IT IS FINISHED!

 

“IT IS FINISHED!” The greatest victory cry that still resounds throughout Creation.

“it is finished!” The warfare between The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan for the eternal destiny of each individual.

“it is finished!” The icy grip of Death and Its despair has been broken.

 Those three words were uttered by Jesus from the cross of Calvary. What appeared as an execution by authorities with undiluted malice towards Jesus, had far deeper implications. Jesus had come with a mission to fulfil. It was not a single issue to be fought over, but many facets with eternal consequences.

 We major on what those words mean for us, such as forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope. However, my mind cannot grasp the breadth of Christ’s victory and its implications. Have you ever sat down [you need to, for it will take time] and considered what “it is finished!”  embraces?

 The promises inherent within the Jewish Temple sacrificial system have been fulfilled. Jesus is the Passover Lamb. He has paid Sin’s price. He has stripped Death of its haunting power and binding fear. As 'the Lamb of God’ He crushed the Serpent called Satan. Where did this take place? In the darkness which enveloped the world that 3pm of the crucifixion day.

 Daniel predicted that on the 69^th week of a 70 week of years from a specific date in the time of Nehemiah the Messiah would be cut off. That is, suffer death. This has been calculated to be the time when Jesus was crucified. “it is finished!” What Daniel 9:24-26 detailed has been completed.

 Isaiah 53 predicted there would be One called to be The Suffering Servant who would take Judgement upon Himself as a substitute for Israel. The Gospels and New Testament confirm this promised person as Jesus. “it is finished!” is His testimony from Calvary.

 In writing to the Christians at Colossae, the apostle Paul highlighted what Jesus secured for we Gentiles. In the letter to the Colossians in 2:10-15 is a ‘breathtaking’ explanation of “it is finished!” Christ has made us alive to God, we who had been dead to Him before. The charges listed against us had been paid for and wiped off our record. It was as though above the crucified Jesus was the charges listed, nailed and Christ’s blood declaring, ‘paid in full!’

 What the cry “it is finished!” also points to is ‘Now This Will Happen!’  What is involved in ‘This?’ We can be pardoned. We have a new destiny. We have a new song of faith, hope and love. We have a new relationship with Jesus and a new mission from Him. There is also the prophecies concerning the land and people of Israel, the return of Jesus to judge and reign and the rapture of the church. They are some of what are ahead for the inhabitants of earth and the Lord calls you to believe Him and be ready.

Copyright Ray H. October 2020.

Come and See

They said to him “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” John 1:39

 The four Gospels are required to give us an understanding of the formation of a disciple. We appreciate this as we follow the lives of the first men to check out Jesus and then throw their lives into His service. Similar principles apply today.What caused Andrew and the other disciple to get to investigate Jesus more closely? The words of John the Baptist aroused their interest by the statement ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’’ The term ‘Lamb of God’ so permeated their upbringing and National psych it drove them to know more about this Jesus. Can you reflect upon some incident, or person, that motivated you to give a more detailed consideration of the Man from Galilee?

 Why did they ask Jesus about his lodgings? Presumably, they had the intent Lamb of God,ion of dropping by one day. Jesus took their inquiry and turned it into an invitation, “Come and see.” He didn’t bombard them with irrefutable proofs about Himself and His ministry. Rather, Jesus gave them ‘breathing space’ to simply get to know Him even though Jesus knew them. This also applies to His dealings with us.

 I wonder what they saw! What did they hear? What did they ask? Whatever took place they wanted more, and they needed to share what they had found. Andrew’s conviction about Jesus is revealed in his comment to Peter, “We have found the Messiah.” That is intriguing. Building on John the Baptist’s words, whatever Andrew asked, or answers Jesus gave, a conviction was born. Over the next three years Andrew and the others would have that statement of faith severely tested. This will be true for you and any others who come to the same conclusion on the evidence presented.

