When we learn about Simeon, we see that he was a just and devout man in Jerusalem, who waited patiently for the consolation of Israel. The scriptures tell us that the Holy Ghost was upon Simeon, and that it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. We learn that one day he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people ... a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him." (Luke 2:25-35)
John the baptizer also welcomed Jesus, proclaiming Him to one and all -- "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29; Matthew 1:18-23)
Interestingly, however, the scribes and Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the chief priests of that day did not hold the same assessment of Jesus. Rather, to them, Jesus was perceived as someone who took followers away from them and their established authority structures. I have often alluded to modern day religion attempting to serve as wannabe mediators between God and man, and this stance, even when the churches know what the Bible states. Still, there is only ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS, and the scriptures are very clear on this point.
"For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is One God, and One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (I Timothy 2:5-8)
For those who have been given a second chance from damnation, we should be most thankful that as believers in Jesus by faith, we know there is an end to our time here on earth. The time coming, as we know from scripture, is that the Lord God Almighty -- who robed Himself as flesh so that He could become the Lamb of God is coming back to gather His chosen people unto Himself. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) His royal generation.
In the time between now and then, we are also aware that there will be persecution and tribulation throughout the world. Why? Because "these will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)
What else should we know? That "they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the Word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death." (Revelation 12:11)
" ...and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27)
"There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him ..." (Revelation 22:3)
" ...and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16)
"There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him ..." (Revelation 22:3)
" ...and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16)
If we begin our study with Matthew's record of the gospel, we learn of Christ the anointed One. We begin to understand genealogy by referring to these scripture as the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1) Matthew continues by showing the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is herein that some conclude Christ to be the last name of Jesus. It is only when we keep reading on in Matthew that we find that Jesus (who was born of Mary) is called the Christ. (Matthew 1:16) The Way of life. The Truth. The living water that shall never run dry. The bread of life.
Further, after the cross, we now know the son of man as the Lord of glory. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8) King of kings and Lord of lords.
And here He was being announced to the world for one and all to behold. The promised Messiah that was to come, that which was perfect and now is perfect was in fact here. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received. Him not. (John 1:10-11) It is no wonder that Jesus wept, grieving for His beloved, who would rather Harden their hearts than come to Him.
Still, as the scriptures clearly point out, "she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is -- God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)
Yes, for unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11) His Name is JESUS. (Matthew 1:21-23)
And daily in the temple, and in every house, the [apostles] ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42) For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:2
Further, after the cross, we now know the son of man as the Lord of glory. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8) King of kings and Lord of lords.
And here He was being announced to the world for one and all to behold. The promised Messiah that was to come, that which was perfect and now is perfect was in fact here. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received. Him not. (John 1:10-11) It is no wonder that Jesus wept, grieving for His beloved, who would rather Harden their hearts than come to Him.
Still, as the scriptures clearly point out, "she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is -- God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)
Yes, for unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11) His Name is JESUS. (Matthew 1:21-23)
And daily in the temple, and in every house, the [apostles] ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:42) For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:2
Stand in the offering plate.
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