The Lord Which Is, Which Was, Which Is to Come.

Rev 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

 

'The Biblical View of God

 

As one opens his Bible, the first statement that he reads is a revelation of God. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). However, the Hebrew word - Elohim - for "God" is plural. The use of the plural form is considered by Judaism as the pluralis majestatis - the majestic plural. It is used in this first chapter of Genesis with singular verbs and in other Old Testament texts with singular adjectives thus strengthening the concept of the majestic plural usage.

 

The last Gospel, and possibly the last book written of the New Testament canon, gives the answer to the question. "Elohim" is a plural - there are Two. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). However, before John concludes his Gospel narrative, he introduces "another Comforter, ... the Spirit of truth" (14:16-17). Further, the Word came to be flesh (σαρχ εγενετο) and dwelt among men, a full revelation of grace and truth (1:14). Twice in this prologue, the Word in the flesh is described as "the only begotten" (μονογενηζ - one of a kind) (1:14, 18). From this point on in the gospel of John, the Word is designated as either "the Son of God" (1:34), or by His self designation, "the Son of man" (3:14).

 

It is evident beyond question, that the great divide in both time and eternity is the incarnation of the Word. This not only had consequences for the Word Himself, but also for the Godhead. No question about God can be accurately or truthfully answered without consideration of the factor of the Incarnation. Today, in the Adventist Community, the theological agitation over God has again been raised. The regular Church by its own action in General Conference session (Dallas, 1980) adopted the Nicene Creed formula - "There is one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The reaction among some of the peripheral groups in the Community has been to take an anti-Trinitarian stance.

 

First, we must note a question raised by the anti-Trinitarian position; and this in the light of the Gospel of John. John begins his Gospel stating that the Word was "in the beginning with God" (1:2). Now the question: Was He truly "in the beginning with God" or was He derived from God at some point in the eternity past? As far as I am able to understand from what has been written in current anti-Trinitarian literature, it is on this point that the present agitation finds common ground with the Nicene Creed. Both have Jesus Christ, prior to His incarnation, a "derived Being."

 

The Nicene Creed reads - "I believe ... in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Farther before all worlds, ... begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father." (The Creeds of Christendom, Vol. II, p. 58) On the other hand, I have read and heard those taking an anti-Trinitarian stance state that the Word was "birthed" at some point in eternity past even as "Abraham begat Isaac." This position is difficult for many other anti-Trinitarians to "swallow," and they chose to express it as E. J. Waggoner did: - "There was a time when Christ proceeded forth and came from God, from the bosom of the Father, but that time was so far back in the days of eternity that to finite comprehension it is practically without beginning." (Christ and His Righteousness, pp. 21-22) Whether expressed as in the Nicene Creed, or as stated by E. J. Waggoner, the conclusion is obvious, the Word is a derived Being, and therefore, is not co-eternal, or ever-existent. Thus the name - I Am - affirmed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3: 14), and claimed by the incarnate Word in the Temple (John 8:58), would be a false assumption.

 

The name - I AM (εγω ειμι) - a verbal form, conveys self-existence and ever-existence. This concept is attested in other New Testament references:    1) Heb 1:3 - "Who being (ων - present active participle of ειμι - "to be") the brightness of His glory." He did not come to be that brightness (εγενετο - as in John 1:14 - "came to be flesh"), but was (ην), as in John 1:1, the "brightness of His glory."    2) Rev. 1:17-18 - Literally - "I am the first and the last, even the Living One (και 'ο ζων) and became dead, and behold living I am (ζων ειμι) into the ages of the ages." This Living One proclaimed himself in the same language as the Almighty. Compare the self declaration (Revelation 1:8) - "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and

 

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the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" - with a great voice "as a trumpet," which John heard proclaiming - "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" (verse 11). Turning to see whose voice he heard, John testifies, I saw "one like unto the Son of man" (ver. 13). In the final chapter of the book the same self proclamation is given - "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (22:13).

 

The Biblical conclusion cannot be muted. The pre-existent Word was underived. He was in the beginning with God, and God in His own right. There never was a time in the eternity of the past that He was not. But not only was the Eternal Word underived but in Him was life original and unborrowed.

