Christian posted a short exercise in theology at Church Voices a few days ago. That I think you should take 60 seconds of your time to read.

He wrote:

I’m currently reading the book Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey.  In it she proposes Creationism as foundational to communicating the gospel. I have to agree. The story of Jesus’ death on the cross only makes sense in light of creation. Which is why it can be difficult to evangelize in cultures (such as ours) that declare that we are only a part of nature which has it’s roots in itself (Darwinism is a form of this naturalistic worldview).

He's right. To further the problem is that many preachers are simply terrified to preach it (creation). To make matters worse, those who do preach creation (that is, Genesis 1 & 2 as historical accounts of human origin and not, necessarily, the popular creationism so often mocked by the secular humanists of our culture) simply do not understand the profound theological ramifications of Genesis 1 & 2 (and 3-50!) so they preach Creation not as something historical, but as a mere poem or an allegory or something merely polemical. But as my professor stated so beautifully, there can be no true doctrine of atonement apart from a doctrine of creation that begins in Genesis 1.

In fact, 3 of the four Gospels understood this all too well and began their Gospels in this way (Matthew, Mark & John), that is, by referring us back to creation before pointing us forward to Jesus. Their understanding is that the person and work of Jesus are only properly understood when the world belongs to God and is His to redeem. To take it a step further: they understand that the work of Jesus actually began at the creation. Apart from this, Christianity is yet one more myth among myths (and likely not a very good one). But creation is also foundational to the writings of Paul (see in particular Colossians and Romans), John (the Revelation), and Peter (see 1 & 2 Peter).

In fact, a careful reading of the Bible demonstrates that what took place at the beginning, the record of which is found in Genesis, is crucial to every page of the Bible. Creation permeates the Psalms, is underscored by the Prophets, and is the foundation of the Law. It is hard, difficult, impossible to understand the 66 books that make up the Christian Scriptures apart from understanding the very first verse.

Indeed, I agree with Christian (and his wise 4 year old daughter): When it comes to our preaching and teaching: Let's begin at the beginning.

Always For His Glory!

Technorati Tags creation, Scripture, Genesis, preaching, Jesus Christ, Gospel, Darwinism

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Here is part 3 of my current sermon series that coincides with The Bible in 90 Days reading program. In this sermon, which I divided into two parts, we begin looking at the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. In my estimation, the Exodus is one probably the single most significant historical event in the history of earth. In the event we see the complete work of God in miniature as he confronts the godless Egypt and the idols of Egypt as represented by Pharaoh. There are four main points that I will eventually make, and in this first part I made the first two points. First, I deal with prophets (Moses and Aaron). Here we see a discovery of who speaks for God. Ultimately, this works itself out in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). Second, I deal with the plagues where we see a declaration of who is God as YHWH systematically dismantles the the religious hierarchy of Egypt. Ultimately, I conclude this sermon by noting that what matters most here is that YHWH is known. Tune in next week for part 2 where I will deal with Pharaoh and Passover. jerry

You can listen here: Exodus 7-12, Freedom for God's People.

Or use the inline audio below:

[audio http://www.archive.org/download/TheExodusInPerspective/90DaysExodus1Oct122008_64kb.mp3]

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Print version available here: Exodus 7-12, Freedom For God's People (or at Box.net)

Part 1: Genesis 3, Where it All Went Wrong
Part 2: Genesis 12:1-9, A Blessing for All People

Other download options are available through feedburner and archive.org.

Always for His glory!

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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 28:18-20

I Never Realized

When I signed-on to report for Compassion International throughout the Global Advocates Conference in the Dominican Republic, I had no idea what an enormous undertaking it was going to be. Oh, I am not referring to the blogging aspect of the assignment, but the sorting through of all the incredible data (we received as advocates) and the subsequent selection process to determine which things to chronicle.

Everyday we heard wonderful accounts from Compassion’s partner counties from around the globe: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, France, South Korea, New Zealand, Netherlands, and Untied States. The details those country advocate directors shared by themselves alone could fill volumes. I personally found Compassion South Korea’s report to be the most inspiring for in it we witnessed the Compassion ministry come full-circle--South Korea of course being where the Compassion ministry was launched and now they are a partner country in the ministry; the yoke of poverty having been broken.

Each day (and sometimes three times a day) Graham Kendrick would start us off on the proper spiritual track with songs of worship, praise, and interspection. I suspect that before time began, the Lord had already ordained Graham to serve Him in this capacity. What a blessing it is to witness one who has met his passion in the Lord and has fully submitted himself to that calling. The conference was chock-full of those types.

Then there were the keynote speakers: Wess Stafford, Tony Neeves, Patrick McDonald, and Kleber Lora, the Dominican Republic Country Director. It is my hope and prayer that the affirmations these men brought to the conference will be available at some future date on CD or DVD. I apologize for lame attempts on my part to convey what it is they shared for there is not a way I can bring justice to their message.

