Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - For This Purpose

 

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)

 

 

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- The Spirit

 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quench not the Spirit.

*Strong's Ex. Con. No. 4570

Quench: extinguish, suppress, thwart

To put out the fire.

It is impossible to accomplish the task(s) which God has given us without the guidance of His Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12 "We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." In Revelation 22:17 the Spirit and the Bride are calling the lost souls to repentance together, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." 

No one can give us what only God can give us. And that includes His Holy Spirit. Matthew 25:8 "And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." The oil is the Holy Spirit. We must have Him with us when Christ returns for His church. We cannot share Him, the anointing which God gives each of us individually, with each other. Acts 2:3 "And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them." He will leave this earth, when we leave this earth. 

Who is the Holy Spirit? 

He is the Spirit who helped create the world from the beginning. Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

He is the Spirit which guided the hearts, the mouths and the hands of the men who wrote, put into print, the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Peter 1:20, 21 "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

He is the Interpreter. 1 Corinthians 2:13 "And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

He is the Comforter. {*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3875 Consoler, Helper.}

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and will bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you." John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you."

He is the baptism of Godly power. Acts 1:5, 8 "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” "But you will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and you will be witnesses for Me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth."

He is the convictor of sin. John 16:8-11 "And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned." 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3076

Grieve: distress, vex, cause to sorrow, to experience deep emotional pain, 

How do we quench the Holy Spirit? By not listening to Him. Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Isaiah 63:10 "But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them." By insulting Him. Hebrews 10:29 "How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"

Don't put out the Holy Spirit of God. Listen to Him and follow His lead. Let Him lead us to the cross, to the garden and into the eternal presence of God.