THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM Eph 1:11-14 (NKJV) 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
not yet have possession of this inheritance. However, we have more than a promise; God has given unto us the Holy Spirit as an earnest (A.V.) or a guarantee eR.S.V.).
What is an earnest? We do not use this word frequently in everyday conversation, but we have a different word to express the same idea. An earnest is a down-payment. It is far more than a "guarantee," as R.S.V. translates it, it is partial but actual possession. If you decide to buy a house, you search until you find the house you want. Perhaps it costs twenty thousand dollars; the price is a bit high, but it is the house for which you have been looking. Thereupon you promise the owner that on an appointed day you will deliver the money, and you sign a bill of sale. Does that give you a claim upon the house? It does not. Suppose you say, "Let us go down to the notary public, and I will put myself under oath that on such and such a date, I will pay for the house."
I Will that give you a claim on the house? It will not. Suppose ~ you bring a group of friends as character witnesses who testify I) what an honest, honourable fellow you are and what a good bank account you have. Will that give you a claim on the house? It will not.
There is one thing that will bind the agreement: Money!! Cash! Not $20,000, not the entire cost of the house but a substantial down-payment. This is "earnest money." ,
The present possession of the Holy Spirit is a down-payment. OR EARNEST OF THE KINGDOM
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
PERCEPTION
The ‘‘born above’’ part which Jesus mentions in verse 3 relates directly to even « beholding » the Kingdom of God. Looking at this word closer : ‘‘BEHOLDING’’ εἴδω
The Kingdom of God—the reign of God cannot even be perceived unless ‘‘born above’’
ABOVE
Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
BORN
John 2:13-25 (NKJV) 13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?" 19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
John 3:2-8 (NKJV) 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, ",except a man be born above he cannot behold the Kingdom of God.'' 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?" 19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
John 3:2-8 (NKJV) 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, ",except a man be born above he cannot behold the Kingdom of God.'' 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Monday, June 13, 2011
JOHN
JOHN
Chapter 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth John 1:14 (NKJV)
14 και ο λογος σαρξ εγενετο και εσκηνωσεν εν ημιν και εθεασαμεθα την δοξαν αυτου δοξαν ως μονογενους παρα πατρος πληρης χαριτος και αληθειας John 1:14 (Stephanus)
DISCOURSES IN JOHN'S GOSPEL
The dis¬courses in the Fourth Gospel are many and intricate, inculcating, for the most part, deep mystical truths which are enforced by a ceaseless reiteration tending to obscure the exact line of the argument, and illustrated by not a single parable, properly so-called.'
The doctrine and discourses of Jesus (in the Fourth Gospel) cannot in the main be the writer's, John, because in the main they are clearly out of his reach'; no man could have con¬ceived the ideas which are here recorded; they can have come only from Him who spake as never man spake (vii. 46). And Dr. James Orr says: 'The supreme guaranty of their (the Gospels) trustworthiness, is found in the narratives themselves; for who in that (or any) account could imagine a figure so unique and perfect as that of Jesus, or invent the incomparable sayings and parables that proceeded from His lips! Much of Christ's teaching is high as heaven above the minds of men still.' When, therefore, writers say that the Evangelist 'put words into the mouth of Jesus,' and this is frequently said, let us remember that they are giving some man credit for something of which no man has ever been capable. Dr. Reynolds has well said: 'It is inconceivable that the author of the Gospel invented, rather than recited, marvellous utterances of the Christ; that he appealed
John was a fisherman. He was first a follower of John the Baptist (i, 35, 40), and he left him to follow Christ. There appear to have been three stages in his fellowship with Christ: attachment (i, 40); dis¬cipleship (Matt. iv. 21, 22); and apostleship (Luke vi. 13, 14). John's relation to Jesus was unique. If, as is conjectured, Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother, John would be Jesus' cousin. (See Div. A, Pt. 1,6, p. 62, Salome). He was one of the first two disciples to be called (i. 35-40); one of the first Apostles named (Matt. iv. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark v, 37; Matt. xvii, I; xxvi 37); one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark xiii, 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke xxii. 8). He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (xiii. 23; xix. 26; xx, 2; xxi, 7,20), and to whom He committed the care of His mother (xix. 25-27).