Personal Highlights

My heart has been impacted for life by many of the things I have seen and heard at this international gathering of Compassion advocates. Visiting the Compassion projects where our Lord is working through these local churches is incredibly moving—playing with the children, meeting the dedicated native volunteers, and witnessing the joy of Christ Jesus on all their faces.

Our home visits were exceptionally touching and emotions always ran high. The parents and guardians of these sponsored children were so very grateful for the Christian efforts of our ministry and many have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as a result. As one might imagine, their homes were often nothing more than conglomerates of wooden scraps, plastic tarps, and metal sheeting arranged in a manner that would never quite measure up to a typical American tool shed or child’s playhouse.

Yes, they were happy with what they had, but still they needed so much more. Not once did we hear a complaint or plea from them for more, although it was evident to all present that they clearly had the right--no one could have judged them wrongly if they did.

Global Warming

One of our speakers shared eloquently about the effects of global warming, but not the type of climate change we have grown accustom to hearing about in our local media. No, the global warming she was referring to was in regard to the one million plus lights being illuminated for Jesus around the world. Last year alone, over one hundred and fifty thousand children accepted Jesus Christ as their one and only Savior (about 500 a day); tiny candles ignited for His honor, glory, and praise. Add to that that each child has a sphere of influence of about twenty three people, the potential of lives being saved (and the planet becoming spiritually warmer) increases.

But it doesn’t stop there. The temperature and glow of each Compassion advocate is also amplified as we continue along Christ’s narrow path of service. That would certainly be my testimony—this Compassion ministry has served to bring me so much closer to Jesus! And while the sphere of influence for the Compassion sponsored child is twenty-three, that of the advocates is above seventy! I am neither mathematician nor scientist, but it takes neither to see that this planet is warming up and it is exhilarating to be a part of it.

DR One-Liners

• One Hundred and Sixty Compassion children came for child-visit day!
• There are one million Haitians living in the DR
• Compassion DR serves over 43, 000 children
• There is an open Bible pictured on the DR flag depicting John 8:32
• There are 14 child-survival programs up and running in the DR.
• About 35 LDP (leadership development students) are enrolled in college each year.
• Dominican Albert Poulos (MLB fame) is a Compassion sponsor and advocate.

Short Stories

We learned about Becka, a pre-teen who financially supports nine (9) Compassion children on her own (by maintaining a paper route and performing other odd jobs). When asked why she had nine Compassion children she responded, “Because I can’t quite afford ten yet.”

Wess Stafford told us a story about Michelle Tolentino, a Compassion LDP student currently attending the Moody Bible Institute on scholarship. Michelle shared with him that she had taken on a sponsored child of her own. Wess, knowing that Michelle had little (if any income) or her own, advised her that perhaps she should wait until she graduates and joins the workforce. Michelle defended her decision to sponsor a child, “Dr. Stafford, ” she said, “the college gives me twenty meal tickets each week and I have decided that I can live on ten meals a week.” Somehow Michelle has discovered a way to sell or redeem those meal vouchers so that she is able to sponsor a child.

We learned that Compassion’s founder, Everett Swanson used Jesus’ account of the ‘Good Samaritan” as his model for the Compassion ministry. It was comforting to discover that the concept of utilizing established resources already in place and then finding ‘Samaritans’ to foot the bill is Biblical.

Top-Ten Death Bed Confessions

This was shared by an advocate during one of our breakout sessions. Essentially it was a fictitious list of the top-ten things you would never hear a Christian say on his or her death bed. Things like, ‘I wish I played more golf, or had a bigger house, ’ topped the list, but the discussion quickly turned to a Christian’s top-ten deathbed regrets. Compassion Advocate Vicki Small chimed in, “I don’t want my deathbed regret to be, ‘I should have called more churches, ’ ” referring of course of the primary way advocates find sponsors for children.

Check Out the other Bloggers

Here is a partial list of Compassion Advocate Bloggers and their sites. Please visit their sites and leave your comments.

• "One Passion/One Purpose/One Voice" (the Official Compassion DR blog
• "Called and Chosen"
• "Sheep Droppings"
• "Passions for the Soul"

• (Submit YOUR blog site in the comment section and I will post it HERE)

Some Things Will Never Change

While blogging for Compassion (and while attending the Global Advocates Conference), I briefly paused from making my daily appeals to sponsor a child. That time has come to an end and it is now time to ask again. If you have not yet sponsored a Compassion child, please visit the Compassion site by clicking on the banner below. Oh, you can pray about the decision before you go to the site, but I am pretty confident that if you’re a run-of-the-mill, working, middle-class, Christian, the Lord is going to give you the ‘go ahead’ to save a child’s life.