 From a prophetic statement of John a monumental movement began because Jesus simply said “Come and see.” A look down the time tunnel of history sees similar incidents occurring when individuals have an encounter with the Messiah. Such names as Augustine, Francis of Assis1, Martin Luther, John Wesley, C.T. Studd and a myriad of others spring to mind. You will, undoubtedly, have your own list.

As you read the account of the first disciples in John chapter one there is a going intensity in understanding this Jesus. Simon has a major make-over with his name. He will be called Cephas which means a piece of stone. It would be some time before the unstable components of his character were forged into the significance his new name. That is something similar to our experiences. When we meet the Master and yield to Him we are given a new name. However, it will take the daily pressures of life interacting with our faith in Christ for our new name to ring true.

On what was probably the third day Jesus begins to move back to Galilee. Why did Philip respond to Jesus invitation “Follow me?” How did he come to the conviction that Jesus was the fulfilment of what Moses and the Law pointed to?  In sharing it with Nathaniel this conviction aroused what today would be a politically incorrect comment “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

 Once again the personal encounter with Jesus and Nathanael illustrated the grace of the Lord. In combining the six individual encounters with Jesus there is a movement of conviction summed up by man under the fig tree. “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Easy words! Words Jesus accepted but He knew they would be tested later. For us, when we come and see this Jesus and place our trust in Him, our words will be tested. We can go further than the original six statements whilst agreeing with them. For we believe Jesus is the crucified and risen Saviour of the World, the promised Messiah, Son of God, Lord of Glory. We have bowed by faith before Him and in the words of Thomas called Him “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28).

 All that began for us, as it did for the disciples because Jesus through His servants says similar words to us, as to the original six “Come and see!”

 

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Daniel 2:31-36. The Rock from Outer-space.

God has many titles. Moses called Him in Deuteronomy. 32:4. The Rock! Psalm.61:2. Isaiah 51:1. and many other references build on this descriptive name. He is the Rock of refuge and as the hymn says, the rock cleft for me. There is a children's song many an adult can remember singing; 'Build on the Rock and not upon the sand.'

In this final blog about God the Rock we look at the use of it in Daniel. It began when Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about an idol. It was gigantic but its meaning was unclear until Daniel was summoned. He had been taken captive to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Israel and its capital. Daniel was given the gift to interpret this, and other dreams.

The idol represented four World empires: Head of gold, Babylon, Chest of silver were the Medes and Persian empire. Next, the belly and thighs of bronze represented Greece and the final empire of iron was Rome. This final empire split in two and was of iron and clay. However, at some point in time Daniel said God steps in with His judgement. How does this happen? By the Rock from outer-space. Where does it strike? the feet! What is the twofold result? The idol is destroyed and 'blown away' and the 'The Rock' brings forth the long anticipated Kingdom of God. 

The significance of this dream goes beyond the scope of this blog. However please note the following: The idol representing the four nations was actually one. Therefore, one spirit was actually animating the four world powers. From further study you will realise that each kingdom sought the destruction of the Nation of Israel. Idols are a front behind which the Devil hides to receive worship 1 Corinthians 10:19-20. This is the force which infuses, controls the nations. You get a sense of this, more so in some than others, in the nations’ treatment and attitude to Israel. It will be this antagonism which leads them to the Valley of Decision. Joel 3:9-16.

Notice, the symbolism of the Stone cut from the Rock but not by Human hands. The symbolism of this is vital. It means the crushing Rock is of the same nature as The Rock. Remember what Jesus said. John 10:30. He and the Father and therefore the Holy Spirit are  one in essence.  Deity is not needed to be stated as its relationship is apparent. The Stone Daniel mentioned is also named The Lord of Hosts. He is the Lord Jesus in battle dress. What began on earth at Bethlehem with the Warrior Baby will then be completed by the returning Warrior Lord. He comes to vindicate His word, execute the Father’s wrath, deliver Israel from annihilation, see Israel’s conversion, bring judgement and establish God Kingdom.