 

John's major epistle begins with the same emphatic pronouncement as his gospel, but more so. He wrote - "The One who was from the beginning ('ο ην απ ' αρχηζ)" we heard, we've seen with our eyes, we have touched with our hands - even "The Logos of the Life" (περι του λογου τηζ ξωηζ) (1:1). Note it is a specific "life" - "the Life" (η ζων). John comments, it was manifest, we saw it, and bear witness to you that this eternal life (την ζωην την αιωνιον) was with the Father (ην προ τον πατερα) not εν (in), nor εκ (out of) but προζ - "a plane of equality and intimacy, face to face with each other" - Robertson) even as he twice wrote in the Gospel - "the Word was with God (προζ τον θεον) the same was in the beginning with God" (1:1-12). The "eternal life" manifest in "the Logos of Life" was original, unborrowed, even as the Logos was Himself underived.'  WWN 03/2000

 

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We have to comprehend that Jesus always existed as God with God, always. We also have to comprehend that Jesus always will exist as God with God. Yes, Jesus took on flesh, Jesus emptied Himself to take on flesh, but never ceased being God, not for a moment. He became Immanuel, God with us. He emptied Himself of His previous God form to take on flesh, and the miraculous being He became was one that could in all points be tempted like we are, He could feel as we feel, He learned as we learned, He interacted with other as we do. Did He perform miracles? Yes, after He began His ministry and faced the worst temptation a person could ever face in the wilderness for forty days and night and then He began to bring the gospel- the good news of salvation, of the kingdom of heaven to mankind. Jesus took on flesh and in the flesh He was put to death. Jesus was resurrected in the flesh and Jesus returned to heaven in the flesh. Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting. This is so incredibly amazing to contemplate.

 

May God bless us as we continue to read, to know, to keep all He would have us read, know, and keep.

 

Rev 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

 

Rev 1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 

Rev 1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 

 

Rev 2:8  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 

 

Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 

 

Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 

Rev 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 

 

Isa 41:4  Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. 

 

Isa 43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 

 

Isa 44:6  Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 

 

Isa 48:12  Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

 

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne 

 

Rev 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 

 

Rev 11:17  Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 

 

Rev 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 

 

Rev 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

 

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 

 

Gen 17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 

 

Gen 28:3  And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

 

Gen 35:11  And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins

 

Gen 43:14  And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. 

 

Gen 48:3  And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, 

 

Gen 49:25  Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb

 

Exo 6:3  And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 

 

Num 24:4  He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open

 

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

 

 

Every Eye.

Rev 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

 

Every eye shall see him.

 

They also which pierced him.

 

All kindreds of the earth will wail because of him.

 

We know this is truth, every word written here is truth.  When Christ returns it will be magnificent, beyond our full comprehension.

 

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

 

Luk 17:24  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 

 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

 

How glorious will the coming of the Lord be?! How wondrous! We don't have to comprehend how, we just have to realize the power of our Lord, the wonder of our Savior. When He returns to redeem us we will see Him, we will hear Him, we will be so incredibly blessed. Those who are HIS will be blessed, those who are not His, that is a whole other thing.

 

' ..and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.'

 

Some are going to wail at His coming. Those who pierced Him…will be resurrected as we are told…

 

Dan 12:1  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 

Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 

 

When our Savior comes to deliver us, He is delivering ALL those written in the book. However, it's not just those He is delivering who will rise from the dead. We are told that MANY who are dead (sleep in the dust) will wake up and some of those (the dead in Christ) will wake from the dead to life everlasting.  Others that are woken up will rise from the dead to everlasting contempt. Among those rising to everlasting contempt those who pierced Him will wail along with all those living who are not Christ's.

 

Rev 6:14  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 

Rev 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 

Rev 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 

Rev 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

 

Truly, those who are not Christ's will not be able to stand.

 

We know God's word tells us this--

 

Rev 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

 

The glorious day of our Lord's return will be so incredibly amazing for all those who love Him. May we all be among those longing and eagerly awaiting our Savior. He came preaching of the kingdom of heaven, He told us to put our treasures there and Christ is our greatest treasure of all. May our hearts be with Christ, the giver of the greatest gift we could ever have - eternal life!