The purpose of this blog is to serve as a testimony of truth.  According to the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law a testimony is "an affirmative declaration of fact and is based on the personal knowledge of the testifier" (Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/testimony). My personal knowlede of the subject matter contained in this blog has been given to me by the power of the Holy Ghost as I have studied, prayed, and pondered over the scriptures.  The sciptures themseves teach about the roll of the Holy Ghost in the process of learning about God anf gaining a personal testimony of truth:

• John 14:26 "But the aComforter, which is the bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my cname, he shall dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
•  1 Cor. 2:10-12 "But God hath arevealed them unto us by his bSpirit: for the cSpirit dsearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
     "For what man aknoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God bknoweth no man, cbut the dSpiritof God.
     "Now we have received, not the aspirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."
• John 15:26  "But when the aComforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shallbtestify of me"
• Moroni 10:5 "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things."

I want to bear my testimony of what I have learned to be true through the power of the Spirit of God.  I know that God is our Heavenly Father and that He loves each one of His children on this Earth.  I know that God has provided a way for us to retun and life with Him and that way is through our Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and obedience to the commandments we can prepare our selves for eternal life.

I also know that the Bible is the word of God; words that were recorded by ancient prophets.  I know that since God loves all of his children, He has revealed His words to prophets in all ages and places.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and is a true witness of Jesus Christ and His teachings from prophets in the anchient Americas. I know that God has not forgoten His children in these wicked days and that there is a living prophet on the face of the Earth, namely Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides the Churh of our Lord Jesus Christ by direct revelation, just as the prophets of old. 

The Spirit of God has born witness of these truths to my heart, and I inturn bare winess of them in the same Spirit. 

Colby S. Johnson

John 1:2 the same was in the beginning with God.

The book of John gives us the clearest example of the deity of Jesus Christ in all of the Gospels. Here in verse two of the book of John we get a reminder of what John has been trying to express. We can almost see this verse as a review for those who didn't get it? Before.

John 1:1 in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Here John is telling us just Who and What this book is about. John seemed to be counteracting the Gnosticism of the times in each one of the books that he wrote through the leading of the Spirit of God. In each he seems to take us back to the beginning.

In the beginning was the Word
Right off the bat; John shows us that Jesus is God. "In the beginning" takes us all the way back to Genesis 1:1. From this one gets the argument that if you don't believe that Jesus is God then you are calling Moses a liar.
Genesis 1:1 in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
In the beginning of time as we know it we see God creating. But He was not alone

and the Word was with God
In this part of the verse we find that "The Word" was there, but just who is the Word?
John tells us in Revelation and 1John

Rev 19:13 and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

1John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

We now have the challenge that if we do not believe that Jesus is God, we are not only calling Moses a liar but also we are calling John a liar as well.

And the Word was God
Now John takes us to a new aspect in this passage and we see the relationship between God and the Word. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but He is also One with God
1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We find that Jesus was not only with God but that He was actively working with God in creation
Colossians 1:12-20 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Now if we don't believe that Jesus is God we are not only calling Moses and John a liar, but also we would be calling Paul a liar as well.

John 1:2 the same was in the beginning with God.
Here John gives us another indication as to the point he is trying to get across to the readers of his day. Sadly this idea has fallen on deaf ears even in our times. The fact that Jesus is the Son of God and the same as God has confused men since even during this time period in which John writes. The Christian faith is seen as a pluralistic faith in the many see us as having more than one God to whom we give worship. Now while I will admit, I cannot simplify it for you any better than any other pastor or preacher but I am far from either. The outside world denotes the love of Jesus but wonders at the wrath of God. Rabbis claim we have 3 separate Gods in our theology. Cults either bring Jesus down to either fallen man or bodiless spirit. The equation of 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 is the hardest thing for our shallow and finite minds to wrap around and this is where faith comes into play. I might not completely understand it but I must have faith that the Lord is true to His Word. This brings me to the fact that if I don't believe this passage as true? Then I am not only calling Moses, John, and Paul a liar but that I am also calling Jesus a liar as well

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

He is the Son of God
He is the Image of God
He is the Form of God
He is equal with God
He is God in the flesh

Jesus is our salvation

Man and sin

Sin is separation from God

Genesis 3:22-24, 6:5-8

1John 2:15

Sin is death

Romans 6:23

Revelations 3:9-13

Man is dead in sin Romans 3:23

Man is born in sin Psalms

Man is lost in sin Ephesians 2:11-13

Unrighteous man is worthy of God's wrath

Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-18 (Psalms 14:1-3)

