2 Corinthians 11:2

“He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.” —John 3:29a

And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” —Matthew 9:15

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” —Revelation 19:7

 

THIS IS WHY GOD MADE MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE

No Lesser Order of Being Could Qualify as His Bride

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. —Genesis 1:27

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. —Ephesians 1:4

Eligible to Partake of God

“…that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…”(2 Peter 1:4b). “…a partaker of the glory that will be revealed” (1 Peter 5:1b). “…partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6b). “…qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:12b). “…those who are benefited are believers and beloved…” (1 Timothy 6:2b) “For we have become partakers of Christ…” (Hebrews 3:14a). “ … have become partakers of the Holy Spirit” (Hebrews 6:4b). “…that we may be partakers of His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). “…you all are partakers with me of grace” (Philippians 1:7b).

 

I AM AN OFFSPRING OF GOD

“For in the image of God He made man.” —Genesis 9:6b

“God, who made the world and everything in it…since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth…so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.” —Acts 17:24a, 25b, 26a, 27-29

Adam, Made in God’s Image, Must Have Radiated Glory Like God’s Glory

So that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. —1 Kings 8:11

Jesus…was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. —Matthew 17:1a, 2

 

FROM HOLINESS TO SIN AND DARKNESS

Made Like God, Who Is Holy

Because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

Disobedience Caused Separation

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. —Romans 5:19

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23

Now Deceitful and Wicked

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. —Genesis 6:5

God Rejects the Wicked

“I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.” —Luke 13:27b

Man Is Lost in Darkness

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” —John 3:19

 

NOW WHAT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

Fallen Flesh Is Unclean

But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.—Isaiah 64:6

Eternal Death Is Upon Me

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. —Romans 5:12

I Am Condemned

Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation. —Romans 5:18a

Sin Holds Me Captive

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. —Romans 7:23

Sin Separates From God

But your iniquities have separated you from your God. —Isaiah 59:2a

I Am Accountable to God

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. —Romans 14:12

 

WHO AM I?

In Fallen Flesh, I Am Like Clay, Grass, a Vapor

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. —Isaiah 64:8

Because “all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away.” —1 Peter 1:24

Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. —James 4:14

I Can Have Immortality and Eternal Life in Christ

“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” —John 11:26

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. —1 John 5:10-12

 

WHO IS THE KING OF GLORY?

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! And lift them up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. —Psalm 24:7-10

…until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing…who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. —l Timothy 6:14b, 15b, 16

This King Will Be King Over All the Earth

And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in both summer and winter it shall occur. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be—“the LORD is one,” and His name one. —Zechariah 14:8,9

 

JESUS CHRIST DECLARES HIS KINGSHIP

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” —John 18:36,37

But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” —Mark 14:61,62

“When the son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory…. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” —Matthew 25:31 and 34

 

THE NATURE OF JESUS CHRIST’S KINGDOM

But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.” —Hebrews 1:8

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase. —Daniel 4:37

And said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:3, 4

“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” —Revelation 11:15b

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. —Ephesians 1:18, 19

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KING OF GLORY

“As You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.” —John 17:2

Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. —1 Peter 3:22

Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. —Ephesians 1:20-23

But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. —John 2:24,25

“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” —John 17:23

 

INFINITE WEALTH, POWER, AND WISDOM

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” —Revelation 5:12b

Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” —Matthew 28:18

Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. —l Corinthians 8:6

But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. —1 Corinthians 1:24

Saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.” —Revelation 11:17

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. —Colossians 2:2, 3

 

THE FUTURE OF THE KING OF GLORY

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth…. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. —Psalm 72:8 and 11

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.’” —Psalm 2:2-4 and 6-8

Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due, for among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King …. —Jeremiah 10:7 and 10a

 

THE GLORY OF THE KING

I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images. —Isaiah 42:8

For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. —Psalm 95:3

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” —Matthew 24:30

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” —Revelation 4:11

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. —l Timothy 1:17

Shares His Glory with His Bride

“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” —John 17:22

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

 

THE CREATOR KING IS IN COMMAND

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. —Isaiah 9:7a

“Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’ “ Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, and created man on it. It was I—My hands that stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways —Isaiah 45:9a, 10-13a

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. —Daniel 7:14

Yield to His Command!

Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. —Psalm 72:11

 

THE KING OF GLORY DIED FOR ME!