 

 

With Men It Is Impossible.

Our Savior WILL return for us.  As sure as our Savior entered the world as foretold, He will return as foretold.

 

First we must acknowledge this fact-

 

Mar_10:27  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

 

Things that are impossible for mankind are NOT impossible with God. As soon as we admit this truth we can comprehend that if He says a thing will be then it will be and we do NOT have to comprehend the how or why of it.

 

We are so arrogant in our supposed self-supremacy as if we had a hand in creating ourselves- that we constantly question God's truths as if we have the right to know everything- as if we are God.  WE are NOT God and we will NEVER be God, not ever. We are created beings and have NO right whatsoever to the things of God that are His to know and ours not to know. We have NO RIGHT! It is the arrogance that proclaims we do have that right which borders on the arrogance of Satan himself! Satan perpetuates the lie that we have a right to know the things of God. Satan whispers in our ears that we are being duped by God. Satan whispered in Eve's ear that she had a right to the knowledge she could gain from the tree. SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO THAT KNOWLEDGE! Satan lied! Satan deceived and he is still doing it right now to as many as will give heed to his whispering seductions - disguised chaos is what it really is. Satan wants us to question God, to doubt God. Satan wants us to want to know everything, to understand everything, and when we buy into his evil that we are somehow on the same level of God with the right to all knowledge and understanding, we begin to lose ourselves in the same way Eve lost herself and slipped all of mankind into sin.

 

We can ask why and how, but KNOW when we ask that we haven't the right to the answers. If we are gifted with the answer so be it, but if God tells us that we cannot be privileged with that information, we have to trust HIM that it is for our own good. If we doubt that God has our best interest at heart and only wants to stir angst and confusion inside of us, then we are not filled with the faith we need. We must cry out that we believe Father! We believe! Help our unbelief!  We must accept, trust, and know beyond doubt that the love of God is enough and anything we are desiring knowledge of we will have if God deems we should have it.

 

Satan wants us to doubt and will ever make this his work towards us, sowing seeds of doubt, hoping a garden of weeds will flourish in our faith choking out every last wholesome and good plant God has given us.

 

Every eye shall see Him when He returns for us- we do NOT have to comprehend the how of it, not at all because NOTHING is impossible with God, nothing!

 

Rev 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

 

He cometh with clouds---

 

Rev 14:14  And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 

Rev 14:15  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 

Rev 14:16  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

 

Psa 97:1  The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 

Psa 97:2  Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. 

 

Dan 7:13  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 

Dan 7:14  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 

 

Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

 

Mat 26:64  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 

 

Mar 13:26  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 

 

Mar 14:62  And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 

 

Luk 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

 

Act 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

Act 1:10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 

Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 

 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

 

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Rev 22:4  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 

 

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

 

Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

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Rev 18:20  Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 

 

Rev 19:1  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 

Rev 19:2  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 

Rev 19:3  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

 

Psa 68:2  As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 

 

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

You Are A Living Sacrifice.

Rev 1:5…Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

 

Christ loved us.

Christ washed us from our sins in His own blood.

Christ has made us kings and priests to God, to his Father.

 

Kings and priests?

 

Let's read a quick note from a commentary by Albert Barnes-

 

'But instead of βασιλεις και ἱερεις, kings and priests the most reputable MSS., versions, and fathers have βασιλειαν ἱερεις, a kingdom and priests; i.e. a kingdom of priests, or a royal priesthood. The regal and sacerdotal dignities are the two highest that can possibly exist among men; and these two are here mentioned to show the glorious prerogatives and state of the children of God.'

 

This makes a lot of sense given the following verses-

 

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

 

As priests of God and Christ we will reign in the kingdom.

 

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

 

We are built up a SPIRITUAL house- an holy priesthood!

 

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light

 

We are a chosen generation, a ROYAL priesthood…a peculiar people…

 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

 

Our bodies ARE LIVING SACRIFICES, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE unto God.