The natural man is ungodly

Man is filthy Job 15:14-16

man is disobedience Colossians 3:6

man is weak 1John 2:15-17, 5:17-19

Man lives and fulfills sin in the flesh

2Corinthians 4:3-6

Ephesians 2:3, 4:17-19

Titus 1:15

1Peter 4:3

Revelation 22:14-15

Death (sin) reigned from Adam to all people till Jesus

Genesis 3:1-19

Romans 5:12-21

1Corinthians 15:42-49

Grace

Jesus is our salvation through grace

Ephesians 2:1-3

His fullness Ephesians 1:16-23

His faithfulness 1John 1:7-10

His triumph Colossians 2:12-15 Acts 2:22-36

He gives us the gift of grace

Ephesians 2:7-10

Jesus gives us the abundance of grace

He died in our place

Romans 5:6-21

He gives us the exceeding riches of grace

Ephesians 4:1-10

Jesus quickens us

John 5:24-27, 12:31-32

We are dead to sin and alive to God

Romans 6:4

We were slaves to sin, now we are slaves to God

Romans 6:20

We receive grace from the love of God

John 3:1-21

Romans 8:38-39

God could and would never ask us to redeem ourselves because we can't

He also couldn't just wipe them away for us for He is too just

He had to come in true love, in the flesh, in the form of His Son

and make a way for us to have fellowship with Him again 2Corinthians 6:1-2

We receive grace when we have nothing to give. We have empty hands

A) Love goes up

B) Love goes out Compassion

C) Love stoops down

Grace

Redemption

Galatians 4:1-9

By the blood

Ephesians 1:7-10

Hebrews 9:11-16

1Peter 1:13-21

Revelations 5:9

Examples of redemption

Exodus 12:1-13

Romans 8:18-23

Redemption is freedom paid for with a price

Psalms 49

Hebrews 9:22

We are free from bondage by the blood of Jesus

A) Free from the bondage of sin Romans 8:1-11

Sin corrupts - Jesus sets free

B) Free from the control of sin Romans 7:15-25

We were born under sin. We sin because we are already a sinner. Sin does not make us

a sinner. The old nature controls you before you are saved

C) Free from the curse of the law

The old nature knows no law

The new nature needs no law

The law was never designed to save man

The law is made to reveal sin and to show how much we need God

D) The law cursed man to death Galatians 3:13

E) Jesus redeems us from the curse of the law

The law never promised to save us but Jesus did!!!! John 3:1-21

F) Free from the corruption of the body

Galatians 5:22-23

We still have the old nature (flesh) but it doesn't control us

Through regeneration from the redemption of salvation through Jesus, we become a new man

Romans 7:18-30

Salvation

John 3:1-21

Regeneration The new birth

When the Spirit of God indwells a repentant sinner and imparts eternal life to his or her

spiritually dead soul through the acceptance of the payment Jesus made for them on the cross

Ephesians 2:1-5

Justification freedom from the penalty of sin Romans 6:23

The divine act of declaring sinners to be righteous on account of their faith in Jesus

Romans 3:21, 4:5, 5:1

Titus 2:11-3:8

Sanctification Freedom from the power of sin

The process in which God develops the new life of the believer

and gradually brings it to perfection.

Romans 6:11

Philippians 1:6

Christian life is learning how to live in the light of what you already are

We are saints - set apart - We as Christians are called the beloved of God

Ephesians 1:6

Glorification Freedom from the presence of sin

The ultimate salvation of the whole person

When we are face to face with Jesus at His second coming.

We will be completely molded into the image of God

Romans 8:29-30

Romans 5:6-11

1Corinthians 6:9-11

2Corinthians 5:17-21

Philippians 3:21

1John 3:2

1Thessalonians 4:13-18

Reconciliation

Romans 5:6-11

1Corinthians 6:9-11

2Corinthians 5:17-21

Shipwrecked Faith

Tragic, yet true, the Church and society continue to suffer the infiltration of those opposed to the King of Heaven and Earth. Unless they repent they risk paying a heavy price both on earth and within the eternal fires of hell without chance of heaven... The Sixth Commandment includes:

Fr. Steve Niskanen, CMF, Pastor San Gabriel Mission

Proposition 8:

Known as the "Protect Marriage Act", this Proposition would amend California law to stipulate that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Proponents of Proposition 8, including the California Bishops' Conference, argue that the California Supreme Court's decision extending the definition of marriage to include same-sex partnerships devalues marriage and does not insure the well-being of children: "We need to recall that marriage mirrors God's relationship with us-and that marriage completes, enriches, and perpetuates humanity. When men and women consummate their marriage they offer themselves to God as co-creators of a new human being. Any other pairing-while possibly offering security and companionship to the individuals involved-is not marriage. We must support traditional marriage as the source of our civilization, the foundation for a society that can be a home to all human beings, and the reflection of our relationship with God" (California Bishops' Statement).

I deeply respect and submit to the authority of our bishops and the force of traditional Catholic teaching limiting sexual relations to the love and life-giving commitment of heterosexual marriage. But I cannot in conscience unequivocally support Proposition 8 because I cannot in my heart of hearts say with certainty, at this time, that God would not call His gay and lesbian children into a faithful and life-long covenant with one another. Some members of our families and of our parish family are gay and lesbian. Studies estimate that between 5-10% of the human race, across cultures, has a predominantly same-sex orientation. I believe that we as a Church need to learn from their stories of rejection and alienation, of faith, hope, and love, so as to better discern with them God's will for their and our lives. My belief is that gay persons, as gay, are good, and part of God's diverse creation. Their expression of love, though different from the majority, does, I believe, participate in both the weakness and selfishness of sin and the generosity and kindness of God's love. They, like all of us, are called to chastity; that is, sexual self-control and loving respect of the other in conformity with one's calling in life. In the pastoral statement, Always our Children, the US Bishops' Committee on Marriage and Family concludes with a consoling word to our gay brothers and sisters, "Though at time you may feel discouraged, hurt, or angry, do not walk away from your families, from the Christian community, from all those who love you. In you God's love is revealed. You are always our children."