Chapter 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:1-5 (NKJV)
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth John 1:14 (NKJV)
14 και ο λογος σαρξ εγενετο και εσκηνωσεν εν ημιν και εθεασαμεθα την δοξαν αυτου δοξαν ως μονογενους παρα πατρος πληρης χαριτος και αληθειας John 1:14 (Stephanus)
DISCOURSES IN JOHN'S GOSPEL
The dis¬courses in the Fourth Gospel are many and intricate, inculcating, for the most part, deep mystical truths which are enforced by a ceaseless reiteration tending to obscure the exact line of the argument, and illustrated by not a single parable, properly so-called.'
The doctrine and discourses of Jesus (in the Fourth Gospel) cannot in the main be the writer's, John, because in the main they are clearly out of his reach'; no man could have con¬ceived the ideas which are here recorded; they can have come only from Him who spake as never man spake (vii. 46). And Dr. James Orr says: 'The supreme guaranty of their (the Gospels) trustworthiness, is found in the narratives themselves; for who in that (or any) account could imagine a figure so unique and perfect as that of Jesus, or invent the incomparable sayings and parables that proceeded from His lips! Much of Christ's teaching is high as heaven above the minds of men still.' When, therefore, writers say that the Evangelist 'put words into the mouth of Jesus,' and this is frequently said, let us remember that they are giving some man credit for something of which no man has ever been capable. Dr. Reynolds has well said: 'It is inconceivable that the author of the Gospel invented, rather than recited, marvellous utterances of the Christ; that he appealed
John was a fisherman. He was first a follower of John the Baptist (i, 35, 40), and he left him to follow Christ. There appear to have been three stages in his fellowship with Christ: attachment (i, 40); dis¬cipleship (Matt. iv. 21, 22); and apostleship (Luke vi. 13, 14). John's relation to Jesus was unique. If, as is conjectured, Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother, John would be Jesus' cousin. (See Div. A, Pt. 1,6, p. 62, Salome). He was one of the first two disciples to be called (i. 35-40); one of the first Apostles named (Matt. iv. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark v, 37; Matt. xvii, I; xxvi 37); one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark xiii, 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke xxii. 8). He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (xiii. 23; xix. 26; xx, 2; xxi, 7,20), and to whom He committed the care of His mother (xix. 25-27).
John the apostle's hometown was Bethsaida, and there was a family of four, the father and mother, Zebedee, and Salomé, and two sons, James and John (Mark 1:19, 20; 15:40; Matthew 27:56).
The father and sons were fishermen (Matthew 4:21;Salomé, the mother, was ambitious for her boys (Matthew 20:20, 21; Mark 10:35, 37). There is clear evidence that the family had some wealth, because they hired servants, and they ministered of the substance, as well as being influential in official orders Mark 1:20; Matthew 27:56; Luke 8:3; John 18:15, 16; 19:27).
One important fact about John: he lived close to Jesus Christ from the beginning of Jesus' ministry, to His ascention. He witnessed most of the experiences Jesus endured, including the bloody physical events. He stood and witnessed the sight of Jesus' crucifixion. He witnessed the soldier confirming Jesus' death by ramming his spear up under Jesus' rib cage to His heart and blood and water gushing out. John witnessed numerous times Jesus walking and talking and eating following Jesus' resurrection. John viewed all these things personally and no doubt spoke often with the resurrected Jesus.
In the closing two chapters of John's Gospel, John writes a historical narrative of Jesus' actions following Jesus' resurrection, as we mentioned above. In one of those closing chapters, John 20:30-31, the Apostle writes:
Was John the Apostle telling a lie? He calls us to believe and put your trust in Jesus.
John lived this faith through many trying very turbulent years.
