Messiah, 9

~ Messiah Would Be a Descendant of Abraham, 3 ~  

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?’” (Genesis 18:17-18).

The Messiah  

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

“Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age … the Son of Abraham” (Luke 3:23, 34).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

Lettuce Patch

~ The Encouragement of Lettuce ~   

“Let us” occurs thirteen times in the book of Hebrews and each time it comes with encouragement. On the other hand “lest” occurs seven times in the book and every time with a warning. “Let us” carries the connotation of letting the Holy Spirit work in our lives and “lest” the implication of not hindering the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Lettuce Lifestyle (Hebrews 4) our danger, our duty, our doctrine, and our approach ~ “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear [our danger] lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (4:1-2).  “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest [our duty], lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [our doctrine]. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly [our approach] to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:11-16).  

Lettuce Growth (Hebrews 6) our maturity ~ “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection [our maturity], not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits” (6:1-3).

Lettuce Salvation (Hebrews 10) our salvation, our assurance, our fellowship ~ “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water [our salvation]. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful [our assurance]. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching [our fellowship]” (10:22-24).

Lettuce Work (Hebrews 12) ~ our responsibility, our task, our method ~ “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us [our responsibility], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us [our task], looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:1-2). “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace [our method], by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (12:28).

Lettuce Association (Hebrews 13) our identification, our response ~ “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach [our identification]. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name [our response]. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (13:12-16).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 8

~ Messiah Would Be a Descendant of Isaac ~  

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

“But God said, ‘That's not what I mean. Your wife, Sarah, will have a baby, a son. Name him Isaac (which means “Laughter”). I'll establish My covenant with him and his descendants, a covenant that lasts forever” (Genesis 17:19).

The Messiah  

“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began His public ministry. Jesus was known as the Son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli. … Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham” (Luke 3:23, 34).

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers” (Matthew 1:1-2). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

EXTRA: Book Review – OPP, 3

~ A Review of “One Precious Pearl” by Maggie Harding ~

In the short time since “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church” was released, it has received many accolades including being named

“2011 Book-Of-The-Year” by Reader Views Literary Awards,

“2011 Runner-up” by the International Book Awards, and

“2011 Winner” by The Word Guild. 

Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book has received. 

One Precious Pearl

by Robert Lloyd Russell

Infinity Publishing

Reviewed by Maggie Harding

 

"The pearl is the only gem that is perfect without additional work by man.”  Discover what the precious pearl is.  

In One Precious Pearl the author clearly demonstrates that, though Biblical principles are simple, they are not simplistic.  Anyone can understand the concept of a man seeking pearls and finding one so precious that he sells everything he has to buy it.  But, I believe, it is God's desire that we delve into His word in order to go beyond the obvious so that we can know Him better.  The author presents several versions of what the pearl represents.  Is it Salvation?  Is it the Kingdom of Heaven?  Or is it the Church, the body of believers in Christ?  Digging more deeply into the content and context of the parable of the precious pearl reveals the many layers that lie beneath the apparent interpretation.

Too often religious leaders are willing to accept doctrine based on phrases in the Bible that are not only out of context but also fail to consider the constancy of God's character.  This has lead to the formation of many denominations as well as many false sects that attract CINO's, Christians in name only.  Just as cultured pearls mimic natural pearls and can mislead even the most accomplished gemologists, so false teachings mislead many who consider themselves to be Biblical scholars.

Russell is an accomplished writer who has taken some difficult concepts and presented them in an informative and interesting way.  Whether you are a believer or a seeker, you'll never look at a pearl the same way after reading One Precious Pearl. 

The US Review of Books
PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

There is more information about One Precious Pearl at the author’swebsite. 

You may order directly from Amazon or from Infinity Publishing.