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Steve Niskanen, CMF, Pastor

Based on a series of sermons from Dr. Donald Hubbard

Revelation - A word meaning ‘unveiling’ or ‘disclosure’
Revelation is a translation of the word ‘apokalypsis’ where we get the
word apocalyptic or apocalypse
An apocalypse is a special kind of prophecy
Revelation begins with the exaltation of Jesus Christ
(1:1)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ can mean that it comes from Him, or is about Him
Most likely, both are true, because He is the subject of the entire book
What is Jesus doing in these verses?
The unfolded story
1:9-11
The voice of the Son is heard
The author of Revelation, in his gospel never refers to himself, but here, he leaves no question that it is the apostle John
Here, he strongly identifies with his readers
as a brother and companion in their tribulation
John - The prepared worker
John drew attention to himself
3 different things had happened to John
A) The pressure of his time
John was an old man by this time
He had been arrested and exiled to the island of Pathos
He had suffered difficulties and persecutions
The immediate suffering of John was related to his exile on the small island
of Pathos in the Argean Sea
He had been exiled here in an effort to silence his witness for Jesus
Witness - in Greek is the basis for the word martyr
John had been exiled here and put to hard labor
He did not just sit on a rock and see visions
B) The privacy of the island
Pathos - A place of exile
He spent a length of time here on this island

C) The presence of the Spirit
He was in the Spirit
(1 0) This verse describes John’s state of spiritual exaltation as he
receives the visions of the Apocalypse
John - The prepared witness
God was about to speak and John was willing to listen
He begins with a self revelation of Jesus Christ
What a sight he saw
when he turned to see from whom the voice came
1) The preeminence of the Son of God
(1:13)
‘One like the Son of Man’
This is a reference to Daniel 7:13
Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man 83 times in the Bible
Matthew 20:28
“In the midst”
Speaks of love and the fullness of His relationship with the church
He loves the church and He is in the midst of the church
It also speaks of His fullness
He is fully man and fully God
2) The presence of the Son of God
(1 :13-16)
‘Awesome majesty’
Jesus is presented as the Lord of Glory
When we see the words ‘like’ or ‘as’
We know we are dealing with symbolism
This is not the gentle Jesus
who had walked on the edge of the sea of Galilee
This is not the same gentle Jesus
On whose breast John had reclined
John 13:23
(1:17)
This is the Great and Almighty Lord of Lords, King of Kings
This is the same Jesus John had known
But now he saw Him in all His Glory
and now John was falling at His feet as if dead

This glory began with His garment
(1: 13-15)
A) His Stance
Psalm 104:1
He was clothed with a garment down to the feet
The long robe is judicial in character
This sets forth Jesus as the Judge
He came the first time as the Lamb to save
He comes again as the Lion to judge
He has full authority to judge
B) His Station
Isaiah 11:5
He was belted around the waist with a golden girdle (sash)
Gold is associated with royalty
He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords
No wonder John falls at His feet
The long garment and band (sash) indicate that the glorified Christ is dressed as a judge and as a high priest
Exodus 28:4
C) His sinless ness
Daniel 7:9
His hair was as white as snow
The white appearance is paralleled to the description of The Ancient of Days
and of Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 1 7:2)
The similar description demonstrates the purity and eternal nature of both
God the Father and God the Son
White is a picture of sinless ness
Absolute perfection
He is complete in His Glory
Overcoming believers will be clothed with white garments in Christ’s presence
symbolizing purity
Revelation 3:5
D) His sight
Psalms 33:13-15
Daniel 10:6
His eyes were as a flame of fire
These eyes penetrate
He behold all evil and all good
Nothing is hidden from God
The eyes of fire indicates His righteousness as well as His judgment 1 Corinthians 3:13

E) His steps
Malachi 3:2
His activity
His feet were like fine brass
This is not a picture of the gentle Prince of Peace but of the glory of
the Great and Almighty Prince of Peace
The Lord of Glory
The King of Kings
The judge of all mankind
There will be no man handling Him as they did before
They will not treat Him that way again
When He returns every knee shall bow
F) His speech
Ezekiel 1:24
Ezekiel 43:2
His voice
When He speaks - the universe stands to attention
The unveiled glory
1:12-17a
The vision of the Son is seen
John fell to the ground when He saw the Glory of Jesus Christ
(1:11)
I am the Alpha and Omega
(1:17)
I am the First and the Last
Any study of Bible prophecy must begin and end with Jesus
G) His sovereignty
1:16-17
The seven stars were the angels (messengers) of the seven churches These angels have been referred to as:
A) Human messengers or ministers
B) Literally angels
Hebrews 1:14
Either way God is in control
The sword of God is the Word of God
Hebrews 4:12