Foretold Place and Manner of Death and Resurrection

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will he betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” —Matthew 20:18,19

Sin Is Horrible in God’s Sight to Require This Remedy

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. —1 Peter 3:18

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. —Galatians 1:3b, 4

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. —1 John 3:16a

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. —1 Corinthians 1:18

 

PRECIOUS BLOOD—PRECIOUS SAVIOR

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. —Ephesians 2:13

Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way. —Hebrews 10:19b, 20a

…the blood of the everlasting covenant. —Hebrews 13:20b

Having made peace through the blood of His cross. —Colossians 1:20a

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. —Revelation 1:5b

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious.” —1 Peter 2:6b, 7a

And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. —2 Timothy 3:15

Bridegroom Seeks His Bride

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

 

CHRIST CONQUERED THE SECOND DEATH AND HELL TO DELIVER ME FROM THEM

I Deserve Eternal Death

The soul who sins shall die. —Ezekiel 18:4b

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. —Romans 5:12

For the wages of sin is death. —Romans 6:23a

Death Was Conquered for Me

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. —2 Timothy 1:8-10

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” —Revelation 1:18

 

THE KING PROVIDED FREE SALVATION FOR ALL WHO WANT IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. —1 Corinthians 15:3b

“…the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” —Acts 20:28b

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” —John 10:11

And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. —2 Corinthians 5:15

“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” —Acts 10:43

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:9

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. —Jeremiah 29:13

 

ENMITY BETWEEN GOD AND SIN

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness. —Psalm 45:6, 7a

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? —1 Corinthians 6:9a

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. —Romans 8:5-9

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. —James 4:4

 

HOW TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE KING

He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. —Proverbs 28:13

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. —1 John 4:16

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God. —John 1:12a

“He who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” —Jobn 13:20b

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” —Acts 8:36,37

“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. —John 5:24b

That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. —1 Corinthians 2:5

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” —John 8:31

 

SALVATION IS A LIVING RELATIONSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST

To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:19

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. —1 Corinthians 1:9

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. —Romans 8:10

“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” —John 10:26-28

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. —2 Timothy 1:12

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. —1 Peter 4:19

 

REBORN, FREE TO SERVE THE LORD

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? —1 John 5:5

Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. —John 1:13

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” —John 8:32

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. —2 Corinthians 3:17

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” —John 8:36

And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. —Romans 6:18 and 22

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. —Galatians 5:1

“For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” —Acts 22:15

 

BORN AGAIN! NOW WHO AM I?

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. —1 Corinthians 6:9-11

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. —Revelation 1:5b, 6

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? —1 Corinthians 6:2a

You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. —Isaiah 62:3

Exalted Position

“That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us.” —John 17:21a

 

MADE FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. —Psalm 145: 18

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” —2 Corinthians 6:16

But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. —1 Peter 4:13

And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. —1 John 1:3b

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. —Isaiah 43:2

“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” —John 17:23

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.” —John 17:24a

 

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIST AND TRUE BELIEVERS

“At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” —John 14:20

His Last Command Our First Concern

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” —Revelation 22:17a

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. —Matthew 28:19, 20

The Righteousness of Saints Is the Righteousness of the Indwelling Christ

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. —Colossians 1:27

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. —Colossians 1:28

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. —Romans 10:4

 

SUCH MERCY, SUCH LOVE, AND SUCH GRACE!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. —1 Peter 1:3

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:16

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 2:4-7

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. —l Peter 5:10

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. —Romans 3:24

 

WHOSE SON?

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. —Galatians 4:4, 5

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! —1 John 3:la

Heirs of God

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” —Revelation 21:7

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. —Galatians 4:6,7

And if children, then heirs— heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. —Romans 8:17

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. —Galatians 3:29

 

GOD DETERMINED HIS LIKENESS FOR HIS SONS

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. —Romans 8:28, 29

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” —Genesis 1:26a

Serve Like Christ

“I am among you as the One who serves.” —Luke 22:27b

Be Forgiving

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” —Luke 23:34a

Be Meek and Gentle

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:1a

Walk in Christ’s Love

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” —John 15:9

Spread Gospel World-Wide

Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” —John 20:21

 

OUR WALK MUST BE WORTHY OF GOD

That you would have a walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. —1 Thessalonians 2:12

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. —2 John 9

Christ Will Have a Bride That Cannot Be Enticed From Him

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. —James 1:12

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” —Luke 6:47,48

Christ Will Have a Bride That is Eager for His Presence

Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. —Titus 2:13

 

HIS WORKMANSHIP

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:8-10

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. —Ephesians 3:20,21

That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. —1 Corinthians 2:5

Will Be Made Perfect and Complete in Him

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. —Hebrews 10:14

Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. —Ephesians 4:13

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. —Colossians 2:9, 10

 

I AM A MEMBER OF THE KING’S BRIDE

Why Should He Who Countless Angels Worship Center His Love on Fallen, Rebellious Man?

But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” —Hebrews 1:6

My delight was with the sons of men. —Proverbs 8:31b

You also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. —Romans 7:4b

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. —Romans 12:4,5

Bride Gets Life From Him

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. —1 John 5:12

Total Love for the Bride

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? —Romans 8:32

 

SHARE THE THRONE! WHO, ME?

Shares His Throne with Bride

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” —Revelation 3:21

The King’s City and Bride

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. —Hebrews 11:16

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. —Revelation 3:12a

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. —Revelation 21:2

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. —Revelation 22:14

 

THE TRUE RICHES

“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” —Luke 16:11

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. —2 Corinthians 8:9

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? —James 2:5

“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich).” —Revelation 2:9a

Danger in Earthly Riches

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good fouudation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. —1 Timothy 6:17-19

 

WHAT THE TRUE RICHES MEAN TO ME

Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. —Philippians 3:21

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. —Colossians 1:12, 13

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” —Acts 20:32

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. —Colossians 3:4

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. —Ephesians 3:6 and 8

 

I’M GLAD I AM YOURS, LORD!

