1 John 3:8
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5319
Manifest(ed): make visible, make clear, make known, to illumine, bring to light
From the Greek word 'phaneroó' (pronounced fan-er-o'-o).
EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
With regards to Christ, it is His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His ascension.
The first people to see Him were Joseph and Mary, His earthly parents. The last people to see Him, before He ascended to heaven, were the eleven apostles (Judas having died and Matthias not yet selected). He arrives humbly and quietly. All the hoopla and fanfare occurred within minutes of His birth. He came to this earth in an unusual manner and He left in an equally unusual manner. But He was seen by people both times.
Matthew and Luke give His birth announcements. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us accounts of His life and ministry. The four gospels according to books also render eyewitness accounts of His death and His resurrection. The Book of Acts gives eyewitness testimony of His ascension.
THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTS ARRIVAL
"To destroy the works of the devil".
What are these works and who is this devil? Everything that is not of God and His Christ is of the devil, which is why he is referred to as antichrist: against Christ. Though there have been many such antichrists through the centuries, the final antichrist will be fully revealed when the abomination of desolation makes himself known by setting himself up in the temple (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Matthew 24:15).
In Genesis 3:1, the serpent questioned God's Word. In Genesis 3:4, 5 the serpent lied about the veracity of God's Word.
Ezekiel 28:11-19, though spoken of to a mere man has a double meaning. It also refers to the devil's origins. Isaiah 14:11-17 (cf) Luke 10:18 wherein Satan falls from heaven. Revelation 20:2 refers to the devil as: dragon (huge fabulous [both in size and covering] serpent), ancient serpent (original/from the beginning snake), devil (accuser/slanderer) and Satan (adversary).
ACCOMPLISHING HIS PURPOSE
During Christ's three year ministry preaching the gospel of God we are given many examples and parables of how to overcome the enemy of our souls. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus overcame his attempts at manipulations with THE WORD OF GOD, "It is written" was His response all three times (Matthew 4:1-10; Luke 4:1-12).
When Satan riled up people to throw stones at Jesus, He hid Himself and escaped. But when Satan incited a mob to demand that Jesus be crucified, the purpose of Christ's arrival was set in its final motion. It is through the cross that God's purpose for His only begotten Son's earthly stay was fulfilled.
Being God's Lamb, He is sacrificed to atone for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), from the beginning to the end, from the first people to the last people: one time for all time. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world". The whole world, not just parts of it, not just certain segments of time in it, but all the world. Hebrews 2:14 "to destroy him who holds the power of death, the devil".
Being God's only begotten Son, He is raised from the dead because death could not hold Him. Acts 2:24, Acts 10:40. Death has no power over Life, for Jesus is Life (John 1:4, John 14:6).
A person would have to read, and study out, all four gospel books, plus Acts and Hebrews to gain just a taste of, a glimpse of, what Jesus Christ had to do in order to accomplish God's purpose of destroying the devil and all his works.
It is our faith in Christ and our faith in God that accomplishes God's purpose in us through the blood which He shed on the cross and His being raised from the dead which overcomes the devil's destruction in us and in our lives (Romans 3:25). Simple Truth for chaotic times.
BELIEVE ON HIS NAME
The Promise of Salvation and being given The Holy Spirit is given to not only the head of the house but to everyone living under that person's roof. Acts 16:15, 31; Acts 18:8.
The Promise of Salvation and being given The Holy Spirit is given to everyone who hears the gospel message being preached and receives it. Acts 2:38, 39.
The Promise of Salvation is given on an individual basis. Mark 16:16; John 3:18, 36; Romans 10:9, 10, 13.
Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you, too, will be saved. Saved from the punishment of sin, for Christ took our sins upon Himself when He was on the cross. Isaiah 53:4, 5; 1 Peter 2:23, 24.
1 John 4:15
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives) in him, and he (lives) in God.
It's why I can sing, This World Is Not My Home. For my home is in God and His home is in heaven. Have you made the Lord your home? Has He taken up residence in you? The Love of God was made manifest in the Person of Jesus Christ and this Love lives in me. It is why I urgently beg you to reconsider and to believe that Jesus Christ Is Lord.
His return is imminent. He's coming to take His people home with Him.
HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US by Fernando Ortega
HIGH PRIEST by Rivers & Robots
UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE by Daniel Thornton (classic hymn)
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