This is a vision of when all things in history will come to a conclusion
I) His splendor
Isaiah 53:4-5
He was marred for our sins
Isaiah 53:1-3
He did not have a majestic manner
He went to the cross and died a shameful, humble death
But not now
He will come and be exalted as He was on the mount
Matthew 17:1 -13
Moses and Elijah represent the Old Testament.
The prophets (Elijah) and the law (Moses).
Their presence signifies that the Old Testament scriptures
had been looking forward to the coming of the Messiah and His kingdom
None other than Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The praise of the Son of God
1:17
John was very close to Jesus
He moved in Jesus’ closest circle
He knew Jesus
When Jesus stands before him now he falls to the earth
We can learn from this
Don’t be so familiar with Him that we think of Him as a buddy
He is our friend
but we need to also realize that He also deserves our utmost respect and reverence as the Lord He is
We need to recognize Him in all His Glory
Job 1:11
Satan ignored customary court etiquette that would prevent him from addressing
God directly as ‘You’ or use the personal reference to God such as
‘Your hand or Your face’
Such irreverence was part of his constant strategy to demean God
He is my Savior and Friend
He is my Lord and my God
I am to bow in His presence
To praise and adore Him
He is not to be in competition with anything else in my life
Worship means (worth - ship)
We do all things for Him
The point is to exalt Him
Mark 3:1-12
John 1:19-34

John 3:22-36

The undertaken history
(1:17)
The volume of the Son of God is stated
The Eternal Son removes fear
Jesus reaches out and tells John to ‘Fear not’
Revelation is written for us all
tribulation - is from tribulan - A Roman threshing machine
Revelation is written so that all Christians will know that He is in control
He is in control of everything - all time
The Eternal Son reassures faith
John is in tribulation on Pathos
Jesus conveys His deity to John
1:17-18
He controls destiny
He has conquered death
The Eternal Son reveals the future
1:19
He tells John to write these things in a book
Revelation can be broken down into these three sections
1) The things you have seen (1)
2) The things which are (2-3)
3) The things which will take place (4-22)
Regardless of what comes, we don’t need to be afraid
God is in control and He has our best interests in mind at all times
He loves us and He will always take care of us

1) This is a prayer
This is a bedtime prayer like the one we teach our children (“Now I lay me down to sleep”)
This is a prayer of trust from a righteous servant to an Almighty God
Stephen gave this prayer in Acts (Acts 7:59-60)
Jesus began by praying on the cross (“Father, forgive them”) and He ended His time by praying

He had been prepared for this hour
Luke 9:28-36 - The transfiguration on the mountain
Moses and Elijah were their to strengthen Jesus for His death
Decease literally means exodus (9:31)
This allusion to the central Old Testament event of salvation is unique
The comparison is made between Jesus’ death and the journey to salvation that the nation of
Israel experienced under Moses
Jesus journey would take Him to the side of God, from which He would return to exercise authority
(9:35) Moses and Elijah were present to represent the Old Testament
Representing the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah)
Their presence indicated that the Old Testament scriptures were looking forward to the Messiah
and His Kingdom
The reference to the Beloved Son is from Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 42:1-4
The commandment to hear Him (Deuteronomy 18:15-18)
This identifies that Jesus is the prophet promised in that passage
Jesus, as the new prophet would lead a new group of people to salvation as Moses lead Israel

The Church
Matthew 21:43

Israel
Romans 11:1-36
1 Peter 2:9-10

2) The indication of fullness
From the heart of Jesus
“My God, My God” has faded into silence giving way for this simple childlike prayer “Father”
Jesus taught the Father concept of our relationship to God
He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and He had accomplished His goal
He had finished everything He had been sent by God to do
Hebrews 9:11-28

3) The restoration of fellowship
Toward the Hand of God
Sin had been placed upon Jesus for all the world
God had exercised His wrath on Jesus for us
“My God, My God”- The feeling of being forsaken had ended with fellowship
“Into Thy Hands” - Jesus emphasizes the Hands of God in contrast to the hands of man
What did the hands of man do to Jesus?
Matthew 17:22-23
Mark 14:41
Luke 20:19
John 19:30
Acts 2:22-23
Jesus is saying “Father, what a joy, what a relief to commit My Spirit into Your Hands”

Jesus is our example
To present our bodies to God - a living sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2
“I commit My Spirit”
For the hope of the future
Commit our lives into the Hand of God
My soul (salvation)
My family
My business
My talents
“I commit My Spirit”

Commit or commend
A) To place

I commit (place) My Spirit
Luke 10:8 (Set before you)
The verb here is used to describe the idea of placing food at the table
To place on or near
Hebrews 8:1
Jesus seated (placed) at the right Hand of God