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” —Psalm 40:16

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! —Psalm 32:11

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! —Philippians 4:4

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. —2 Corinthians 4:17

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation.” —Zechariah 9:9a

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” —Luke 10:20

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. —Psalm 5:11

 

WOULD YOU REJECT HIS MERCY FOREVER?

“But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.” —Proverbs 8:36

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven. —Hebrews 12:25

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from.’” —Luke 13:24, 25

Mercy Refused Can Turn to Wrath

And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. —2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

 

WHO AM I WITHOUT THIS KING?

Full of Sin, Condemned

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. —John 3:18

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation. —Hebrews 10:26, 27a

Judged by the Word

“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” —John 12:48

Loved and Sought After

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. —1 John 4:9

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. —Revelation 22:17

 

ONE IS FOOLISH TO GO TO HELL

It is foolish to spend eternity in torment with Satan in hell when you could have been in unspeakable happiness in Christ sharing the throne of the universe forever!

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” —Psalm 53:la

But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?” —Luke 11:39,40

“Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” —Matthew 7:26,27

Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself and opened its mouth beyond measure; their glory and their multitude and their pomp, and he who is jubilant, shall descend into it. —Isaiah 5:14

“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.” —Jeremiah 17:11

 

HELL IS GOD’S SCRAP HEAP

Where All Must Go Who Refuse the King of Glory

But if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to he burned. —Hebrews 6:8

“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” —Matthew 13:41-42

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”—Revelation 14:11

They are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction. —Philippians 3:18b, 19a

God is eager to perform miracles to keep us from going to hell, such as facing hell for us, conquering eternal death, and rising again that we might find victory in Him and live. Another miracle is in transforming a sinner from rebelliousness to a new heart of love in Christ.

 

THE KING OF KINGS WILL PUT SATAN IN PRISON AT WILL

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after tbese things he must be released for a little while. —Revelation 20:1-3

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison. And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. —Revelation 20:7 and 10

Total and Eternal Victory Over Satan

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. —Hebrews 2:14

 

DECIDE NOW WHO YOU WILL SERVE FOREVER

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” —Matthew 6:24

Are You Following Satan to Prison, or the King of Kings to His Eternal Majestic Throne?

“To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” —Acts 26:18

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” —John 12:26

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” —Revelation 21:8

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” —John 8:34-36

 

LIVING WATERS FLOW AT MY FEET

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” —John 4:10

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” —John 7:37

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. —John 4:14a

“For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” —Revelation 7:17

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. —Revelation 22:1-3

 

SEEK THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” —Deuteronomy 4:29

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. —Proverbs 8:17

“And I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” —Luke 11:9

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. —Hosea 10:12

Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. —Isaiah 55:6

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. —Psalm 86:12

 

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER—GOD GETS A BRIDE!

“Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light. —Revelation 21:9b-11a; 22-24a

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” —Revelation 19:6-9

 

WHAT KIND OF BRIDE FOR GOD?

Submissive to Him

Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead. —Romans 6:13b

Loves the Bridegroom

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. —Ephesians 6:24

One with Him

For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. —Ephesians 5:30

That through these you may be partakers of the divine nature….—2 Peter 1:4b

Spotless

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. —2 Peter 3:14

You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you. —Song of Solomon 4:7

Filled with Divine Power

Who has come…according to the power of an endless life. —Hebrews 7:16

Filled with Divine Love

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. —1 John 2:5a

Will Have Absolute Grace

Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 1:13b

 

THE KING DESTROYS WORLDWIDE REBELLION

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” —Revelation 17:14

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.” —Revelation 18:21

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. —2 Thessalonians 2:8

And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. —Zechariah 14:12

Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. —1 Corinthians 15:24

 

1,000—YEAR HONEYMOON REIGN ON EARTH

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” —Matthew 6:10

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” —Matthew 5:5

“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” —Revelation 11:15b

“For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” —Revelation 5:9b, 10

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. —Revelation 20:4b

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. —Revelation 20:6

 

LIFE FOREVER WITH THE BRIDEGROOM

God and I Go on Endlessly—O Joy!

I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. —Psalm 145:1

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.” —John 17:24a

And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. —1 Thessalonians 4:16b, 17

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” —Revelation 21:3b, 4

And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. —Revelation 22:5

 

JESUS CHRIST SAYS:

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” —Revelation 3:21

Oh, the great love the dear Savior has shown

To shamefully die on the tree;

Leaving His sceptre and beautiful throne 

To rescue a sinner like me. —I. N. McHose

Praise the Lord He’s holy and just;

Praise the Lord, He loves me, but dust;

Praise the Lord, SERVE HIM I MUST!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! PRAISE THE LORD! — Watson Goodman