A relative Roman Peace existed in New Testament time, from Christianity's beginning to Paul and Peter's execution, offering some safety for the spread of the Gospel.
However, starting in 67 AD, a Jewish revolt flashed into life and quickly spread. Nearby, the 12th Roman Legion quickly quelled most of the rebels, but with winter approaching, turned back, heading to their winter camp. The rebels managed to surprise them in an ambush, and scored a victory over the Romans. This victory included the capture of the 12th Roman Legion's eagle. While Rome could never let such a defeat stand, this humiliation of the Roman Army by the rebels turned the revolt into a war, which included the added motivation of Roman revenge. That war lasted until 70 AD. Following that war, Israel, as a nation, no longer existed. Jerusalem and and the Jewish Temple were burned down.
JOHN THE APOSTLE
John the Apostle moved. Tradition tells us John escaped with Mary, Jesus' mother, to Ephesus. With the Jerusalem gone, the Christian Center moved and the years witnessed the rapid expansion of Christianity, and it's center moving from Jerusalem to Ephesus. The last remaining apostle, John, moved to
John would also have been aware of the cost of witnessing or teaching those facts. He would also have known that what he was teaching could mean the death or torture to those he was teaching. John's writings are written 50 to 60 years after Jesus crucifixion. Archeologist discovered a papyri copy of a part of John's Gospel, , the John Rylands Fragment, dating it at about 125AD. They discovered the fragment around Alexandria Eypt, meaning Christianity had spread y location Tthat would was
John appears three times in the book of Acts: and the Temple (3:1); before the Council (4:13); and at Samaria (8:14). After the general reference to him and Ask 15:2, 22, 23, the next contact with them is about 18 years later (A. D. 69), and the Book of the Revelation (1:1, four, nine), and about 26 years later still in the gospel (A. D. 95), and the Epistles bearing his name.
In the closing two chapters of John's Gospel, John writes a historical narrative of Jesus' actions following Jesus' resurrection, as we mentioned above. In one of those closing chapters, John 20:30-31, the Apostle writes:
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31 (ESV)Was John the Apostle telling a lie? He calls us to believe and put your trust in Jesus.
John lived this faith through many trying very turbulent years.
A relative Roman Peace existed in New Testament time, from Christianity's beginning to Paul and Peter's execution, offering some safety for the spread of the Gospel.
However, starting in 67 AD, a Jewish revolt flashed into life and quickly spread. Nearby, the 12th Roman Legion quickly quelled most of the rebels, but with winter approaching, turned back, heading to their winter camp. The rebels managed to surprise them in an ambush, and scored a victory over the Romans. This victory included the capture of the 12th Roman Legion's eagle. While Rome could never let such a defeat stand, this humiliation of the Roman Army by the rebels turned the revolt into a war, which included the added motivation of Roman revenge. That war lasted until 70 AD. Following that war, Israel, as a nation, no longer existed. Jerusalem and and the Jewish Temple were burned down.
JOHN THE APOSTLE
John the Apostle moved. Tradition tells us John escaped with Mary, Jesus' mother, to Ephesus. With the Jerusalem gone, the Christian Center moved and the years witnessed the rapid expansion of Christianity, and it's center moving from Jerusalem to Ephesus. The last remaining apostle, John, moved to
John would also have been aware of the cost of witnessing or teaching those facts. He would also have known that what he was teaching could mean the death or torture to those he was teaching. John's writings are written 50 to 60 years after Jesus crucifixion. Archeologist discovered a papyri copy of a part of John's Gospel, , the John Rylands Fragment, dating it at about 125AD. They discovered the fragment around Alexandria Eypt, meaning Christianity had spread y location Tthat would was
John appears three times in the book of Acts: and the Temple (3:1); before the Council (4:13); and at Samaria (8:14). After the general reference to him and Ask 15:2, 22, 23, the next contact with them is about 18 years later (A. D. 69), and the Book of the Revelation (1:1, four, nine), and about 26 years later still in the gospel (A. D. 95), and the Epistles bearing his name.