B) To prove

I commit (prove) My Spirit
like filling a report
Used to describe the situation when a slave would give a report to his master
to give validity to a report - to authenticate the report
He died for us - He proved and gave validity for us

C) To preserve

I commit (preserve) My Spirit
Used to describe the situation when someone takes money to a bank for safe keeping
To keep it there so one could return later and retrieve it

1) The mystery of the word (It is finished)
His compassion
Jesus uttered the word finished (it stands finished)
It stands forever finished
Jesus is controlling events, even though it seems that everything is out of His hands

His completion
Finished - the idea that something is complete

Examples:

A) A farmer or she herd
You would use this word (it is finished) to describe the birth of an ewe (completed)

B) An artist
You would use this word (it is finished) to describe the painted canvas to someone else
when you can’t paint anything or add anything to the painting (finished)

C) An Old Testament priest
You would use this word (it is finished) to describe the sacrificial lamb to be used for
the repentance of sins (perfect)
Paul used this same word (2 Timothy 4:7)
His dignity
It is finished

2 metaphors:

A) Used to describe a total debt paid
Paid in full - totally, completely paid

B) Used to describe a title deed placed

The debt of our sin was paid in full signed for like a deed by Jesus
All the Old Testament sacrifices looked forward to the death of Jesus on the cross
Hebrews 10:1-18 (Psalms 40:6-8)

His victory
It looks like the forces of darkness have won, but Jesus was the victor
What was finished?
Every word in scripture had been fulfilled in the death of Jesus on the cross
He also fulfilled every command given Him by the Father
This was not a cry of exhaustion or failure
It was a cry of completion, Jesus had done what He had agreed to do
Our Lord suffering was finished
No one on earth has ever or will ever suffer like our Lord suffered
We could never really understand how much He suffered for us (Isaiah 53)
No more would they mock Him!!
No more would they beat Him!!!
No more would they pound the crown of thorns on His head!!!!
He will suffer no more!!!!!
He was despised and revealed by His creation at His first coming
but
One day He will come again!!!
Every knee shall bow to Him and confess Him as Lord
Romans 14:10-12 (Isaiah 45:23)
Philippians 2:10
The plan of salvation is done
We can’t do anything to add or subtract from salvation
Jesus said that it was finished
It stands forever finished
Salvation is finished, but it has not ended, because of the love of God for all men
Be thankful!!!!!
2 Peter 3:9

1) Jesus knowing
To know with certainty that the scriptures would be fulfilled
Everything that foretold the earthly life of Jesus had been accomplished

A) Jesus was fully conscience
He was fully aware of everything that was going on around Him

B) Jesus was fully confident
Everything that was incorporated for the completion of our redemption were about to be accomplished

2) Jesus thirsting
Jesus, the Son of God hanging on the cross
He had started His public ministry hungry from fasting (Matthew 4:1-2)
and He finished the work of redemption thirsty
This is the only time He calls out for His own need
We get a window into the physical pain and agony He is suffering for us
Through this window we learn something about His humility (Philippians 2:5-8)
and His humanity (Colossians 1:16)
Through this we know that Jesus does feel my hurts and needs because He felt and still
feels them as we do

3) Jesus fulfilling
That the scripture might be fulfilled
Jesus would never had opened His mouth if not for the Psalms (Ps 22:18, 69:21)
It was not His thirst that pried open His lips
It was uttered so that prophecy had been fulfilled
Jesus reveals a condition - He did not request a drink
He simply says “1 thirst”
He did not ask for a drink but was obedient to the Lord
This is the only saying of the 7 that is said was written to fulfill scripture
Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness
Psalms 42:1-2
Matthew 5:6
Let those who thirst come
Revelations 17:22
For they will be given the water of life freely
Revelations 21:5-7

There was supernatural darkness all over the land from 12:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon
1) Supernatural darkness
2) Symbolic darkness

The crowd all around Jesus was viciously horrible
Jesus was visiting outer darkness on our behalf
The physical darkness was a demonstration of the agony of the Lord’s human soul
Jesus had remained silent for 3 hours

The lateness of the hour
Jesus was raised up on the cross at the time of the morning sacrifice (9:00 a.m.)
He remained there until the evening sacrifice (3:00 p.m.)

