Messiah, 177

~ Messiah Would Bring Forth Justice ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Behold!  My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!  I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.  He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.  A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.  He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice [future complete fulfillment] in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law” (Isaiah 42:1-4). 

The Messiah  

“But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there.  And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.  Yet He warned them not to make Him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:  ‘Behold!  My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!  I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles.  He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.  A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory [future complete fulfillment]; and in His name Gentiles will trust’” (Matthew 12:15-21). 

The Future Complete Fulfillment

In the future the righteous Judge of all will create justice. “In regard to these [unbelievers], they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.  They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:4-6). 

~~~ 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/).

“Inspires As It Amazes”

~ Book Review of “God Light” by Jean James ~

Reproduced immediately below is one of the independent book reviews “God Light” has received.

This powerful, thought provoking book inspires as it amazes. Both scripturally and scientifically, Mr. Russell shows how the secrets of our universe are intimately connected with light and how light remarkably unlocks the truth about all things.

While the author skillfully weaves his way through scripture and countless scientific theories, we can’t help but realize that God is light, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the light of the world, and that we are children of light. And at every point of our reading journey through this book, we see the true vastness of creation.

The book is set up invitingly, and the remarkable parallels of Sonlight and sunlight are clearly expressed. One seldom finds a scientific, Christian book so deeply researched and so well written. I would definitely recommend this book.

by Jean James (posted on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and GoodReads)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

In the time since “GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight” was released, it has received accolades including being named:

“Gold Medal Winner” (Christian non-fiction) by the “2013 Readers’ Favorite Awards”

“Best Book” (Religion: Christianity) by the “2012 World Book Awards”

“Winner” (Religion non-fiction) by the “2012 Beverly Hills Book Awards”

“1st Place” (Religion: Eastern-Western) by the “2012 Reader Views Awards”

“Runner-up” (Religion: Christianity) by the “2012 USA Best Books Awards”

“Finalist” (Book: Biblical Studies) by the “2013 Word Guild Awards” (Canada)

There is more information about God Light at the author’s website.

You may order directly from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Infinity Publishing, and other retailers.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

7 Comparisons

~ “Just As” Statements from Ephesians ~

Our Lord often spoke in parables—a story or word picture of earthly situations which illustrate heavenly concepts.  There are also a number of similes, metaphors, analogies, and word pictures presented throughout Scripture.  The book of Ephesians presents seven “just as” statements that Christians should consider.

Just as… Sinners  ~  “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (Ephesians 2:1-3).  The conduct of the past of every Christian.

Just as… Calling  ~  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).  The change in the past of every Christian.

 

Just as… Imitation  ~  “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).  The challenge of every Christian—to be like Christ.

Just as… Headship  ~  “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-24).  Continuing the thought the passage continues…

Just as… Love  ~  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:25-28).  The relationship of Christ to His Church provides the example for the Christian.

Just as… Care  ~  “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Ephesians 5:29-30).  Continuing the thought the passage continues…

Just as… Self  ~  “‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife just as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:31-33).  The care Christians are to have for one another.

application:  These passages are all related to the character of the individual.  Reputation is what others believe you to be, but character is what God knows you to be.  Are you continually becoming more like Christ?

~ 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/).