Tradition tells us that John left Jerusalem and went to Asia. He probably took Mary the mother of Jesus along with Intuit Ephesus. The Jewish Roman war would surely have driven him out of Jerusalem. The deaths of Paul, Peter, Tennessee, and Titus, would also have left the Asian churches without a leader. John settled at Ephesus which has in the monument for him. That at Ephesus he spent a great deal of his life, died and was buried there, tradition affirms.
It was probably about A.D. 69 that the apostle Paul was banished to Patmos, or he received and recorded divisions of the book of revelations. Jerome places his death about A. D. 98.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
CHRISTIAN
JOHN THE APOSTLE
Out-side of Jesus Christ, John the Apostle had no education. As with the other N.T. writers, (exception maybe of Paul and Luke and the writer of Hebrews) what John wrote was far above what he normally would know. John and his brother James were both common fisherman. The Jewish high religious court, the Sanhedrin, recognized John and Peter as ‘‘unlearned and ignorant’’ and were amazed (Acts 4 :13). These are words from the Lord.
John’s home town was Bethsaida (1. 44; Luke 5. 10), and there was a family of four, the father and mother, Zebedee, and Salome, and two sons, James and John (Mark 1. 19,20; xv. 40; Matt. 22, 56). The father and sons were fishermen (Matt. 4. 21); Salome, the mother, was ambitious for her boys (Matt. 20. 20, 21; Mark 10. 35-37). There is clear evidence that the family was prosperous, for they had hired servants, they minis¬tered of their substance, and they were influential in official quarters (Mark 1. 20; Matt.22, 56; Luke 8. 3; John 17, 15,16; 19. 27).
JOHN KNEW AND FOLLOWED JESUS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS
John was one of the first followers of Jesus Christ (1 ; 40)--he left John the Baptist to follow Christ.
He was one of the first two disciples to be called (1. 35-40); one of the first Apostles named (Matt.4. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark 5, 37; Matt. 17.1; 26. 37); one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark 13, 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke 22. 8).
John was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (13. 23; 19. 26; 20, 2; 21, 7,20). Jesus while on the cross, committed the care of His mother to John. (19. 25-27).
JOHN NOT ONLY WATCHED JESUS DIE ON THE CROSS—HE WAS WITH THE GROUP THAT SAW JESUS ALIVE.
JOHN WENT THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN REVIVAL GENERATED FROM SEEING JESUS ALIVE, AND HE WAS STILL GOING STRONG AT 60 PLUS YEARS LATER..
John appears three times in the Acts: in the Temple (3. I); before the Council (4. 13); and at Samaria (8. 14). After the general reference to him in Acts 15. 2, 22, 23, our next contact with him is about 65 years later (95A.D—some claim 69AD), in the Book of the Revelation (1. 1,4,9), and about 60 years in (85-90A.D.), in his Gospel, and the Epistles which bear his name.
Out-side of Jesus Christ, John the Apostle had no education. As with the other N.T. writers, (exception maybe of Paul and Luke and the writer of Hebrews) what John wrote was far above what he normally would know. John and his brother James were both common fisherman. The Jewish high religious court, the Sanhedrin, recognized John and Peter as ‘‘unlearned and ignorant’’ and were amazed (Acts 4 :13). These are words from the Lord.
John’s home town was Bethsaida (1. 44; Luke 5. 10), and there was a family of four, the father and mother, Zebedee, and Salome, and two sons, James and John (Mark 1. 19,20; xv. 40; Matt. 22, 56). The father and sons were fishermen (Matt. 4. 21); Salome, the mother, was ambitious for her boys (Matt. 20. 20, 21; Mark 10. 35-37). There is clear evidence that the family was prosperous, for they had hired servants, they minis¬tered of their substance, and they were influential in official quarters (Mark 1. 20; Matt.22, 56; Luke 8. 3; John 17, 15,16; 19. 27).
JOHN KNEW AND FOLLOWED JESUS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS
John was one of the first followers of Jesus Christ (1 ; 40)--he left John the Baptist to follow Christ.