 

What we are to become is something so incredibly amazing we can hardly understand at all how it will be possible. Surely, only the amazing powerful love of our God can change us vile creatures into something holy, something royal- in a kingdom of priests. The alteration that will take place in us is all but unbelievable.  We are told to PRESENT our bodies-  living sacrifices.

 

LIVING SACRIFICES. We are not called to the sacrifice of death. We are called to be LIVING SACRIFICES.  What do you suppose this means?

 

We are surrendered to God right now as we live!

 

A sacrifice is the giving up of a life by dying…a living sacrifice must be the giving up of a life while living. We surrender ourselves. We die to self.

 

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

Crucified with Christ but we LIVE.

 

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

 

Deny SELF…follow JESUS.

 

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

 

CRUCIFIED the flesh- the affections and lusts-- WE still live, crucified!

 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

 

We are NEW creatures! How can we be new except the old us is gone?

 

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

 

(DEAD- we are DEAD to self and ALIVE to CHRIST! Truly we are living sacrifices!)

 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

Col 3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 

Col 3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 

Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

 

We are to be made a kingdom of priests! We are to be royal with Christ! We are risen with HIM, He makes us new creatures! All by His mercy, all through His grace, His forgiveness, His love!  TO HIM BE THE GLORY AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN!

 

 

Blessed Beyond Measure.

Rev 1:5…Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood…

 

Who washed us from our sins in his own blood?

 

Rom 3:24  Being JUSTIFIED freely by his grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS

Rom_3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his BLOOD, to declare his righteousness for the REMISSION OF SINS that are past, through the forbearance of God

 

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. 

Rom_5:9  Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED by his BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by JESUS CHRIST to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph_1:7  In whom we have REDEMPTION through HIS BLOOD, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the riches of his grace

 

Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his DEAR SON: 

Col_1:14  In whom we have REDEMPTION through HIS BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins

 

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not REDEEMED with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

 

Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have WASHED THEIR ROBES, and made them white in the BLOOD OF THE LAMB. 

 

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.

 

Psa_51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

 

Psa_51:7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 

 

Our SAVIOR had to die so we could live. Our Savior's love for us is so pure, so extraordinary we can scarcely comprehend it even a little bit. The depths of His love for us, His spoiled creatures, had Him who knew no end, Him who never suffered, take on the very flesh of His creation and all that it entailed. Our flesh is subject to pain, Jesus was subject to pain as He, a God who created us, bore our flesh upon Him who had known no flesh.

Our Savior entered the world of flesh as a baby born. He felt the first pain of hunger which caused Him to cry out for sustenance. He knew our pain first hand. He lived the life of a human being and came face to face with temptations just as we do. While we might say He couldn't know our temptations due to technology and the like- all the temptations have a base source and those base sources have been since sin entered our world.

 

Our Savior, God in flesh, allowed the flesh to be ripped from His bones and His blood began to spill, and it didn't stop spilling as He was hung on the cross.  His blood dripped from the open wounds, from the whip split skin covering His body, as He suffered the agonies of dying. The blood, the blood of God the Son, the powerful blood of cleansing left the dying body of our Savior and spiritually cleanses us even now.

 

We are blessed beyond measure.

First Begotten of the Dead.

First Begotten of the Dead-- (Remember we are blessed who read, who understand, who keep- so let us dive into the heart of scripture with prayer to comprehend the deep things of God.)

 

We cannot overlook the messages in the beginning of this book of Revelation. It would be so easy to gloss over the greeting as if it is standard and of no real need for further comprehension. We need to rethink this because we are called to comprehend, not just read.

 

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; AND from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 

Rev 1:5  AND from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

 

Reading the two verses together it is clear that the three Gods are being named here-

 

God - the Father- Is, Was, Is to Come.

God - Holy Spirit - Complete Spirit, Whole Spirit, Perfect Spirit.

Jesus Christ - Faithful Witness, First Begotten of the Dead, Prince of the kings of earth.

 

God the Father-

 

Vs. 4 'him which is, and which was, and which is to come'

 

Rev 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

 

Rev 11:17  Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 

 

Gen 17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 

 

Rev.1:5-

 

Jesus Christ -

Faithful witness.

