Sunday, June 1, 2014

Christ in the Book of Job



~ Jesus Christ is the Ever-Living Redeemer ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the book of Job we see Jesus Christ as the Timeless Redeemer or the Ever-living Redeemer.  For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” (Job 19:25).   He is also seen as the Dayspring from on high.  Have you [speaking to Job] commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place [as the Creator did]” (Job 38:12). 

additional comment:  In the book of Isaiah we read about the servant of the Lord—who would suffer greatly while being innocent (Isaiah 52:13-53:12).  Meanwhile those who are guilty would look on and blame Him for His own suffering—even saying He was being punished by God for His own sins.  The passage goes on to say that this servant would intercede with God on their behalf.  Some thought this servant of the Lord to be Job—but in the New Testament it is revealed that it is our Savior Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is being described (see Acts 8:32-35). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in the Book of Job. Much more could be said about each of the previous examples.

additional comment: The Book of Job is quoted in the New Testament.   “He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them”(Job 5:13).  “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’” (1 Corinthians 3:19). 

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   
(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.
(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.
(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.
(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.
(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Messiah, 154



~ Messiah Would Be Sought by the Gentiles ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”
— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture
“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). 

The Messiah     
But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake’” (Acts 9:15-16). 

Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.’  And again he says:Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!’  And again:Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!  Laud Him, all you peoples!’  And again, Isaiah says:There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope.’  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:7-13). 

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath…  Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.  And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:42, 48). 

~~~ 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.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Bible Answer, 4



~ Did You Get It Right?  ~   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~ bible answer ~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

question 4:  How many Biblical kings hid in a cave?   

answer:    At least five (Joshua 10:3, 16-17). 
(1) Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem
(2) Hoham, king of Hebron
(3) Piram, king of Jarmuth
(4) Japhia, king of Lachish
(5) Debir, king of Eglon

Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, ‘Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.’ Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it… But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, saying, ‘The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah’” (Joshua 10:3-5, 16-17).

comments:  Can you think of other kings who hid in a cave while they were king? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Rock of Ages



~ What Kind of Rock is Christ for You? ~     

Stumbling Rock  ~  As it is written:Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 9:33). 

Salvation Rock  ~  Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). What kind of material is your foundation built upon?

Sheltering Rock  ~  “And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by’” (Exodus 33:21-22). 

Stricken Rock  ~  And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink’” (Exodus 17:5-6).You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces” (Daniel 2:34).

Speaking Rock  ~  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals’” (Numbers 20:7-8).

Sustaining Rock  ~  “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Solid Rock  ~  “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’” (Matthew 16:17-18). Many Christians love the refrain from an old hymn, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

summary:  The old hymn “Rock of Ages” is a great summary of this post.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, see Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

King David knew this Rock of Ages: “Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said: ‘The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies’” (2 Samuel 22:1-4).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).