He was one of the first two disciples to be called (1. 35-40); one of the first Apostles named (Matt.4. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark 5, 37; Matt. 17.1; 26. 37); one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark 13, 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke 22. 8).
John was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (13. 23; 19. 26; 20, 2; 21, 7,20). Jesus while on the cross, committed the care of His mother to John. (19. 25-27).
JOHN NOT ONLY WATCHED JESUS DIE ON THE CROSS—HE WAS WITH THE GROUP THAT SAW JESUS ALIVE.
JOHN WENT THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN REVIVAL GENERATED FROM SEEING JESUS ALIVE, AND HE WAS STILL GOING STRONG AT 60 PLUS YEARS LATER..
John appears three times in the Acts: in the Temple (3. I); before the Council (4. 13); and at Samaria (8. 14). After the general reference to him in Acts 15. 2, 22, 23, our next contact with him is about 65 years later (95A.D—some claim 69AD), in the Book of the Revelation (1. 1,4,9), and about 60 years in (85-90A.D.), in his Gospel, and the Epistles which bear his name.
Friday, May 27, 2011
APOSTLE
JOHN THE APOSTLE
The particulars may be classified and summarized under six heads: the home and occupation of John; his discipleship and service-life; references to him in the history of the Church; the portrait of him derived from tradition; his character as reflected in his writings; and his place in the apostolic age.
THE HOME AND OCCUPATION OF JOHN
His home town was Bethsaida (i. 44; Luke v. 10), and there was a family of four, the father and mother, Zebedee, and Salome, and two sons, James and John (Mark i. 19,20; xv. 40; Matt. xxvii, 56). The father and sons were fishermen (Matt. iv. 21); Salome, the mother, was ambitious for her boys (Matt. xx. 20, 21; Mark x. 35-37). There is clear evidence that the family was prosperous, for they had hired servants, they minis¬tered of their substance, and they were influential in official quarters (Mark i. 20; Matt. xxvii, 56; Luke viii. 3; John xviii, 15,16; xix. 27).
THE DISCIPLESHIP AND SERVICE-LIFE OF JOHN
He was first a follower of John the Baptist (i, 35, 40), and he left him to follow Christ. There appear to have been three stages in his fellowship with Christ: attachment (i, 40); dis-cipleship (Matt. iv. 21, 22); and apostleship (Luke vi. 13, 14). John's relation to Jesus was unique. If, as is conjectured, Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother, John would be Jesus' cousin. (See Div. A, Pt. 1,6, p. 62, Salome). He was one of the first two disciples to be called (i. 35-40); one of the first Apostles named (Matt. iv. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark v, 37; Matt. xvii, I; xxvi 37); one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark xiii, 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke xxii. 8). He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (xiii. 23; xix. 26; xx, 2; xxi, 7,20), and to whom He committed the care of His mother (xix. 25-27).
REFERENCES TO JOHN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
John appears three times in the Acts: in the Temple (iii. I); before the Council (iv. 13); and at Samaria (viii. 14). After the general reference to him in Acts xv. 2, 22, 23, our next contact with him is about eighteen years later (A.D. 69), in the Book of the Revelation (i. 1,4,9), and about twenty-six years later still (A.D. 95), in his Gospel, and the Epistles which bear his name.
The particulars may be classified and summarized under six heads: the home and occupation of John; his discipleship and service-life; references to him in the history of the Church; the portrait of him derived from tradition; his character as reflected in his writings; and his place in the apostolic age.
THE HOME AND OCCUPATION OF JOHN
His home town was Bethsaida (i. 44; Luke v. 10), and there was a family of four, the father and mother, Zebedee, and Salome, and two sons, James and John (Mark i. 19,20; xv. 40; Matt. xxvii, 56). The father and sons were fishermen (Matt. iv. 21); Salome, the mother, was ambitious for her boys (Matt. xx. 20, 21; Mark x. 35-37). There is clear evidence that the family was prosperous, for they had hired servants, they minis¬tered of their substance, and they were influential in official quarters (Mark i. 20; Matt. xxvii, 56; Luke viii. 3; John xviii, 15,16; xix. 27).