 The Crushing Stone strikes the base of the Idol and it becomes dust. If the feet refer to the Roman empire then has Daniel or the interpreters got it wrong? Revelation 6-19 has information on this. What wasn't revealed to Daniel was the ‘sin binning’ of Israel due to unbelief in the coming of Jesus to be their Redeemer. This culminated in the Nation's uprising against Rome being dispersed around the globe. The emergence of the Church took up the testimony of the promised Messiah which causes some to imagine the Lord has  finished with those He termed 'His Inheritance.' This is insulting to God for it suggests He is unable to fulfil His promises.

Before the Day of the Stone from outer-space the Church's mission must be completed. It must be replaced by the final prophetic period  foretold in Daniel 12. How is the Church taken from the scene? By the Rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. 

From the rejected Stone to the Smitten Stone then the Living Stone who is the foundation, corner and capstone and at the same time the Rock of Offence, the Stumbling Stone, Jesus will be the penultimate Crushing Stone. Only then will we behold Him as the Radiant Stone.

We must assess our relationship to Him. Will He be our Crushing or our Radiant Stone? That will be decided by your faith in Him as the Lord and Saviour, crucified, entombed and risen.

 

 

The Radiant Stone. Revelation 4:3-5

 I Went to the Zeehan museum on the West Coast of Tasmania. In there was a great collection of rocks. Their structure and patterns and colours made visible through strategic use of lights. Fascinating. Behind the plain exterior, often covered with mud and grime lies an unseen beauty.

This is a symbol of Humanity. Sin, unbelief and rebellion against God and goodness have covered its beauty. Part of the reason for the Lord Jesus’ coming was to remove the mud and grime. However to do that He had to take upon Himself the form of a man. Philippians 2:5-8.  Beyond all that, Jesus as the Messiah took upon Himself all the muck, sludge and filth which encrusts Humanity – you and me included, 2 Cor. 5:21

In Revelation we are given a glimpse of the risen Lord. Free from the sin of the World, no longer hiding His eternal glory through the dress of a servant, we behold Him as the Radiant Stone. In Revelation 4:3, two stones are highlighted, Jasper and carnelian. They are also the 12^th and the 1st of the precious stones on the High Priest’s breastplate, Exodus 28:15-21. Jasper is mentioned first in Revelation but is actually the 12^th. Its colour is considered to be green.  Carnelian (sardine in kjv) [ruby. Niv] is 1^st on the Breastplate and is the colour red. What is symbolized? Blood!

 Jesus is the redeemer. We are the redeemed. That is an accomplished fact. It will be eternally remembered. Green, death, and rise from its grip is the colour at the forefront in Heaven. The green rainbow expresses mercy. God knew Humanity could not pay the penalty for sin and live. God’s mercy paved the way to save those who believed in the One who could pay the price. That person is Jesus Christ. We are sharing in that faithful fulfilment. I’d like to think that the green represents our conformity to Christ and clothed in His life and righteousness.

  The glory of the One who is our Lord, Saviour and high Priest is seen in Revelation 1:12-16. It is so awesome that the beloved disciple, John fainted. Imagine that! He who had spent three years with Jesus, was a witness to His risen life and transformed body was overwhelmed. What a wonderful moment awaits us. When the Lord makes Himself known to the heart and mind of an individual it is overwhelming. Sometimes frightening. When He comes with Salvation we rejoice. When the Lord comes to us in His radiance it can be crushing.

 The power of His glory is detailed by how He deals with the Man of Lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:8. It is simply by the breath of His mouth (the Sword of His Word) and the brightness of His unveiled glory.

 Finally, The radiance of Christ Jesus means there is no need of the light of the sun in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:21-23. Also the city is permeated by this very radiance, Revelation.21:19-21.

 The Rejected stone, the Smitten Stone, the Stumbling Stone has become for us our foundation Stone, Capstone and the Radiant Stone. One day the Nations of this World will face Him as the Everlasting Stone. Daniel 2: 34-35.  7:13-14.

(Next blog)