First begotten of the dead.

Prince of the kings of the earth.

Loved us.

Washed us from our sins with his blood.

 

Now let us delve deeper.

 

First begotten of the dead-

 

Jesus being the first begotten of the dead is mentioned two times in the New Testament- Col. 1:18 and Rev. 1:5. Jesus was not the first to be resurrected from the dead- He raised Lazarus from death. If you read the verse in Col. 1:18 it is made clearer what is meant by Jesus being the first begotten of the dead.

 

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

Col 1:18  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. 

Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 

Col 1:20  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. 

 

Jesus - before all things.

Jesus- by Him all things consist.

Jesus- head of the body.

Jesus- the head of the church.

Jesus- the beginning.

Jesus- the firstborn from the dead.

 

Jesus- In ALL things He might have PREEMINENCE.

 

Preeminence (def) - the fact of surpassing all others; superiority.

 

Jesus in FACT does surpass all who were raised from the dead. It was because of Jesus being made our Savior before the worlds were-

 

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

 

-that any were able to be raised from the dead at all. If Jesus had not been begotten as the Son before the foundation of the world, we would not have had any hope at all. He was the surety of humanity should we fail to fulfil our intended position. He alone made death temporary to eternity through Himself. All who were raised from the dead were raised from the dead by the One who would die for all- by the One who would die for them. His death surpassed all deaths, His resurrection surpassed all resurrections by making them all possible.

 

Act 26:23  That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 

 

1Co 15:20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 

1Co 15:21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

 

This is truth! And we need to comprehend truth!

 

More on ALL of this tomorrow by the GRACE of GOD. By HIS WILL!

Grace and Peace from Jesus and the Seven Spirits.

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

 

Please, Lord, help me to understand this prophecy in the way I need to understand. Bless me, Lord as I read, as I hear the prophecies, and keep what I learn as You will. Truly may Your coming be soon!

 

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

 

John was told to write to the seven churches. Seven is a number of perfection, a number of wholeness, of completeness in the Bible. Do an internet search on it for more details. Were there seven churches in Asia at the time of John's writing? Yes, but there were also many more churches than just seven. These particular messages to the churches were for their day and time as well as for the church of God throughout all time.

 

Grace be unto you and peace from HIM (JESUS) which IS, which WAS, and which IS TO COME. 

 

Grace and peace.

 

(Wiki)

In Western Christian theology, grace is "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it". It is not a created substance of any kind. ... It is an attribute of God that is most manifest in the salvation of sinners.

 

(Encyclopedia)

PEACE (IN THE BIBLE) The Hebrew word for peace, šālôm, translated in the Septuagint most often by the Greek word, eirēnē, has a wide semantic range including the notions of totality or completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security and well being.

 

Grace from our Savior is undeserved by us. Grace saves us.

 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

 

We are saved by the GRACE of our Savior. Is it any wonder to be greeted with the words- Grace and peace from our Savior is something amazing. Grace be unto us! Peace be unto us! To say- Grace be unto you is to say - this gift of salvation be given to you. Grace, the gift from Jesus our Savior.

 

Our Savior's peace given as a greeting- wishing, hoping for this peace to be with someone is yet another gift.

 

Joh_14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Jesus' peace is NOT as the world gives.

 

Joh_16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

We are going to have TRIBULATION in this world but we can be happy through that tribulation because our happiness, our peace is to be found in Christ Jesus who overcame this world.

 

This greeting to the seven churches is a wondrous greeting.

 

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

 

Jesus- IS, WAS, IS TO COME.  Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting. Jesus always was, and always is, and Jesus will come to redeem us as He promised.

 

The seven Spirits before the throne of Jesus- the complete, whole Spirit, the Holy Spirit- through the Holy Spirit we are blessed with the Grace and Peace of our Savior!

 

More on this tomorrow. We need to truly comprehend the wonder of this opening to the book of Revelation.  The grace and peace of Jesus is urged upon us, all of us need the grace and peace of Jesus of that there can be no doubt whatsoever. Grace and peace- Jesus' gifts to us!