THE DISCIPLESHIP AND SERVICE-LIFE OF JOHN
He was first a follower of John the Baptist (i, 35, 40), and he left him to follow Christ. There appear to have been three stages in his fellowship with Christ: attachment (i, 40); dis-cipleship (Matt. iv. 21, 22); and apostleship (Luke vi. 13, 14). John's relation to Jesus was unique. If, as is conjectured, Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother, John would be Jesus' cousin. (See Div. A, Pt. 1,6, p. 62, Salome). He was one of the first two disciples to be called (i. 35-40); one of the first Apostles named (Matt. iv. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark v, 37; Matt. xvii, I; xxvi 37); one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark xiii, 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke xxii. 8). He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (xiii. 23; xix. 26; xx, 2; xxi, 7,20), and to whom He committed the care of His mother (xix. 25-27).
REFERENCES TO JOHN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
John appears three times in the Acts: in the Temple (iii. I); before the Council (iv. 13); and at Samaria (viii. 14). After the general reference to him in Acts xv. 2, 22, 23, our next contact with him is about eighteen years later (A.D. 69), in the Book of the Revelation (i. 1,4,9), and about twenty-six years later still (A.D. 95), in his Gospel, and the Epistles which bear his name.
Friday, February 18, 2011
God's Word for the Seven Churches OF Revelations
The Revelations of John
The Lord Jesus Christ
& the Seven Messages to The Church
1 The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and communicated it to His servant John.
2 This is the John who taught the truth concerning the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus Christ— a faithful account of what he had seen.
3 Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy and lay to heart what is written in it; for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand. REVELATIONS 1:1-3
THE BOOK OF REVELATION probably is less read and understood than any book in the entire Bible. To the average person, the last book of the Bible is a deep mystery consisting of strange, fantastic predictions which can¬not be understood, and queer symbols that confuse. As a result, most Bible readers know little about either the book's content or its meaning.
In Revelations we read of a sublime series of pictures of God's dealings with man and with this earth from the beginning to the consummation of all things. The symbols used are largely those of Old Testament scriptures. Christ, the Word--the Revealer, is described as "Him which is, and which was, and which is to come," and "the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth." At the same time, Jesus is represented as the sacrificial Lamb, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and Jesus the Christ, the coming Ruler.
Throughout the first four chapters Jesus Christ receives praise and worship, and titles such as Alpha and Omega—the Lord God—the Almighty. However, as the time of judgement arrives in chapter five, He is ‘‘the Lamb that was slain—worthy,’’ to open the judgement scroll and bringing down the ‘‘wrath of God’’.
The Lord Jesus Christ
& the Seven Messages to The Church
1 The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and communicated it to His servant John.
2 This is the John who taught the truth concerning the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus Christ— a faithful account of what he had seen.
3 Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy and lay to heart what is written in it; for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand. REVELATIONS 1:1-3
THE BOOK OF REVELATION probably is less read and understood than any book in the entire Bible. To the average person, the last book of the Bible is a deep mystery consisting of strange, fantastic predictions which can¬not be understood, and queer symbols that confuse. As a result, most Bible readers know little about either the book's content or its meaning.
In Revelations we read of a sublime series of pictures of God's dealings with man and with this earth from the beginning to the consummation of all things. The symbols used are largely those of Old Testament scriptures. Christ, the Word--the Revealer, is described as "Him which is, and which was, and which is to come," and "the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth." At the same time, Jesus is represented as the sacrificial Lamb, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and Jesus the Christ, the coming Ruler.
Throughout the first four chapters Jesus Christ receives praise and worship, and titles such as Alpha and Omega—the Lord God—the Almighty. However, as the time of judgement arrives in chapter five, He is ‘‘the Lamb that was slain—worthy,’’ to open the judgement scroll and bringing down the ‘‘wrath of God’’.
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