Elijah and the alter of Baal
1 Kings 18:20-40

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. there was silence as the priests of Baal tried to get their god to answer them
At the ninth hour (3 p.m.) the evening sacrifice, God came and consumed Elijah’s sacrifice
Elijah was not forsaken, but Jesus was

Daniel and Gabriel
Daniel 9:20-21
Gabriel came at the time of the evening oblation to answer Daniel’s prayer
Daniel was not forsaken, but Jesus was

Ezra
Ezra 9:1-5
Ezra cried out to God at the ninth hour. His prayer was answered
Ezra was not forsaken, but Jesus was

Peter
Acts 3:1-11
Peter was on his way to the temple at the ninth hour when he meets a lame man
Peter heals the lame man in the name of Jesus Christ
Peter, as well as the lame man was not forsaken, but Jesus was

The strangeness of the hurt
The breaking of His fellowship
He always called Him “Father” when speaking directly to God
and He called Him God when speaking to others about Him

 The baffling of His mind
This indicates Jesus deep sorrow
Psalms 22
He that knew no sin was now taking on Himself all the iniquity of the world
The fact that He spoke in Aramaic is another sign of the extreme stress He was enduring
No human can fully understand the significance of the agony He went through
2 Corinthians 5:21
This was not a cry of defeat
It was alluding to the great victory that Psalms 22 describes
My God My God (Why?)
Jesus never asked God a question
He always responded with unquestioning obedience
What was happening was beyond all extremities of reason

The burdening of His soul
Forsaken - (compound word) “leaving in the lurch”
“to abandon” - defeat - helplessness
Why have You left Me here defeated in the midst so such a circumstance as this?
He is the Lamb of God
John 1:29-30
This orphaned cry helps to understand the distance Jesus went and gave for us
He went from the right hand of the Father to the far extreme of being forsaken by God for us

The hardness of the heart
(47-48)
They thought He was calling to Elijah
One man ran and took Him a sponge with wine to drink
The rest said “Let Him alone” (49)
They wanted to see if Elijah would save Him
Did the Father hear His cry?
Psalms 22:24

The nearness of judgment
Believers are crucified with Christ
Galatians 2:20
Philippians 2:5-11
People who do not trust Jesus as Savior will face the agony and hell that Jesus went through
for us
They will have to experience the same darkness of being forsaken by God
2Peter 2:4-11

Hell is the place where:
A place of utter darkness
Matthew 25:30
A place for the cursed, a place of everlasting fire and brimstone
Matthew 25:41
Revelation 21:8
A place of everlasting punishment
Matthew 25:46
A place of everlasting torment
Luke 16:19-31
Mark 9:43-48

What did this mean to Mary?

1) A relationship broken
Jesus was breaking the human relationship between them
Jesus spoke only twice to His mother in the Gospels
He always referred to her as woman” not mother
Woman has a title of respect but not the same as mother
John 2:4, 19:26
Jesus makes it clear that He does not share in His deity with her
He is breaking the human (natural) relationship with her
to bring into effect the spiritual because Mary needed salvation too (Luke 1:39-55)
Mary lost her son and in the process of doing so, gained a Savior

What did this mean to John?

2) A responsibility bestowed
John 19:27
John was to take care of Mary as Jesus would and to look to her as a mother
Why didn’t He give such care to His half brothers?
Jesus came from a non-believing home (Matthew 12:46-50)
John 7:3-5
His mother and half-brothers thought He was crazy
He was telling John to be His substitute
Jesus was our substitute (Isaiah 53)
The just dying for the unjust
Jesus was asking John to substitute in His ministry to Mary
while Jesus was substituting for John in dying on the cross
He was doing something that John could never do
What does this mean to us?
We are to be a substitute
We are all to be His substitutes, to represent Jesus to all the world
Matthew 28:18-20

1) The sinners plea
Jesus was on the cross between two thieves
They both started out mocking Him (Matthew 27:44)
one mocked Him (If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us)
He is saying “You are the Christ, aren’t you?”
He didn’t have any measure of faith (Matthew 16:16)
All he wanted was to get out of the trouble that he was in
The other thief suddenly saw Jesus in a different light
He saw Jesus, himself, and the world differently
and he rebuked his friend (40-41)
He then turned to Jesus and asked Him to remember him when He came into His Kingdom
He wanted to be saved and partake in the Kingdom of Jesus (42)
He didn’t ask to be released or for relief, only for Jesus to remember him
He was not saved (Matthew 27:38 (Isaiah 53:12) He was a transgressor up to this point)
remember - “good bye” or remember me

He called Jesus Lord and somehow understood that He was going to have a Kingdom
Some speculations:

A) His look
There must have been something about the look or demeanor of Jesus
He saw something different in Jesus (He acknowledged the Jesus did not deserve to be there)

B) His Ministry
They could have heard about Jesus from His public ministry and the miracles He had done

C) His death
They could have heard the people calling for His death
all the while knowing that the cross had been prepared for Barabbas

D) His substitute
Barabbas could have been there to see who had been put in his place on the cross and freed him
He could also have known the other two thieves and been there to see what was happening to them
Whatever it was, something made him realize that Jesus was actually Lord and Savior

2) The Saviors pardon
Luke 23:43
Assurance, permanent, abiding, lasting
Jesus promised eternal life to the thief
Actually doing what the mockers had asked Him to do

3) The Spirits promise
‘Today, you shall be with Me in paradise”
Jesus gave His pardon only to the thief who recognized Him as the Lord and Savior of his life
(39) He came there a thief and left a saint
A place of rest (Abraham’s bosom)
Luke 16
Revelation 2:7